Good news for Egypt's recovering tourism scene: Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is adding the Mövenpick Resort Hurghada, Mövenpick Resort Abu Soma and Mövenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh in Naama Bay to its existing portfolio of four properties on the country’s Red Sea coastline. The company is also looking towards the Nile, with four new cruisers and one sail boat, including the Misr, once the private yacht of Egypt’s former King Farouk.
Operating under Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts management effective March 5, the Mövenpick Resort Hurghada (pictured) is located in Hurghada Bay, close to Hurghada International Airport. It has 252 rooms and suites, all with a direct view over the Red Sea. The resort underwent renovations throughout 2010 which will continue in stages during 2012. Mövenpick Resort Hurghada facilities include a private beach, marina and freshwater pool, and we hear the resort is a good choice for water skiing, snorkeling and diving, horseback riding, visiting Giftun Island and desert safaris.
Mövenpick is also returning to Sharm El Sheikh on April 8 to operate Mövenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh - Naama Bay. The resort has 298 rooms and four villas with private pool, all with panoramic views over the property’s five private beaches. This hotel features Arabic architecture and design.
Mövenpick Nile Cruisers will boost its fleet in October with the historic steamship Misr and four more boats: the M/S Sun Ray, Darakum, Hamees and Feddya. The company will then operate a total of seven ships on the Nile and one on Lake Nasser. Originally built by the British Royal Navy in 1918 and later converted into a luxury Nile steamer for King Farouk, Misr is the only steamship on the Nile, with 16 cabins and eight suites that recreate the days of Louis XV and XVI.
The Sun Ray, Darakum and Hamees offer a more contemporary design, while Darakum features Moroccan-inspired decor. All have five decks and, on four of the decks, offer a wide range of cabins and suites with panoramic views of the Nile. Cabins and suites all have satellite LCD TV, mini-bar, safe and private bathroom with tub. Currently under construction, Feddya is a sail boat with four suites (two with balconies), a dining room and lounge.
Looking ahead, the company will open the Mövenpick Resort Abu Soma, a 424-room property on the beaches of the Red Sea, south of Hurghada.