The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

If you’ve been to the Red Sea resort of El
Gouna often enough, chances are you’ll have somehow found yourself at the Club
House in Kafr El Gouna at one time or another. This sea-side pool bar/restaurant is just one of those prime spots in El Gouna that everyone has to
check out sooner or later.

You can easily spend a whole day at the
Club House; its small eternity pool is surrounded by chaise longues and umbrellas,
and more chaise longues are set up along its beachfront, where you can swim in El
Gouna’s sea for a change, instead of the usual lagoons spread out through the
resort town. Toilets and changing rooms
are available, and the Club House also offers a weekly schedule of massages,
kid’s activities and other classes.

The Club House has excellent taste in its
background music, and on peak days such as weekends and national holidays, a
guest DJ spins the decks throughout the days, and there’s usually evening
entertainment available over the weekend.

Although the venue is famous for its
pizzas, burgers and other pool-friendly bites, this reviewer highly recommends
its big breakfast menu, full of tasty options that are much needed after a late
night of partying or before a long day of kite-surfing or lounging in the sun.

The three-egg omelette (28LE) comes
well-seasoned and works nicely with a side of deliciously juicy grilled bacon
(15LE), but please note that this is real pork bacon, and not the beef version. The shakshouka is absolutely delicious and
creamy, though 30LE is quite a high price for this traditional Egyptian dish.
It blends well with a dish of foul (24LE) lightly doused in olive oil and cumin,
and a side basket of bread.

If you still have room in you for dessert,
try their double stack of thick American-style pancakes (30LE) with butter and
syrup on the side. If breakfast is not
your thing, you can choose from their finger food, pizzas and sandwiches, or
try one of their fresh salads, such as the traditional Caesar salad (45LE),
which has the right ratio of crispy croutons and Caesar dressing.

Fresh juice and alcoholic beverages are
available, including a bottle of Heineken for 23LE and a Stella for 21LE, or you
could try the cooling long island beach tea (75LE), which was a little too
heavy on the liquor for this reviewer’s taste at such an early hour of the day
(1PM). Teas and coffees are also provided, including a latté for 15LE. Or you
could just go all out and order the Club House big breakfast (40LE), which
includes a combination of food and tea with milk for a filling breakfast to wake up
with.

Prices are high at the Club House; but then
so are most venues in El Gouna when compared to Cairo dining prices. However, as you can spend the whole day at
this spot; it’s well worth the price. If you want to avoid the loud
electronic/house music and secure a beach chaise longue, make sure that you get
there before noon to guarantee a great spot.