Overview
Built in 1929 by the French‑Egyptian Jewish Metzger family as the romantic “Cecil Hotel,” this historic Alexandria landmark stands proudly on Saad Zaghloul Square overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the city’s iconic Corniche. Its elegant colonial‑era architecture and timeless charm quickly made it one of the city’s most celebrated addresses.
Over the decades, the Cecil became a magnet for world‑renowned figures — from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to gangster Al Capone, and authors like Somerset Maugham and Lawrence Durrell, who immortalized it in his beloved Alexandria Quartet. During World War II, British intelligence even operated from a suite in the hotel, adding a layer of mystery to its storied corridors.
After the 1952 revolution, the Egyptian government took control of the hotel and the original owning family was expelled. Decades later, legal battles restored ownership briefly to the family before it was sold back to the state. In 2014, the property joined the Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts group, blending its rich past with refined modern comfort. Today, the Cecil remains an emblem of Alexandria’s cosmopolitan heritage, welcoming travelers who seek history, sea breeze, and classic elegance all in one place.