Mena House

Originally a hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail,( for when he would go out hunting quail in the surrounding desert & around the pyramids), Mena House is still an oasis in the wilderness! After the construction of the Suez Canal, it was further transformed into a Palace, & it's palatial features have thankfully NOT been lost in the further development of becoming a Hotel. On entering the foyer, I was immediately taken back to visiting the Alhambra in Spain, with it's magnificent ceilings. Beautiful original furnishings abound & I feel as if we are staying in a museum!! Of great interest too, are the old photos that line the corridor walls, showing a Mena House, somewhat isolated from the rest of civilization. Quite a contrast to today, when the urban sprawl & noisy chaos of Cairo has literally crawled up to it's doors. Yet still, it provides a space of calm & opulent tranquility!!