Perhaps when beloved author and thinker, Bell Hooks, proposed the idea of “renewal as an act of self-love” her words echoed far louder than anyone had originally presumed. In most recent years, the radical realisation manifested in lavender scented lotions and vitamin A serums - liquid promises of youth, rejuvenation and instantly gratifying ‘self-care’. Those who dare to dive more closely and question the commercialisation of the term, will inevitably come to the conclusion that the root of all caring acts are, in their most deconstructed form, selfless demonstrations of love.

Wadi Al Natroun’s Remal Wellness Resort embodies said revelation. In the tapestry of existence, a familial heritage spanning three decades emerges. Built on empathy and sheer devotion, Remal materialises as a refuge; a clandestine haven seamlessly knitting together all requisites for mending the mind, body and soul. Within its covert embrace, the alchemy of rejuvenation finds its dwelling and an oasis concealed from Cairo’s casual gazes and blaring car horns, arises.

In this Cairo Scene exclusive feature, Senior Editor Farida El Shafie is invited to experience the ethereal landscapes of Remal Wellness Resort. Subsequent to traversing its salt caves, unwinding beneath its starlit skies and trekking through its papaya riddled farms, she sat down with the family seamlessly moulding ‘self-care’ into the fabric of Cairo. Through this exchange, a deeper comprehension of their late father’s vision comes to life, and a profound appreciation for their mission materialises.