Mövenpick Resort and Spa in El Alamein, a new resort in Egypt

The pioneering move is in continuance of the Swiss domiciled company's strategy to expand its Middle East portfolio in both new and existing destinations.

Behind the venture stands Ghazala Tourist Development Company with its majority owner Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, a subsidiary of the KATO Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in industry, construction, tourism and real estate development. The KATO Group has just completed the construction of the El Alamein International Airport so as to be fully operational prior to the opening of the Mövenpick Resort & Spa. The airport is a convenient 19 kilometres drive from the resort, allowing guests easy access. The new hotel will be at the core of a resort spanning 120,000 square metres of land, only
38,000 square metres of which will be developed. This exciting new destination will incorporate five hotels, a golf course, a shopping mall, a sports complex, and a wide range of villas.

'We are fortunate to be in partnership with the KATO Group with their commitment of promoting sustainable tourism,' states Andreas Mattmüller, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. 'The property is unique; being the only five-star hotel along the north coast of Egypt with the exception of Alexandria, the completion of this ambitious project has been eagerly welcomed. This applies not only to international travellers, but also to the growing number of locals who spend time in places like Marina or Agami, who will benefit from a superb facility on their doorstep.'
The exclusive Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Alamein is ideally located 40 kilometres from Marina, 140 kilometres west of the historic city of Alexandria and 310 kilometres from Cairo, and has easy access to the local airport. Guests will be able to visit the Siwa Oasis or experience the fascinating El Alamein Museum, with its superb collections of World War II maps, documents and armaments, and realistic tableaux of battle scenes, as well as the lovingly maintained Commonwealth, German and Italian War Cemeteries.

Under General Manager Daniel Roche, the welcoming atmosphere of the resort reflects the genuine Swiss hospitality for which the chain is renowned, and the choice of 252 rooms, three Executive and 9 Royal Suites includes every modern convenience for the sophisticated traveller, including wireless LAN. With the hotel chain's focus on the excellence of its gastronomy, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Alamein has created dining venues to satisfy the most discerning gourmet. The Mövenpick Restaurant, overlooking the pool area, offers all-day buffet dining, the Oriental Restaurant offers Lebanese and Indian specialties and the Seafood Restaurant serves fresh fish.

'We have extensive leisure and recreational facilities,' says Daniel Roche. 'There is an indoor heated pool and a free-form freshwater swimming pool, two children's pools as well as the Mediterranean itself; two floodlit tennis courts or two indoor air-conditioned squash courts, and a health club with state-of-the-art facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium and aerobic room. We are pleased to be associated with the renowned operator Angsana that will manage our spa. The 1,700 square meter complex with sauna, Jacuzzi and steam bath is located on the beach, and has separate facilities for men and women. 13 treatment rooms provide beauty treatments and a range of traditional massages including Thai, to ensure our guests feel truly pampered.'

The Resort is completed with facilities to accommodate up to 850 people, the centerpiece of which is the large pillar-free ballroom, providing an unobstructed view. With its capacity of up to 500 people, this is an ideal setting for social gatherings or business events. The space can also be configured as a theatre. Four breakout rooms and a fully equipped business centre ensure that the property fulfils all the needs of the business traveller. The Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Alamein increases MH&R's presence in the country to nine city and resort properties and two luxury Nile cruise ships, not including the five-star Mövenpick Resort Taba, which is due to open at the end of 2004.