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The Grand Hyatt Cairo Is No Longer A Hyatt

Where: Cairo, Egypt

Just as things seemed to be getting back to normal in Egypt comes a mini hotel news blow: Hyatt is dumping the Grand Hyatt Cairo.

A tipster pointed us in the direction of this “breaking news” story on Hyatt’s website claiming “unresolved contractual disputes with the hotel’s owner” for ducking out.

For several weeks Hyatt has been attempting resolution through a series of urgent communications with the hotel owner, Saudi Egyptian Touristic Development Company. Regrettably, resolution of the disputes has not been possible.

Could it maybe be over the issue of booze?

However, Egyptophiles, don’t lose heart just yet. The story also notes:

It is unfortunate that the contractual disputes have not been resolved, forcing us to exit this property, but this does not diminish how important Egypt is and will remain to the Hyatt brand. We will continue to operate two Hyatt hotels in Egypt, and are interested in pursuing new development opportunities there.

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Hotel Emergencies / Hotel News / Cairo Hotels / Egypt Hotels / Sharm El Sheikh Hotels / → All Tags

Egyptian Hotels Tighten Security As Tension Spreads to Tourist Areas

Not a sight you want to see from your hotel room

So we’re guessing that Egypt isn’t top of your must do travel list for the near future, because although things are looking a lot better for the remaining tourists than the locals, the situation sounds nothing if not grim.

Although we haven’t seen any specific hotels named since the Sheraton was caught in the middle of the fray last week, in Cairo, there are tales of hotels locking their doors, shutting down elevators, telling tourists to take shelter on the roof and posting guards armed with water cannons in case flares are shot at the buildings, while the tourists gather to watch the protests and sip on free drinks laid on by the hotel.

It’s not just Cairo, either. According to CNN, “tension is beginning to build” in tourist hotspot Luxor, too. And last night, it appeared that security was being stepped up in holiday central Sharm El Sheikh, with a BBC correspondent reporting that by the time he came back from dinner, his hotel had been "barricaded".

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Cairo Hotels Under Curfew as Protests Escalate

Where: Galae Square, PO Box 11, Cairo, Egypt

Frightening riots and protests are taking place in Cairo today as Egyptians continue to demand for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

The city's downtown Tahrir Square saw a particularly scary stand-off between protesters and government security forces today who used tear gas, water cannons and sound grenades.

The Sheraton Cairo on Giza Avenue was at one point caught in the middle of the fray as government troops blocked entry to the El Gala Bridge over a section of the Nile River. The Globe and Mail reports:

Wave after wave of people charged at the troops, throwing no rocks and using no violence, only shouting at the forces. They then were beaten back by a particularly strong tear gas.

The crowd was remarkably determined to advance despite the painful experience. By about the eighth charge, the police parted and let the crowd cross on the bridge.

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Fairmont Hotels / Hotel Renovations / Cairo Hotels / Egypt Hotels / → All Tags

It's Always Sunny at Fairmont Towers Heliopolis

Where: Uruba B Street, Cairo, Egypt

Near Cairo, the Fairmont Towers Heliopolis has just had a major addition. Working around the original hotel while it was still operating, some magic builders have now created a fancy new conference center and 247 new hotel rooms right next door, and judging by this pic it is something special.

The architect got into the idea of the hotel being in Heliopolis, which means "city of the sun", by incorporating lines like sunrays into the design and even including sun motifs throughout. The new restaurant and café are impressive too: there's an artificial river running through the Aqua e Luce restaurant and Café Heliopolis is right in the center of the atrium entrance. Oh, and it even serves camel milk ice cream.

Advance purchase internet rates start at $136 a night, and they also have a few packages going: we like the bed and breakfast package (starting at $200 a night for a double) because it literally includes a full breakfast in bed, and the romance deal (with wine and cheese and a lovely late 4pm checkout) starts from $210 a night.

Cairo Hotels / Hotel Openings / Boutique Hotels / → All Tags

A Boutique First For Cairo Coming Soon

Where: Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

“Cairo” and “tranquil” – not two words we’d normally associate with each other. At least, we didn’t until news of Villa Belle Epoque plopped into our inbox this morning.

It’s opening on March 21st and calls itself “Cairo’s first boutique hotel” – boutique meaning a 1920s villa with just just 13 period-style rooms, chandeliers, lots of balconies, and date palms and mango trees in the gardens. Foodwise, you can choose from Egyptian, Oriental, Italian and French; and there’ll even be a high tea served on the bank of the Nile on offer, as well as felucca boat trips at sunset.

