Indian Luxury Brand Taj to Revive Cairo’s Continental Hotel

Taj Hotels, an Indian chain of luxury hotels and resorts with a portfolio spanning hundreds of properties around the globe, will be entering the Egyptian market for the first time to revive and operate Cairo's historic Continental Hotel. Located in Opera Square in the heart of Khedivial Cairo, the Continental Hotel dates back to the 1860s and overlooks the Azbakeya Gardens, which are currently undergoing their own separate renovation project. In its 19th-century heyday, the landmark hotel was synonymous with Egypt’s cosmopolitan high society. Built during the reign of Ismail Pasha as part of Egypt's modernisation projects, the Continental opened around the same time as the Suez Canal, and was a social hub as well as a centre for arts and culture throughout the capital. After living through many major events in Egypt's modern history, the hotel was put out of service in 1990 and transformed into an administrative building for the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH). In 2018, a redevelopment plan was initiated to restore the Continental to its former glory. Under this newly signed agreement, India's Taj Hotels will take over the management and operation of the landmark hotel once the redevelopment plan is completed, transforming it into an international-calibre, five-star hotel with a capacity of roughly 300 rooms while maintaining its signature aesthetic.