There are places that change you forever: that is by far the greatest gift a journey can offer to an adventure traveler. Adrère Amellal, an eco-luxury hotel in the depths of the Egyptian white desert is a place like no other. Located in the otherworldly urban Oasis Of Siwa, in the western Egyptian desert called the Great Sand Sea, the hotel offers a bespoke and unique experience.
The Oasis of Siwa is an 8-hour drive from Cairo, through flat desert roads, with stops in small towns along the way, including the seaside resort of Marsa Matruh with its turquoise sea, and then finally, the desert in all its overwhelming glory. There is nothing like that feeling of freedom and exploration that can be reached when one hits that infinite expanse of sand.
Its fame stems from the legend that says that it was the home of an oracle of Ammon, the ruins of which are a popular tourist attraction, which gave the oasis its ancient name: Oasis of Amun Ra.
By Adelbayoumi – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58434786The labor of love of Egyptian environmentalist Dr. Mounie Neamatalla, Adrère Amellal holds eco-credentials that are remarkable. All food is sourced locally and its 40 rooms are built in traditional Siwan style – using salt blocks, mud, and hay. There is no electricity; mobile phones calls are forbidden outside the rooms, there’s no wifi, and the only source of energy is the hundreds of beeswax candles and oil lamps that create the magical atmosphere during the starry nights of the desert. Minimal impact – extraordinary high fulfilment.
The hotel also hosts regular art events that bring together local and international artists in the fields of performance art, fine arts, & music.
You can take your pick from the wide array of experiences available. Sand board on the dunes? Check. Swimming in a salt lake surrounded by bright pink flamingos? Check. Dining at sunset on the dunes? Check.
I will certainly never forget my time there – I can still feel the awe of watching those glorious sunsets, the sensation of the fine sand on my toes, the talks and stories of the ancient world by the fire with the local Bedouins, the organic dinners, the fresh water of the soft bubbling Roman built pools. A dear memory of enchantment and care.
Pictures from François Correia
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