Latest news with #CairoMarriott
Daily News Egypt
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
The Old Ministries District Is Cairo's Next Big Bet – But Only If We Get the Vision Right
With state institutions relocating to the New Administrative Capital and the government signalling its intent to repurpose the old ministries district, Downtown Cairo is at a pivotal crossroads. The question is no longer whether this historic core will be redeveloped – but how, for whom, and to what end. The area – once the nerve center of Egypt's bureaucratic machinery – is a rare urban gem. It's not only centrally located and steeped in history, but unlike most parts of Cairo, it comprises a full block with clear boundaries and planning potential. This alone presents an enormous advantage: a chance to implement a unified, curated vision without the complications of fragmented ownership or conflicting land use. But what we choose to build here will determine whether this becomes another formulaic real estate project, or a truly transformative district that redefines urban tourism and cultural life in Cairo. Hospitality with heritage at its heart The district's architectural fabric, which is a mix of grand historic buildings and more modern structures, offers a perfect opportunity for heritage-driven hospitality development. We've seen this model succeed globally: from the Taj Mahal Palace (hotel) in Mumbai to the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek. In both cases, older heritage buildings were integrated with modern infrastructure to create iconic destinations. This lies at the heart of what Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Development has been executing ever since it was founded 2008. In the ministries district, a similar approach could produce landmark boutique hotels and luxury accommodations. And there is ample space for fine dining, cultural venues, and high-quality retail. But here's the catch: what's on offer must be Egyptian. Not a standard tourist product, but an Egyptian contemporary product reflecting modern Egyptian identity with an authentic flavor. Tourists don't want replicas. They want real. Cairo's city centre is fast becoming a magnet for cultural tourists. They're not coming here to shop global brands they already know. There is an undeniably strong trend among younger generations toward immersive, culturally authentic experiences and local brands, driven by a desire for genuine connections with destinations. Sustainable Travel Research Report (2023) noted that 75% of survey respondents seek authentic experiences representative of local culture. A Trip Advisor survey in 2024 involving 4000 travellers revealed that 84% consider purchasing from local retail or food brands, with 90% of Millenials and Gen Z indicating a preference for authentic local products. Tourists are coming to feel something. To explore Egyptian creativity, try Egyptian food, meet Egyptian makers. And the good news is: Those makers are already here. We're seeing a new generation of local chefs, fashion designers, gallery owners, and entrepreneurs staking their claim in Downtown Cairo. These aren't copy-paste franchises or rebranded imports. They're contemporary, authentic, and rooted in place. The ministries district should embrace and accelerate this movement. If developed with this ethos, it could become the launchpad for Egypt's next wave of creative entrepreneurs, while offering tourists a living, walkable, locally immersive experience. A complementary vision for Cairo's core At Al Ismaelia, we see the ministries district and Downtown Cairo as two sides of the same opportunity. The former is perfect for larger-format hotels and serene urban design. The latter is already emerging as the cultural engine, full of energy, expression, and local flavor. Together, they can create a seamless ecosystem for tourism, commerce, and city life. And it's already happening. Our work in Downtown has shown that adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is not only viable, but profitable – and add to that, it's changing investor perceptions. What was once seen as risky or impractical is now being understood as Egypt's untapped edge: A real estate model that combines history, authenticity, and modern demand. If the ministries district follows this path, it could become a blueprint for similar projects across Egypt, in Alexandria, Port Said, and other cities rich with legacy and potential. The real differentiator: local ideas, not imported concepts I cannot stress this enough: What will make the ministries district and Downtown Cairo truly stand out is a bold commitment to contemporary Egyptian brands and experiences. That applies to everything: Hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, household items, performance venues, coworking spaces, bookstores, and beyond. Cheesy souvenir shops or local brands that mimic foreign trends are definitely not the way to go. The focus should be on original concepts that carry a modern Egyptian identity and truly, from the heart, reflect who we are today. If we get that right, we will redevelop a district by redefining Cairo for the next generation, and remind the world that this city has always been, and still is, a cultural capital worth discovering. Cairo is not only about the past but it is equally about the present and the future. By Karim Shafei Chairman & CEO, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment
CairoScene
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Spritz at Sunset and Brunch with Flair at the Cairo Marriott Hotel
Spritz at Sunset and Brunch with Flair at the Cairo Marriott Hotel With new seasonal menus, themed nights, and curated drinks, the Cairo Marriott is offering a range of low-key summer experiences across its restaurants and lounges. The Cairo Marriott has rolled out a series of food and drink experiences this summer, spread across its restaurants, lounges, and bars. Some are new additions, while others are updated takes on familiar formats. Afternoon tea is now served daily in The Lounge from 12 to 5 PM. The menu includes a standard mix of tea, mini sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Coffee is also available throughout the day, including matcha, cold brew, iced lattes made with almond, coconut, or hazelnut milk, and much more. At 6 PM, Ristorante Tuscany switches to its Aperitivo menu. It's a shared format: a pitcher of spritz alongside an antipasti or charcuterie board for two. The Aperitivo runs until 8 PM and is priced at EGP 2,750 or EGP 2,950 depending on the board. Harry's Pub hosts a weekly 80s and 90s-themed night every Tuesday. The setup includes music, props, themed cocktails, and retro-style decor. The menu is built around cocktails priced at EGP 750 each. On weekends, the hotel runs a set brunch across Saraya Gallery, Tuscany, and JW Steakhouse. The menu starts with dishes like fried mozzarella and steak tartare, followed by pasta and steak with fries. Desserts include crème brûlée and tiramisu prepared at the table. Prices vary depending on the drink pairing: EGP 2,700 for juice and mocktails, EGP 3,500 with wine, and EGP 4,500 for the full cocktail pairing. Each drink list is tailored to the space, with some cocktails pulling from the palace's French and Egyptian history. Throughout the hotel, a new cocktail menu has been introduced. The drinks are available at multiple venues, and each comes with a short backstory written on the menu. In addition to the summer offerings, signature breakfasts remain available throughout the season. Guests can still indulge in the Empress Eugenie breakfast, or opt for the ultimate oriental spread at Egyptian Nights. For inquiries and bookings, please call 0227283000 or 0227394631.
