That bastion of opulence and elegance has done it again. Not content with simply being one of the most beautiful hotels in Egypt, nor the setting for countless romantic weddings and host to many notable guests and events, the Cairo Marriott Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino in Zamalek has revamped itself to welcome nobility and royalty once again.
Built in 1869 by Khedive Ismail to host royalty for the inaugural ceremony of the Suez Canal, most notably Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, a palace was built on the island of El-Gezira to impress and cater to guests travelling from far and wide to attend the various festivities.
It was also to be the site of the first performance of Verdi’s opera “Aida, and rumor had it that all this pomp and circumstance was all to impress Khedive Ismail’s love interest, Princess Eugenie. The entire island of present day Zamalek was the palace’s garden, and Khedive Ismail had exotic animals imported from abroad to decorate the palace’s “modest garden. The animals were later moved to the new Cairo Zoo.
The Cairo Marriot Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino has maintained its beauty and a regal air. One can try to imagine the opulence and splendor of yesteryear whilst walking by marble statues, lounging in the beautiful lobby or lunching under the shade of the arched colonnades. A new addition has been made to the hotel: two royal suites and an entrance befitting a king.
The entrance was inspired by the art deco period, with a crystal chandelier hanging from above and spreading itself out over guests. Red chairs with high backs give a sense of the whimsical to it all, and a fountain greets you coolly as you enter the airy and sunny foyer.
Located in the Gezira Tower, renovations were made to the 18th and 20th floor to create two sumptuous suites befitting a prince or queen. Each suite boasts the space of 650 square meters, which once composed 18 separate standard sized rooms. Living quarters, with spectacular panoramic views of Cairo, were made to accommodate a large family, a true home away from home.
Each suite has been arranged as such: a large vestibule leads to a living room, a large reception area, a library, a dining room, a kitchen, a storage room off the kitchen, two master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (featuring an en-suite Jacuzzi, wardrobe area, sauna room, his and her toilets and shower), a children’s bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a guestroom also has its own en-suite bathroom.
A guest bathroom off the reception area allows the family utmost privacy if mom and dad are entertaining, or else wish to keep children’s activities away from visitors’ eyes. It seems like all members of the family are to be spoiled mercilessly with flat screen TVs, and technological amenities of all kinds.
Bvlgari toiletries are provided in every bathroom and crisp fresh bed sheets of the highest thread count call out one’s name beneath the thick cotton cloud of a duvet cover. One wonders whether guests will ever feel compelled to leave their beds – unmade of course because either the butler or on call foreign housekeeping staff will surely get to it before you even whimper a syllable of humble protest. The emphasis is on providing service and luxury befitting the most spoiled of princesses.
There is a very comfortable and intimate touch to the interiors as valuable paintings by some of Egypt’s most talented and famous artists are hung in the reception area, library and dining room. Attention was paid to every detail from the quality to the finishing.
Bathrooms are tiled in iridescent pearly mosaic, with golden taps and faucets. The built in wardrobes are carpeted thickly with patterns of curlicue. The carpet demands that bare feet walk upon them while one gets dressed for the day. Each room has a view be it of the Marriott gardens, the greens of Al Gezira Sporting Club, the Nile or a combination. On a clear day, one can watch the city’s cars move about silently, and stare far off into the distance. The city’s skyline is breathtaking, and the view is humbling.
Yet inside the suite, luxury abounds for a family ready to move in and live life with much flair and elegance.
