Waldorf Astoria Cairo Debuts At Time Of Landmark Openings For The City

14.03.2024 - 16:17 / forbes.com / River Nile

Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis has opened as one of the city’s top luxury hotels ahead of the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum’s official launch and following the post-pandemic opening of Cairo’s culturally significant Civilization museum.

Located in the historic area of Heliopolis, once a suburb on the edge of Cairo but now incorporated into the sprawling city, Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis combines the hallmarks of this global luxury brand with a connection to the locale.

Ancient Egypt is referenced throughout the hotel’s contemporary design, with tribute also paid to the River Nile, and local flavors are brought into the food and drink. The spa draws in part on Egyptian therapies and guests have access to a curation of local experiences.

Travelers to the city have long been captivated by its historic monuments and Citadel, and the undeniable draw of the Nile, with many coming first and foremost for the chance to see the ancient pyramids of neighboring Giza. Now, this culturally and historically rich city, and its surrounds, is benefitting from a new wave of excitement owing to the creation of notable new sites giving even more insight into both ancient and modern Egypt.

The most talked-about cultural opening of recent years is the Grand Egyptian Museum, which—20 years in the making—is currently in a soft-opening period, with a section of the cultural site open for limited guided tours, and the full official opening expected for summer 2024. The ideal pairing with a visit to the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum sits alongside the ancient site, with uninterrupted views of the pyramids from one side of the architecturally impressive complex.

Currently, a visit to the museum incorporates a tour of the monument-filled central areas—the Atrium and Grand Staircase, which leads to the panoramic pyramid view—along with the Tutankhamen – The Immersive Exhibition, and the commercial zone of shops, restaurants and cafes. An ancient-to-modern Egypt theme guides the architectural design of this site, which is inspired by the shape of the pyramids, as well as its exhibitions.

On opening fully this year as the largest archaeological museum complex in the world, with over 100,000 artefacts, visitors will have access to world-first showcases including the galleries of Tutankhamen containing all of the artefacts found in his tomb. Other highlights will include a restoration center, an interactive gallery for children and the Khufu Boat Museum.

After touring the Pyramids of Giza, and getting to know the new Grand Egyptian Museum, it’s worth venturing to another of the city’s newest cultural go-tos. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization debuted in 2021 with exhibitions that tell the story