20 years! That is a different percentage of all our lives, but for the Club House, it has been in existence nearly as long as El Gouna itself! El Gouna, founded in 1989, was not much to look at barring the desert sand and maybe a few buildings. The Club House, built 8 years into the existence of El Gouna, might seem like a late edition, but as of now is 71% as old as El Gouna.
The Club House also holds the very impressive and a not easily broken record for being the longest lasting independent venue under single management. In other words, Hoda Mans, the current owner has owned The Club House for 19 years and 9 months. She has seen El Gouna grow around The Club House and transform into the Gouna we know today. To think that there wasn’t even a lagoon in front of the Club House 20 years ago seems bizarre, but now it is arguably one of the most idyllic spots in El Gouna with a soft sand beach on the lagoon, swimming pool and it’s friendly and vibrant atmosphere.
So what did the event of events hold for The Club House? A donkey…and that’s a true story. But the back story is a little more heartwarming than a donkey showing up where donkeys don’t belong. The Club House is a party venue, but it is also a family venue. Being open from noon, children are enjoying the pool throughout the afternoons and when it comes time for the little mites bedtime, the Club House metamorphosizes into a place for adults to enjoy. But the bright-eyed Hoda could not let such a big occasion occur without making a lot of space and provision for the children! “I wanted a unicorn!” she says matter-of-factly. I thought to myself, “Obviously…!”. But most of us know that these mythical creatures need to be manufactured from a real life creature. Like a horse – with a horn strapped to its head. It turns out that the chosen horse had its new destiny ripped from underneath it and got replaced by a donkey. “I preferred it actually, as donkeys are much better natured than horses!” And, as you probably guessed, the unassuming Equus was dubbed, nothing other than, Donkeycorn. And Donkeycorn was loved beyond his wildest dreams.
Along with the daytime festivities for kids were also bubble shows, face painting, floatables in the pool and henna tattoos for young and old. Well, older…
But moving swiftly along to the main event, Nacelle had set up their sound system in preparation for 4 DJ sets. And 4 were needed as the party went on until 3am! The soundstage was brilliantly decorated under coloured draping and coupled with the lighting made for a party to be remembered.
First up we had Fulltone, transferring his mixed beats from the decks into the feet of the dancers on the dancefloor. The best thing about a party is that there are those that can dance, those that can’t and those that think they can but can’t. But most importantly, everybody is happy! Next up we had Safi. Safi is a very high profile DJ in her own right and made it known to The Club House just how well she knows how to get a party going. Aly Goede played a fantastic set, striking to the core of the dancers. And lastly, we had DJ Moez. DJ Moez just brought power and took the party up to new heights.
As all good things come to an end, the long-awaited party, which brought people from far and wide, also came to an end. But everybody left in high spirits knowing that the heart of The Club House continues. And they will all be back sooner or later to bask in the sun, listen to their favourite Club House playlist and enjoy the exquisite food!
For those who don’t know, the Club House offers a lot more than just a pool and good music. Within the premises, you will find Ab-soul-em, a new age boutique selling all kinds of decorations and charms. Their catchphrase, You deserve to love yourself, is true! So be sure to stop in there. Walk into The Club House, turn left and you can’t miss it. You can also find a weekly schedule for massages and various types of holistic classes. But you’ll have to contact The Club House to see what’s on and when. On the beach, you will find equipment for the more sporty of patrons. Paddleboarding, canoeing, windsurfing and just plain swimming are all the things you can do right off the Club House beach!
The Club House has a very entertaining and well-stocked facebook page with videos, pictures, testimonials, insults, nostalgia and anything else you could want from a community. There is definitely no doubt as to how much everyone, young and old, has loved the place – their faces lighting up when they talk about all their memories. One desperate wish from a fair number of them: “Please stay open and keep that spirit alive for another 20 years!”
