"Tourists looking forward to a dream holiday in the Maldives have had to change their plans after a Saudi prince reportedly booked out three entire island resorts exclusively for himself.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is understood to have taken over the five-star paradise resorts for nearly a month.
It is believed the 78-year-old heir to the Saudi throne paid £18million ($30million) for the resorts of Anantara Veli, Naladhu and Anantara Dighu from February 19 to March 15.
According to a report on the website maldivesfinest.com, the Saudi prince was due to arrive in the Maldives with a floating hospital, a luxury yacht and more than 100 bodyguards.
But the last minute booking has upset ‘normal’ holidaymakers who have had their reservations cancelled.
Posting a review on the travel website Trip Advisor, one disgruntled holidaymaker who was due to stay at the Antantara Veli resort, wrote: ‘Our reservation was cancelled with NO notice and we were informed only AFTER we contacted them.
‘Back in December we booked the Anantara Veli in an overwater pool villa for a four night stay in early March."
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is understood to have taken over the five-star paradise resorts for nearly a month.
It is believed the 78-year-old heir to the Saudi throne paid £18million ($30million) for the resorts of Anantara Veli, Naladhu and Anantara Dighu from February 19 to March 15.
According to a report on the website maldivesfinest.com, the Saudi prince was due to arrive in the Maldives with a floating hospital, a luxury yacht and more than 100 bodyguards.
But the last minute booking has upset ‘normal’ holidaymakers who have had their reservations cancelled.
Posting a review on the travel website Trip Advisor, one disgruntled holidaymaker who was due to stay at the Antantara Veli resort, wrote: ‘Our reservation was cancelled with NO notice and we were informed only AFTER we contacted them.
‘Back in December we booked the Anantara Veli in an overwater pool villa for a four night stay in early March."
