Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2003
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Outlet Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

Employment History

• Four Seasons Hotel Madinah; Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh; Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence; Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza; Kempinski Hotel Ajman, UAE; Conrad Cairo, Egypt; Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa, Cairo; The Mena House Oberoi, Cairo

Education

• Hospitality Management Degree with Focus on Financial Management Certificate, Cornell University; Hospitality and Tourism Degree, Egyptian Institute of Tourism & Hotels

Birthplace

• Cairo, Egypt

Languages Spoken

• Arabic, English

“When I walk through the lobby of Nile Plaza, it feels like coming home,” says Waleed Sobhy, reflecting on his return to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza more than two decades after first stepping through its doors. “This is where my Four Seasons story began, and it will always have a special place in my heart. To come back and now lead this iconic hotel is both emotional and a great privilege.”

Waleed’s journey with Four Seasons began in 2003, when he joined the pre-opening team at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza as a department head in food and beverage. He recalls the excitement of those early days, learning the rhythms of a flagship hotel that would soon set new standards of luxury in Egypt and the region. “I started here as a department head and now return as Hotel Manager. That’s the magic of Four Seasons — the opportunities to grow, evolve, and one day come back full circle.”

Over the years, Waleed’s path took him across Egypt and beyond. In 2011, he moved to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence as Director of Food and Beverage, followed by a transfer in 2015 to the sunny shores of Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh. His leadership and operational expertise saw him promoted to Resort Manager in 2017, where he helped shape the expansion of one of the Red Sea’s most celebrated resorts.

In 2024, his career reached a new milestone when he was appointed General Manager of the pre-opening team at Four Seasons Hotel Madinah, playing a pivotal role in steering the property’s operational readiness.

Beyond Four Seasons, Waleed’s experience spans more than 30 years in luxury hospitality with celebrated brands including Oberoi, Starwood, Conrad, and Kempinski. He also furthered his expertise with a certificate in Financial Management from Cornell University in 2017, underscoring his commitment to excellence.

What drives Waleed, however, goes beyond operations and strategy. “My leadership style is about people first,” he explains. “I believe in camaraderie, in giving people the freedom to be creative, and in remembering that the difference lies in how we make our guests feel.” For him, the Nile Plaza team is the heart of the Hotel — a group whose warmth, professionalism, and authenticity ensure guests leave feeling like they’ve discovered a second home and family.

Cairo, he says, is the perfect stage for that. “It’s a vibrant city, alive with heritage, culture, and history. Our role is to showcase its treasures while offering guests a place where they can truly belong.” With ongoing enhancements across the Hotel — from refreshed premium accommodations to new culinary offerings — Waleed is eager to take the landmark property into its next chapter.

Away from the hotel, Waleed is a family man who finds joy in traveling with his wife, Azza, and their three children, Heidi, Rawan, and Ahmed. He is also an avid chess player, drawn to the game’s demand for foresight and strategy — qualities that mirror his professional approach. Once an introvert, Waleed credits his career with shaping him into the leader he is today: visionary, empathetic, and deeply committed to creating a culture where both guests and employees feel at home.