Hotel Vuitton? Check in with LVMH

by Filipa Oliveira

With the luxury hotel sector on the fashion radar, LVMH is poised to raise the bar on High-end lodging in North Africa. Partering with Orascom Development Holdings, the French luxury goods company – owner of more than 50 prestigious brands as Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Givenchy – has announced an Hotel Management Unit with plans of two luxury resorts in Oman and Egypt set to open in 2012. The venture is “a natural extension of activities in luxury hospitality with Cheval Blanc“, LVMH has said in an e-mailed statement, referring to the Michelin-starred Alpine resort opened in 2006 by Group Arnault, LVMH Chairman and Chief Executive Bernard Arnault’s holding company.

The Oman hotel will include 32 villas (of which the smallest will be 500 sqm), completed with private beach and swimming pool. In Egypt, the 40-suite resort development is to be located on a private island overlooking the Nile (Oh, the pressure of a choice!). Both sites will serve as selling points for some of the company’s luxury brands. According to LVMH, “other projects are currently under study in exceptional destinations”.

Louis Vuitton silky sheets? Marc Jacobs Goose down pillow? Yes, sleep is indeed the ultimate luxury.

The LVMH led hotels will join fashion related hospitality offerings from Armani and Versace among others.