A Rich History, a Thriving Present, and a Promising Future: In Conversation with Joe Ghayad, General Manager of The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

In the heart of the capital, for nine years and until today, The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, creates luxurious experiences that redefine hospitality in Egypt. Cairo’s most iconic in the industry has achieved remarkable evolution across the years, offering guests unrivaled service and experiences.

 

On the occasion of its 9th anniversary, we had a delightful talk with Joe Ghayad, General Manager of The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo where he spoke about his 25-year journey with the brand and shared insights into developments that took place during this period as well as upcoming plans.

After 25 years with the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand, I am grateful for the wealth of experience that this journey has added to my career. With the company, I have mastered hospitality in several countries and continents, which definitely shaped both my perspective on hospitality and management style today.

 

I believe what I have enjoyed the most about my fruitful journey is meeting so many persons of different backgrounds, cultures, and history - which today has made me a better hotelier. I think being exposed to so much diversity has enriched me on both professional and personal levels. 

 

What makes me loyal to the Ritz-Carlton brand is its mystique, as we internally refer to it. It is the continuous commitment it has for its associates as reflected in the brand’s motto, “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen” as well as its reputable name that brings along with it unmatched class and elegance. I am proud to have worked for 25 years with a company that believes in enlivening the senses of our guests, fulfilling even the unexpressed wishes to create ‘Guests for Life’.

 

• Celebrating its 9th Anniversary, how has the Nile Ritz-Carlton evolved across the years and what areas witnessed development during that time?

The evolution of this property has been a remarkable one. I mean, it is truly one for the books - Ever since this renowned building made its way on Cairo’s skyline, it made its mark as one of fine standards and home to elite corporate events, international guests, governmental delegations, bespoke social events, and distinctive dining experiences. 

 

To date, it still upholds its legacy and the city’s ancient history while located in the heart of the Nile. I proudly witnessed this property evolve in so many ways. From launching the poolside outlet to overcoming the pandemic with all associates on board to achieving extraordinary financial results and maintaining solid relations with our owners who have been of great support to us across the years. 

 

Today, I am excited to kick-start the hotel’s tenth year with plans for enhancement and bringing on a better guest experience. At the end of the day, it is our customers’ satisfaction and loyalty that drives and motivates us. 

While we are particularly proud of our rich history, we try and always keep up with the market and its trends – the only constant in this life after all is change and if we do not change to keep up, we will not keep our history alive. 

 

During our 9th year, some of those concepts came to life. Some of which were in light of sustainability, others were to promote well-being and more to enhance our guests’ experience. For instance, we have hosted a Guest Chef from Venice for two signature nights highlighting the authenticity of our signature Italian restaurant, Vivo.

 

This year, we have also launched our ice-bath by the pool – a service none existent in any luxury hotel. We have also taken part in meaningful initiatives that supported causes dear to us such as breast cancer awareness, Bayt Al Razzaz’s 18th century ceiling restoration auction, and many more. Giving back to the community and preserving a more sustainable future will forever be one of our main drivers.

This year we were thrilled to get our Green Star Certification, we have worked hard on making all needed contributions to our planet and have been rewarded with this prestigious certification, which means a lot to us. We have also collaborated with a local farm using international technologies to produce hydroponic, pesticide-free fruits, herbs, and vegetables –one of the initiatives we are very proud of. 

 

Those are in addition to our own Chef’s garden that we have on property to grow our own herbs and some of the vegetables and fruits we consume. Moreover, we gladly are investing in power-saving methods as well as water-saving and recycling across different areas. We are also proudly installing a charging station for electric cars to support in enabling the integration of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is just to highlight a few.

 

As for the upcoming projects, I believe it isn’t yet time to reveal the whole project in details, but as a little spoiler in celebration of our 9th anniversary would be the kick-off of our property’s renovation plan which shall include rooms, public areas, restaurants, and bars. The first to roll out shall be a talk-of-the-town rooftop lounge, overlooking a panoramic view of the Nile, soon with an international concept and world-class service and offerings. This lounge will definitely steal the spotlights and contribute more to our unique positioning of being a property of heritage but also one that is trendy and fresh.