- Elite executives traveled to Davos, Switzerland, last week for the World Economic Forum.
- The most popular hotel, even for the most powerful attendees, was the discount chain Hilton Garden Inn.
- The average cost of a night at a Hilton Garden Inn in the United States is just over $100.
An average of about $120 a night at 751 hotels is not unique among hotel chains, but in Davos last week elite executives visiting the World Economic Forum were vying for rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn. I was there.
wall street journal Celebrities who traveled to Switzerland for the conference included Bridgewater hedge fund investor Ray Dalio, former President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. —This year, I stayed at the Budget Hilton chain to attend an event for upper echelons of business, finance, and technology.
The Hilton Garden Inn chain is located near most major airports, offering the accessible luxury that hotel giants like Waldorf Astoria Resorts and Conrad Hotels are known for. The Hilton Garden Inn offers more double bedrooms than grand suites, a traditional breakfast buffet and dinner service that one visitor to its Davos base described as “a bit bland and simple” in his Google review. We are prepared.
But during this year’s World Economic Forum, where there will be wide-ranging discussions about the future of AI, the budget chain has become a popular choice for some of the ultra-wealthy who would normally be seen at the Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons. It’s a spot.
Stanley Bergman, CEO of medical equipment supplier Henry Schein, has stayed at the hotel every year since 2016, but due to limited space, he occupies two tables in the lobby restaurant. The newspaper reported that he had to use his hotel connections.
“If you really know the right people, you can get customized eggs,” Berman said.With so few amenities available, even breakfast orders can be customized to your liking. he told the outlet with obvious sarcasm about not being able to do so.
Representatives for Hilton did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
The World Economic Forum’s more luxurious accommodations, such as the Grand Hotel Belvedere, are limited, and due to the conference’s popularity, its rooms cost at least 50% more than typical non-WEF prices of $325 to $670 per night. It has become.
Davos, Switzerland has a population of just over 11,000 people. That means his 3,000 attendees at the World Economic Forum will easily overwhelm the city’s hotels. Davos’ tourism website lists 80 hotels in the tourist hotspot, but only a few are within the WEF security zone set up by authorities to prevent unauthorized guests from entering. .
In preparation for this event, which is a major driver of annual revenue, Grand Hotel Belvedere has increased its staff by approximately 150%. It’s unclear whether Hilton Garden Inn hired more staff to cover the week-long event this year, but guardian There have been reports over the years of “armies of staff” rushing to Davos to accommodate visiting elites.
And just because celebrities and politicians are in attendance doesn’t mean they’ll be easily accessible, even if you manage to get a room inside. Business Insider reports that high-profile attendees waited up to an hour to enter the Grand Hotel Belvedere. Due to enhanced security measures.