Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced it will expand its portfolio in Egypt with the new Westin Soma Bay Golf Resort & Spa, marking the entry of the Westin brand to the Soma Bay peninsula, Red Sea and the first operating Westin Hotel in Egypt. The agreement with Cascades Hotel Company Soma Bay, marks the conversion of the existing La Residence Des Cascade to a Westin, anticipated to take place by July 2015.Positioned on the highest point of the Soma Bay peninsula, the year-round resort destination in Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera, the hotel sits at the centre of the 18-hole championship golf course designed by Gary Player, combining the best of links and desert courses.
The Westin Soma Bay will offer 210 beautifully-appointed guest rooms and 39 suites, all featuring the latest in-room technology as well as the renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed, Heavenly® Shower and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. The hotel will also offer seven restaurant venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, a café, a bar and a lounge. Adjacent to the resort is one of the largest and best equipped Spa and Thalasso centres in the world – The Cascades Spa & Thalasso Soma Bay.
“Westin is enjoying phenomenal global growth due to the success of its distinctive wellness positioning, innovative products and brand-led programs,” said Hassan Ahdab, Regional Vice President of Africa & Indian Ocean, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “We are excited to announce a second Westin hotel in Egypt this year and extend our collaboration with the Cascades Hotel Company Soma Bay by introducing the brand to the Red Sea in 2015.” Chairman of The Cascades Hotel Company Soma Bay, Samer Yaghnam stated: “We are pleased to be entering into this agreement with Starwood with whom we’ve had a long term successful relationship through the Sheraton Soma Bay. Bringing the high quality Westin brand to this area will further enhance Soma Bay’s position as the leading resort development on the Red Sea.” General Manager of Abu Soma Development Company, the master developer of Soma Bay, Ibrahim El Missiri stated: “This is the beginning of the new phase of development for Soma Bay, and I look forward to many more exciting announcements in Soma Bay in 2015.”
The company will re-open Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino in 2015 following an extensive and complete renovation. Starwood will also introduce a new luxury brand into the capital with The St. Regis Cairo in 2016.
