Saudi king brought his own golden escalator on Russia trip
Saudi Arabia knows how to make themselves at home.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz brought his own golden escalator on a trip to Russia, according to Bloomberg.
Unfortunately the escalator — which King Salman normally travels with — malfunctioned and the 81-year-old was forced to exit his plane by walking down the stationary steps.
The leader also traveled with an entourage of 1,500 people, 1,764 pounds of food (and counting) and his own furniture and carpets. His visit marks the first time a Saudi monarch has ever traveled to Russia.
The Saudi government completely booked the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons for the historic visit – which forced the Four Seasons to ask some guests to cancel their rooms. The hotel also had to temporarily move out residents who live there permanently.
Some members of King Salman’s entourage replaced hotel staff for the four-day visit and a plane is making daily trips between Riyadh and Moscow for food and other supplies. King Salman will be there until Oct. 8.
Vadim Prasov, vice president of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Russia, told Bloomberg that booking out both hotels probably cost the country about $3 million — which obviously doesn’t include meals, services or transportation.
President Donald Trump stayed at the Moscow Ritz Carlton for the Miss Universe contest in 2013 and President Barak Obama stayed there during a visit in 2009.
Over the summer, King Salman made headlines when he reportedly took a $100 million vacation to Morocco.