Eden Roc says No to Obama

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama © Pete Souza

For US president Barack Obama, however, this simple task may prove to be more difficult than he initially imagined as it has emerged that the major power player in international affairs has been - politely - turned down by the celebrity-haven Eden Rock hotel.

The hotel, perched on the Cap d’Antibes, has reportedly declined the request from the American government to accommodate the president on the 3rd and 4th of November, when the summit will be held, stating that it will not be open to customers from mid-October 2011 until April 2012.

This is in line with the establishment's normal policy of shutting over this period every year, and there are no exceptions - even if you are one of the most powerful men in the world.

It would be too expensive for the hotel to open its door for the president for only two days, the hotel management explain, and too inconvenient for its staff, who would already be on vacation in November.

AA