Mandarin Oriental takes over Egypt's iconic hotels

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced an expansion in Egypt. The aim: to merge some of the country's most prestigious hotels with the group's service and offer travelers a curated itinerary from the capital to the far south.

The core of the expansion consists of three historic properties that are inextricably linked to the history of Egyptian tourism:

• Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, Cairo: Located directly on the banks of the Nile near the Egyptian Museum, the reopening of the former Shepheard's Hotel in 2027 marks the starting point. With 275 rooms and suites, it aims to translate the splendor of bygone eras into the modern age.
• Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor: The iconic building on the east bank, directly adjacent to the Luxor Temple, is already closed for a complete restoration. From July 2027, it will shine anew as a refuge amidst lush gardens.
• Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan: Perhaps Egypt's most famous hotel – the filming location and inspiration for Agatha Christie's «Death on the Nile» – will come under the management of Mandarin Oriental as early as May 2026. While the Nile Wing is being renovated while remaining open, the project will be fully completed in the summer of 2027.

The first Mandarin Oriental Nile Cruise

To connect its locations, the group is venturing into new territory – literally. In partnership with the Garranah Group (KG Company), the brand's first river cruise ship is being built.

The ship is currently in the design phase and will offer three-, four-, and seven-day itineraries between Luxor and Aswan. With spacious suites, a dedicated spa, and three distinct dining concepts, the ship aims to be not just a means of transport, but a floating destination that conveys cultural depth through expert lectures and exclusive shore excursions.

Behind this mammoth project are strategic alliances with leading Egyptian companies. The hotels are being developed in cooperation with the Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG). «This partnership combines Egypt's exceptional heritage with a new, international luxury travel experience,» explains Hisham Talaat Moustafa, CEO of TMG Holding.

For Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, the move is logical: «Egypt is one of the fastest growing destinations worldwide. Here, we are creating an experience that is culturally rich and unmistakably Mandarin Oriental from arrival to departure.»