London Hotel Charges Man $127 For Three Bottled Waters

[dmcowen674]

As long as the people involved are the specially selected ones (and hard working and/or super rich), such as top Doctors, scientists, managers, intellectuals, already very wealthy, etc etc.
Or alternatively, they have already succeeded in getting suitably very good jobs in England.

Then they will be welcomed with open arms.

Alternatively you can just pay (only) £2,500,000 (very approx, $4,000,000), to come in.

Details about paying to come to England.

So you don't have to worry, the super, mega, super duper rich of America, CAN afford to come to England.

EDIT: The unemployed of America, still have the opportunity to work very hard at what they are good at, train/study hard, move up the employment/career ladder, and eventually (legitimately) move to England (UK), if they want to.

The only thing the rich are buying is to cut in front of the line.

Poor folk don't give a crap about paperwork.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

The only thing the rich are buying is to cut in front of the line.

A number of UK residents don't agree with the policy of allowing people to just "buy" their way into the UK.

I have mixed feelings (some good, some bad) about it myself.

I guess one of my biggest reasons for not being 100% happy with the policy, is because it can allow especially unfavourable people into the UK.

E.g. Top Russian people, who I disapprove of, because of the horrible way that the Ukraine has been treated in recent times.

I.e. Just because a high ranking Russian fellow of Putin, wants to pay $4,000,000 to come to the UK, and its relative safety, does not mean (in my mind), that they should be accepted.

E.g. I think the wife of the current Syrian (Civil War) (top leader, Assad) government is/was staying in great safety, in the UK.
While 100,000s of Syrians were being killed with chemical weapons (and other means).

This does not sound right and fair.

 

[Ns1]

why is dave still acting like they paid $50/bottle of water?

 

[Rakehellion]

Poor person does rich people things, is surprised they cost money.

And it was only $127? Add some zeroes to that amount to get someone to care.

 

[smackababy]

why is dave still acting like they paid $50/bottle of water?

Even if they did, how is that any different than every bar in the world? Pellegrino is some designer mineral water crap. It is like $11 a bottle here in the US. Even at $50 a bottle, that is only like a 5x mark up. That is low for high end places.

Let's say he opted instead to buy a $50 bottle of champagne at a restaurant. Guess that? That costs $500 minimum. I've seen it for basic Veuve or Moet at places around here. It is stupid! Now, get into some of the most expensive bottles and you're talking $1000 for a bottle of Dom Perignon.

Regardless of all that, the prices and policies were fully explained and this guy either ignored it or is just looking for attention / refund / comps.

 

[CPA]

why is dave still acting like they paid $50/bottle of water?

Because it's Dave. Have you ever known him to say "ooops, I was wrong. sorry guys."?

 

[Caravaggio]

Edward Heaton had a business meeting at the five star Wellesley Hotel in Knightsbridge, London. It was hot they opted to sit outside on the cigar terrace of the Crystal Bar, and order three small bottles of San Pellegrino sparkling water. After the meeting concluded, and Mr. Heaton requested the bill, imagine his surprise, when the total came out to $127.

I share your outrage at the price of the water. London hotels are a complete rip-off, far worse than New York, IMHO.

But you are confusing the product with the ambience.
The complainant wished to play the role of 'money no object', "high roller" in front of his business associates. The product on offer was not the water but the chance to seem like a big shot, in a nice part of London on a warm summers day.

Had he opted to hire a small conference suite in Central London there would have been another zero on that bill.

Anyway, the guy is a businessman, doing business. I have never met such a person who buys his own drinks. That will go straight to his next monthly expenses claim. There will be a little chortle in the accounts department, but no real damage.

There is a large crappy hotel near Russell Square, two miles to the north, which charges $2 for water. Most of the guests are Americans travelling frugally, not on business.
You pays yer money and makes yer choice.

 

[nageov3t]

why is dave still acting like they paid $50/bottle of water?

yeah, I think it works out to something like $15/bottle (which is still obviously high for a bottle of water, but 5-star hotel, waiter service, tax/tip, etc)

 

[unokitty]

Pity the man wasn't in Detroit.

I understand water is a basic human right there. And no one has to pay...

Uno

 

[hal2kilo]

So what are the poor people there drinking?

Strongbow. Dude you need to get your own life in order. The rich always get richer. Get over it.

 

[emperus]

Thought this was crazy until I realized this man held a meeting on their patio and didn't even order food. Who does that?

When I go out during the weekend on a date or with friends and don't want to wait in line and want a table. I know it's going to cost me at least 250 for a $50 bottle of grey goose.

 

[WelshBloke]

Strongbow.

 

[smackababy]

yeah, I think it works out to something like $15/bottle (which is still obviously high for a bottle of water, but 5-star hotel, waiter service, tax/tip, etc)

He was ordering Pellegrino. That is $11 a bottle at a retail store. $15 isn't exactly a huge markup.

I'm sure he doesn't bitch when he buys a beer for the price of a six pack.

 

[alkemyst]

This is not about 3 bottled waters for $1xx, it's about there was a minimum service fee for occupying the area during the time they did.

They should have ordered enough to at least cover what they would be charged.

Many venues down here have a 2 drink, or a $60 table minimum for certain events.

 

[hal2kilo]

Last time is was in Scotland, thats mostly what I drank. Good stuff (on tap). Did not realize until I came back that it's available in most of the stores around here.

 

[smackababy]

This is not about 3 bottled waters for $1xx, it's about there was a minimum service fee for occupying the area during the time they did.

They should have ordered enough to at least cover what they would be charged.

Many venues down here have a 2 drink, or a $60 table minimum for certain events.

A lot of the clubs around here have a one bottle minimum for a table. And their staff polices those tables! If someone comes and leans against yours, they swoop in and tell them to fuck off! Same with sitting anything on it.

But yeah, the guy either ignored the clearly written policies or is just trying to generate public outcry and get a free meal.