Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton will reopen on February 11, the hotel said Sunday, more than three months after it became a holding place of princes and ministers detained in an anti-corruption purge. The luxury hotel was closed for business since the unprecedented probe was launched on November 4 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has consolidated his grip on power since his shock appointment as heir to the throne in June. A hotel receptionist reached by phone confirmed to AFP that room bookings were available from noon on February 11.
The Ritz-Carlton's website had last month listed rooms as available from February 14. On Sunday it showed availability from February 11. Many of the high-profile suspects, including billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, have been released in recent weeks in exchange for what officials have dubbed financial settlements.
Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb has said that $107 billion has been recovered so far in the crackdown in various forms of assets handed over that included property, securities and cash. Prince Mohammed, the 32-year-old son of the king, has spearheaded the crackdown on corruption among members of the government and royal family over the past three months.