What It's Like to Be Rich at the Annual Davos World Economic Forum
Fly in a private jet, stay in an exclusive hotel and mingle among the 1 percent.
— -- It's nothing but the best for the world's elite political and financial leaders who are eating, drinking and sleeping in Davos, Switzerland, this week.
About 2,500 people will attend the annual World Economic Forum, where hot topics will invariably include wealth, inequality and the price of oil.
This year's motley crew of speakers include musician will.i.am, GM CEO Mary Barra, hedge fund king Ray Dalio, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan his majesty Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud.
Private jet companies like NetJets, owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, projects it will operate 80 inbound and outbound flights across the six-day period around the annual event. London, followed by Paris, are the most active cities for these flights.
NetJets will use two of its finest planes that are part of its "Signature Series" aircraft: the 13-passenger Bombardier Global 6000, valued at $65 million, and the 6-occupant Embraer Phenom 300, worth $27 million, according to NetJets spokeswoman Chris Herbert. NetJets customers buy fractional ownership of planes, meaning they can own a quarter or eighth of the jets in 25-hour increments.
Before Davos participants even arrive in Switzerland, their luxury amenities include features like the Phenom 300 jet's wardrobe and refreshment center and entertainment system.
Many guests enjoy mountain views or at least wine and dine at the Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère, or Belvedere Hotel, where secretarial service is available upon request, the hotel says on its website. Guests can hobnob around the hotel's sauna or on the nearby ski slopes. You could also take a leisurely cable train ride in the snow.
The Belvedere Hotel is booked this week, but next month, you could reserve a room for $537 a night in a junior suite, breakfast included.
The hotel has a number of culinary options, including The Bistro Voilà, where guests can get a "quick snack" on the sun terrace.