Mountain meets sea

In Sinai you can relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, dive and now visit Castle Zaman. Follow Amira El-Naqeeb

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Castle Zaman, overlooking the sea, is an exclusive outing that highlights Sinai's spirit

Castle Zaman is a new concept for an outing in the middle of the desert which at the same time overlooks the sea. Located on the Taba-Nuweiba road in Al-Borqa Mountain, in the middle of what is known as the Golden Beach, 35 metres above sea level, lies Castle Zaman, famous for its golden sand, sapphire waters, colourful corals and where the mountains come right to the edge of the sea.

"All I wanted was an outing that highlights Sinai's spirit," Hani Roshdi, owner and manager of Castle Zaman, says. The resort took over five years to be build and was open to the public almost two years ago. "I wanted to do an outing with a local theme, something that was not franchised," Roshdi said.

Castle Zaman has a bar and slow food restaurant. "I wanted to do the theme of the slow food restaurant because I wanted people to come and enjoy the place, not just eat and leave," Roshdi added.

The slow food movement began in Italy during the 1980s in reply to fast food chains. "For instance, if a slice of steak takes normally about one hour and 300 C heat to be cooked, we cook it on 100 C for three hours," says Lucia, the Czech bar tender. But you won't starve to death. You can always order the minute you arrive or reserve ahead.

Castle Zaman is ideal for day-use and a breathtaking party venue. "Some people even have their weddings here, but on a very intimate scale, as it is neither child nor elderly friendly," Roshdi said.

The castle has an infinity pool where you can enjoy sunning yourself and lazing around. There is also a massage area to be opened soon. So if you are in Nuweiba or Taba, and want to experience and enjoy a languid charm to unwind your coiled mind, this is your destination.

The castle was built to reflect the spirit of the ruins. Its stone exterior is basalt and granite taken from the Red Sea mountains. Interior walls and flooring are made of fossilised limestone. "I tried to revive the know-how of primitive stone building," Roshdi said. "There are no builders who work in this line of architecture anymore."

The place makes an ecolodge statement, as most of its furniture and materials are from the surrounding nature. The wood used in the doors and windows is from the electricity rolls, waste of projects in the area. Palm fronds cover the roofs, while lighting units are made from clay pots.

If you are an avid excavator, this is undoubtedly your place. It has what is called the Treasure Room, a room underneath the castle. The room is covered with a wooden door, which in order to step underneath, you must pull an iron chain upwards till it opens. Then you find steps leading to an underground tunnel. The walls of the tunnel are adorned with small windows grooved inside the walls, which have beautiful Egyptian handicraft displayed in the most interesting way. The works are not exploited in the usual tourist market.

So if you a treasure hunter, pack your bags. Who knows what's in store?

For reservations call +2012 2140591, or visit the website www.castlezaman.com.