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

[Zooropa]

As far as my post is concerned, I was not suggesting that a non alcohol hotel would present a problem to anyone.

Where did you get that from?

I stay at the Nile Palace when in Luxor and I rarely drink there because of the prices so a non alcohol hotel for me would not bother me at all.

My question was would there be enough people who would specifically select a hotel for its non alcoholic status?

Why is alcohol so important to many people? I don't think it is and I don't think its anywhere near the top of most people visiting Egypt's agenda.

As long as there is access to it I don't think it would be a problem.

It is about freedom of choice and it does cut both ways, I am sceptical as to whether it will make the hotel attractive and more popular for that reason.

Whether people like it or not alcohol is extremely popular amongst most people who visit and if it were not then far fewer places would fork out for licences.

Live and let live!

[Remus]

This will suit the new Egyptian Puritanism. There will be more.

As for the Gulf & Saudi arabs who spend their summers here in Egypt, my guess is that they will still prefer the hotels, bars, casinos and fleshpots of Cairo - though perhaps safely depositing their wives etc on the all-female floor of a non-alcoholic hotel.

[BENNU]

I stayed at beautiful hotel in Sharm el Sheikh, food was really delicious and the staff was the best I have experienced in Egypt. I would happily have sacrificed alcohol that one week if that would have meant that I could enjoy breakfast without being surrounded by drunken Russians and Danes. I took the chance that it would be empty in April 2011, but there were corpses floating in the pool, sipping beer from straws and maneuvering icecream cones at the same time. Mountains of chips and burgers were consumed IN the pool by those who were too drunk to walk to the restaurant. Others would eat in the elegant restaurant in microscopic swimwear. It was all inclusive and I lost weight, not from swimming because I chose to avoid the stinking pools, but I was put off by all these drunken guests. Apart from wine with dinner, all I ordered that whole week was ONE glass of "juice". There was mineral water and a kettle with teabags and nescafe in the room, and that is where I spend most of my time.

[LovelyLadyLux]

I'd have not a problem in the world staying at an alcohol free hotel so long as it was nice, clean, modern. Might be this is a new trend seeking the market from Saudi.

[Dusak]

It would be a pointless exercise in any case as if you wanted to drink, you would get your duty free as you landed, as most of the so called I love Allah followers would do. I don't think that I would want to stay in a hotel that could be bedecked with hundreds of black tents on skateboards and a retirement home for ex-bearded Santa's as I suspect that this would be the clientele that would welcome this type a none alcohol venue of rest. Breakfast, dinner, evening meal and supper would probably be served at call to prayer times, so it would be cold by the time you got there. And the water in the pool would turn black as they all paddled about in full battle dress. The lifts would probably only go up, as they reached for a higher level of obedience and the guest library would be a bit one sided I think. You would also need a special area for two thousand pairs of flip-flops to be deposited while you walked this vast area of hallowed marble, to be in keeping with the disguised true nature of this new innovation. A rule of top floor for women only seems to be the most sensible one, as two in a house can talk, but a possible hundred?

[Yildez]

It would be a pointless exercise in any case as if you wanted to drink, you would get your duty free as you landed, as most of the so called I love Allah followers would do. I don't think that I would want to stay in a hotel that could be bedecked with hundreds of black tents on skateboards and a retirement home for ex-bearded Santa's as I suspect that this would be the clientele that would welcome this type a none alcohol venue of rest. Breakfast, dinner, evening meal and supper would probably be served at call to prayer times, so it would be cold by the time you got there. And the water in the pool would turn black as they all paddled about in full battle dress. The lifts would probably only go up, as they reached for a higher level of obedience and the guest library would be a bit one sided I think. You would also need a special area for two thousand pairs of flip-flops to be deposited while you walked this vast area of hallowed marble, to be in keeping with the disguised true nature of this new innovation. A rule of top floor for women only seems to be the most sensible one, as two in a house can talk, but a possible hundred?

I have rarely read a more racist post than this one. Or are you joking? If so, it doesn't seem funny to me.

[Dusak]

I have rarely read a more racist post than this one. Or are you joking? If so, it doesn't seem funny to me.

Yes it was one of those tongue in cheek posts. I suppose it all depends on how you view life. Its a commodity that is far two short to be serious all the time. One thing I can never be associated with is racism. I have seen the floating black (in reference to the clothes) lilies on the pools surface at the Hilton before it was refurbished preventing others from enjoying the water, I have sat with Muslims that bestow the virtues of religion on the daytime streets, then enjoy a Stella or two in the Genesis. And I have seen the looks of effrontery as your having a drink and two come into the hotel foyer to pray. (this was the hotel on the corner facing the Corniche that was demolished. We used it every lecture to have a drink in and loo visit before walking over the road. Can't remember the name.) Religion is a weapon that is used across the globe to put credence to actions that are unacceptable in today's world. If you personally are one of those hard liners that is unwilling to cast light and lighten up a little were religion is concerned, then that's your business, as its mine to create my point of view. But no one should play the racist card on a whim. It sort of belittles that person. Anyway, I'm not to proud to say sorry if it has offended you, but my posts will not be watered down to suit other peoples opinions of a subject.

[Zooropa]

Actually Yildez, i found your post far more offensive that Dusak's.

Accusing someone of being racist or of making racist remarks on a whim is just as disgusting as racism itself.

In any case, since when has the stating of facts been racist?

An apology, i think is in order.

