On the way to visit the site, located between the Eastern Desert Mountains and the Red Sea, we passed workers’ villages constructed of brick and stucco in a traditional vernacular manner. With picturesque vaults and domes and simple surfaces, they spoke to the essence of the place and influenced how we thought about creating a unique guest experience in the new five-star resort. The variety of forms and detailing of the main hotel and guestroom clusters throughout the site reflect the desert and waterfront context in an elegant – and often surprising – manner.
Knowing how important water views are for travelers coming from afar for the famous snorkeling and water sports in El Gouna (which means “lagoon”), our master plan carved myriad canals and lagoons within the site to create a cluster of nine “islands” so that each of the over 400 guestrooms faces the shoreline or an internal waterway. An elaborate swimming pool complex surrounded by lush landscape includes picturesque adult pools, an exercise pool and a children’s pool.
By using local vernacular forms and traditional construction techniques and materials, we created a seamless experience throughout the architecture and interiors of the resort. Local craftsman made the glass light fixtures, rugs and other furnishings of our design. In a later renovation, we simplified the interior color palette and added decorative lighting to refresh the hotel to current expectations and taste.
