MIDDLE EAST’S FIRST NEW CROWNE PLAZA RESORT OPENS IN EGYPT

Bass Hotels & Resorts reaches double milestone with spectacular new Sharm El Sheikh resort property

Bass Hotels & Resorts will reach a double milestone in its Middle East and Africa expansion program next week (July 8, 2001), with the opening of its first new Crowne Plaza resort property in the region at Sharm El Sheikh, which also marks the brand’s entry into Egypt.

Final preparations are underway for the opening of the spectacular new Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh, which will become Bass Hotels & Resorts’ sixth Egyptian property, while another ten are currently under development.

“This is an exciting development, which takes our commitment to meet the needs of leisure travellers into another new resort destination in the region,” said Michel Tourniaire, regional vice-president, operations, Bass Hotels & Resorts, Egypt.

"All our resorts offer a wonderful range of facilities and a very high standard of service, and the Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh is a prime example of this. Egypt is a vitally important market in the Middle East, and forms a key part of our regional development strategy."

Built over a 250,000 square metre site sloping gently towards the sea in El Pacha Bay, and within ten minutes of the airport, the Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh is an impressive property by any standards, giving magnificent views over the renowned Far Garden coral reef.

The first of two Crowne Plaza resorts opening on Egypt’s south Sinai coastline, it has 329 deluxe rooms. The resort also features one and two bedroom apartments and villas for rent, offering a complete city concept with high standards of service and accommodation for holidaymakers. Local handicraft shops, spice bazaars, and an Arabic café feature on both sides of a pathway leading to the beach. All rooms offer in-room tea and coffee facilities, computer connections, international satellite and movie channels. Non-smoking and disabled rooms are also available.

“Guests have a multitude of dining options to choose from; an all-day café, speciality restaurant, seafood restaurant, and beach, pool and Arabic shisha cafés,” said Moine Kandil, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh.

The hotel has its own private waterfront, as well as a diving center with its pool, water-sports and wind-surfing centre, three swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, state-of-the-art gymnasium, sauna, and Jacuzzi.

Conference facilities include two 200 square metre multi-purpose function rooms, with terraces offering breathtaking views of the coral reefs, as well as smaller breakout rooms on the mezzanine level.

Further guest services include complimentary airport shuttle bus, extensive bus and car parking facilities, fully equipped business centre, car rental desk, book and gift shops, and local souvenir bazaar.

Egypt’s second Crowne Plaza resort opens next year at Abu Soma, between the Red Sea resorts of Safaga and Hurghada.

A major development programme in Egypt will see Bass Hotels & Resorts opening new Inter-Continental hotels at Taba Heights, Sharm El Sheikh and Heliopolis, Cairo next year, while new Holiday Inn hotels open this year at Amphoras and Horizon Beach. The new hotels will join three Inter-Continental and two Holiday Inn properties already under management by Bass Hotels & Resorts in Egypt.