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Egypt Hotels / Hotel News / Hilton Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Cairo Hotels / → All Tags

Cairo Loses a Hilton, Gains a Ritz-Carlton

Where: 1113 Corniche El Nil, Cairo, Egypt, 12344

We're looking forward to the new year; January 1st is traditionally a day for renewed hope and fresh beginnings, and no one is taking more advantage of this than Cairo's Nile Hilton. When the clock strikes midnight (Egypt time, of course), the 431-room historic hotel on the shores of the epic River Nile will become the Ritz-Carlton Nile Hotel.

As the first Ritz-Carlton in Egypt's capital city, The Nile Hotel will have to dust off its top hat and tails to remain a leader in Cairo and keep pace with the 5-star standard of Ritz-Carlton. What does this mean, exactly? It means sweet, sweet renovation of course. Beginning in mid-2009, the hotel will begin an ambitious 2-year revamp, while continuing to host guests. Although there will no doubt be angry TripAdvisor reviews about the construction, you just can't flip a Hilton into a Ritz without a little elbow grease (and a lot of brocade).

In case you're wondering why Ritz-Carlton picked this old Hilton as their new property, we refer you to its breathtaking view of the Nile and the abundance of hookahs they keep poolside. Too bad they didn't add belly dancers to the room service menu; then they probably would have gotten five-star status without the help of Ritz-Carlton.

[Photo: Etihad Holidays]

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The Grand Hyatt Cairo Enters Rehab...The Lindsay Lohan Kind

Where: Corniche El Nile, Garden City, Roda Island, Cairo, Egypt, 11519

Alcohol may be on the brink of extinction at Egyptian hotels, if the worst fears of tourism officials there come true: After the Saudi owner of the Grand Hyatt Cairo banned the sale of alcohol at the hotel, destroying millions of dollars of the stuff in the process, officials now worry that other properties may soon follow, the BBC reports.

It's unknown why the owner had staff pour bottle upon bottle of wine and liquor down drains, though some suspect it may have something to do with Egypt's enormous Muslim population, which is barred from consuming alcohol, even in cooking, according to the Koran. Supporters say foreign visitors "should respect the local custom," while critics argue that "just as Muslims expect to be served Halal food on international flights, they should be prepared to respect the desires of their Western guests," the BBC writes.

Hyatt has, of course, asked for the decision to be overturned, fearing that Western tourists won't stay at the property and that it may lose its five-star rating, the BBC says.

If the ban does catch on, we expect staying at a hotel in Egypt will be like an overnight at any Disney property--and they're certainly not hurting for business. Plus, guest reviews of the hotel are nothing but raves. Though we do worry: first alcohol; what's next--porn?  

[Photo: Chrispitality]

International Hotel WiFi / Hilton Hotels / Cairo Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

International Hotel WiFi: Cairo's Nile Hilton Gets It Half Right

Where: TAHRIR SQUARE, CAIRO, Egypt

Last time we visited Egypt it was sans laptop, but we're intrigued to know how the WiFi situation is doing there now. According to the website of the Nile Hilton in Cairo, their hotel "boasts wireless internet access throughout" and they plug it a second time when describing the rooms by enticing guests with the opportunity to "keep in touch with wireless internet access".

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Killer View / Cairo Hotel Reviews / Hyatt Hotels / → All Tags

Room With a Killer View: No Pyramids, But Still Pretty From Grand Hyatt Cairo

Where: Corniche El Nile , CAIRO, Egypt, 11519

We are suckers for a room with a killer view.  We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.

Think historic Cairo, think Roda Island in the middle of the Nile River and you've got the perfect location for a hotel: and it's the Grand Hyatt Cairo. This view comes from here and looks over a sunlit Cairo downtown.

If your room doesn't have the same killer view, just head to the revolving restaurant for dinner and you'll get all possible views. (If you have a long stay there are eleven more restaurants to try in the Grand Hyatt complex). And then of course there are plenty of other Cairo views to be had once you get outside your hotel: the pyramids, the old town, and museums galore.

[Photo: tzoutzou]

Related Stories:
· Hotels in Cairo [HotelChatter]
· Travel Stories in Egypt [Jaunted]

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Two Sisters Disappointed With The Movenpick Cario

Where: 6th of October District, Cairo, Egypt

[Editor's Note: Hotel Maven Lovestotravel writes a detailed account of why she was disappointed with Movenpick Cairo. As usual, service and safety are the reasons she cites for the hotels downfall. Repeat after us: This is one travelers opinion. Yours may differ, or not, either way, always let us know. ]

In July 2005, I spent the last four days of a two week vacation in Egypt at The Movenpick Media City Hotel in Cairo and it was not a pleasant experience. It was four days that we wished we stayed somewhere else.

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