The Smokery Beach — Attraction in Gamsha

I recently visited Smokery Beach in Al Gouna, and overall, I was impressed. The views are stunning, and the vibes are mostly relaxed and enjoyable. Pricing for food and drinks is reasonable, especially compared to other spots in Egypt and specifically Gouna. The staff, for the most part, were welcoming and friendly.

However, as is often the case, there was a catch.

I was there during the last couple of days of Ramadan and wanted to enjoy my time as I see fit. In Egypt, it’s well known that during Ramadan, alcohol is restricted unless you show a non-Egyptian passport. I complied and was allowed to order. That in itself was annoying but expected.

What I did not expect, however, was the attitude that followed. Half the staff started giving me looks of disgust every time I ordered a drink. Waiters were reluctant to serve me, often passing my order off to someone else, avoiding even touching or mentioning alcohol.

I completely respect anyone’s personal beliefs, but when working in hospitality, professionalism should come first. If your job contradicts your personal values, then perhaps it’s not the right job for you. Guests should not have to feel judged, shamed, or disrespected for making a legal and available choice.

I truly hope management takes this issue seriously because Smokery Beach is a fantastic venue and a great representation of Egypt’s hospitality scene—except for this kind of experience. No one should have to feel uncomfortable simply for enjoying themselves in a way that is allowed by the...

First visit: 5/5. Great experience. Second visit: 1/5. We left right away.

First visit: It's a very nice beach with a restaurant. No entry fee, but we had to spend a minimum of 400 EGP per person. They told us that the frontmost sunbeds are only for groups from 4 or 8 people, but after asking nicely, allowed us to lay there in 2. I do not understand this rule, and it seems neither does the staff. At least it was not enforced. The staff is attentative, professional and nice, speaking good english. There is a live DJ playing chill beach tunes. The beach area is open until sunset. Food is a bit pricey, but tasty and nicely served. The water is not so clean - you cannot see the floor. On the other hand, it was the warmest around. Beware that during low tide (morning to early afternoon in our case), the water level is generally too low for swimming, but you can still find places to swim. Later in the afternoon, it was deep enough pretty much everywhere.

Update: On the next day we came with the same expectations, and were told that now the frontmost sunbeds are for 6 people minimum. That means minimum spending of 2400 EGP. It is interesting that the day before, we saw a lady using these alone, and I really doubt she spent that much money there alone. We left because we did not want to stay at the 2nd row of sunbeds, and out of principle - as each day they change...

On October 18th, 2021, I must admit that this place is truly incredible and has a wonderful atmosphere. However, my experience took a negative turn when an individual (without mentioning any names) approached me and requested my identification. It appeared that this request was based solely on my Arab appearance or facial features, which leads me to believe that I was targeted due to discrimination. Interestingly, during the past three days, I had been here with my sister, and no one else had been asked for identification. This blatant discrimination is deeply disappointing, especially considering that I have lived in Canada for 20 years and this is my first time in Gouna. Nonetheless, I understand that you are simply carrying out your job responsibilities, and I genuinely appreciate your efforts to ensure the safety of everyone. Thank you for your time and for striving to create an inclusive environment.

New updates on October 19th, 2021: A significant development has occurred at the Three Corners Resort (my utmost respect and gratitude to Mr. Rafeet). They contacted Smokery Beach and discovered that the person who had falsely claimed to be the owner (stating, "I'm the owner") and requested my identification was, in fact, just a bodyguard. This revelation exposes his act of impersonation and...