KEMPINSKI Hotels and Nesco Egypt for Tourism Investment have signed a series of management agreements for a total of five properties in Egypt, Morocco and Syria.
“These are landmark projects to be involved in, all of them being situated in the top tourist and business destinations in the Middle East and Africa,” said Ulrich Eckhardt, president, Middle East & Africa of Kempinski.
“I am delighted to working with Nesco to create luxury properties and embrace the creative process facing us. Each one will have its own unique charm and character, and we aim to integrate touches of local traditions and customs throughout.”
In the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, Kempinski will manage a new-build luxury hotel on a large beachfront site in the Hadabet Madrset El-bya area of the city. The Kempinski Hotel Sharm El Sheikh will open in 2011 with 200 rooms and suites, a wide variety of restaurants and bars, a spacious lobby, majlis and a kid’s club. There will also be a 2500sqm spa and fitness area, swimming pool, beach grill and water sports facilities on the hotel’s private beach. The hotel is being designed by WAT&G.
In Damascus, Kempinski will manage three very different properties. The Kempinski Hotel Khan Sulaiman Pasha is a historic building within the walled old town of Damascus, which is being restored under the supervision of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Opening in 2009, it will be an exclusive boutique hotel with 30 rooms and suites. Among the highlights planned are a large majlis, a huge traditional Syrian hammam and a cocktail lounge.
An existing hotel under renovation in the west of the city, in the embassy and commercial district, will become the Kempinski Hotel Al Hayat opening by the end of 2008. The 153-room five-star luxury hotel is being designed to attract both leisure guests and business travellers.
Lastly, the Kempinski Hotel Damascus will have 200 rooms and suites, a selection of restaurants, private dining rooms and cigar room, plus a fitness and spa. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2010.
Kempinski returns to Morocco’s capital, Marrakech, with the new, five star luxury Kempinski Hotel Marrakech which will open in 2010. The property is situated 10 minutes from the city centre, opposite the Agudeal Gardens on a massive 26,000 m2 site which will become landscaped gardens.
The Kempinski Hotel Marrakech will have 206 rooms and suites, seven duplex suites and a 300sqm Royal Suite, a fine selection of restaurants and lounges, a majlis and a 1000sqm spa and fitness centre, including two swimming pools. Extensive meeting and conference facilities are also planned, which will be an additional draw for the hotel in attracting business travellers.