Perhaps when American novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux released ‘Fresh-Air Fiend’ in the early 2000s, his words echoed far louder than one had originally presumed. There is of course a self-reflexive irony that it imposes, positing questions consisting of: what is the nature of the person situated at the heart of a travel narrative? And why is their perspective vital in shaping the stories and people they encounter? The reality is, whether the narratives at hand belong to you or others, there’s a communal sense of harmony that follows their retelling, an ephemeral experience to share and, at times, a ‘Kynd-er’ lens through which life is inevitably viewed.

In a country adorned with crystalline beaches and timbered chaise longues, kynd 01 hotel - a recently established hotel nestled in the heart of Gaia, Ras El Hikma by hospitality group kynd hospitality - strives to embody a collective sense of tranquillity and seclusion. It is one thing to abide by traditional investment rules, set up shop amidst the Mediterranean coast and promise revitalisation upon entry, but to craft a meditative space in a ‘place that never sleeps’ is a challenge in and of its own.

Rather than composing concepts that boast 6,000 feet long pools and 800 television screens, kynd 01 hotel honed in on the notion of ‘less is more’. The type of traveller kynd 01 hotel envisages is quite close to the ‘Fresh-Air Fiends’ Theroux constructed. They’re people who crave the cosiness of a 40 room boutique hotel, and the comfort of knowing that there are on-site fitness suites. All these revellers ask for is a poolside reflection period, a weeklong wellness retreat and unobstructed views of one of the most beautiful seas the world has to offer.

The question that then remains is: how does one experience said ‘place that never sleeps’ without the added burden of stilettos, perfectly-ironed collars and month-long waiting lists? Elegantly situated within the confined spaces of kynd 01’s beach, Bar du Port for the first time in Egypt - an award-winning Dubai and Beirut-based bar and brasserie - hails those who’ve had their fair dose of summer recuperation to indulge in perfectly shaken cocktails and aromatic Mediterranean dishes. Would Theroux endorse the candied tomatoes punctuating the sea-bass on their plates and the impending flurry of stories bound to be exchanged after their stay? The answers might lie just a three-hour drive away.