Fit for a King (David)

February 1, 2010 - 11:12 AM by David

We’re used to heads of state coming to Jerusalem, with the flags of the visitor’s country unfurled throughout the city, and their motorcades causing traffic jams wherever they go.

But what about the hotels where they stay and the accomodations and special needs required to host VIPs during their visits here?
With Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his huge entourage enroute to Israel on Monday, The Jerusalem Post focused on what the King David Hotel – the traditional resting hole for heads of state – is doing to prepare for the visit.

The King David’s Old World lobby is full of photos and signatures of the leaders and celebrities who have stayed there over the years, and in recent time, the person in charge of making sure they’re comfortable and pampered in their hours spent at the hotel has been Sheldon Ritz, the deputy general manager.

We’ve share a couple meals together over the years at mutual friends, and Sheldon, originally from England, is a charming, calm fellow. But all bets are off when he’s preparing for a state visit.

The Italian delegation has booked 200 rooms for their two-and-a-half day stay, and Ritz told the Post that he has had ‘thousands’ of phone calls between the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv, the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office in Rome, as well as the Israel Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in Jerusalem to make sure everything is set up as required.

The biggest headache for Ritz and his staff is blocking off the rooms, so that the ministers are in one section, the journalists in another, security people in another and other members of the entourage in yet another.

“It’s like trying to seat people at a wedding,” said Ritz. “There are a lot of things to take into consideration.

Among Berlusconi’s likes and dislikes that Ritz has to worry about? he dislikes goats cheese and sheep cheese. He doesn’t eat animal fats, he doesn’t want perfumed flowers in his room and he likes his bed to be made French style – meaning that the covers are tucked in at the base.

The King David will also host a state dinner for Berlusconi, which will feature entrecote steak and lamb cutlets with four seasons pepper sauce.

While the Italian premier hasn’t asked for any special exercise equipment to be at his disposal, he can always partake of the hotel’s one outdoor tennis court. I played there on Friday, and can attest that it’s in tiptop shape.

It would be interesting to find out if Berlusconi, who’s just as well known for his prediliction for beautiful women as he his for his diplomatic achievements, has requested the company of any Israeli beauties. However that’s the precise reason so many important people stay at the King David – it’s far too discreet to disclose anything like that.

Tags: , , , • Category: A New Reality, Business, Food, General, Politics, Travel 

Comments

One Comment on Fit for a King (David)

  1. Lucia on Wed, Feb 3rd 2010 9:07 AM

    2. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Lucia
    Italian bed

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