Amy Pugsley 
Nestled on the Red Sea, El Gouna is a resort town with a multinational community that continues to grow and thrive. Aside from the world-class infrastructure and some of the best weather year-round, it boasts sparkling turquoise water, three beautiful marinas, luxury hotels, gastronomic choices galore and international events like the El Gouna Film Festival, which make this small town a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. Last winter, the paradise escape became home to a new boutique hotel – Casa Cook. This 100-room adults-only hotel is the perfect place to escape and recharge. We talked to Remo Masala, the creative mind behind the brand, to learn more about the enchanting new hotel.
Tell readers a bit more about the essence of the Casa Cook hotel concept. What is the philosophy of the brand?
Casa Cook is an eclectic collection of lifestyle leisure resorts – at the moment Casa Cook Rhodes and Casa Cook El Gouna – that caters to the growing generation of independent travellers. Each hotel has its own distinct personality; for example, architecture, interior design and individual offerings vary by location and hotel, yet common to all are low-key vibes and contemporary aesthetics. The brand‘s mission is to deliver meaningful and memorable escapes. Today’s modern lifestyle travellers soak up inspiration from disparate places and sources and celebrate downtime. For them, luxury goes beyond its traditional meaning and takes a more unconventional definition. Subtle and down-to-earth, the scene at Casa Cook echoes the simplicity of life at the beach. From the destination to the food concept and emphasis on wellbeing and warm service, everything is tuned in to the lifestyle and mindset of the modern traveller.
The paréa is at the heart of the philosophy of Casa Cook. The Greek word – roughly translated as ‘a get-together with friends’ – evokes a sense of community, celebrating the joys of friendship, sharing ideas and nourishing the mind and the soul. Each hotel’s social hub, composed of the pool, bar and restaurant, is designed to bring guests together in a relaxed vibe.
What makes Casa Cook El Gouna a destination within itself?
Set against a backdrop of azure blue lagoons, sweeping vistas and rolling dunes, the 100-room adult-only hotel and latest concept of Casa Cook is the perfect springboard to explore Egypt’s vast natural landscapes or experience the world-class diving and kitesurfing on offer. Fringed by palms and perched along the shores of the Red Sea, El Gouna is known for its lagoons, bright coral reefs and sandy beaches. There are numerous activities like diving with dolphins, sweeping through the sand dunes on a desert safari or being taught the basics of how to sail on a boat trip. At Casa Cook El Gouna a private beach offers ultimate seclusion, while the bustling city of El Gouna is only a short distance away. Dwarfed by the majesty of the landscape, Casa Cook El Gouna is a remote modern oasis. A rugged desert escape and a breezy beachfront hideaway all in one – the perfect place to unplug with your partner and friends.
The rooms feel earthy and private, like a home away from home. Each room features its own private terrace and a shared or private pool. Designed with a sense of community and togetherness in mind, the desert-style Kitchen Club serves as a communal hub. The food concept celebrates the idea of enjoying meals together with small plates of Mediterranean dishes and flavours. A gym and yoga shala offer spacious settings for individual and group fitness classes and daily yoga lessons, while the spa, which comes with a pool, two saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools and a hammam, eases guests into an oasis of relaxation.
2021 is around the corner. What can people expect from CC in the new year? Are there any future growth plans?
In 2019, the Casa Cook brand was acquired by the Fosun Tourism Group, a leading leisure-focused integrated tourism group listed in Hong Kong. Under the new ownership, the brand will accelerate its expansion across destinations worldwide, while remaining loyal to the brand ethos. For next year, there are already some new destinations in the pipeline. Of course, each future resort will continue to be individual and unique but with a consistent design language. Stay tuned!
