World

Saudi king books entire Four Seasons hotel for US visit

For his three-night stay in Washington, the 222-room hotel’s guests were forced to move to nearby luxury hotels

Web Desk September 06, 2015

PHOTO: PRESSTV

A reception laden with red carpets, a hotel covered in gold and a fleet of luxury cars -- such was the scene in Georgetown, Washington DC, upon the arrival of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

For his three-night stay in the US capital, the 222-room hotel’s guests were forced to move to nearby luxury hotels. The hotel even made extra arrangements to suit the 79-year-old king’s tastes.

Gold furniture was rolled into the hotel, red carpets were laid down in the hallway as well as on the asphalt in the hotel’s parking, according to eyewitnesses.

PHOTO: TWITTER

"Everything is gold," a hotel guest told the politico website. "Gold mirrors, gold end tables, gold lamps, even gold hat racks."

Read: Saudi arabia visit: President Mamnoon meets King Salman

King Salman's delegation included Saudi diplomats as well as his own family and assistants. The king has a reputation for travelling with a huge entourage. Last month, King Salman and a 1,000-person entourage holidayed on the French Riviera; however, they were forced to cut short their trip after a petition from some 150,000 residents over the closure of a public beach outside his villa.

This is the King’s fisrt visit to the United States since taking the throne, following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah. While many inferred King Salman’s absence from the Gulf summit at Camp David, as a diplomatic rebuke of Obama’s Iran strategy both governments have denied such analyses.

Read: Saudi king's French Riviera holiday provokes beach protest

Despite strains, the US and Saudi Arabia rely on each other over security, business and economic issues. However, the Obama administration is dedicated to providing assistance to the Gulf States in integrating ballistic missile defense systems and strengthening cyber and maritime security, which the president promised in the Gulf summit at Camp David.

This article originally appeared on Dailymail

COMMENTS (14)

Saad | 8 years ago | Reply Saudi royal family pretend to be the servant of Islam and they don't know an iota of modesty that Muhammad (pbuh) taught to his people. Their staunch opponents, Saddam and Qaddafi, have been killed and those were the leaders who even lived in tents and modest huts. And these disgusting people are using the money they seek from oil trade & religious tourism to show off their "God-ness". They are disgrace to humanity and slap on the face of people who are dying in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Pakistan while fighting against the Sauds-funded terrorists & mercenaries

tahir | 8 years ago | Reply Saudis Arabia is biggest doner on earth for Muslim world . they issue has visa free for all.when israel stack lebnon saudia give 1.50 billion USD very next day.when Pakistan declare itomic power Saudis support openly and hiding. Can u guys give any example from Muslim world that can compare with saudia

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MA | 8 years ago | Reply Why don't all these refugees just march over the desert towards KSA and Kuwait? What will the govts do? Shoot them? Blow a sand storm?

Adnan Ahmaf | 8 years ago | Reply Shame on you Saudi king your deeds are not good. Muslims in the world are deprived, grieved, martyred, spending lives in slavery, food shortage. But you are booking hotles for your luxurious lifestyle. May Allah take your wealth back from such people and give it to those deprived Muslims of the world.

Azi | 8 years ago | Reply There are times when you would question God, why give all this wealth to this country who's leadership is so vile, so disgusting, so heartless.

MAS | 8 years ago | Reply Shame on King Salman. With the title of Khadim i Harmain Sharifain he is considered an important leader of the Muslim World. He does not have any compassion for his Muslim brothers. He have forgotten that there in ONE MIGHTY KING OF ALL who is watching over and Insha Allah their days are near. And believe me even the super power they rely on for cover and protection cannot protect them when the Wrath of Almighty ALLAH fall on them.

TooTrue | 8 years ago | Reply While his Syrian coreligionist and Arabs perish in the waters of the Mediterranean. How much simpler to go to Saudi Arabia rather than Europe.

Stranger | 8 years ago | Reply Whats wrong with it . I mean I don't like the way they don't support refugees being stinking rich .. but besides the point , the hotel is getting paid naa what if its 100 guests or just one guest . The king and his entourage are not staying free of charge. And think of this 'rich' market like red carpets/ gold whatever ... honest hard working people in that industry will get a boost if the rich Arabs ( or whoever ) spend on it .

Point | 8 years ago | Reply I wish someone teaches this Saudi King a little bit of Islam and modesty

SA | 8 years ago | Reply If ever there were criminals fit for the noose it is these saudis, but wait these are the favourite people of Nawaz sharif and his lot. take your pick

Milind | 8 years ago | Reply @Omar Sadiq - "Death to Saudi Arabia; Death to the Saud Monarchy and Death to these yahoodi slaves." I know where you're coming from, but does your Muslim world have any alternative to this Saudi royalty? Them going away will throw the Arab world in another civil war, akin to Syria. This is something of a necessary evil the Muslim world will have to live with until its capable of throwing leaders like Nasser on the world stage.

Darius | 8 years ago | Reply Their behaviour is an absolute disgrace to humanity. They pretend to be God fearing but do not hesitate to indulge in all their despicable fantasies. They provide financing to militants to kill women and children but do nothing to protect the weakest amongst them. The world will be a far safer place without their types.

Omar Sadiq | 8 years ago | Reply @Ali S: Ali, I don't know what your age is but I have been saying for years exactly what your sentiments are. Death to Saudi Arabia; Death to the Saud Monarchy and Death to these yahoodi slaves.

Ali S | 8 years ago | Reply The Saudi monarchy are among the vilest creatures on earth. Syrian children washing up dead ashore triggered Europe into a moral reawakening while they book entire five-star hotels with gold furniture, red carpets and force out other guests during their visits as their Arab brothers die. The end of the Saudi monarchy will be a blessing for the entire Muslim world.

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