Al Sharif Group Holding (ASG) and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) have announced a management agreement to rebrand the historic Shepheard Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. This is the second hotel in Egypt for ASG and will be the MOHG’s first.
In an exceptional signing ceremony at the historic Abdeen Palace, the agreement was announced and signed by ASG’s Group Chief Executive and President Mr. Nawaf bin Fayez AlSharif and Paul Massot, Chief Development Officer of Mandarin Oriental. Under the auspices of H.E. Hisham Tawfik, the Minister of Public Business Sector, Egypt. In an honorary presence of the Saudi ambassador in Cairo, Osama Al-Naqli, H.E. Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt.
The celebrated Shepheard’s Hotel first opened its doors in 1841 and remains a celebrated landmark in the city, respected by the local community and well known internationally. A comprehensive renovation of the property is already underway and Paris-based interior designer, Sybille de Margerie, is tasked with preserving the building’s heritage design while enhancing the facilities and services. Upon completion, currently anticipated for 2024, the hotel will re-open as Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, Cairo.
The development and restoration of the hotel had started by Al Sharif for Tourism and Hotels, an Egyptian Closed Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Al Sharif Group Holding, which kicked-off works in 2020 to renovate the historic Shepheard Hotel, starting from the design of the latest architecture alongside engineering consultants, to the development of the business strategic plan, finishing with the interior and furniture inspired by the hotel’s historical nature.
Today, another milestone has been achieved, and we are delighted to announce the signing of agreements for the management and operations of the Hotel with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. On that note, Al Sharif Faiez Abdulhakim, the Chairman of Al Sharif Group Holding, assured: “For more than 40 years, ASG aspires to be an example in the market and delivering state of the art works to its stakeholders and making a change in the region. Today, ASG complements its building blocks to its hospitality sector and is privileged to announce, signing agreements with Mandarin Oriental Hotels Group. Preserving the history of the Shepheard Hotel in Cairo, which is currently under development, conserving its inherited features.”
Mr. Nawaf Bin Faiz AlSharif, ASG’s President, stated: “We are proud to announce that for the first time in Egypt, ASG and its subsidiary Al Sharif for Tourism and Hotels, have successfully concluded and signed management agreement with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to operate and manage the Cairo 5-star Shepheard Hotel”. He further stated, “In ASG, we believe in the future of the tourism sector in the region.” “With a vision for the future, and in a spirit of pride in the preservation of the Arab legacy, in 2020, Al Sharif Group Holding signed a 35 years agreement with The Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH) for the financing, development, restoration, and operations of the Cairo Shepheard Hotel, we are proud to take over the development project of this historic edifice on the soil of Egypt’s culture”.
Shepheard, Cairo will feature five restaurants and bars, including a rooftop restaurant, as well as an exclusive club lounge. The hotel will also offer expansive function spaces, including a rooftop ballroom, making this the ideal destination for conferences and social gatherings of all sizes. An all-encompassing Spa at Mandarin Oriental will provide eight treatment suites and offer tailored experiences and signature treatments. Further wellness facilities include an indoor lap pool, a rooftop swimming pool, a beauty salon, a fitness centre, and a kid’s club.
James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental said, “We are delighted to extend Mandarin Oriental’s renowned levels of hospitality into Egypt and to work with Al Sharif Group Holding on bringing this iconic and historic hotel back to life. The project presents an ideal opportunity to further grow our brand in the Middle East & Africa, and we look forward to creating many unique experiences for our guests.”
Khaled A. Refaat, Senior Vice President for Investments & Business of ASG, adds: “It gives me a prodigious pride to be part of Al Sharif Group Holding and witness such a phenomenal event of signing a management agreement with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for Cairo Shepheard Hotel”. He further stated “With joining forces with MOHG, being highly ranked and one of the distinguished hotels operators globally, the restored Cairo Shepheard Hotel will be a momentous hotel preserving its historic features”
