This All-Pink Airbnb Is the First Mobile Houseboat on Cairo’s Nile

Hidden below the Corniche in Cairo’s Zamalek area, between towering trees of verdant foliage, a two-storey pink-hued structure sways with the gentle currents of the Nile – ‘La Maison Rosée’, the first mobile houseboat in the bustling capital city.

“My sister chose the pink colour,” Kareem Samy Shahed, Co-Founder of La Maison Rosée, shares with SceneTraveller. “She wanted people to experience ‘La Vie en Rose’—the beauty of being on the Nile, seeing greenery, and passing by iconic landmarks.”

Owned by three friends—Ziad, Ibrahim, and Kareem—this cozy vessel has the capacity to host up to three overnight guests, making it the ideal retreat for couples, solo travelers, or a family of three looking to experience Cairo from an entirely new perspective.

“We wanted to bring the experience of houseboats, of having your morning coffee as you glide across the water, to the most famous river in the world,” Ziad Hossam, Co-Founder of La Maison Rosée, tells SceneTraveller.

Inside, the houseboat’s single bedroom is furnished with a snug bed and all the amenities you might need – air conditioning, a television, and a compact yet fully equipped bathroom. Light filters aplenty through well-placed windows to create a serene ambiance that complements the gentle motion of the river below.

And although the bedroom is its own charming little hideaway, it’s the upper deck that truly captures the magic of La Maison Rosée. Adorned with charming light posts that glow softly after dusk, the deck is where guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast as the city awakens around them or unwind in the evening with a glass of wine while the lights of Cairo start shimmering on the water’s surface.

Twice daily, the houseboat – manned by a dedicated captain and fitting up to 10 guests – undocks for a scenic journey along the Zamalek shoreline, passing iconic landmarks such as the Qasr El Nil Bridge with its majestic lion statues and the cascading Nile Fountain.

“Here, we have a river that is not only historically significant but also ideal for houseboats,” Ibrahim Yehia, Co-Founder of La Maison Rosée, explains. “With no waves at all, the Nile is always calm and at peace. So, you don’t have to worry about turbulence while you sit back and enjoy the views on both banks of the river.”

For those who prefer to dine out, Zamalek’s eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, and bars is just a short walk away, offering everything from traditional Egyptian fare to drinks with views. As for those looking to dine in, the founding trio happens to own a nearby Italian restaurant, Il Nilo, which can deliver your dinner to your door, even in the middle of the Nile.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, La Maison Rosée is a pet-friendly houseboat, so your furry friends can join in, as you unwind, watch the river go by, and experience Cairo from a brand-new perspective.