BE CAREFUL
Our firm has been operating for nearly 40 years, working exclusively with ultra-high-net-worth clients. We are meticulous in our planning and rely
on local specialists to help us elevate—not simply execute—what we design.
In this case, we mistakenly prepaid for four days of tour guide services with the clear expectation that Renaud Valdenaire would be present, available, and actively advising throughout each evening.
That did not happen.
On the night in question, despite extensive planning, more than 15 phone calls, and numerous text messages throughout the day, communication was scarce. At times, the responses were limited to four-word replies, but nothing that resembled actual guidance, meaningful detail, or operational direction. More importantly, he did not show up as a guide, did not provide direction, and did not participate in any meaningful way. In fact, everything we hired him to do, he mishandled, including securing the wrong VIP table despite clear written instructions and confirmations.
The structure of the evening had been carefully designed in advance. It involved two VIP tables at T2 Shinjuku, where Renaud Valdenaire had represented that he had a strong relationship with the general manager. We made it clear that we were bringing in a nude model for a Nyotaimori presentation—we would have her covered in banana leaves and floral, with sushi placed all over her body in a respectful manner. This required precise timing, movement between spaces, and discretion.
The structure of the evening had been carefully designed in advance. It involved two VIP tables at T2 Shinjuku, where Renaud Valdenaire had represented that he had a strong relationship with the general manager. We made it clear that we were bringing in a nude model for a Nyotaimori presentation, with her body respectfully covered in banana leaves and floral arrangements, and sushi placed across her body in an elegant and discreet manner. This required precise timing, controlled movement between spaces, and absolute discretion.
Renaud Valdenaire claimed he had secured permission for this, even acknowledging that it was sensitive and, in fact, illegal. I offered him an additional $300.00 tip if he would make it happen, with the understanding that the nude model would be in and out within 30 minutes. Then, approximately 45 minutes before the event, he reversed course and stated that junior management would not allow it to proceed.
At that point, we had already committed significant costs: approximately $1,140 for the sushi model (including travel from Osaka, floral, and chef), $1,249 in prepaid guide fees, and approximately $1,230 in VIP tables and bottle service. In total, approximately $3,600 was committed to this segment — and, due to his incompetence, it was entirely wasted.
More critically, when our clients arrived, the venue was completely empty. Within five minutes, they walked out. That failure was unacceptable, and it damaged our reputation. We had invested more than three thousand staff hours into designing and executing an exceptional trip, only to have that work undermined by him, Kai Soto in Las Vegas, and Renaud. The program as a whole was strong, but when clients pay our rates, they expect perfection and they do not tolerate excuses.
When we asked Renaud Valdenaire why he had not advised us that there would not be a single person in the club at that hour, his response was: “You never asked.” (He had mentioned that other venues the following night would peak around 1:00 a.m., yet failed to apply that same logic to this booking). One might reasonably assume that a production centered on a dozen women sharing karaoke, sushi, and libations in the club would also include actual customers in the venue.
Renaud Valdenaire was absent at the most critical moment. A professional with 20 years in Tokyo nightlife would know exactly how these venues fill based on the time of night and would advise accordingly. That did not happen. This is about professional responsibility. A guide is expected to guide—to anticipate, advise, and be present. Simply facilitating tables and bottle service while collecting a 45% commission does not meet that standard.
Given the above, we expect a refund of the prepaid guide fees and a half of the value of the unused tables & bottles. While we have little expectation of recovery, the reality is that our client was billed for an experience they did not receive, and this situation will need to be formally accounted for one way or another.
Renaud Valdenaire’s collaborating partner, Kai in Las Vegas (VegasKaii), received the funds and collaborated in arranging this engagement, and he too, has been unresponsive.
NOTE: You can save roughly the $550.00 commission for your bottle service and table simply by having a ¥12,000 per hour tour guide, have him/her walk in with a potential Japanese guest and ask for the rate card. NOT the one you see form the club promoter but the club itself. You will save hundreds of dollars per evening as they make between 40% and 50% depending. (We didn’t mind the extra spend as we wanted him to make enough money to knock one out of the park for us).