WHAT IT IS The world’s most expensive hotel room
WHY YOU WON’T DO IT Just looking at the minibar could blow your budget
Even at the best of times, Switzerland is not known as a tourist destination that’s easy on the wallet: to really enjoy the country, a healthy bank balance is essential. And if money is no object, there is only one place to stay – the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Président Wilson, reputedly the most expensive hotel suite in the world.
The Hôtel Président Wilson is located on the banks of Lake Geneva, not far from the headquarters of the United Nations. Opening as a hotel in 1963, it came into the hands of the Tamman family – who still own it – in 1989. Reopened in 1996 after a major rennovation, it received another complete overhaul between 2007 and 2010. Today it comprises 228 rooms and promises a ‘world of unique privileges’. And so it should too, you might think when you see the tarrif – the hotel’s pièce de résistance, the Royal Penthouse Suite, costs an eye-popping US$80,000 per night. So what can you expect to get for your money?
The Royal Penthouse Suite actually takes up the entire top floor of the hotel, covering some 1,680 square metres (18,000 sq ft). It includes 12 bedrooms and just as many bathrooms, all accessible by private elevator.
In addition, there is a gym area, a jacuzzi from which you can admire stunning views of Mont Blanc, a billiard room and a boardroom if you really need to bring your work with you on holiday. For relaxation, the grand salon comes complete with a Steinway grand piano (pianist optional) and a 255-centimetre (103-in) television that rises into view at the touch of a button. There is also a private terrace and access to a helipad for good measure.
The suite’s devoted staff includes a personal assistant, chef and butler, all permanently on-call. Security provision, meanwhile, includes a guard room, bulletproof windows, armoured doors and a safe large enough to store a human being (though doing so is not recommended). Perhaps the most appealing thing for some, however, will be the hotel’s renowned respect for the privacy of its guests. Despite this discretion, however, the suite is known to have played host to famous world leaders such as Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Tony Blair and the king of Saudi Arabia, along with other notable figures including Michael Jackson, Bill Gates and Richard Branson. Advance booking is recommended.