[Prince Monalulu]

Originally Posted by Saigo

Lots of people on this thread who don't understand money.

Go on give us a quick run down on what FM's don't understand, there's a week until the next episode.

[Prince Monalulu]

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

What to generate jobs and income for the hotels and it's employees, which in turn they spend? It all trickles down you know.

Silly socialists.

A very small proportion of it trickles down IMO.
I wonder what proportion of the profits trickle down.
I'll have to look up the Gini coefficient later and see how our pay/wealth gap is getting on, whether it's still widening, I suspect it is.

[Bulletguy1]

Fascinating documentary which was really enjoyable to watch.

The 'characters' are already there.....the wealthy American couple in their 80's who had been coming to stay at Claridges for so long they gave his wife 'the keys'. Sad to see she passed away in February this year.

I quite 'took a fancy' to the ex-model, also in her 80's who simply oozed cash with a capital C! Loved her totally OTT style and make-up. Slightly eccentric....but in a nice way.

The German Manager came across as a real 'Mr Nice Guy'.....difficult to imagine him ever 'cracking the whip' with any of his staff.

The Irish Butler who has worked there since 1976....bet he could write a book on some of his 'experiences', as no doubt the Lift Operator could too!

This is all about sheer unadulterated wealth and how these people live their insular lives who won't have the slightest clue how much a litre of fuel costs, how much their home/s cost to run, what it is to queue for a bus or train etc.

Can't wait for the next two episodes!

[Bulletguy1]

Originally Posted by Prince Monalulu

A very small proportion of it trickles down IMO.
I wonder what proportion of the profits trickle down.
I'll have to look up the Gini coefficient later and see how our pay/wealth gap is getting on, whether it's still widening, I suspect it is.

Hmmm......i'd say it's gone from 'a gap' and become a chasm over the past few years.

[Prince Monalulu]

Originally Posted by Bulletguy1

<snip>
This is all about sheer unadulterated wealth and how these people live their insular lives who won't have the slightest clue how much a litre of fuel costs, how much their home/s cost to run, what it is to queue for a bus or train etc.

Can't wait for the next two episodes!

As far as I could tell from the interview with the Director, I don't think they'll be too many probing questions on what the guests think about their relative wealth.
On that tip, we probably don't know how many of these guests live in grand style all year round or who's there for a special occasion, like the American couple.
That said, no doubt their lives weren't too shabby away from Claridges.
They seem to have charmed a few FM's on here too.

[Prince Monalulu]

Originally Posted by Bulletguy1

Hmmm......i'd say it's gone from 'a gap' and become a chasm over the past few years.

Certainly is when you look at shopfloor wages as a percentile of Boardroom wages over the years.
I can feel one of my privatisation rants coming on, and they put me in a foul mood

[Bulletguy1]

Originally Posted by Prince Monalulu

On that tip, we probably don't know how many of these guests live in grand style all year round or who's there for a special occasion, like the American couple.
That said, no doubt their lives weren't too shabby away from Claridges.

Any sense of reality tends to fly out of the window with many folk like we see in this documentary. Remaining firmly grounded is not something they are best known for!

Originally Posted by Prince Monalulu

Certainly is when you look at shopfloor wages as a percentile of Boardroom wages over the years.
I can feel one of my privatisation rants coming on, and they put me in a foul mood

People will always argue that we must pay 'mega money' salaries if we want the top people for so called Captains of Industry etc. Fred Goodwin did very nicely out of making a hash of things and all it cost him was having the 'Sir' knocked off his name.

The very select few walking away with multi million pound bonuses for cocking it up makes a mockery out of the average income earner settling on 1 or 2% pay increases.......not to mention Daves 'Big Society' where we are supposedly 'all in it together'!

I don't see much 'togetherness' at all.

[Thine Wonk]

Originally Posted by Prince Monalulu

A very small proportion of it trickles down IMO.
I wonder what proportion of the profits trickle down.
I'll have to look up the Gini coefficient later and see how our pay/wealth gap is getting on, whether it's still widening, I suspect it is.

The money they spend in Hotels like this is what employs the staff, who in turn spend it. The Hotel itself will have investors who get paid and they spend it.

