Six Continents Hotels has reached a double milestone in its Middle East and Africa expansion programme with the opening of its first Crowne Plaza resort property in the region at Sharm El Sheikh, which marked the brand's entry into Egypt.
"This is an exciting development, which takes our commitment to meet the needs of leisure travellers into another new resort destination in the region," said Denis Johnston, vice president sales and marketing, Middle East & Africa. "All our resorts offer a wonderful range of facilities and a very high standard of service, and the Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh is a prime example of this. Egypt is a vitally important market in the Middle East, and forms a key part of our regional development strategy." Built over a 250,000 sq m site sloping gently towards the sea in El Pacha Bay, and within ten minutes of the airport, the Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh is an impressive property by any standards, giving magnificent views over the renowned Far Garden coral reef. The resort complex has 329 deluxe rooms, as well as three and four bedroom residential chalets on either side of a pathway leading to the beach, with local handicraft shops, spice bazaars, and an Arabic cafŽ. All rooms offer in-room tea and coffee facilities, computer connections, international satellite and movie channels. Non-smoking and disabled rooms are also available. "Guests have a multitude of dining options to choose from; an all-day cafŽ, speciality restaurant, seafood restaurant, and beach, pool and Arabic shisha cafŽs," said general manager Moine Kandil. The hotel has its own private waterfront, as well as a diving centre, water-sports and wind-surfing centre, three swimming pools, diving pool, tennis and squash courts, state-of-the-art gymnasium, sauna, jacuzzi and exercise room. Conference facilities include two 200 square metre multi-purpose function rooms, with terraces offering breathtaking views of the coral reefs, as well as smaller breakout rooms on the mezzanine level. Further guest services include complimentary airport shuttle bus, extensive bus and car parking facilities, fully equipped business centre, car rental desk, book and gift shops, and local souvenir bazaar.