CairoScene
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Cairo Marriott is Turning Staycations Into a Status Move This Summer
This summer, Cairo Marriott offers Cairenes a palace staycation with pools, shaded gardens, a spa, and 14 dining spots, a city escape without leaving the city. Jul 07, 2025 There are staycations, and then there's summer at Cairo Marriott Hotel, where you check into an actual 19th-century palace and immediately find yourself debating whether the pool or the spa should come first. This season, the property leans into its urban-palatial credentials with a limited summer offer. For families, the experience is designed to accommodate every age: children have a dedicated play corner to get creative, while adults are left to choose between spa treatments, garden strolls, or riverside cocktails. Daily pop-ups, live performances, and rotating in-house activations keep the atmosphere lively without overwhelming the calm. Dining, of course, is a chapter of its own. With 14 restaurants ranging from Italian at Ristorante Tuscany and French with Saraya Gallery, to Japanese restaurant Torii and Oriental dishes at Egyptian Nights, every taste is accounted for. Whether it's steak at JW Steakhouse, mezze under the stars at Garden Promenade Café, pastries, or simply a poolside snack from Waves, the culinary circuit reflects the hotel's urban-palatial ethos: indulgent and staying at the hotel also have the rare chance to take a private tour of the 150-year-old palace, with access to its lesser-seen halls and historical corridors. From now until August 31st, the Cairo Marriott invites you to escape without leaving the city. The summer staycation package starts at EGP 7,500 per night for a deluxe double room, inclusive of service charges, taxes, daily breakfast, and parking. For inquiries and bookings, please call 0227283000.
CairoScene
05-05-2025
- CairoScene
Cairo Marriott Debuts Two New Breakfast Experiences For Summer
The Cairo Marriott is introducing two new ways to start the day - and they're worth setting that alarm. May 05, 2025 At the Cairo Marriott, breakfast isn't trying to reinvent itself. It's just finally being done right. Two new morning menus - one Egyptian, one European - are now being served, and they're making the case for skipping room service entirely. Breakfast at Egyptian Nights is exactly what it sounds like: the local breakfast, done properly. No gimmicks. Just warm feteer that tears the way it should, ta'meya still hot from the pan, and a mezze lineup that actually earns the table space. The setting - either inside the gilded dining room or outside under morning sun - is half the experience. You're not rushed. You're just eating well. Breakfast runs 8AM to 1PM, which feels generous, even for late risers. Then there's the Empress Eugénie breakfast in the Lobby Lounge, which leans French in all the right ways. Set in a palace built for the Empress herself, Cairo Marriott has always known how to host royalty. Think: a proper bread basket, seasonal fruit with creamy yoghurt, coffee and juice on the house, and eggs made to order. Add a soft cheese selection and a slightly-too-comfortable armchair, and suddenly the 9AM Zoom call doesn't feel that urgent. Service starts at 6AM and stretches until 12PM.
CairoScene
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
What Happens When Renga Goes Gourmet?
You get Renga and Stuffed Calamari - courtesy of the Cairo Marriott - just in time for marginally warmer weather. Apr 01, 2025 In the grand finale of Tabkhenha Sawa - a Scene Eats and Cairo Marriott original cooking show where Egypt's most loved dishes get a five-star makeover - Chef Sherif Afifi teams up with Chef Mohamed Sobh of the Cairo Marriott to give holiday comfort food the white-tablecloth treatment. Their pick? Stuffed calamari and shrimp in a renga and beetroot sauce—a luxe, five-star riff on a beloved Egyptian staple.
