Al Nyhaya: A Serene Escape Amidst Siwa’s Great Sand Sea

In a desperate search for respite, even the most manicured of girls abandon their cuticle oil and retinoid serum in an attempt to recalibrate atop a golden bed of sun-drenched sand. Fresh book spines bend in the face of reclusive decisions as obscure Spotify playlists dubbed ‘Play This When You Swing and He Ducks’ serve as the soundscape to your annual convalescence period. Between the lines riddled in proverbial language, and the heartbreak ballads sellotaping emotional bullet wounds closed, lies a scintillating sensation that something outside the sloppy margins awaits. Whilst tearing oneself from Lana Del Rey’s lyrical grip is often a feat for the brave, Al Nyhaya, a serene glamping resort encircling Siwa’s Great Sand Sea, is slowly unravelling the chainlink, ultimately ushering in visitors from all around the world.

Tearing through the monotony of city life, Siwa’s Al Nyhaya is a 500 metre long getaway nestled between the dunes of the Great Sand Sea. Situated atop a rock plateau in the middle of the Egyptian Western desert, clusters of tents and dining options elegantly line its parameters as a private pool glimmers beneath the oasis’ prismatic sunsets. Home to a roster of healing and wellness retreats, Al Nyhaya is comparable to that airport limbo phase whereby no real boundaries, rules and caffeine-ingestion rituals exist. It’s synonymous with the six hour layovers cradled between alien lands whereby current accounts - and in turn victimised pay checks - cease to signify livelihoods and rent payments. A true escape, Al Nyhaya overturns the cliche-d wellness connotations evoked through years of essential oil-induced damages and provides a private hideout that speaks to the Emily Dickinson-adjacent girlies amongst us. 

“Growing up in Europe, I always loved going to and exploring Egypt,” the founder, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells SceneTraveller. “When I discovered Siwa and the Great Sand Sea, I became very passionate about this region.” Whilst Siwa’s landscape is not by any means in close geographical proximity to where the resort's founder was brought up, the place engraved a home in his heart; one that ultimately pervades his psyche.

“I wanted to introduce and share this gem to and with people from abroad who otherwise wouldn’t easily get there,” he continues. “Especially the once-in-a-lifetime experiences the Great Sand Sea provides, which are undoubtedly unlike anywhere else in the world. And for me, being able to provide a unique place where people can comfortably stay and enjoy all that this remote part of Egypt has to offer is a great pleasure and honour.”

The founder's initiative is an actualisation of what he feels towards the area. It's a real-life manifestation of the emotions catalysed upon originally exploring Siwa and an open invitation to others to embroil themselves in the same sentiments that propelled his own vision. Understanding the complexities of the mission he encumbered, the founder began opening the retreat’s doors to more than just newly-weds and couples looking to entertain travel blogger daydreams riddled in valencia filters. The founder regularly collaborates with global influencers to, yes, spotlight Al Nyhaya, but also sow seeds of love for the place currently closest to his heart.

A true labour of love, Al Nyhaya outpaced the proverbial texts riddling one’s year of rest and relaxation to fully deliver experiences that intimately reconnect visitors with spellbinding landscapes. Perhaps, it is worth the dull nail beds and retinoid-free skin. Maybe the detoxification of sour love ballads from one’s system can be remedied through a weekend perched atop aurous dunes and sound baths that harbour no bitter lyrics.

The retreat’s lush glamping experience stands testament to the notion that a harmonious blend of eco-conscious yet luxurious escapes do, in fact, exist. The word tent no longer evokes a visceral - perhaps even guttural - response. Instead, a series of picturesque snapshots of sundresses, patterned bandanas and sun kissed shoulders glisten into fruition. At times, they’re followed by tea-tree scented soaps, wooden combs and bamboo toothbrushes, but then again, who can say no to travel sized accoutrements?