Mandarin Oriental plans to expand its presence in Egypt with two hotels and a series of experiences, including the group’s first luxury Nile River cruise.
The group will operate two hotels in Luxor and Aswan, both of which will undergo extensive renovations in preparation for reopening in 2027.
In Aswan, Mandarin Oriental will take over the historic Old Cataract Hotel from May 2026.
While the Nile Wing undergoes renovations, the historic building will continue to welcome guests.
Once fully completed, Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract Aswan will feature elegant rooms and suites, six dining venues, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, and spaces designed to connect guests with the surrounding landscape and local culture.
In Luxor, the iconic Winter Palace will close in early 2026 for a complete restoration and reopen as Mandarin Oriental, Winter Palace, Luxor in July 2027.
Overlooking the Nile River and located near the Luxor Temple, the property combines its historic heritage with contemporary luxury, with sophisticated rooms and suites, six restaurants, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, tranquil gardens and elegant event spaces.
Complementing the hotel, Mandarin Oriental will launch its first luxury Nile River cruise, owned and developed by Guarana Group and operated in partnership with the brand.
Offering three-, four- and seven-night itineraries between Luxor and Aswan, the cruise features spacious suites, three dining venues, wellness facilities and a curated cultural program including expert-led talks and immersive excursions, delivering an authentic end-to-end Egyptian experience.
Developed in collaboration with Egypt’s Talat Mustafa Group (TMG) Holding and Gharana Group, these projects blend local expertise, tradition and Mandarin Oriental’s signature services to create integrated, culturally rich, destination-driven journeys.
“Egypt is one of the world’s fastest growing destinations, offering unique opportunities to create culturally rich and unique Mandarin Oriental journeys. By combining our first-ever river cruise with truly iconic historic hotels in Luxor and Aswan, we are proud to announce the arrival of the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Shepherd. Together with Cairo, we will introduce a seamless, end-to-end experience that extends beyond land and sea. From the moment our guests arrive in Egypt to the moment they depart, our journeys are carefully curated, offering an encounter with Egypt’s most important heritage through private access, expert guidance and exceptional care. We are proud to partner with both Talat Mustafa Group (TMG) Holding and Guarana Group, whose shared commitment to quality and long-term vision is helping realize this extraordinary journey,” said Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive Officer of Mandarin Oriental.
Hisham Talat Mustafa, CEO of Talat Mustafa Group (TMG) Holding, said: “We are honored to partner with Mandarin Oriental on this groundbreaking project that combines Egypt’s extraordinary heritage with a new world-class luxury travel experience. By combining Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service with deep local expertise, we will create an experience that will set a new benchmark for luxury tourism in Egypt.”
“For generations, our family has been deeply connected to the Nile and its story. Partnering with Mandarin Oriental allows us to share Egypt’s heritage through a new lens defined by exceptional care, cultural integrity and guided journeys that honor the river, its history and its people,” said Karim Gharana, Managing Director of KG Company, Gharana Group’s real estate and tourism investments.
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