These people buy yachts, houses, stay in hotels and literally create industries and jobs, which in turn those people then spend money.

Money rarely disappears. Even saved money goes into banks which invest and pay profits on it, or use it as loan capital to fund businesses etc.

Basic economics.

[Stigid]

Originally Posted by Bulletguy1

Fascinating documentary which was really enjoyable to watch.

The 'characters' are already there.....the wealthy American couple in their 80's who had been coming to stay at Claridges for so long they gave his wife 'the keys'. Sad to see she passed away in February this year.

I quite 'took a fancy' to the ex-model, also in her 80's who simply oozed cash with a capital C! Loved her totally OTT style and make-up. Slightly eccentric....but in a nice way.

The German Manager came across as a real 'Mr Nice Guy'.....difficult to imagine him ever 'cracking the whip' with any of his staff.

The Irish Butler who has worked there since 1976....bet he could write a book on some of his 'experiences', as no doubt the Lift Operator could too!

This is all about sheer unadulterated wealth and how these people live their insular lives who won't have the slightest clue how much a litre of fuel costs, how much their home/s cost to run, what it is to queue for a bus or train etc.

Can't wait for the next two episodes!

Exactly, I thoroughly enjoyed the programme.

[derek500]

Those who enjoyed this, may also like Richard E Grant's Hotel Secrets on Sky Atlantic.

[goonernatalie]

Found it fasinating

[lexi22]

Originally Posted by Bulletguy1

Fascinating documentary which was really enjoyable to watch.

The 'characters' are already there.....the wealthy American couple in their 80's who had been coming to stay at Claridges for so long they gave his wife 'the keys'. Sad to see she passed away in February this year.

I quite 'took a fancy' to the ex-model, also in her 80's who simply oozed cash with a capital C! Loved her totally OTT style and make-up. Slightly eccentric....but in a nice way.

The German Manager came across as a real 'Mr Nice Guy'.....difficult to imagine him ever 'cracking the whip' with any of his staff.

The Irish Butler who has worked there since 1976....bet he could write a book on some of his 'experiences', as no doubt the Lift Operator could too!

This is all about sheer unadulterated wealth and how these people live their insular lives who won't have the slightest clue how much a litre of fuel costs, how much their home/s cost to run, what it is to queue for a bus or train etc.

Can't wait for the next two episodes!

I loved it too. And unlike others on this thread, I thought Jane Treay's (the doc maker) line of gentle (and slightly teasing) questioning was perfect for the subject matter, designed to get the absolute best from the staff who were of course the real stars! I'm sure they all do plenty of eye-rolling off camera at the demands of their guests but nevertheless they all seemed to love the challenge of creating the atmosphere that the guests keep returning to. So many funny moments, particularly loved the bit where the manager and a mem of staff were trying to figure out how to address The Edge's guest welcome card: Dear Edge, Dear Mr Edge. Dear Mr The Edge. BBC at its best.

[mrsdaisychain]

I just love these type of docu's, they are great to watch how the other half live.

I couldn't believe they went to all that trouble to organize a whole floor for someone that might not even book in!

The staff do seem dedicated to their jobs. I imagine tips are forever flowing with the type of clients they get though.

Felt so sad to hear the old lady passed away, what a shame.
I'm wondering if her husband would even consider travelling over here this christmas without her.

All the staff seemed lovely especially the Irish butler, charming fella.

[Re-Minder]

Originally Posted by late8

Hotel was nice but I have seen better. Did anyone notice how worn the carpets were and scuffs on the skirting boards?

Also the rooms seemed to be small and pokey compared to a lot of other grand hotels. I wasn't blown away. If I had that money, the Savoy etc are better choices.

The Mandarin in Knightsbridge is nicer in my opinion, better trained staff.

[Re-Minder]

Originally Posted by Saigo

Lots of people on this thread who don't understand money.

Money is the root of all evil and greed for a better word is not good, i could have a couple of million and still would not spend six grand to stay a night at Claridges in a suite.

[Re-Minder]

Originally Posted by don roberto

Re. your final comment, as I wrote originally, I'm no socialist but it doesn't stop me feeling a tad uneasy at the way some people spend money. There is luxury and comfort and there is obscene expenditure but hey, each to their own I suppose!

