FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI), the parent company of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts and Raffles Hotels & Resorts, has announced the development of two new hotel projects in Egypt while also releasing new details of its previously announced tri-brand hotel development in Sharm El Sheikh. FRHI signed agreements with Citystars Properties, a leader in the development of mixed-use real estate in Egypt, to brand and operate all five projects. Upon completion, the new hotels will more than double the luxury hotel company’s footprint in Egypt.
The two new projects include a Fairmont hotel in Soma Bay, south of Hurghada and a Swissôtel property in Katameyah, Cairo (pictured above), which are both scheduled to open before 2020. Soma Bay, an exclusive holiday destination, is situated on the eastern shores of Egypt on the Red Sea coast, just 20 minutes away from Hurghada International Airport. It also boasts views of the desert and mountains, is surrounded by sea on all sides and is classed as having the most comprehensive diving and kite surfing facilities in the region.
Swissôtel Katameyah is the second property announced which will open in Cairo before 2020 under the FRHI umbrella. Aptly referred to as the ‘New Cairo’, with an oasis of greenery in the midst of the desert covering an area of 250,000 square meters, Katameyah is a prominent and up-and-coming residential, commercial and lifestyle development. The area already includes an upscale retail and entertainment centre, luxury residential towers and a specialized health and wellness centre.
“The two new signings, as well as the Sharm El Sheikh project, complement our three existing Fairmont hotels in Cairo, which are all prominent landmarks in the city,” said Sami Nasser, FRHI’s senior vice president, operations, Middle East, Africa & India. “This increased development activity reinforces our commitment to the destination and our envisioned potential of the market.”
Fairmont Soma Bay, part of a 10 million square meter integrated mixed-use master development, will feature 300 guestrooms and suites, including Fairmont Gold, the brand’s hotel within a hotel concept, and 150 Fairmont branded Residences for sale. Its diverse food and beverage portfolio will offer an all-day dining room, lobby lounge and bar, beach eatery and specialty restaurant. The hotel will also be a favourite for business functions, incentive groups and special events with more than 2,500 square meters (27,000 square feet) of meeting and event space. A wellness centre and spa along with a pristine white beach will complete the leisure activities on offer.
The Swissôtel property will include 250 guestrooms and suites and 50 luxury residential apartments under the Swissôtel Living concept. The hotel will also boast 38 Swiss Executive Club rooms and 1,700 square meters (18,000 square feet) of meeting space. A wide variety of restaurants and lounges, including a specialty restaurant, urban café and lobby lounge set the culinary scene and the signature Pürovel Spa & Sport, inspired by the Alpine seasons, will allow guests to invigorate and revitalize both body and mind.
In addition to the two new projects, the Citystars Sharm El Sheikh development featuring the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel properties, is spread over 7.5 million square meters, including 22 km of white sandy beaches, an 18-hole Colin Montgomerie golf course and the largest man-made, swimmable crystal blue lagoon in the world as acknowledged by Guinness World Records. An irresistible focal point, the Crystal Lagoon is 120,000 square meters of oasis surrounded by the desert used for recreation, swimming, and water sports. Once complete, the Lagoon will be a beach paradise while adhering to energy efficient technologies and practices. The complex is designed by Godwin Austen Johnson, a renowned architecture practice with works including Dubai Creek Golf Course & Yacht Club, the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel and Bab El Shams Desert Resort in Dubai.
Fairmont currently operates a number of properties in Egypt, including Fairmont Nile City, Fairmont Towers, Heliopolis and Fairmont Heliopolis in Cairo.
