You might not do windows either if you had over 27,500 of them to clean. According to Arcamax.com, "It takes a specially designed window washing device 64 hours to clean the sides of the pyramid, which are covered by 13 acres of glass." The apex of the Luxor pyramid is an open, steel framework which not only houses the famed xenon light beam but also several hoists which lift cleaning platforms up the side of the building.
In 1995, then-owner Circus Circus Resorts contracted with Bee Inc. to clean the windows automatically. Bee was also hired to illuminate the outside of the pyramid with something called the Starlight Lighting System.
In 2003, the two parties became enmeshed in litigation over Bee’s alleged failure to maintain the lighting. The window-cleaning technology was also at issue: "Bee claims it owns the window-cleaning system and has said that any use by the Luxor of the system is unauthorized and that the resort will be liable for any damages arising from its use, the suit says," wrote Liz Benston in the Las Vegas Sun. It asked the court to enjoin any further use of the technology by Luxor.
In September 2010, a Luxor guest complained to TripAdvisor.com, "My window view was the dirty underside of window cleaning brushes. Yes, what I mean is when I took a glance out of what could have been a great view - I was instead staring at the bottom of dirty extra large … brushes - which I imagine is the contraption used to clean the entire building of windows." However, a recent photo gallery appears to show the windows being cleaned manually, which current owner MGM Resorts International confirms is indeed how it is done these days.
"We determined that a manned system for cleaning windows would be more practical than the automated system, and we have reverted to a manned system," explains company spokeswoman Yvette Monet. "During summer months, our staff is unable to clean the windows as frequently as they do during other seasons of the year because of the heat.
"One vast difference between the Pyramid and most other Strip hotels is that the windows are tinted and the glass is set at an angle," adds Monet, "and so the light hits it at a different angle than it would a strictly vertical glass. This may cause distortion in the viewing." In other words, a lot of other hotel windows might not look so great if viewed from a similarly unflattering angle. See QoD 12/12/08, when we tackled a question very similar to today's, submitted in regard to an anonymous hotel.
In 2008, before MGM went to the manual system, the mechanical process was described as follows in the aforementioned QoD: "Apparently, it's basically accomplished using a giant mop that comes out from the vents at the top of the pyramid. They spray water down the side and the mop, which operates on a cable system, washes up and down until the whole side's been cleaned."
Now, as to dirtiness, these kinds of things also happen when casino companies are heavily indebted, as MGM is. "Capex" – capital expenditure, or maintenance to the rest of us – is one of the first things to get scrimped. This might be the case with Luxor. If you’re staying there and your view is impaired, make your feelings known to management. But spare a thought for the fellows who have to clean those windows in the heat, baked by the reflected sunlight all the while. It's literally a Hell of a job.
