Casa Cook El Gouna will open its doors on the sun-drenched shores of Egypt’s Red Sea this summer.
Flanked by palms and perched amidst desert dunes, the 100-room adults-only hotel has been designed by Common Architecture, the Durban-based practice headed up by Mark and Leigh Bellingan.
The latter’s interior scheme offsets shades of orange and red with darker nuances of green and blue, while raw wooden furnishings and tarnished ceramics create a sense of pared-back luxury. The décor is simple and chic, complemented with rattan interiors and neutral linens. Regal Egyptian forms, rock formations and the dramatic play of light channel an ethereal feel, simplifying elements down to their bare essentials.
The desert-style Kitchen Club opens onto panoramic views of the lagoon, gently lapping the edge of the Red Sea, while guests can also can spend long, drawn-out days at the Beach Club and main pool area – where they can bask in the warmth of the sun while listening to the soundtrack of the DJ’s live set.
Elsewhere, there’s a spacious gym and yoga shala, as well as a spa complete with an indoor pool, sauna, hammam, plunge pool and five treatment rooms. Taking advantage of its location, Casa Cook El Gouna is the first of its kind to open its very own kiteboarding centre in partnership with sport supplier Duotone.
Guestrooms – each with their own private terrace – feel earthy and personal, like a home away from home. The Premium Roof Terrace rooms offer expansive sunset views across the cusp of the Red Sea, while Junior Suites feature a shared swimming pool, and Villas boast two bedrooms and an exclusive pool.