A new anti-corruption committee chaired by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman started working on November 4-5, 2017. The hotel was closed for business and its phone line was disconnected since early November, when more than 150 princes, ministers and businessmen were rounded up in an anti-corruption purge. They were taken to Ritz-Carlton and forbidden to leave it. In fact, the five-star hotel has become the most expensive prison in the world.
Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal - who is one of the richest men in the world and owns the British capital's top hotel the Savoy - is one of the men who has been detained.
Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh is designed for 492 rooms. The room can be booked starting from February 14th. The service desk rejects an earlier request. Although the hotel still has some detainees, including Talal, the very fact of the booking possibility indicates that the campaign is over, FT and Bloomberg claim.
The country's attorney general has said most of those detained struck monetary settlements in exchange for their freedom. Authorities say the settlements could earn state coffers about $100 billion. All assets obtained through the corruption will be passed to the state, officials said.
Some detainees paid for their freedom, admitting guilt and handing over the part of their property to the Saudi authorities. The Financial Times reported that the Saudi government had offered the new occupants of the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton a way out. It's going to cost them, in some cases, as much as 70% of their net worth. There were also those who were released because of a lack of evidence. The remaining suspects have to prove their innocence or agree with the authorities before the end of January, otherwise they will be brought to trial.
According to the FT, referring to the bankers familiar with the situation, Bin Talal (in the photo, 2010) is negotiating to transfer the assets for $7 billion. However, the negotiations were deadlocked because the participants could not decide how to make the transer.
The Saudi authorities have transferred the remaining detainees to Al-Ha'ir prison, south of Riyadh, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news site reported. Sources told the news site that nearly 60 detainees were transferred to the maximum security prison in the Kingdom.
The Ritz-Carlton is called a majestic and elegant oasis with spacious suites, exceptional service, a world-class spa, a stunning indoor pool, as well as lavish and luxurious wedding options.
With its 600-year-old olive trees, landscaped gardens and swaying palms, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh is one of those Saudi Arabia luxury hotels that completely envelopes its discerning guests in majestic surroundings and discreet, attentive service.
According to the online reservation service of the hotel, a double room will cost 2,489 rials (about $663). The Royal suite will cost 25,000 riyals ($6,667) per night.
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