Egypt's 'first' no-alcohol hotel opens in Hurghada

[DJKeefy]

The touristic city of Hurghada saw the opening of a no-alcohol resort on Saturday – dubbed by state media as the first of its kind in the Red Sea – allocating an entire floor for women only.

Resort owner Yasser Kamal told the state news agency that the decision is not influenced by one ideology or force, but is an attempt to promote a new tourism approach.

"Tourists have alcohol in their countries, and they must find other alternatives in Hurghada for the purpose of diversity," Yasser explained, adding that the hotel is open for all nationalities and both Muslim and Christian Egyptians.

The owner added that only women will be allowed on the top floor of the hotel where female security will be placed.

The opening ceremony included lining up alcohol bottles on a bar and breaking them, spilling the alcohol, to announce the beginning of a new tourism approach under the new administration, the agency reported.

Muslims' holy book, the Quran, forbids alcohol consumption.

Tourism, an important driver of Egypt's economy, has suffered dramatically due to political unrest that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak.

Rising fears have peaked since an Islamist government, headed by the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi, was elected to power last June.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/70292.aspx

[Bombay]

There are lots of "no alcohol" hotels in Egypt. There are lots of "no alcohol" restaurants in Egypt (although some still sell it!)

[Chocolate Eclair]

this is going to be interesting, especially to see how it takes off with the high spending Europeans!

[Goddess]

Am I being a bit thick?
Isn't a no alcohol hotel currently known as a 3 star hotel?

[Bombay]

Am I being a bit thick?
Isn't a no alcohol hotel currently known as a 3 star hotel?

You need a minimum of 3 stars to apply for the alcohol license which is a separate licence. Alcohol license is not automatic with any rating but below 3 stars you cannot apply.

[BENNU]

As fond as I am of alcohol, if it is not available, I am fine. Most places I like to visit are based on different values than mine, and I travel to learn, but not to be tought!

An opening ritual of breaking bottles and spilling precious liquid is more than non alcohol - it is ANTI alcohol and that is a different story. As a genuine part of a proud culture, leaving out alcohol would be a natural thing to do, not a manifestation.

[Bombay]

As fond as I am of alcohol, if it is not available, I am fine. Most places I like to visit are based on different values than mine, and I travel to learn, but not to be tought!

An opening ritual of breaking bottles and spilling precious liquid is more than non alcohol - it is ANTI alcohol and that is a different story. As a genuine part of a proud culture, leaving out alcohol would be a natural thing to do, not a manifestation.

The way I read the article is that the owner is not anti alcohol, the hotel had a bar. He is anti being empty so trying to target a new clientele. Good luck to him.

[Who2]

Yasser Kamal that highly esteemed first time hotel owner is about to get a nasty kick up his nether regions, yeh! right. "I worked in an office for 30 years or drove a camel, now everyone and their mother thinks that running a successful hotel or restaurant business is a left hand job, yeh! that's the difference betwixt The Ritz, The George V, and experience and something called common sense. doomed to fail, I'm taking bets!.....
PS: probably a bank scam loan anyway...

[HEPZIBAH]

Having paid a brief visit to Hurghada earlier in the year and walked through a couple of hotels at different times I was glad I was staying in an appartment!

I like the idea of choice - and I particularly like the idea of a women only area. Good luck to them offering something different.

[BENNU]

"Tourists have alcohol in their countries, and they must find other alternatives in Hurghada for the purpose of diversity,"

The opening ceremony included lining up alcohol bottles on a bar and breaking them, spilling the alcohol, to announce the beginning of a new tourism approach under the new administration, the agency reported

That is not what I call diversity.

[Bombay]

I like the idea of choice - and I particularly like the idea of a women only area. Good luck to them offering something different.

You think they have a choice to go to this area or not.

[HEPZIBAH]

I like the idea of choice - and I particularly like the idea of a women only area. Good luck to them offering something different.

You think they have a choice to go to this area or not.

I was rather assuming that there would be some choice in the matter. If I was booking a room in the hotel I could choose to be in a all female area or not. (I guess I base that on my work background where I am responsible for an all female residence.)

Your question has made me think beyond the obvious (to me) though!

[BENNU]

I like the idea of choice - and I particularly like the idea of a women only area.

You think they have a choice to go to this area or not.

Your question has made me think beyond the obvious (to me) though!

What would it say about you if you chose to stay on a mixed floor

[Dusak]

There was an interesting article on BBC World Friday that was showing the night clubs in Cairo and interviewing the clientele as these clubs are now under threat of closer by the new Government. Perhaps this is the beginning of the dry state policy some would like to see. As long as they don't ban tea, I'm OK.

[HEPZIBAH]

What would it say about you if you chose to stay on a mixed floor

But normally you don't have a choice - you just go to your allocated room.

Actually for me it would say I don't particularly relish the thought of being on the top floor of high rise buildings as I worry about emergency situations, power cuts etc!

We need the name of this hotel to do some research - mine would be on the net only though as I have no intention of visiting Hurghada again anytime soon!

[Who2]

What gets me is an investor goes to Hurgharda looks and doesn't see the money train. It's Russians young russians getting off their faces just like Ibetha, he should open a club like my mates Clair & Mike from Manumission: http://www.loveibiza.net/ibiza-parties/manumission
They where raking in over £50K per party, and if he { the investor } states he's doing it for an 'ideal he should go back to driving a donkey, personally it's another prat trying to be flash, 'absolutely no idea!.....end of rant.....
PS: to quote:
"Tourists have alcohol in their countries, and they must find other alternatives in Hurghada for the purpose of diversity,
Oh Yeh! like what ? sharks eating divers, history ? give us a break he has more chance in Mecca, Hurgharda isn't even in Egypt, well not in my book.

[Alistair1967]

Seems to be a sort of Islamic version of a boutique hotel. Might be successful, but I wouldn't hold my breath... I cannot the question the investor's morals, but maybe his business sense. Will be interesting to follow the new establishment's progress. Then again, if the Egyptian government does create a more Islamic state, this place will be ahead of the game.

Who2 - surely Hurghada is in Egypt? It's on the mainland Red Sea coast, not on the Sinai.

[Zooropa]

Are there enough people that find alcohol and people who drink it so objectionable that they would want a non alcohol hotel?

Especially in this economic climate?

I might go for it if it meant tea making facilities in your room as standard and free of charge.

The Nile palace wanted £6 per day for it when I enquired a few years ago.

I told them to.........it!

[Bearded Brian]

All females on a floor - more akin to a bordello lol

[HEPZIBAH]

Are there enough people that find alcohol and people who drink it so objectionable that they would want a non alcohol hotel?

There are many people who would find an alcohol free hotel no problem to their holiday enjoyment.

Why do so many people consider alcohol so important? I'm sure those who want a drink on holiday will say it's about freedom of choice if they drink on holiday or not but that works both ways.