Like an oasis in the desert, a terracotta building stands in the middle of the Suez road, surrounded by high walls to block the view of intruders – men.
This is the Solaris Ladies Community Club, the first women’s only club in Egypt, which opened a little over six months ago in Cairo, allowing women to enjoy their time away from the stress of daily life.
Lobna Lasheen, her husband Tamer Gaber and her brother Mohamed Lasheen are the owners and minds behind Solaris.
As soon as the doors of the main gates close behind you, there is not a man in sight and you are greeted by luxury. The high ceiling and glass windows in the reception look onto a 400 meter pool, which lies at the center of the whole club.
Solaris offers an outdoor pool that is heated and covered in the winter months. The club also boasts a café, a gym, aerobics classes, a spa, a reading room, a hairdresser, a kids’ pool and kids’ playing area with two classes for children.
I walked in for a day of relaxation and for a small fee of LE 50, there was a nanny to take care of my two kids, taking them swimming and into the playing area. Meanwhile, I enjoyed my day in the pool, which was followed by a massage.
Through the café and into the pool area, I walked across the wooden floors with tables and comfortable chairs to reach the bean bag area. Around the pool there is an L-shaped garden with bean bags to lounge on with a small table in the middle of each bundle. Inside the pool, there is a panel where you can look down and see the kids’ pool to make sure your kids are safe and having fun.
Nearby there is a small curtained area with a massage table, where I enjoyed a relaxing massage right there in the great outdoors. The volume of the music in the pool area is just right so you are able to enjoy good conversation with friends or listen to your own music.
The café, which has indoor and outdoor seating, serves up sandwiches, salads and hearty meals as well as fresh juices and warm drinks.
Particularly impressive was the cleanliness of the area, especially the locker room near the pool. You can rent lockers for the day with your ID. The bathrooms are all spotless and give you the comfort that you would get at home. The showers have adjustable shower-heads for a light sprinkle or a rougher water massage.
The changing area is spacious enough so you have enough room to hang your clothes and dress comfortably. The locker rooms are equipped with blow dryers.
For the month of Ramadan, Solaris is offering a package to non-members where they can use the pool and gym and participate in a mini Olympics of water games for only LE 250. This offer is valid through the end of Ramadan.
Solaris is a sweet retreat for women who, according to Lobna Lasheen, co-owner, “are the back bone of society and any positive impact on them will have a direct effect on society.
