The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Set along the crystal-clear shores of Soma Bay, Sheraton Soma Bay Resort is quietly redefining what it means to escape. In 2026, the resort introduces a thoughtfully curated art residency that brings together six award-winning Egyptian artists, inviting them to live and create within the property itself.

This is not simply an exhibition, it’s a living, evolving experience where creativity unfolds in real time, and where guests become part of something far more meaningful than a traditional stay.

A Living Canvas by the Sea

For three weeks, the resort transforms into an open creative studio. Artists settle in, set up their spaces, and begin building entire collections from scratch, all while guests go about their stay.

Morning coffee, a walk by the sea, heading back to your room, and somewhere in between, you pass by a canvas slowly coming to life. It’s subtle, immersive, and a refreshing shift from the usual hotel art you barely notice.

Once completed, each piece goes through a careful curation process to ensure it aligns with the resort’s evolving design identity. The selected works won’t disappear after the residency, they’ll remain as part of the hotel’s permanent collection across rooms and shared spaces.

Some of the most striking pieces will also find their way into the Presidential Suites and the 28 Beach Suites, adding a more personal, story-driven layer to the stay.

The Artists Shaping the Experience

What makes this residency stand out is the range of artistic voices behind it. Each artist brings a distinct perspective, giving the experience a sense of depth and variety rather than a single visual direction.

Adham Badawy leans into emotion, creating expressive, layered works that explore human connection through bold textures and colour. Meanwhile, Alaa Abo Elhamd draws on Egyptian identity, blending cultural symbolism with a contemporary visual language that feels both rooted and modern.

Ahmed Shaaban brings a calmer energy into the mix, with compositions inspired by nature and defined by light, balance, and precision. On the other end of the spectrum, Mohamed Abu Elwafa experiments with mixed media and bold contrasts, creating pieces that feel energetic and boundary-pushing.

There’s also Ahmed Magdy, whose minimalist, architectural approach focuses on clean lines and quiet sophistication, while Mostafa Saifoon adds a vibrant, pop-inspired edge with colour-forward works that instantly stand out.

Together, they offer a layered snapshot of Egypt’s contemporary art scene, diverse, expressive, and constantly evolving.

More Than a Stay, A Cultural Connection

Guests visiting during the residency are offered something rare, the opportunity to engage directly with the artists, observe their creative journeys, and experience the transformation of blank canvases into lasting works of art.

Each completed piece becomes part of the resort’s story, leaving behind a signature that continues to shape the atmosphere long after the residency concludes. The result is a space that feels curated yet alive, where art is not simply displayed, but truly lived.

As Boris Bornman shares, the initiative reflects a deeper commitment to creating immersive guest experiences while celebrating Egypt’s exceptional artistic talent, bridging hospitality with culture in a way that feels both authentic and elevated.

Redefining the Destination Experience

This initiative is part of a broader vision at Sheraton Soma Bay Resort to redefine modern hospitality through creativity, personalisation, and meaningful engagement. Positioned along one of Egypt’s most pristine coastlines and within reach of iconic destinations such as Luxor, the resort continues to evolve as a destination where lifestyle, art, and refined leisure seamlessly converge.

Here, every detail, from the surrounding landscape to the artwork on the walls, contributes to a deeper, more memorable sense of place.

Plan Your Escape

For those seeking a stay that goes beyond the expected, this residency offers a chance to experience the Red Sea through a more thoughtful and artistic lens.

For more information, click this link here. Or book directly with best rate guaranteed, through here.