The rich and famous are sometimes a little out of touch with reality.

The ability to pay for anything and everything can cultivate the delusion that anything is possible.

We brought you the inside scoop on what it’s like to work on a luxury yacht, and now it’s time to see what it’s like to meet the demands of the guests at some of the world’s swankiest five-star hotels.

Spoiler alert – they really want to be pampered and doted on.

Here’s CNN:

When a Qatari sheikh asked a concierge at the Raffles Dubai hotel to deliver a present to his wife, the concierge nodded. “Of course, sir. What gift?”

A Rolls Royce Ghost, the latest model, the sheikh replied. To be delivered to Qatar by the following evening.

As you do. Ya know, casually drop off a Rolls for the wife.

This story comes to us from Harold Abonitalla (below), now chief concierge of Habtoor Palace, who considers this his most challenging request in his 14 years as a concierge.

He raced to the Rolls Royce showroom, and by 8pm he had collected the Ghost. But how would he transport the $300,000 vehicle 400 miles by sunset the following day?

Through his network of contacts he found a fellow concierge with an uncle who worked in cargo. The uncle helped him to secure a plane that could carry the car — at a price.

When told that it would cost 350 000 dirhams (approximately R1,3 million) to deliver the car the sheikh replied: “Don’t give me rates, just do it.”

Ela Lanzanas, chief concierge of five-star Fairmont Dubai and member of Les Clefs d’Or, once had to locate a Lebanese hair stylist, persuade him to drop his appointments, and charter a boat to take him out to a guest on a three-day cruise.

“She said she would not have time to go to the salon after their cruise for the fancy dinner in the evening,” Lanzanas recalls.

I mean, we all have a favourite hairdresser, but this is just ridiculous.

Concierge jobs have also become more challenging with the advent of social media. Concierges are expected to keep on top of the latest restaurant openings, exhibitions, and the most “‘grammable” spots in the city.

This has led to hotels hiring ‘navigators’ who find the more unique and off-the-grid spots for guests.

Cleatus George (below), the [ Renaissance Downtown Hotel] chief navigator, says this is a response to the changing trends and the demand to offer hidden gems rather than the usual tourist trail.

“Guests still seek the opinion of the concierge and want recommendations, but they expect a personal service and — especially when they see the golden keys — they expect to be delivered something that is exceptional,” he says.

One of George’s oddest achievements was when he managed to source Gyokuro Genmaicha, a rare Japanese brown rice green tea that costs around $16 per 100g, for a guest.

“She was wowed,” he says, “she told me she had been looking for this item for the last 4-5 months and couldn’t find it anywhere.”

The golden keys that George is referencing are the badges of honour worn by concierges who form part of the Les Clefs d’Or – an elite, members-only club of the best concierges.

Wearing a golden key will instantly win you the respect of a guest. It also clearly comes with some expectations that can send you on some wild adventures.

Just ask the concierges of Cannes.

[source:cnn]