Mervet Azmi

In 2009, Mervet Azmi built a home in El Dakhla Oasis — of mud brick, palm wood and the quiet of the desert. It was never meant to be a hotel. It was simply where she wanted to live.

Then family came to visit. Then friends. Then friends of friends. Each of them fell in love with the place — the courtyard, the fire at night, the way time seems to slow down here.

So Mervet had an idea: why not open these doors to everyone? Room by room, the house grew into Sosal — an ecolodge built in the traditional way, from the soul of Dakhla.

Today, guests from all over the world call it one of the best places they've stayed. But to Mervet, it is still home — and every guest is welcomed as family.