Sixteen kilometers from the charming town of Siwa, lies Adrere Amellal – spectacular desert eco lodge overlooking Lake Siwa and nestled at the foot of the mystical ‘White Mountain’. This hotel is like no other. It appears in biblical fashion, as a timeless escape to ancient Egypt, freeing you not just from the mundane rituals of your daily routine, but from the clutches of the modern world as you know it.
There is no electricity, no TV, no sockets, but you won’t miss it from the luxury of a palm shaded spring-fed Roman pool, just steps away from the endless Great Sand Sea. By day the sun beats down, by night hundreds of candles illuminate the land. It is a place of wild beauty, the mighty desert tamed for us mere mortals to enjoy.
This lodge has 40 rooms, all built in the traditional Siwan style, walls made of salt-rock, and palm used for the roofs. Every room is unique, combining distinction and authenticity. The earthen buildings blend naturally into the landscape, and all furniture and crafts pay tribute to the talented local artisans.
Other special features include ancient olive and palm groves, slow-bubbling Roman springs, and an exquisite cuisine that includes traditional dishes cooked in honey-glazed clay pots.
A lot of activities are available here: relaxing by the pool which is fed by a natural spring and is free of any chemicals, refreshing oneself by Lake Siwa, discovering the sand dunes of the Great Sand Sea, travelling back in time in Old Shali and its historic fortress, or horse-back riding among palm and olive groves. Out of this world.