Villa Belle Époque is 12 kilometers away from Cairo’s center in Maadi, helping travelers connect more deeply with a residential neighborhood full of rich greenery and historic architecture. Originally built in the 1920s, it has been transformed by Tarek El Gendy and his Dutch wife, Beryl. Their shared passion for architecture and design shines through every corner of this charming retreat. They drew inspiration from the English colonial style prevalent during the British occupation of the early 1900s, blending it with arabesque elements to celebrate the rich tapestry of Egyptian art and culture.
Tarek and Beryl chose this particular villa for their project because the owner was a student of Tarek’s late father, a history teacher at a nearby school. This personal connection adds an extra layer of sentimental value to their hotel. Tarek, his brother, and Beryl have always been pioneers in the Egyptian niche markets. They were the first to introduce cruise ships on Lake Nasser and Dahabiya sailing boats between Luxor and Aswan, and Villa Belle Époque, a hospitality experience centered on the elegance of a bygone era.
Recently refurbished to embrace its colonial heritage, this hotel offers an incomparable oasis of tranquility amidst the bustling city of Cairo. Nestled within three picturesque villas, the property features 43 rooms, suites, and apartments. Villas are surrounded by lush gardens, sunny courtyards, and three inviting swimming pools, all set on a sprawling 1,300 square-meter plot. Imagine being enveloped by the soothing presence of lemon, mango, olive, and guava trees, interspersed with centuries old-palm trees.
Inside, the hotel combines old-world charm with essential comforts. Every room and suite is named after an Egyptian city or province, such as Fayoum, Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, and Alexandria. Each room has a unique design with different tapestries, furniture, colors, and antique pieces, while offering modern amenities like espresso machines, Smart TV, and air conditioning.
Imagine relaxing in the luxurious Premier Suite, indulging in a relaxing bath before waking up refreshed to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast buffet. Served daily in the conservatory, the buffet includes homemade bread, pastries, jams, and a selection of hot traditional and international dishes, all made with local seasonal produce.
Dining at Acacia, the hotel's renowned restaurant, is an experience to savor. Led by award-winning chefs, the menu offers a delicious fusion of international flavors. Whether you choose to dine indoors, in the garden or by the pool, dishes such as homemade salmon ravioli, veal escalope, and risotto promise to delight your palate. And for dessert, the pistachio kunafa chocolate cake is simply irresistible.
Lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun or exploring the lovely gardens that supply fresh herbs for the teas and dishes, Villa Belle Époque pays attention to every detail, and its size allows the staff to remember even the smallest details about its guests; how they like their coffee in the morning or which table they prefer to sit at for dinner, and tailors each guest’s experience to make it extremely personalized.
Top Takeaways
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Rating: 5-Star
The vibe: Villa Belle Époque: A charming boutique hotel that steps back in time. (What I miss the most is the serenity)
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The warmth and hospitality of the staff. Also, the homemade sesame crackers and pita bread that come with the mezze platter full of oriental dips.
Food + Drink: Dine at in-house restaurant Acacia, forking through international flavors such as Thai Tom Yum, Shrimp Brioche, Italian Burrata Salad, and Beef Fillet.
Amenities: Restaurant, small fitness center and business center for corporate meetings, 3 pools, 24-hour front desk and In-room tea/coffee makers.
What’s nearby? Stroll around Maadi to its boutique-filled pedestrian street; road 9, consisting of local cafes, coffee shops, jewelry shops, bookstores and pubs
Any personal neighborhood recommendations? Try Shakshuka with pita bread in Zööba and Café Greco
Rooms: 19 rooms, 16 suites, and 8 suites in a separate villa that may be booked exclusively as a private villa with a private kitchen and pool
Pricing: Rates start at $250 per night
Closest Airport: Cairo International Airport
