San Giovanni: Revisiting the past in Alexandria

By Farah El-Akkad
This small three-story hotel with just 33 rooms and 10 suites was built in 1939 by Egyptian-Greek businessman San Giovanni. Though not as old as the Metropole or the Windsor, what sets this hotel apart is its traditional 1920s bar and magnificent antique collection, mostly curated from hotels that are closed today such as El Salamlek. The most striking antiques are a tall gold-leaf mirror and an 1800’s grandfather clock that was bought by the hotel’s owner at auction in the 1930s.


A portrait in San Giovanni hotel- Egypt Today/Mohsen Allam

The classy and elite hotel restaurant stands out with its great view of the sea, beautifully designed in Greek style with waterfront seats overlooking Stanley Bridge and offering Italian and Greek cuisine. While walking around the hotel’s lobby and cafeteria, one cannot miss the small portraits on the walls of both famous Egyptian and Hollywood stars such as Roushdy Abaza, Naguib El Rehany, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe and Clint Eastwood.


San Giovanni hotel in Alexandria- Egypt Today/Mohsen Allam

In 1971, San Giovanni was sold by its Greek Owner to the Egyptian government. Prominent visitors to the hotel include the late Omar El Sharif, Anwar El Sadat, and Ahmed Zewail.