Egypt's historic Al-Alamein Hotel has officially reopened after a major facelift by Emaar Hospitality Group that will make it among the finest resorts along the Mediterranean. The opening event was attended by Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat, VIP guests, top media figures, as well as other public figures. Situated in the picturesque setting of Sidi Abdel Rahman Bay, the hotel's glamorous design ethos and refurbished retro-modern interiors hark back to the glory days of the 1960s, when the resort first opened. The remodelled designs blend vintage charm with contemporary style, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the golden age of Egyptian music and cinema. "The refurbishment of Al-Alamein Hotel provides an example of our determination to offer a hotel that is on a par with, or rather superior to, world-class resorts," said Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar. "We strive for nothing less than the highest global standards for our customers and our developments in Egypt including Al Alamein hotel, which its total renovation costs summed up to 1.5 billion pounds," Alabbar added. While the building stays true to its rich heritage, visitors can expect modern comfort and style everywhere, from the bar and restaurants to the corridors and rooms. There is something remarkable around every corner of the resort. An impressive assortment of black and white photographs of Egypt's most celebrated classical actors and singers festoon columns in the lobby. The hotel is also home to the renowned Umbrellas sculpture by Greek artist George Zongolopoulos, a poetic structure of steel umbrellas that stretches 13 metres into the sky, offering a dramatic reinterpretation of Abdel Halim Hafez's classic oldie Dokko Elshamasy, or "Fix the Umbrellas on the Beach". One of the most photographed modern sculptures worldwide, the piece was first displayed at the Venice Biennale in 1995, where it drew international attention, and will now delight visitors to this glamourous Egyptian vacation spot. The hotel also boasts a magnificent collection of art works and sculptures by a large number of local and global artists, including an iconic mosaic mural of late legendary Egyptian singer Oum Kolthoum and another one featuring colourful ancient boats. The Al-Alamein Hotel is part of a thriving residential and tourist community Emaar is developing in Marassi, the company's flagship Mediterranean resort. These include several hotels already launched such as Vida Marassi Marina, featuring 353 rooms and suites overlooking the marina with a full range of modern facilities; The Address Marassi Beach Resort featuring 435-rooms, and The Address Golf and Spa featuring 161-rooms, which is expected to open in 2020. Marassi will also be home to seven luxury hotels with up to 3,000 rooms in total. Alabbar told Ahram Online that he is keen to invest in such historic places in Egypt and he considers such investment an added value to the company.
