G20 Brisbane 2014: Hilton worker reveals what happens when Putin comes to stay Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Russian President Vladimir Putin were grinning and bearing it in Brisbane despite recent tensions over MH17. Picture: AP Photo/G20 Australia, Andrew Taylor Source: Supplied SCIENTISTS testing food before it's eaten, undercover agents lingering on street corners, snipers on rooftops and five security guards within arm's reach at any given time. Welcome to a day in the life of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Staff members at the Hilton hotel where the President stayed during the G20 summit have told news.com.au about the extreme security measures and "intense" preparation that goes into every move the President makes. RUSSIAN HOME: Putin leaves the G20 Summit Speaking after an exhausting weekend, one staff member who didn't want to be named said "it was pretty intense but extremely exciting" and took security measures to a "whole new level." Putin's stay in Brisbane was "extremely exciting" for Hilton hotel staff. For Putin? Picture: AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool Source: AP We put a lot of effort in for all of our guests but when you have someone high profile, a singer or a racing car driver, a lot more work goes into those types of people because they have a lot more requirements. To look after people of this calibre you have to step your game up a heck of a lot," the staff member said. The Hilton played host to delegates from Mexico and Mauritania as well but it was the Russian delegation that demanded the most attention, taking up three quarters of the available rooms with some staff having to bunk together due to the sheer number of them. "It was more just the size of it really, to move 319 people into a hotel in a matter of hours and then one day you have to move 319 back out, that's really what it comes down to," he said. With the roads shut down as they were it didn't make things easier for anyone. It was more just the logistics of the whole situation. Putin, leaving the Hilton, had his own security detail. The hotel had all stations manned 24 hours a day, with staff on hand to prepare food for the ex-KGB Russian strongman and his entourage. "We prepared it in our kitchen and it was taken up to him in the restaurant or wherever he was dining and it was tasted by someone first to ensure that it wasn't poisoned or anything along those lines and then it was plated up and served," the staff member said. Those hoping for a glimpse in the hotel restaurant were disappointed as all of the leaders in the hotel opted to dine in their rooms or out at the official events. Eating is never a simple affair for Putin, pictured here in a Russian supermarket surrounded by an entourage. The Hilton staffer revealed his hotel meals in Brisbane were tasted by someone first. Picture: AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Pool Source: News Limited Each of the countries also brought their own security detail, with police staying in the hotel and "undercovers hanging around out the front." "When it comes to it, all these countries have their security and they don't want us getting involved with it," the staffer said. Putin would have had probably four or five people with him at most times, otherwise he's always got a main guy that stays with him all the time. It wasn't that excessive. Despite much-speculation he left the event early due to international pressure, staff members said the mid-afternoon departure had been on the agenda the entire time. We were never told times but we were always told it was mid-afternoon. Despite appearances to the contrary, Putin, along with the other world leaders in Brisbane for the G20, were "easy maintenance" guests. Picture: AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Government Press Service, file Source: AP During the stay workers were warned not to disclose any details to family or friends. Our policy is not to talk about any guests, with them it was exactly the same. No social media, no telling family, no telling friends. It was hotel policy but it was also to know who was staying where. None of the Presidents wanted any information out there as to where they were staying," the staffer said. But despite the massive headache the operation involved, the worker said he would take the world leaders any day, with the only other unusual request the large make-up mirror bought by the Mexican First Lady Angelica Rivera. They were easy maintenance. We have more trouble with sporting teams than they did with these guests," the staff member said. Originally published as Hilton staff reveal Putin's demands