I'm not really sure what to make of this story, but I can't help but share it. As many of you may remember, the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh was closed for business between November 2017 and February 2018, as it became a prison as part of Saudi Arabia's anti-corruption arrests. It's pretty disturbing to hear what happened…
Continue reading: Former Saudi Prison Wins Middle East “Hotel Of The Year” Award
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OMG - this is going to open the floodgates of snarky yet brilliant humor from OMAAT readers. I'm getting some popcorn!
Didn't the Spa get any award? Like, 'Best Use of a Nutcracker During the 90 minute Riyadh Relaxation Special'?
Of course it wins. Or the voters would accidentally be killed by rogue operatives too.
Just reading the title it makes the Middle East's hotels look like garbage to a foreigner.
If you're able to separate the hotel from the political affairs (which in this case is admittedly rather tough to do), I have little doubt that this is the nicest hotel at which I have ever stayed, having been there for work about 5 years ago. The opulence of that place is insane.
Interesting that if you search "MBS," "corruption," "torture," and "crown prince" on TripAdvisor, you get zero English reviews. I would have thought at least a few foreign tourists would have mentioned it -- or maybe they've just done a good job of censoring reviews.
Let's wait for Grand Hyatt Taipei to get a similar award in the next 2 years 😉
Utterly appalling that a hotel turned torture chamber turned hotel can be considered for such an award and even win it. Not to denigrate a devoted staff but this is ridiculous.
'Take no prisoners' attitude to customer service combined with 'take a lot of prisoners' attitude to sales?
This needs to be re categorized to the Hogan's Heroes Sgt. Shultz Award "I know nothing! I see nothing! I hear nothing! "
The clean up crew is top notch. You can bring a forensic expert and you wouldn't find evidence of previous guest. It's so clean , you would think You are the first person ever been in your room.
Another one
h ttps://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181105-saudi-journalist-tortured-to-death-in-prison/