Mahmoud Abd El Aziz Ramadan

"Blessed with an instinct for discovery, Mahmoud Abd El Aziz Ramadan decided to harness his innate talents by becoming the Lead Navigator at the Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel. He worked his way to the position via a number of similar roles. He started by joining the concierge department of a downtown hotel where he picked up some key experience: arranging tours, dealing with guests and even operating a fleet of limousines. By the time Mahmoud joined the team at the Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel, which he describes as one big family, his skills were sharpened and he now feels able to anticipate guest needs without being asked for a service. It helps that he has an expert understanding of New Cairo, the sprawling city within a city where business and pleasure happily co-exist. Guests staying at the hotel based in the city can expect insights on where to eat, drink and shop, all drawn from Mahmoud's own experiences. He may point in you in the direction of his favorite cafe, where he fuels himself each morning with tasty coffee, or to a clothes shop on 90th Street where he likes to pick up some locally crafted attire. You can make a discovery every day, he says of the local area, the fun part is sharing the discovery with the guest. The Navigator role keeps Mahmoud busy - breakfast comes at 8 a.m. and late lunch is not taken until he clocks off at 8 p.m. but he always finds time to experience the city for himself. Often he will end a day with friends at his favorite Egyptian restaurant, or with a stroll round the labyrinthine bazaars of Khan el-Khalili, where you can take in unique vistas of the beguiling city. "