The Hilton group's luxury chain Waldorf Astoria is discovering the African continent with the opening ofa first hotel in Cairoin the Heliopolis district. With interiors that blend Art Deco with references to the Pharaonic era, and 252 sophisticated rooms and suites that reflect the country's cultural history through locally inspired works of art or graphic reminders of the lotus, a plant prized in ancient Egypt, this luxury hotel is in tune with its destination.
Located less than 10 minutes from the international airport and not far from the embassies Located as close as Egypt's main presidential palace, the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis is an ideal base for business travellers in search of excellence, with its personalised concierge service, outdoor pool and four restaurants and bars, including the brand's signature Peacock Alley lounge and the Mediterranean Brasserie Ayda. But this new hotel on the corporate market with a vast space for meetings and eventscovering almost 3,900 m2. It features six meeting rooms and a spectacular ballroom for up to 2,000 guests.
Looking further ahead, the future of the luxury brand also includes on the other side of the Red Sea, in Saudi Arabia. Already present in Jeddah, Waldorf Astoria recently signed a project to the north-west of Riyadh, in Diriyah, the historic heart of the kingdom. Expected to open in 2028, the hotel will offer 200 rooms, top-of-the-range restaurants and luxury boutiques.
While all hotel groups are making the country one of their priorities, in view of the pharaonic developments expected, Hilton is no exception. The American group plans to quadruple its offering in Saudi Arabia, which will make the country its largest market in the EMEA region. In the medium term, its portfolio should exceed 75 hotels, compared with around 15 at present.
This growth covers a wide range of its brands. Among the new luxury hotels announced, un Conrad is due to open in Riyadh in 2025The LXR collection will be extended in 2026 with the addition of an 80-room resort in Wadi Hanifah, near Diriyah.
For its part, the group's flagship brand, Hilton, will offer new drop-off points for business travellers, notably at Dammam's King Fahd International Airport, one of the country's main hubs with services to more than 70 international destinations. The hotel will have direct access to the terminal of this key hub for Saudia Airlines and Aramco Aviation and will comprise 273 rooms, in addition to junior suites and one and two-bedroom flats. The Hilton Dammam Airport will also offer several meeting rooms and an executive lounge for up to 90 people.
Among other secondary destinations on the brand's flight plan, Hilton plans to open a hotel less than 10 minutes from Abha International Airport in 2026, in combination with its lifestyle brand Canopy by Hilton. The whole complex will comprise 250 rooms, suites and residences, with an indoor swimming pool and several food and beverage outlets. But the Canopy brand is also venturing out on its own, with a hotel planned for 2028 with several dining options and a rooftop as you would expect, in addition to 183 rooms and 55 residences. Prior to this, the lifestyle brand will also be appearing on the Al Khobar corniche in 2026.
The wave of recently announced projects also concerns the top-of-the-range DoubleTree by Hilton brand, which is set to make double coup in Jeddah with a hotel in the Al Andalus mall and another near King Abdulaziz international airport. As for the mid-range Hampton by Hilton brand, it is expected to open this year in Neom, the new futuristic Saudi city, before moving to Hafr al-Batin in 2026.
