The ultra-wealthy are spending fortunes on bespoke holidays, with one client expending nearly $1 million in a single week and another demanding a giant croissant for a private jet. Matthieu Schon, a 29-year-old luxury travel concierge based in Dubai, detailed the extravagant requests from his high-net-worth clientele, which include sports stars and VIPs.
Schon, founder of Matt Concierge, states that a "standard VIP trip nowadays" can easily reach $500,000, covering expenses such as private jets, yacht excursions, and stays in exclusive destinations. "That is what the luxury market has become recently," he noted. He added that the clients spending these sums are not always the celebrities one might expect, but often ordinary-looking individuals with substantial disposable income.
A Glimpse into Extravagant Spending
A 10-day VIP holiday to the South of France from Dubai, as planned by Schon's company, could include a return private jet costing over $100,000, helicopter transfers around $1,700, and luxury hotel suites at approximately $4,300 per night. Daily expenses can also be significant, with chauffeurs costing around $850 per day and security running into thousands of pounds daily. A single day on a yacht can exceed $40,000.
One pharmaceutical executive recently spent close to $857,000 over a week-long European tour. Schon recounted that this client allocated around $214,000 for yacht rental, with a single afternoon of partying on the boat costing over $51,000.
Schon's team of five employees handles all aspects of these trips, from accommodation and private transfers to restaurant bookings and fulfilling unique client requests. For instance, a major NBA player on a four-day trip to Mykonos booked the largest available six-bedroom villa at the Santa Marina hotel, costing approximately $45,000 for the duration, despite traveling with only his partner. Schon explained that athletes often have significant funds and want to indulge when they do take holidays, given their demanding training schedules.
Unique Requests and Operational Challenges
Schon sometimes advises against standalone villas for VIPs and celebrities, preferring accommodations within hotel grounds due to enhanced security. He noted that hotels, with their constant flow of people and surveillance, are generally less of a target than isolated properties.
Unusual requests are part of the job. Schon recalled arranging a large croissant for a client's private jet, a last-minute demand that required quickly sourcing the pastry and navigating airport security.
When it comes to price, Schon observes that his wealthiest clients are less focused on negotiation and more on peace of mind. He suggests that a brief negotiation over a driver's fee, which might seem significant to an average traveler, represents minimal value compared to their business dealings. This expectation of immediate service extends to evenings, with clients frequently contacting Schon around midnight or 1 a.m. with sudden desires to continue partying, requiring him to quickly secure club tables and arrangements.