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Mandarin Oriental is expanding in Egypt, saying it will take over management of two of the country’s best known historic hotels and introduce its first luxury Nile river cruise, a move aimed at tapping rising demand for high end travel centered on heritage sites.
The hotel group said the portfolio will link Cairo, Luxor and Aswan through a combination of landmark properties and a river journey that places the brand on the Nile for the first time. The expansion builds on plans to reopen the Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, Cairo, in 2027, a project the company has described as a flagship return to the Egyptian capital.
Mandarin Oriental said it will assume management of the Old Cataract in Aswan in May 2026. The hotel will continue operating from its heritage building while a major renovation of the Nile Wing is carried out. The full project is scheduled for completion in July 2027, when it will join the group’s portfolio as Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan.
The company said the Aswan property sits above the river with views toward the Temple of Khnum, and will include rooms and suites, six dining venues, a Spa at Mandarin Oriental and spaces designed for quiet and reflection.
In Luxor, the Winter Palace, one of Egypt’s most storied hotels, is expected to close in early 2026 for a full restoration. Mandarin Oriental said it will reopen in July 2027 as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor. The group described the hotel as overlooking the Nile, close to the Temple of Luxor, with rooms and suites, six dining venues, a spa in garden surroundings and event spaces.
The two hotel projects are being developed in partnership with Talaat Moustafa Group Holding, a major Egyptian real estate developer. Mandarin Oriental’s group chief executive, Laurent Kleitman, said Egypt offers a chance to create a journey that is “culturally rich” while delivering the service standards associated with the brand.
Hisham Talaat Moustafa, chief executive of Talaat Moustafa Group Holding, said the partnership aims to set a new benchmark for luxury tourism by blending international hospitality with local expertise.
The river component will be owned and developed by K.G. Company for Real Estate and Tourism Investment, part of the Garranah Group, and operated in partnership with Mandarin Oriental. The group said the cruise is in design development and will offer three, four and seven night itineraries between Luxor and Aswan.
Mandarin Oriental said the vessel will feature suites sized for longer stays, three dining venues and a wellness space. Cultural programming is expected to be central, with expert led talks, excursions and guided experiences intended to connect travelers to major sites along the river.
Karim Garranah, managing director of K.G. Company, said his family’s long connection to the Nile shaped the concept and that the partnership is meant to present Egypt’s heritage with “exceptional care” and cultural integrity.
Mandarin Oriental operates hotels, resorts and branded residences across multiple regions and has been steadily adding experiences tied to destination storytelling. The company said its Egypt push is designed to offer an end to end itinerary from city arrival to river travel, with renovations timed for a coordinated reopening in 2027.
