State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce gives a guided tour of the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, an informercial from the official government account on Twitter. Bruce accompanied President Trump on his four-day visit to the Middle East.
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh was used as a government torture site and Marriott never spoke up about its brand being used this way.
In fall 2017, during the President’s first term in office, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman moved to consolidate power, arresting senior princes, the wealthy, and former government leaders under the banner of a new anti-corruption campaign.
The high profile prisoners were held inside the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. All guests on property were unilaterally kicked out, reservations dishonored. A second Marriott was commandeered by the Saudi government as well.
One of the prisoners there reportedly died from electric shocks that had been administered to him.
Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, Credit: Ritz-Carlton
Here are photos from inside the Ritz-Carlton prison.
These photos confirm our original report, that the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh has indeed become a prison after MBS's purge https://t.co/VpceqWfk6t pic.twitter.com/merF5WRL0I
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) November 6, 2017
Several members of the Saudi royal family that had been rounded up and held there were released once “officials negotiated financial settlements.”
It’s appalling that it continues as a Ritz-Carlton after that. Or maybe it just says something about what you should expect from a Ritz-Carlton stay.
Oof… that’s a nope for me, dawg.
‘Hanoi Hilton’ 2.0 (breakfast not included).
“Or maybe it just says something about what you should expect from a Ritz-Carlton stay.”
Why stop there? Finish the thought. This is what you should expect from the current president and his minions.
The Marriott family of hotels may not be great and some are downright bad, but it seems Mr. Leff has declared open season on Marriott lately. Not sure what was the catalyst, but I’m running low on popcorn.
They both want to be kings, and they both want to silence, prosecute, jail, and perhaps kill, their critics. They have a lot in common, don’t they?
@TXP – agree Gary must have not been given an upgrade he felt he was entitled to. Seems to be full bore against Marriott now. Frankly, I could care less what Gary or anyone else posts. Lifetime Titanium and very happy with what I get – just don’t walk in expecting them to kiss my a$$, upgrade me to any room not currently rent or give me 4 PM late checkout. At this point when I get benefits I appreciate them but am NEVER going to act like I’m entitled. They are businesses and need to run them as they feel best. If people don’t like it don’t stay there – period.
As for the subject of this article – life and the world are tough. Everywhere doesn’t comply with American morals or ethics. Again, if you don’t want to go to specific countries that is fine. Saudi Arabia and Yemen aren’t on my bucket list but much of the Middle East is and it looks like Syria will be more open for travel soon.
@AC — You really want visit Syria? Regardless of recent changes, I’d give that some time…
Generally, with all the aviation-related news in the last several days, I’m surprised that @Gary Leff hasn’t yet posted specifically about either the Qatari 747-8 ‘palace in the sky’ personal gift to the President or the recent the ATC issues at Newark (after publicly assuring everyone that everything’s just fine, Secretary Duffy then re-routed his own family’s travel plans to avoid EWR. Yikes.) Instead, we get this stuff and the booty shorts posts. Priorities!
I mean… for me that’s more of a reason to stay there… :shrug:
Re: AC “At this point when I get benefits I appreciate them but am NEVER going to act like I’m entitled.
So you go in NOT expecting the benefits of your status you are entitled to, but appreciate them on the rare occasions you do get them.
Right…
Gary supports some WILD z1onist pro-gen0cide concentration camp terror programmes but he’s right on the money here with Marriott. Their programme is garbage.
I was looking forward to more information on hidden fees imposed on the stays.
Well it’s never about the money is it?
@jns — Since you mentioned those ‘hidden fees,’ recall that as of this Monday that new FTC rule finally took effect, so all those so-called ‘junk fees’ have to be disclosed in-advance. I’ve already noticed it on most sites. It’s an improvement.
When guests stay at any Marriott hotel worldwide, they will feel like they are being tortured.
Ritz-Carlton is a subsidiary of Marriott International.
Torture is a synonym for Bonvoyed.
Thought this was re-named “Hotel California by Ritz-Carlton”@ Riyadh … where you can ‘check out anytime you like but you can never leave ” ! …Disgusting … but certainly appealing to our administration …
@Ray
I wish Trump was as totalitarian as you libturds claimed. I have an entire list of people I would love taken away.
@Ray
I wish the President was as totalitarian as you libs claimed. I have an entire list of people I would love taken away.
@Walter Barry — That’s awful. So, ‘treat others as you wish to be treated,’ eh? You know, come to think of it, those most religions are pretty woke. Bah!
I’m sure the hotel had no choice about its role in those events eight years ago, so I’m not sure why it would still be held accountable. The better question would be about relationships with the Saudi regime, which is a very complex topic indeed, though the current occupant of the White House is fully focused on opportunities to line his own pockets in the region.
@1990, I was just in Syria in April, and it’s a fascinating place. Note that the war is over, and while there can be random violence, that’s true a lot of places, including the U.S. Americans are well received – people are curious to meet you and greet you with a warm “Welcome, thank you for coming!” You can get in visa-free right now, which is probably a. brief window of opportunity. I would only travel with an experienced guide, though. Things can change quickly and you want somebody closely in tune with how things are going.