Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino - Greatroom & Reception
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 INTERIOR DESIGN / Hospitality Interior
Company Name:Living Design of Sweden
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Tarek Hegazy, Neelima Potdar, Emilija Ciric
Interior Designer:Living Design of Sweden
Client Name:Talaat Moustafa Group
Project Location:Cairo, Egypt
Design Status:In Progress
Project Description:
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino reinterprets the historic Gezirah Palace (1869) as a contemporary luxury destination through its concept, “A Modern Palace Experience.” Located in the prestigious Zamalek, the design is guided by three pillars: reviving historical grandeur, elevating the guest experience, and preserving cultural identity. It orchestrates a dialogue between past and present, preserving the palace’s eclectic Neo-Moorish, French Rococo, and Italian Renaissance elements, including gilded ceilings, colonnaded halls, and hand-carved mother-of-pearl wood panels, while introducing clean geometries, high-end materials, and a palette inspired by Cairo’s desert, Nile, and sunset tones. By reinstating gardens, water features, and ceremonial spatial sequences, the project evokes the elegance of the Egyptian Belle Époque and delivers a sense of exclusivity. The design maintains intimacy, creating a layered, immersive environment where heritage is reactivated, and history and modern luxury coexist in refined harmony.
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino reinterprets the historic Gezirah Palace (1869) as a contemporary luxury destination through its concept, “A Modern Palace Experience.” Located in the prestigious Zamalek, the design is guided by three pillars: reviving historical grandeur, elevating the guest experience, and preserving cultural identity. It orchestrates a dialogue between past and present, preserving the palace’s eclectic Neo-Moorish, French Rococo, and Italian Renaissance elements, including gilded ceilings, colonnaded halls, and hand-carved mother-of-pearl wood panels, while introducing clean geometries, high-end materials, and a palette inspired by Cairo’s desert, Nile, and sunset tones. By reinstating gardens, water features, and ceremonial spatial sequences, the project evokes the elegance of the Egyptian Belle Époque and delivers a sense of exclusivity. The design maintains intimacy, creating a layered, immersive environment where heritage is reactivated, and history and modern luxury coexist in refined harmony.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The interior design reimagines the Greatroom, delivering a breathtaking arrival experience that honors the property’s palatial heritage. The design achieves a sophisticated sense of arrival through meticulous architectural detailing, harmonizing classic and Moorish palace styles. Innovations include a modern service model with dedicated reception and guest relation pods, ensuring seamless guest interactions within the historic setting. Materials evoke a luxurious palatial aesthetic, featuring high-end marble, finely crafted wood, and bespoke fabrics for banquettes, sofas, and armchairs. A highlight is the chocolatier counter, where specialized marble countertops merge luxury retail with traditional hospitality. The layout optimizes the expansive public spaces by defining distinct zones: a Central Lounge, Private Lounge, and a dedicated Chocolatier Area, all unified through custom-designed rugs and elegant classical accents, creating a refined and immersive guest environment.
The interior design reimagines the Greatroom, delivering a breathtaking arrival experience that honors the property’s palatial heritage. The design achieves a sophisticated sense of arrival through meticulous architectural detailing, harmonizing classic and Moorish palace styles. Innovations include a modern service model with dedicated reception and guest relation pods, ensuring seamless guest interactions within the historic setting. Materials evoke a luxurious palatial aesthetic, featuring high-end marble, finely crafted wood, and bespoke fabrics for banquettes, sofas, and armchairs. A highlight is the chocolatier counter, where specialized marble countertops merge luxury retail with traditional hospitality. The layout optimizes the expansive public spaces by defining distinct zones: a Central Lounge, Private Lounge, and a dedicated Chocolatier Area, all unified through custom-designed rugs and elegant classical accents, creating a refined and immersive guest environment.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino embraces sustainability through recapturing of historical grandeur, focusing on the careful restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1869 Gezirah Palace. Preserving its Neo-Moorish and French Rococo elements—including the Carrara marble staircase of honour, gilded ceilings, and Ottoman frescoes—reduces the environmental impact of new construction. The design celebrates “true timeless” luxury with durable, high-quality materials such as Italian marble, mother-of-pearl inlays, and hand-carved wood, ensuring longevity and minimal replacement. The project also revitalizes the original gardens and waterfalls, enhancing biodiversity and respecting the historic ecology. Operational innovations, like modern service pods in the Greatroom, optimize efficiency within the existing footprint, ensuring the palace remains a functional, sustainable, and enduring sanctuary for generations to come.
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino embraces sustainability through recapturing of historical grandeur, focusing on the careful restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1869 Gezirah Palace. Preserving its Neo-Moorish and French Rococo elements—including the Carrara marble staircase of honour, gilded ceilings, and Ottoman frescoes—reduces the environmental impact of new construction. The design celebrates “true timeless” luxury with durable, high-quality materials such as Italian marble, mother-of-pearl inlays, and hand-carved wood, ensuring longevity and minimal replacement. The project also revitalizes the original gardens and waterfalls, enhancing biodiversity and respecting the historic ecology. Operational innovations, like modern service pods in the Greatroom, optimize efficiency within the existing footprint, ensuring the palace remains a functional, sustainable, and enduring sanctuary for generations to come.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The renovation of the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino anchors contemporary luxury within the historic 1869 Gezirah Palace. The project restores Neo-Moorish and French Rococo details, including gold-leaf ceilings, Ottoman frescoes, and hand-carved woodwork, while integrating traditional Egyptian craftsmanship into a modern Greatroom concept. With over 1,000 rooms, the hotel drives high-end tourism on Gezirah Island. Innovative service models, such as dedicated reception and guest-relation pods, enhance the guest experience. This blend of heritage and modernity honors Egypt’s royal legacy while supporting local artisans and stimulating the economy.
The renovation of the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino anchors contemporary luxury within the historic 1869 Gezirah Palace. The project restores Neo-Moorish and French Rococo details, including gold-leaf ceilings, Ottoman frescoes, and hand-carved woodwork, while integrating traditional Egyptian craftsmanship into a modern Greatroom concept. With over 1,000 rooms, the hotel drives high-end tourism on Gezirah Island. Innovative service models, such as dedicated reception and guest-relation pods, enhance the guest experience. This blend of heritage and modernity honors Egypt’s royal legacy while supporting local artisans and stimulating the economy.
