Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Feedback for Hotel BellyLorna, aka Fundoq el Fananeen, aka, my guest house in Cairo!

Here's some of the feedback i have had from some of my previous guests who decided to make my home their base for their Cairo adventures.... Dancers and non-dancers; they all enjoyed it... and i am looking forward to welcoming you here too!

When it came to choosing somewhere to stay for my very first visit to Cairo, it was the natural choice to take the opportunity to stay with Lorna herself and experience first hand the way of life I have been reading about for so long. The end result was a holiday that lived up to every expectation. With Lorna’s help we had one of the best introductions to Cairo that anyone can have.


-Susanna, Habiba Dance [www.habibadance.com] UK



I was just remembering the last time Rose and I stayed with you in your lovely flat in Mohandiseen. You really have a prime situation for visitors - so convenient for everything especially for the 'shop 'til you drop' brigade! We were glad you were able to guide us around the restaurants and clubs too and help us choose costumes from the dance dress designers. I do love dressing up and a trip to Cairo always inspires me. Rose is in Canada just now but when she returns in April it would be good to make a trip to the capital and visit with you again. If you have space of course. Then we can get all dressed up and sail down the Nile again on the Golden/Nile Pharaoh while you entrance us with some beautiful dancing.
-Sarannah UK+Egypt



We stayed with Lorna for a week in October and have such happy memories of a wonderful holiday due to Lorna's kindness and knowledge of Cairo. She couldn't have been a kinder or more thoughtful hostess and her love of the city and enthusiasm for the culture of Egypt certainly had a huge influence on our own experience. Nothing was too much trouble and she made it effortless for us to visit the obvious attractions as well as showing us what her life in Cairo was like. We had such fun at the beauty parlour and in a shisha cafe. Her flat was calm and tranquil after the bustle of the city, with views across the rooftops of Cairo from the balcony. The greatest generosity was to give us a dance lesson!! Not the most naturally gifted belly dancers, Lorna showed such patience and was so encouraging as we struggled with camels, figure of eights and hip drops and then [the really hard part] putting all the moves together. We loved going on the evening cruise boat on the Nile and felt so proud of Lorna as she danced. Everything about our holiday still seems very vivid and I know that due to Lorna's friendship, generosity, advice, kindness and willingness to share her knowledge and experience of a fascinating city we had a holiday of a lifetime.

-Gilly and Cathy UK



Lorna Gow's flat in Cairo is beautifully decorated, has a lovely balcony, and is so near to everything a tourist new to Cairo would want. As an established British bellydancer in Cairo, she is obviously a mine of information about things to do and people to meet. She can do private or small group lessons in her flat, which has large mirrors for observing each other whilst improving. She can therefore advise on cheap, mid range and luxury or unusual bellydance items available to purchase there. She pretty much speaks fluent Arabic, and understands the Egyptian way and Muslim faith. If she doesn't know something, then she'll find out for you. Staying at her flat is therefore a bargain, as you can kill a few birds with one stone there.

-Dr Penny Walters, www.everythingegyptian.co.uk, 17.02.11 UK



As soon as Lorna opened the door, I felt at home - the Edinburgh accent, the beautiful, spacious flat with parquet floors throughout, the warm and friendly atmosphere... Soon I found myself drink in hand chatting to the other house guests in the living room, and later that night we hit the town and stayed out until the early morning hours. Lorna introduced me to Cairo - and I ended up living one year in this magic and romantic city.

-Christine Sweden



This was my fourth trip to Cairo and I loved staying in the fundoq el fananeen! The Mena House & Pyramisa hotels were beautiful but nothing beats living with the people. The apartment was spacious and comfortable and incredibly affordable. I loved waking up in the morning and having a glass of tea on the balcony overlooking life on the street, below. I look forward to staying there again!

-Tahma USA



Staying with Lorna is the best experience any traveller can have, especially a female one! Lorna's apartment is large, well lit and welcoming. The hostess herself will explain everything you need to know to have a local experience in this vibrant exotic city. It does not feel like being tourist but rather a resident with all sights and attractions a short, inexpensive taxi ride away.

-Anna Skibinsky USA



I stayed a week at Lorna's gorgeous apartment, which is a haven of peace in the hustle and bustle of Cairo. I particularly enjoyed sitting on the balcony, reading and writing, and letting my legs get some sunshine! The apartment itself is big and beautiful, stylish and comfortable. Lorna is a great hostess and provides lovely big cosy towels, which I thought was a nice touch. I'd definitely stay there again as it's a great way to experience Cairo and get some insight into the dance scene in the city, through Lorna. If you’re lucky you can also get a lesson with her in her studio as well!
-Nadia UK



A couple of years ago I spent an amazing Christmas holidaying in Cairo. Together with a dear girl-friend, we stayed at the fundoq el fananeen and enjoyed Lorna’s great hospitality. Seeing Cairo with all its treasures was truly amazing, but what made the holiday even more special was the opportunity to live in the middle of the city, in a lovely flat and experiencing Cairo from the inside, as Lorna shared her life with us whilst we were there.


Unlike other tourists, my friend and I got the inside experience of Cairo; meeting Egyptians from different parts of the society as well as other internationals living in Cairo. Learning about the way of life, the culture, the good and part parts from individual points of view as we simply got to know new people living there. My friend and I got to see the city and their way of life there in a way only made possible through Lorna. She showed us sights and places both on and off the beaten track. A boat trip along the Nile, up-market and not-so-up-market market belly dancing shows, meeting a family so poor that they lived in the cemetery, long walks in different parts of the city, the market, great parties in Lorna’s and some of her friends’ homes, are just few of the treasured memories I have. Lorna was also helpful in getting us guides and drivers to also see the most famous sights such as the pyramids and even a trip to Alexandria.


My trip to Egypt was simply the best holiday and I can truly recommend a trip to Cairo and the hospitality of Lorna at the fundoq el fananeen.

– Catherine Mula Norway

1 comment:

A Daft Scots Lass said...

You have so many lovely people staying with you.