[Stevepj]

It would be a pointless exercise in any case as if you wanted to drink, you would get your duty free as you landed, as most of the so called I love Allah followers would do. I don't think that I would want to stay in a hotel that could be bedecked with hundreds of black tents on skateboards and a retirement home for ex-bearded Santa's as I suspect that this would be the clientele that would welcome this type a none alcohol venue of rest. Breakfast, dinner, evening meal and supper would probably be served at call to prayer times, so it would be cold by the time you got there. And the water in the pool would turn black as they all paddled about in full battle dress. The lifts would probably only go up, as they reached for a higher level of obedience and the guest library would be a bit one sided I think. You would also need a special area for two thousand pairs of flip-flops to be deposited while you walked this vast area of hallowed marble, to be in keeping with the disguised true nature of this new innovation. A rule of top floor for women only seems to be the most sensible one, as two in a house can talk, but a possible hundred?

I have rarely read a more racist post than this one. Or are you joking? If so, it doesn't seem
funny to me.

I didn't know Muslims were a race

[Winged Isis]

If you are going to make a "humorous" post, D, I suggest you use some related smilies, as it certainly did come across as racist to me. But then, knowing you, you probably didi it to deliberately stir. Either way, while I respect your right to comment, "humorously" or not, I found it distasteful.

[Zooropa]

Isis, why do you consider it distastful?

I witnessed in Cairo the very same thing as regards the pool.

I know of Muslims and Christians for that matter that call order to their holy book and then partake in the falling down water.

These are facts, the truth is the truth.

No one cries "racist" when referring to gangs of brits drunkenly walking the streets, bellies out and vomiting and demanding that locals speak English etc.

Once again, one cannot mutter the "m" word or the "R" word in anything but glowing terms without being branded a biggot/racist.

Its an attack on free speech.

[Dusak]

Well, it seems that I've kicked the hornets nest a little to servery this time, which was not intentionally done. I appreciate the suggestion of using smilies, but on this occasion I really didn't think that they were needed. There is just one point of confusion that I can't understand, and that is the use of the word racist. Religious bigot I could understand. Would the same comment have been made if I was aiming my observations towards the Christians? Which I have done on a couple of occasions, giving my version of how the bible was written, God's creation of woman. Why was I not called a sexist pig for those lighthearted remarks. Or have I cut just a little bit to close to the truth in my post? A good religion is one that offers tolerance towards others and there beliefs. I wasn't being critical of this particular faith, just making the point that the buggers would overrun the hotel. All we have to do as a nation of consenting adults that can see a different point of view using both eyes and not be blind to others beliefs is say :yy :yy :yy we are united as one and makes the world go round.

[Yildez]

Actually Yildez, i found your post far more offensive that Dusak's.

Accusing someone of being racist or of making racist remarks on a whim is just as disgusting as racism itself.

In any case, since when has the stating of facts been racist?

An apology, i think is in order.

Zooropa, please read what I wrote. I found the post extremely offensive, but DID ask Dusak if he was joking. He was, I misunderstood this, and I accept that his intention was to amuse, no more than that.

I still find his remarks - joking or not - in bad taste.

[Zooropa]

Yildez, you have every right to find anything offensive and in bad taste.

Thats fine.

But the bandying about of labels such as racist is another matter.

In any case as has been pointed out, your use of the term was totally incorrect and suggested a complete lack of understanding of the meaning of it as it was an opinion (joking or not) on a group of people that are the followers of a type of religion not a race.

I also have the right to be offended and i was by what you posted.

[Winged Isis]

As has happened more than once recently, Z, you didn't read a post accurately. I said distasteful, not racist. There is a difference.

[HEPZIBAH]

Coming back to topic...

I find it mildly amusing that (as in so many situations that could be considered similar to this for all sorts of reasons) it is the people who would not consider booking at a hotel like this that have the most negative comments about it. Some of us may well prefer more choice in our holiday accommodation options - this could be one of them!

[Zooropa]

"as it certainly did come across as racist to me"

Isis, whats that above then?

[Yildez]

Coming back to topic...

I find it mildly amusing that (as in so many situations that could be considered similar to this for all sorts of reasons) it is the people who would not consider booking at a hotel like this that have the most negative comments about it. Some of us may well prefer more choice in our holiday accommodation options - this could be one of them!

Couldn't agree more Hepzibah. We have had Islamic hotels/resorts in Turkey for some time, and they're popular, especially with families. These hotels advertise the fact that there are segregated pools and that alcohol is not available - this information is in no way disguised, and allows prospective guests to make an informed, and personal, choice. It's actually a growth area for Turkish tourism. I would be extremely surprised to hear that these hotels had non-Muslim guests, although in Turkey this would not be a problem for their fellow Muslim guests.

When I go to the beach here in the main season - July and August - I see women in bikinis, in swimsuits, in chic cycling shorts/tank top bathing suits, in all-in-one head to toe swimsuits, in burkinis, and occasionally elderly ladies entering the sea in their shalwar. All are side by side without problems or comment. The only derogatory comments I have EVER heard, are about the (very) occasional woman, usually European, who goes topless.

What it comes down to is personal choice - nobody is forced to stay in these hotels - and surely offering a wide choice of options benefits tourism, and tourists of all races and creeds?

[Zooropa]

I hope the hotel is very successful!

[Winged Isis]

"as it certainly did come across as racist to me"

Isis, whats that above then?

Yes, "came across", but not necessarily racist in my view. I also commented on my knowledge of D's love of provoking.