ALDAU Development, a subsidiary of Sami Saad Holding founded in 1962, is known for its premium hospitality establishments, including the recently opened Hyatt Regency Cairo West. eniGma’s Nouran Deyab spoke to Lars Geweyer, the CEO of ALDAU’s Hospitality Division to find out more about his career in hospitality and the projects he oversees for ALDAU Development.
It was quite natural for Lars Geweyer, whose father worked in hotels all his life, to follow in his father’s footsteps. Growing up in Germany, throughout his childhood, he lived in one hotel after another and attended one school after the other, as his family moved with his father’s job transfers.
“Being exposed to this kind of life early on, had me follow on the same journey as my father. Not to mention that I am the fourth generation in the hotel industry,” says Geweyer, who has lived in four different continents and a total of 12 countries, racking up over 30 years of experience in the international hospitality industry. He credits his exciting lifetime journey with the extensive knowledge he gained of different cultures, something which no doubt plays a huge role in his career.
Geweyer has been residing in Egypt for over 16 years and has overseen the hospitality division at ALDAU Development for 14 years. Starting as General Manager of the Steigenberger Hotel, he went on to be promoted several times until he became the CEO of the Hospitality Division at ALDAU Developments.
As CEO of the Hospitality Division at ALDAU Developments, Geweyer is responsible for a wide range of projects, including the newly opened Hyatt Regency Cairo West, which forms part of CWEST, a new destination in Giza. Located near the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Giza Sphinx International Airport, the new Hyatt Regency exudes a mix of modernity and a sense of timelessness reflected in its ancient Egyptian solar boat inspired theme.
The Hyatt Regency Cairo West boasts 250-modern technology-enabled rooms and several high-class, innovative food concepts, including a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant – which offers great food and beverage selections as well as unique entertainment. Hotel guests also enjoy a range of relaxing options including in-room couple jacuzzis and a state-of-the-art spa with rejuvenating spa rooms. A variety of spaces, both indoor and outdoor, are also available for celebrations and events, including meeting rooms that cater to every business need, including 360° LED screens for presentations, which also happens to be the first in Cairo. A laid-back modern feel is maintained throughout the hotel and is also reflected in the friendly staff’s informal dress code of white shirts and sneakers.
Geweyer is quick to note that more hospitality options besides the Hyatt Regency Cairo West will be coming to CWEST, including a new project to be announced soon. “I can’t mention much about this new project, but it’s going to be an upscale ultra-modern cosmopolitan art hotel and will revamp the concept of city resorts,” says Geweyer, adding that it will also be facing the Giza Pyramids, giving visitors a premium view of the landmark.
There’s also a lot more besides CWEST, for ALDAU Developments, according to Geweyer. Their upcoming projects range from a Red Sea boutique hotel in Hurghada with a vibrant beach club to a 55-story mixed-use building consisting of 160 hotel rooms, retail outlets, co-working spaces and more than 700 apartments in London, The United Kingdom. “Our pipeline is well established for the next five years to come,” he concludes.