Services at the Fairmont Southampton Princess have been turned upside-down with the visit of one of Saudi Arabia's richest men.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz, worth an estimated $16 billion, is said to be visiting the Island for four days. One employee at the Fairmont said the prince and at least 12 family members arrived at the hotel around midnight on Monday and said they had so much luggage it took until 5 a.m. before everyone was settled in.

“They had several trunks and absolutely everything - their computers, clothes galore,” he said.

Surrounded by what has been called “top-notch” security, every move the royal family makes is under surveillance and no package delivered to the prince goes unexamined, The Royal Gazette understands.

The employee also said restaurants on the property have had to remain open to accommodate the family's unusual mealtimes.

Breakfast has been served at about 2 a.m. and when the family wants to eat at a particular restaurant, no one else is allowed to book there, The Royal Gazette has learned.

And on at least one occasion, And on at least one occasion, the staff at the Newport Room were prepared to serve the royal family their breakfast only to be told that they had decided to have room service instead.

According to another source, the royal family wanted to eat off property but were told that no restaurant would accommodate them outside of their hours of operation.

Seemingly remaining on Saudi time (they are seven hours ahead), the employee said that the prince and his entourage are rarely seen before 11 p.m..

“They are night people. After 11 p.m. would be the earliest that you would see them,” he said.

But the members of the royal family are not the only ones living lavishly. According to the employee, 12 taxi drivers have been retained at a rate of $1,000 a day and were each given a room to stay in.

“They are living like kings themselves and are very happy,” the man said.