As to generating jobs, it appeared that the majority of the employees shown were foreign so not a lot of employment for locals! That's another debate, not for here!

As to the money guests spend, that American couple apparently only left the hotel twice during their 16 (?) day stay so not exactly splashing out around the West End eh?

Edit: Meant to add that Claridges is owned by the Barclay Bros who, according to some reports are tax exiles spending much of their time living in Monaco - for "health reasons" apparently! Hmm.

Living in Brecqhou, Channel Islands since 1993

[SolarSail]

http://www.losaltosonline.com/index....773&Itemid=109

More background on Mr and Mrs Melchor there.


I thought the Barclay brothers lived on Sark?
Claridges is a recent acquisition for them anyway, they are more know, after their newspaper venture, for owning The Ritz...now adding Claridges, The Connaught and The Berkley from what some call a distress sale last year
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...irish-firesale

I enjoyed the look behind the scenes, although I still can't get my head around a hotel not informing guests if they've left anything behind (viz the cash in the safe) It's not as though they don't know how to get in touch.

[guernseysnail]

Originally Posted by SolarSail

http://www.losaltosonline.com/index....773&Itemid=109

More background on Mr and Mrs Melchor there.


I thought the Barclay brothers lived on Sark?Claridges is a recent acquisition for them anyway, they are more know, after their newspaper venture, for owning The Ritz...now adding Claridges, The Connaught and The Berkley from what some call a distress sale last year
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...irish-firesale

I enjoyed the look behind the scenes, although I still can't get my head around a hotel not informing guests if they've left anything behind (viz the cash in the safe) It's not as though they don't know how to get in touch.

They live on a tiny island called Brecqhou which is next door to Sark.

[jabegy]

I really enjoyed this programme too, I like to see how the other half live and what a beautiful building it is.

The German manager was a really nice bloke, so kind to his staff but really on the ball. And the Irish butler was a lovely man too. I'm looking forward to the next part.

I also loved how they got the Christmas tree up overnight, the whole display looked magical.

I think the chandelier in the main hall was a Dale Chihuly, I saw an exhibition of his at the V&A a number of years ago and his work is stunning.

[LostFool]

Originally Posted by Re-Minder

The Mandarin in Knightsbridge is nicer in my opinion, better trained staff.

Depends on what you are looking for. I prefer more modern hotels but if you like old style grandeur then Clardidge's will probably fit the bill.

Originally Posted by Re-Minder

Money is the root of all evil and greed for a better word is not good, i could have a couple of million and still would not spend six grand to stay a night at Claridges in a suite.

So if you have a few million in the bank would stopping in a Travelodge make you a better person?

[nick202]

I'd never be able to afford a suite Claridge's but I do love an overnight stay in a good hotel, so I thoroughly enjoyed this programme.

[ichou]

Originally Posted by googleking

What ludicrous nations these Middle Eastern places are.

!!!

Er..........

[ichou]

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

What impressed you most?

For me it was the guy in the lift.

I've always liked good suits.

You can tell an off the peg suit by looking at the shoulders, they are never right. That's because few people have shoulders of exactly the same size, due to slight over-development of their favoured arm.

But his fitted perfectly, no imperfections in either shoulder, so likely made to measure.
This would seem probable as he would be seen by many guests who would be in close proximity with him in the lift.

Impressed by your attention to detail, but I was thinking he had escaped from the set of The Prisoner.......

[ichou]

Originally Posted by LostFool

It's a fair point that a night in a hotel like that is probably better value, comes with better service and is much more comfortable, than a first class airline ticket.

Well, if you HAD to choose.......but then these guys don't.

[Re-Minder]

Originally Posted by LostFool

Depends on what you are looking for. I prefer more modern hotels but if you like old style grandeur then Clardidge's will probably fit the bill.



So if you have a few million in the bank would stopping in a Travelodge make you a better person?

No but it would not single me out as a flash git either, never understood the mantra of needing to spend big to enjoy life, even if i was extremely wealthy i would still have to justify the need for spending £6k on a hotel room.

I'm comfortable money wise but i was brought up to get value for every penny spent,