Rixos reveals plans for Red Sea ‘mega resort’

Rixos Hotels has signed an agreement to manage its largest all-inclusive luxury resort on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera.

The Turkish hotel company, which is 50% owned by Accor, has partnered with the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development to takeover and renovate an existing beachfront property.

The company has not yet named the hotel it is taking over.

Scheduled for completion in 2020, it will re-open as the Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay – a 1,636-room mega resort with leisure, sports and entertainment facilities.

Located just south of Hurghada, the resort will offer individual villas, an indoor and outdoor spa, fitness facilities, kids clubs, a waterpark, beach lounge, large conference centre, choice of restaurants and bars and an entertainment area with an amphitheatre.

"This marks a pivotal moment in the growth story of our brand, bringing to market our largest resort globally and offering our most comprehensive range of facilities and unique and dynamic entertainment experiences yet," said Rixos Hotels founder and chairman Fettah Tamince

"We are delighted to partner with the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development to launch this flagship project, which will set a new benchmark for luxury all-inclusive all-exclusive resorts in Egypt and the wider Middle East."

Mahmoud El-Sayed Moussa El-Sharkawy, CEO, the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development, added: "Our vision is to transform Makadi Bay into the leading leisure and entertainment destination on the Red Sea and in this respect, the Rixos brand, with its successful one-of-a-kind hospitality concept and proven expertise operating in Egypt’s resort market, makes strategic sense."

Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay represents the first project of its kind since Accor joined forces with Rixos in 2017, strengthening the brand’s footprint to four resorts in Egypt where its already operates properties in Alamein and Sharm El Sheikh and eight across the Middle East.

"This unique takeover opportunity strengthens the Rixos offering in Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera and highlights the strong collaboration Accor has established with Rixos team to develop the brand regionally and globally," said Mark Willis, CEO, Accor Middle East & Africa.

The renovation of the existing development in Makadi Bay will have two stages, each spanning a year, with phase one already underway and including the addition of wings and facilities to uplift the hotel in line with Rixos brand standards.

When phase one is complete, Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay will be officially launched and feature 815 rooms including villas, 12 F&B outlets, a beach lounge, 1,500 sqm of meeting space, a spa and wellness area covering 2,400 sqm, multiple pools, a small aqua park, kids’ clubs and expansive outdoor areas for fitness and entertainment programmes.

Phase two of the renovation plan will start as soon as the property opens its doors and will include a 23,000-sqm water park, as well as upgrades to the remaining hotel inventory.