We Spent 24 Hours in Egypt's New Capital

Located 45 kilometers east of Cairo, between the Cairo-Suez and Cairo-Ain Sokhna roads, a fully fledged city is rising from the ground. The New Administrative Capital is an ambitious project; its official goal is to offer Egyptians a better quality of life and relieve congestion from Cairo, our ageing capital that's forecasted to reach 40 million inhabitants by 2050. 

If everything goes according to plan, the momentous project will be finalised in 12 years, but part of the New Capital is already alive and kicking thanks to AlMasa Capital Hotel and Resort complex, which has been completed in just under 15 months. Naturally, when we were invited to check it out, we quickly packed our bags and headed East for a glimpse into Egypt's future.
 

The Convention Center

At first, we were a bit anxious as everything around us was just desert. 'What will the future look like,' we thought? But then, on the horizon, signs of life finally began to appear. Like many compounds in Egypt, one needs to pass by a small security gate to enter the premises.  Once inside, a whole new world opened up in front of our eyes. This was no ordinary compound but a huge complex that houses an impressive Club House, an Andalusian-inspired outdoor shopping centre, a traditional Middle Eastern Al Khan Souk, a state-of-the-art theatre, a cinema, and even a lake - yes, a lake! But first stop: the ELMASA Royal Palace hotel. We were directly greeted with warmth by what seemed like the entire staff. The hotel is expansive: 270 rooms, 90 private suites, seven rooms to accommodate people with special needs, ten royal suites, 42 AlMasa suites, 32 Businessmen suites, six Capital suites and 60 hotel apartments. The facilities include a business room, sweeping ballrooms, a few conference rooms, a spa and, a gym, among other standard amenities.

 The Teatro

The overall design is grandiose, aiming to blend an architecture of the future with a soul of a royal past; the marble floors, high ceilings, overweight chandeliers, glass windows in the form of arches made us feel like we were in a palace.  The rooms we checked in to were spacious and cozy, equipped with everything you'd need in a home away from home: a comfortable bed, LED screen, desk, a small balcony, closet, mini bar and safe. The bathroom, though, was our favourite feature, housing both a powerful shower and a luxurious bathtub. 

The Hotel Room

We were then driven around the complex on golf carts, stopping almost every couple of minutes to make a new discovery. Two buildings especially stood out. The first was the Convention Centre, which is set to become the largest one in the region - 42,000 square metres to be exact. This is where important decisions will be made and important guests will be received. Inside, the Summit Hall, designed to host international conferences and summits, shines brightest with its domed ceilings and marble-clad floors. We then walked on marble floors accompanied by grand columns before reaching the impressive Teatro. Capable of hosting up to 1752 spectators,this breathtaking auditorium is ideally suited for musicals, plays and ballet

The Summit Hall

The other building that struck us was a crystal-shaped black building that glows at night. We couldn’t visit it (it isn’t finished yet) but we were automatically drawn by its peculiar design. The diamond will serve as AlMasa Capital’s gastronomical hub; its three-floors of tinted glass promises outstanding culinary experiences; a lavish tea lounge, fusion cuisine and a sophisticated revolving steakhouse. At night, this architectural marvel truly shines bright like a diamond. 

The Famous Crystal Ball