Former Saudi Prison Wins Middle East “Hotel Of The Year” Award

Former Saudi Prison Wins Middle East “Hotel Of The Year” Award

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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 there, as many people were tortured and some were apparently even killed. Over $100 billion in assets were seized as well.

I imagine the hotel was also in a difficult position here. I’m not sure to what extent they were compensated by the government for their closure for nearly six months, but regardless, I imagine a lot of hotel employees probably witnessed some stuff they’d rather not witness.

Well, in late October the Hotelier Middle East Awards were held in Dubai, and there were some interesting results, as reported by Arab News. The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh won the award for “hotel team of the year.” Good for them.

Here’s what the hotel’s director of human resources had to say about this:

“We take care of our employees and they take care of our customers, that’s our company philosophy that we truly enliven. We also have a strong team support and diligent service professionals that stayed through the challenges. This helps us achieve our goals.”

The hotel’s general manager was recognized as “highly commended” under the “general manager of the year” category, as he has been “instrumental in driving the hotel team to several successes and accolades in the face of challenges throughout 2017 and 2018.” He had the following to say:

“I’m very humbled and honored to be recognized by the Hotelier Middle East Awards. This wouldn’t be possible without our ladies and gentlemen who have shown the strongest support, persistent hard work and indisputable perseverance all throughout our journey as a team.”

The hotel’s assistant director of sales and marketing was also shortlisted under the “sales person of the year” category.

Like I said, I don’t have a strong opinion here. I guess my general thought is that I’m happy the hotel won this, since I imagine the employees went through a lot. But…

Would getting the Crown Prince to choose the Ritz to torture people be considered a “success and accolade?” Was the hotel’s assistant director of sales and marketing being considered for an award for managing to “sell out” the hotel for a period of six months? Usually that’s an impressive accomplishment.

Interesting times… I do wonder whether this decision was mostly driven by some sort of actual statistics, in recognition of what the employees probably went through, or something more political.

Congrats to the Ritz Riyadh team, regardless!

(Tip of the hat to Jimmy)

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  1. Credit Guest

    I’d rather stay at the Hanoi Hilton

  2. Peter Guest

    Isn't November-to-February 3, or at most 4 months?

  3. Hank Wakai Guest

    Well you definitely can't ever visit Saudi now !

  4. Henry Guest

    Sure, but when is Lucky staying there next?

  5. Debit Guest

    Another one

    h ttps://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181105-saudi-journalist-tortured-to-death-in-prison/

  6. Miles Ahead New Member

    Touché, Michael!

  7. Notbad41 Member

    My Dad almost went to the Hanoi Hilton.

  8. Jaybee New Member

    They have new room category" Haunted Suite"

  9. Endre Diamond

    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.

  10. sullyofdoha Gold

    This needs to be re categorized to the Hogan's Heroes Sgt. Shultz Award "I know nothing! I see nothing! I hear nothing! "

  11. Claus Guest

    Next up: Embassy of the year award

  12. PAUL Guest

    'Take no prisoners' attitude to customer service combined with 'take a lot of prisoners' attitude to sales?

  13. Michael Gold

    And with 24 Hour Doom Service.

  14. Steven M Guest

    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.

  15. Brad C Guest

    The place really fell to pieces when Crown Prince Mister bone Saw showed up.

  16. Marko Guest

    the 1bedroom suite is to die for

  17. Michael Gold

    Ah, "prisoners in paradise".

  18. AlanM Guest

    Jamal Khashoggi named it as the no.1 hotel in the world to “disappear” to...

  19. AlanM Guest

    Jamal Khashoggi named it the no. 1 hotel in the world to disappear to...

  20. chub Guest

    Let's wait for Grand Hyatt Taipei to get a similar award in the next 2 years ;)

  21. Jacob Rheian Guest

    Aside from the events that occurred, this hotel looks amazing.

  22. Jordan Guest

    @Eugene - A life is still a life. Human or non-human.

  23. Anthony Member

    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.

  24. MDK08 Guest

    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.

  25. LM Guest

    Just reading the title it makes the Middle East's hotels look like garbage to a foreigner.

  26. Chatter Guest

    Of course it wins. Or the voters would accidentally be killed by rogue operatives too.

  27. Scott Guest

    Didn't the Spa get any award? Like, 'Best Use of a Nutcracker During the 90 minute Riyadh Relaxation Special'?

  28. Stephen C. Guest

    OMG - this is going to open the floodgates of snarky yet brilliant humor from OMAAT readers. I'm getting some popcorn!

  29. Eugene Member

    So uhm, can we make jokes about how the hotel is something to die for?

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Credit Guest

I’d rather stay at the Hanoi Hilton

0
Peter Guest

Isn't November-to-February 3, or at most 4 months?

0
Hank Wakai Guest

Well you definitely can't ever visit Saudi now !

0
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