Mandarin Oriental is deepening its love affair with Egypt, announcing a landmark expansion that combines two of the country’s most storied Nile‑side hotels with the group’s first luxury river cruise. From 2027, travellers will be able to weave together stays at Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, Cairo, Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan, Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, and a new Mandarin Oriental, Nile Cruise, creating a seamless, high‑end journey across land and water.
A seamless Cairo–Luxor–Aswan journey
This Egypt portfolio is designed as an integrated collection rather than standalone properties. Guests will be able to start in Cairo at the soon‑to‑reopen Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, then fly south to Luxor and Aswan to combine stays at two reimagined heritage hotels with a curated cruise along the Nile between them.
Mandarin Oriental describes the concept as an “end‑to‑end experience that unfolds across land and water”, with private access, expert guides and a strong focus on Egypt’s most important archaeological and cultural sites. The project is being developed in partnership with Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) Holding for the hotels and K.G. Company / Garranah Group for the cruise vessel, blending international luxury know‑how with deep local expertise.
Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan`
Aerial view of infinity pool overlooking the Nile River with desert mountains and palm trees at Old Cataract hotel in Aswan
From May 2026, Mandarin Oriental will assume management of the legendary Old Cataract hotel in Aswan, perched above a dramatic bend in the Nile and facing the Temple of Khnum. The property will continue operating in its historic heritage building while the Nile Wing undergoes a comprehensive renovation, with the entire hotel scheduled to relaunch in July 2027 as Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan.
Once completed, guests can expect:
- A refined collection of rooms and suites, many with sweeping river views.
- Six dining venues, showcasing both local flavours and Mandarin Oriental’s culinary signatures.
- The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, offering treatments inspired by the region’s wellness traditions.
- Elegant indoor and outdoor spaces designed to encourage quiet reflection and a deep connection to the surrounding desert and river landscape.
Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor
In Luxor, the iconic Winter Palace will close in early 2026 for a complete restoration, reopening in July 2027 as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor. Overlooking the Nile and located near the Temple of Luxor, the hotel has long been a favourite of archaeologists, royalty and discerning travellers.
Under the Mandarin Oriental flag, the restored Winter Palace will feature:
- A curated selection of rooms and suites blending historic character with contemporary comfort.
- Six dining venues, including settings that take advantage of the hotel’s riverfront and garden views.
- The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, set within tranquil gardens, offering a retreat from the bustle of sightseeing.
- Elegant event spaces that respect the property’s legacy while repositioning it as a hub for cultural discovery and leisure.
Mandarin Oriental, Nile Cruise: a new way to sail the river
Luxury Nile river cruise deck with infinity pool, loungers, and desert landscape
The third pillar of the portfolio is Mandarin Oriental, Nile Cruise, the group’s first foray into river cruising and its debut on the storied waters of the Nile. Owned and developed by K.G. Company for Real Estate and Tourism Investment, part of Garranah Group, and operated in partnership with Mandarin Oriental, the vessel is currently in design development.
Planned features include:
- Three-, four- and seven‑night itineraries between Luxor and Aswan, designed to dovetail with stays at the two Mandarin Oriental hotels.
- Generously sized suites, tailored for longer stays, many expected to offer panoramic river views.
- Three distinctive dining venues, blending Egyptian and international cuisine.
- A dedicated wellness space, bringing the brand’s spa and wellbeing philosophy on board.
- Rich cultural programming, including expert‑led talks, immersive shore excursions and a guided narrative that ties each stop into Egypt’s broader story.
Karim Garranah, Managing Director of K.G. Company, notes that his family’s long connection with the Nile has shaped the cruise’s concept, with an emphasis on “exceptional care, cultural integrity and a guided journey that honours the river, its history and its people.”
A new benchmark for luxury travel in Egypt
Temple of Luxor colossal statues illuminated at night with Nile river path lights
For Egypt, this coordinated expansion signals a fresh chapter in high‑end, heritage‑led tourism. Laurent Kleitman, Mandarin Oriental’s Group Chief Executive, describes the country as one of the fastest‑growing global destinations, and this portfolio as a “rare opportunity to create a journey that is both culturally rich and uniquely Mandarin Oriental.”
By tying together:
- A historic grand hotel in Cairo,
- Two reimagined icons in Luxor and Aswan, and
- A romantically styled, contemporary river cruise,
the group aims to set a new benchmark for how travellers experience the Nile and its ancient sites – with thoughtful design, deep cultural context and service that feels as considered on the water as it does on land.
My take: Egypt’s classic circuit, reinvented
For travellers who have long dreamed of Egypt, this is a compelling evolution of the classic Cairo–Luxor–Aswan circuit. Mandarin Oriental isn’t just adding another five‑star hotel or dropping a ship onto the Nile; it’s building a cohesive, slow‑travel journey that strings together three legendary addresses and one very promising new river vessel.
If you love the idea of exploring temples by day, then returning to heritage‑rich hotels and a calm, contemporary river ship by night – all under one brand and one philosophy of service – this new Egypt collection could become one of the most desirable ways to experience the Nile when it fully comes online in 2027 and beyond.
