Kempinski announces plans to open five-star property in Egypt

Five-star hotel

Kempinski announces plans to open five-star property in Egypt

Report by LEEWINTER

GENEVA-BASED Kem-pinski Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to open its first five-star property in Egypt, which will be based in the capital, Cairo.

The hotel group will take on the management of the new development in the heart of the Cairo Financial Centre, which is currently under construction and due to open at the end of 2003.

Architects Wimberley, Allison, Tong and Goo have created a futuristic look for the 400-room property that will be built on pylons and will offering spectacular views of Cairo.

The hotel will also boast state-of-the-art business and sporting facilities including meeting rooms, a spa and squash courts.

Kempinski Hotels and Resorts president and chief executive officer Reto Wittwer said: “The Middle East has become an especially important part of our international expansion programme and we are delighted to have this chance to establish the Kempinski brand name in the capital of Egypt.”

Meanwhile the search continues for the group’s first hotel in London after the collapse of negotiations with Landmark Properties in July (Travel Weekly 31 July).

A spokeswoman said it was no closer to finding a property that fitted its brand image. “We are desperate to be in London but nothing we have seen has been up to scratch,” she said.

Half-year results released by the group on September 8 saw turnover increase from £89.3 million in the first six months of last year to £100.3 million for the same period this year.

Sales of owned properties in Hamburg and Frankfurt helped boost profits to £17.53 million.

The Pyramids: the proposed Cairo hotel will offer fantastic views