Zaina's Zany Adventures - Egypt and Beyond * Installment 4 * Part 3, Mena House and Memo

Egypt and Beyond * Installment 4, Part 3 * The Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival
The Famed “Mena House” and Our Knight in Shining Armor, “Memo”

A Little view of the Host Hotel of the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival
The Historic and Elegant “Mena House”

Originally a royal lodge built for Egypt's Vice King Kedive Ismail, Oberoi’s Mena House Hotel sits in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Cheops on 40 acres of beautiful, jasmine scented gardens. 

Rooms were added to the royal lodge in 1869 for the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal as the Kedive wanted Empress Eugenie to see the pyramids from a proper place. When the palace later transferred to private hands, it was given the name Mena House after Pharaoh Mena, the first ruler of a united Egypt.  It was then purchased by an English couple who decided to turn Mena House into a truly luxury hotel. Mashrabia work (traditional wood work) was added, medieval brass-embossed and carved wood doors and a large dining room designed to look like the interior of a mosque. The hotel was advertised as a "First Class Family Hotel at the foot of the Pyramids" which it remains today.

Since that time a large swimming pool has been added as well as a section in the garden and has undergone renovations several times to update and add amenities.  This is truly a luxury hotel where anyone can feel at home.

It is hard not to feel the enchantment surrounding you as you lie at night, looking out onto those glorious wonders of the ancient world.  Envisioning the rich history of the hotel is not hard to do.  Long corridors in Mena House meet at grand central points, offering splendid details which in part make the Oberoi Mena House a legend among hotels.  A short walk through its corridors provides glimpses of old photographs of distinguished guests and events of days gone by.

Some of those Fragrant Gardens and Walkways

The Mena house has catered to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities and hosted many important international conferences including important meetings in front of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The hotel manager of Mena House gave then President Carter and late President Sadat a replica of the hotels master key with the inscription "Blessed are the Peacemakers".

There are numerous suites in the hotel that are in fact named after dignitaries who stayed at the hotel.  The Churchill Suite as an example; Sir Winston Churchill stayed there as an allied leader during the Second World War when the hotel hosted the Cairo Conference between U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt, Chinese president Chiang Kai-shek and Churchill. It’s said that Churchill returned to his room each night and slept with his curtains open so he could see the pyramids of Giza.

The grand restaurants provide not only wonderful views of the pyramids but a dining experience complete with arabesque decorations, Mashrabia and antique Islamic lamps. Restaurants in the hotel offer Indian food at the beautiful Moghul Room, the Khan El Khalili offers Egyptian and continental dishes around the clock.  Even the grand lobby bar in gives you a truly unique panorama view to the pyramids.  For dancing the Abu Navas nightclub or during summertime the outdoor Oasis Club or Saddle Discotheque.

We were told by locals that the Mena House is the only hotel in Cairo with its own golf course, horseback and camel stables (which is in fact one of the most romantic ways to visit the Pyramids).

Mena House is a hotel where history and dreams still live – you will not be disappointed.

Memo, Our Knight in Shining Armor
“Memo’s” – Just down the street and in the shadow of Cheops

 
Memo in front of "Memo's Bazaar"

Now stepping back, we were given “Memo’s” name and told where we could find him from someone on another tour (we had been somehow missed when his name and location had been given out to the rest of our group the day of arrival to buy bottled water from).  We were able to finally purchase water by the case from him a few days after arriving at our hotel and just prior to the opening gala which was as they say a Godsend as we were drinking water constantly. 

Memo’s little shop proved to be much more on the inside that what you see from the outside.  He carries a wide selection of perfume, bottles, jewelry, shishah pipes, tobacco and many other trinkets as well as water, soda and small snacks.  AND, most importantly, Memo’s store is just across the street from the gates of the Mena House and two blocks from our hotel. 

Zaina and Memo at the Festival

We were so pleased when we walked into the festival opening day of the workshops to find a booth just inside the main hall with Memo standing there greeting everyone.  As you might have guessed, Memo quickly became a friend and our little home-away-from-home safety net.  Not only is he a delight, but he goes far and above to assure his customer’s happiness.  When we purchased our water, rather than us walking it back to our hotel, he drove us back and brought it inside.  He arranged for a car and driver for us when we needed to go to a bank and shopping mall.  And Memo arranged our wonderful camel excursion (see next article) around the pyramids and through the village.  And when Memo is not on sight, his staff quickly gets him on the phone to let him know he has customers waiting to see him.  When we go back to Cairo it will not be without multiple visits to see him and his family.

Memo waiting for Zaina and Oberon to ride by on their camels
(Oh, but that is for the next installment)

Should you find yourself in Cairo, at the Mena House or the Great Pyramids you won’t want to miss the opportunity to stop and say hello to one of the friendliest people in all of Cairo.  Tell Memo that Zaina and Oberon sent you and their regards.

Next
Installment 5,
The Three Hour Camel Tour