Adrere Amellal (4*)

A beacon of conservation, this spare Berber-style hotel on the Siwa Oasis was constructed as part of a local sustainable-development plan. An eight-hour drive west of Cairo, the fortress-like compound of 40 rooms is made of kershef, a heat-resistant mixture of rock salt and clay, and has stylish palm-beam roofs, beeswax candles, and stone floors covered in locally woven rugs. Since there is no electricity, pathways are lantern-lit at night, and braziers keep things warm. Underground Roman springs feed the pool. When the dunes of the bordering Great Sand Sea beckon, guides are available to lead Toyota Land Cruiser excursions; once in the middle of the undulating landscape, the driver will cut the engine and prepare a late-afternoon pot of mint tea, brewed with leaves grown organically on hotel grounds.

Overview

Nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain overlooking ancient olive and palm groves, Siwa’s largest salt lake, and the dunes of the Great Sand Sea, Adrère Amellal Oasis offers travelers a return-to-nature experience in a unique ecological and cultural setting. The ecolodge, which ranks second on Condé Nast Traveler's Green List of Best Resorts for 2005, has been built with utmost sensitivity to socio-cultural and environmental considerations. Derelict Siwan houses have been restored and extended, using kershef - a mixture of rock salt and mud - to build the walls. This method keeps indoor temperatures moderate and ensures that the structures blend with the environment. The premises are free of electricity and telephones, in keeping with the lifestyle of the oasis. Doors and windows are strategically positioned to capture the desert breeze, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Oil lamps and candles are used for lighting, braziers for heating.