Category Archives: Journeys

Chileno Bay Resort Spa Staff!

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Besides being an arrival junkie – please impress me with your style by The Arrival to your hotel property, set the stage for my visit. I’m always wowed by enthusiastic passionate staff and after the dreary stay at home pandemic, everyone wants to be warmly welcomed back to ‘real life’. I prefer to look at it as the opening act of a play and each experience builds to the final check out.

I anonymously wander properties on my own and I talk to everyone. I didn’t need to initiate any conversations at Chileno Bay; every gardener, housekeeper, and the bellman in buggy’s all heartily greeted me: Hola! Buenas Tardes! Buenas Noches! Quantifiable research documents the motto: Happy employees = happy guests. The pandemic has been a challenge for every hotel whether city hotel or beach resort…staff has been furloughed, released and some have returned for a while to then be let go again. There was no sign of stress or weary staff at Chileno Bay Resort in Cabo. First impression matters. The first three minutes at a hotel will inform guests if they made the correct decision to stay there (buyer’s remorse), and they learn what to expect over the course of the stay,

My hotel site inspections typically include a member from management, but I also mosey on my own to get a personal flavor and take hundreds of photos.

Meandering through the spa entrance, two lovely women, Vanessa and Karina offered me a cucumber flavored bottle of water – how they knew my name is a mystery – but both reminded me to hydrate in the heat. Vanessa asked me if I owned a luxury travel firm and said she had seen my ‘Magazine’, I was very surprised and flattered! Consider me a dedicated member of the Tribe of the Spa Girl; I consider it my utmost duty to share all hotel amenities with my clients.

Vanessa suggested a tour. She eagerly showed me the entire spa and expertly explained treatment techniques, product and proudly shared the extensive local art collection. She had favorite locations as she described the massive live plant wall, the moody meditation room lined with pink Himalayan salt, she truly knew her spa! She was a natural! Chileno Bay has a stunning collection of local art, Vanessa knew the artists names and provenance; we crept through the secret garden and the numerous peaceful spaces before we ended back in the boutique.

Research has shown that the employees’ level of knowledge is a key factor in satisfying the needs of the customer. It’s worth noting that the same research demonstrates that the longer an employee works at a hotel, the more a customer is satisfied, which can point to the importance of employee retention and expertise.

Vanesa and Karina were beyond charming and professional. And yes, I promised to feature them in a post – but that was after their kindness and enthusiastic sharing of their spa! Vanessa and Karina excel in the Art of Hospitality at Chileno Bay Resort and Spa.

Gracias!

Cairo Dining Naguib Mahfouz Café

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Local Food. Feted by George Fawzi and Amani Fouad, the owners of Cairo based Excel Travel who hosted our Egyptian excursion, our small group of agency owners assumed we were having a quick cocktail, a hello and good bye with the gracious couple and their management team. Egyptian hospitality is legendary, and we were very surprised by the sumptuous catered dinner in their gorgeous garden. Plus, they included the GM’s and their spouses of the local five-star hotels and Amit Lakhanpal, the GM of the Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh Red Sea, Egypt, truly a five-star evening. The perfect send off after a glorious Egyptian Journey.

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe in the bazaar, Old Cairo

On my list of dining spots was the historic café Naguib Mahfouz Café operated by Oberoi Resorts. This amazing historic cafe is a welcome respite from the masses in the busy bazaar. Without my guide, I would have never discovered the location, Amit had offered to make me a lunch and dinner reservation, insisting I must not miss this celebrated gem.This restaurant and café was originally called Khan El Khalili, but Naguib Mahfouz’s continuous visits, and his winning of the Nobel Prize inspired the name change, it’s tucked away in the mysterious labyrinth of Khan el Khalili Bazaar.

The cafe opened in 1989 and is a tribute to the famous Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz who won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. Today, it’s run by the lavish Oberoi Hotels, but the elegant arabesque ambiance transports you back to the days of Old Cairo. It was established in 1989, the same year Naguib Mahfouz was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. It became a favorite spot in Cairo for Mahfouz himself, and is very close to Al-Gamaleya area, the area where he was born. He even had a favorite table where he used to sit whenever he visited. After he passed away, the café owner put Naguib Mahfouz’s pictures on the table and decorated it with many of his books.

The beautiful entrance to Naguib Mahfouz Café, descend into another world.

Cross the threshold from the ancient bazaar into another time zone. From the stunning decorative door to the classic staff uniforms, the brilliant lighting fixtures and the colorful carpets, there’s even a shoe cleaner sitting in one of the corners of the café. The café is an embodiment of the Fatimid era. The waiters are adorned with Tarboosh hats and outfitted in full regalia, the sweet smell of Hookah pipes permeate the air. Old Arabic music plays in the background and guests quietly chatter while enjoying hibiscus tea or indulging in Egyptian Chicken Shawerma. A juice bar offers frothy chilled drinks, essential in the Cairo heat!

Located in the heart of Khan el Kahlili, the Naguib Mahfouz Café is an oasis from the lively chaos of the bazaar. Naguib Mahfouz’s pictures line the walls, the titles of his books engraved in wood, complimented by exotic arabesque décor.

Who was Naguib Mahfouz? Naguib Mahfouz was a celebrated Egyptian writer considered to be one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic Literature. Born in Old Cairo in 1911, most of his early works were focused on short stories in his beloved city. Mahfouz published 34 novels, 350 short stories, many movie scripts, newspaper articles and theatrical plays. Most of his tales, including plays for the stage, explore the themes of existentialism.

Writing for well over 70 years, he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988, the first Arabic writer ever to be honored by a Nobel! He died in 2006 at the age of 94. Leaving a lasting legacy with his published body of work that is still very popular in Egyptian and foreign films today.

Visit the café if you are touring the bazaar for a pause and a petite repast and return in the evening to the elegant restaurant. In the evening, arrive late as the city truly wakes up for dinner late in the evening. Once the clock ticks 9 or 10 pm, sit back and enjoy charming local oriental music with singers performing classic songs. An extensive menu offers delectable bites and full dinners. Linger and soak in the atmosphere! A broad menu of local dishes is offered: Lamb Kofta, Hawawshi, Baladi Oriental Sojouk, Meat Shawerma, Chicken Shawerma, Alexandrian Liver.

5 El Badestan Lane, Khan El Khalili, Down Town, Cairo, Egypt.