Sekhmet Retreat Centre

checked into the Sekhmet Retreat Centre on February 17, 2024 . If you aren’t with a local, you may find it difficult to locate. The property is set off the road with no signage indicating it is a hotel. Upon entering through the large gate, I was greeted by the on-site manager who showed me to my room. My room was next to a central green area where workers were completing an Egyptian pigeon house. The room, as advertised consisted of a large room, one table, a wardrobe, fridge, two side tables and a long narrow table with an adjoining bathroom. It did not have a terrace, mountain view, city view or landmark view as advertised and was not adjacent to the pool, which was dirty with broken wooden lounges to serve for sun bathing. In the rear of the property was a long building that was being turned into a restaurant and two or three other domed buildings. The outdoor area where you could enjoy a typical morning meal consisted of two long tables, long benches covered with rag rugs and a few smaller tables set out on the grass. Mingled here and there were terra cotta lights and a number of chairs several in disrepair. Outside my room was a long bench covered in rag rugs facing the central landscaped area. There are a lot of problems with this property. While trying to be appealing there are a number of areas filled with broken tables and chairs. The room’s kitchenette with tea kettle did not exist despite being advertised. None of the views listed could be seen from my room. While very clean, I had to request towels, toiletries, toilet paper because there was none in the bathroom. Advertised hand sanitizer did not exist.. On my first evening while sitting outside I was approached by a man who introduced himself as an owner of the property who decided to talk with me, which was fine. However when he enquired about my marital status while telling me his wife doesn’t like to be with him I began to feel uncomfortable. He quickly became a problem. This place is advertised as a Retreat but the place really does not fit the definition. At 3:00 am the call to prayer over the loudspeakers from the mosque next door reverberated through my room. This happened each of the succeeding nights of my stay. The second night was accompanied by the sound of the couple in the adjacent room having sex at all hours - moaning and groaning which went on until I left. Domed rooms are great but sound echos… I selected this property because it advertised as a Retreat. It is not. I was looking forward to spending time in the pool, but it was never clean. I give cudos to Mohammed the on-site attendant and his family who were the only positives at this accommodation. When I left I asked the owners for a partial refund since I had planned to stay for 21 days thru March 9th rather than 6 days. The owners have yet to reply. I cannot recommend this property in any way.