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> Further, for me at least, if I was a billionaire, I'd much rather stay at some posh penthouse in the center of town than some inconvenient boat on the water.

by rosndo 5y ago

> Further, for me at least, if I was a billionaire, I'd much rather stay at some posh penthouse in the center of town than some inconvenient boat on the water. Ah, you’ve just never visited Costa Smeralda :) One of the most beautiful places on earth, but the hotels are terrible and will still charge you over 10k euros a night. The only way to enjoy good quality accommodation and service is to go on a yacht. (Also a wonderful place to visit with a tent or perhaps a small sailboat, just stay away from the hotels and most local restaurants unless you want to pay 300 euros for a pizza)

MikeDelta 5y ago
I guess billionaires could still pay for that, but it sounds great to have your own place that you can move anywhere along any coast in the world, where you can entertain your guests and where service and privacy is exactly the way you want it.
- rosndo 5y ago
  It’s not a problem of being able to pay for it, I spent hundreds of thousands on an all-expenses-paid site inspection. The client was happy to cover because they were planning a 5M+ wedding. Despite the frivolous spending, I didn’t really have a good time. Money was no object, but I still felt like I was constantly being taken advantage of. The big problem I had with Costa Smeralda was that despite the outrageous price tags, I was staying in a marriott room that would’ve gone for 200€ anywhere else. Eating a 300€ pizza that would cost £15 in central London. It wasn’t like Courchevel, which carries similar price tags but also feels truly special. From what I understood the Costa Smeralda properties only survive because of very old money folks whose parents were going there every year since before WW2. Besides me the youngest customers were in their 60s, there won’t be any left once they die off. Perhaps the rumored Aman property will change this? I don’t know. At least the yacht guarantees that the experience will be exactly what you wanted, even if you pay through the nose for it. It’s a portable ultra-luxury hotel you bring with you.

by rosndo 5y ago

MikeDelta 5y ago

I guess billionaires could still pay for that, but it sounds great to have your own place that you can move anywhere along any coast in the world, where you can entertain your guests and where service and privacy is exactly the way you want it.

rosndo 5y ago
It’s not a problem of being able to pay for it, I spent hundreds of thousands on an all-expenses-paid site inspection. The client was happy to cover because they were planning a 5M+ wedding. Despite the frivolous spending, I didn’t really have a good time. Money was no object, but I still felt like I was constantly being taken advantage of. The big problem I had with Costa Smeralda was that despite the outrageous price tags, I was staying in a marriott room that would’ve gone for 200€ anywhere else. Eating a 300€ pizza that would cost £15 in central London. It wasn’t like Courchevel, which carries similar price tags but also feels truly special. From what I understood the Costa Smeralda properties only survive because of very old money folks whose parents were going there every year since before WW2. Besides me the youngest customers were in their 60s, there won’t be any left once they die off. Perhaps the rumored Aman property will change this? I don’t know. At least the yacht guarantees that the experience will be exactly what you wanted, even if you pay through the nose for it. It’s a portable ultra-luxury hotel you bring with you.