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Valentine’s Day in Cairo | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Valentine’s Day in Cairo


Valentine’s Day in Cairo

Valentine’s Day in Cairo

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- In a few days time, the lobbies of Egyptian hotels will be laden with the color red as the country prepares for the romantic celebration of love on Valentine’s Day. What is interesting is that Egypt celebrates love twice a year, on November 4, as chosen by the late author Mostafa Amin since the 1980s as well as the international celebration on February 14.

Valentine’s Day was not of great significance until roughly ten years ago perhaps as a result of globalization and today, Egypt immerses itself into a romantic mood and fun traditions on February 14 every year. This celebration has had an important effect on Egyptian tourism and hotels certainly cater for couples celebrating their love.

Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza, which overlooks the river, has a special program for women on Valentine’s Day that begins at the health club where women can enjoy a full body massage followed by a relaxing “Cleopatra Bathe”. There is also a range of gifts on offer for one to buy for his/her loved one.

Cairo’s Marriot Hotel invites its guests to celebrate Valentine’s Day like royalty where couples can enjoy a romantic candle-lit dinner in one of the hotel’s numerous restaurants followed by a night in one of the luxurious new guest rooms.

In one of the best locations, overlooking the river Nile, sits the Grand Hyatt, which has prepared an extraordinary program for all those celebrating love. The restaurants of this hotel have prepared themselves with exquisite menus, flowers and candles to set the scene for Egypt’s couples. There is also the mesmerizing view from the Revolving Restaurant from which one can see the Nile, the pyramids and the whole of Cairo.

Romantic cruises on the river Nile are also a great way to enjoy the festivities, with lunch or dinner cruises offered at Grand Hyatt Cairo’s Private Yacht, the Marquise, for example.

Conrad Hotel in Cairo tends to all the minor details to ensure an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. Guests can spend the evening in guest rooms decorated by red roses and where chocolates are scattered all over the room. There is also a surprise lottery draw from which guests can win a night at the hotel’s royal suite.

The Ramses Hilton Hotel in Cairo, which also presents spectacular views of the Nile and the great Egyptian capital, offers a jam-packed program for Valentine’s celebrations. Maha al Qadi, the public relations director of the hotel explained that there are a number of restaurants such as the English-themed Sherlock Holmes Pub, the Citadel Grill where one can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner to the sounds of the guitar or flute that add to the ambiance, or the Windows on the World restaurant where international cuisine is on the menu and from where diners can enjoy a breathtaking view of Cairo. At Garden Court Café, lovers can have a special Valentine’s cake that is made in the shape of heart. Finally, a new addition to the list of flavorsome restaurants is the Maharaja, which offers Indian cuisine, guaranteed to add some spice to the romantic celebrations!