For almost a decade, General Manager Mahmoud El-Keiy has been synonymous with Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence; it has been his literal residence since 2014 when he took on the position of General Manager, overseeing every aspect of the hotel and for this particular reason, we saw him as the ideal person to share with us an inside look into the hotel’s vision in addition to the accomplishments garnered by the luxury hotspot.
From its stunning decor to the welcoming atmosphere for its guests, El-Keiy described how the hotel aims to recreate a home-like feel for its visitors, starting with his own experience. “To me, this hotel is my home away from home. Guests come because they feel the warmth of being at home,” he said. He further stated that the hotel makes it its philosophy to treat people as they wish to be treated.
Aside from its home-like feel, El-Keiy discussed that one of the core elements that truly make Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence a standout experience is its people. “We love welcoming everyone from all around the world. They would come to Egypt specifically to experience the history and culture, warm Egyptian hospitality included; that not only comes out naturally but from the heart.” The General Manager emphasized how they curate an unmatched experience for their guests by constantly going above and beyond. “At our hotel, we truly care for our guests, we go the extra mile not because we have to but because we truly want them to have the most memorable experience possible,” he said.
Through El-Keiy’s underscoring the fruitful experience they aim to provide for guests, he couldn’t miss the opportunity to highlight the team that makes it all happen. When asked to describe the team of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence, he said, “they’re the ‘heartbeat’ of this hotel.”
Moreover, El-Keiy went on to accentuate the flavorful side of the hotel, the dining experience. “We have an outstanding Pan-Asian restaurant; Nairu located at the First Nile Boat that offers the best of Thai, India, China, and Japan, which I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking to truly experience the authenticity of the cuisine,” he said. El-Keiy also shared his favorite cuisine, “I am very fond of Asian cuisine in particular, especially Khao Lak Thai and Cantonese.”
Ranging from the food to the welcoming environment, 2022 has been a successful year for Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence. “By far it has been the highest in achievements in terms of figures, and this is all due to the dedication and hard work of our hotel team members. This sense of accomplishment has encouraged our owning company to constantly renovate and invest in new projects.” El Keiy provided The First Nile Boat, their trendy restaurant steps away from the hotel as an example of their success in addition to offering five various other restaurants along with two meeting spaces.
The General Manager ended the conversation by giving advice to people just starting out; “just be yourself, stay true to who you are, and don’t take no for an answer. Always be persistent, work on yourself, and develop your interpersonal skills. Ultimately when you have the will, you will most definitely have the way.”
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