Whether you’re among the well-coiffed who make monthly salon visits a priority, or those who dread trips to the hairdresser, La Villa in Dokki will put you at ease.
With a rare combination of good service and whimsy, the French owner has attracted a regular clientele who enjoy sipping cappuccinos in this breezy, pink haven while they wait for an expert cut or color.
If you’ve never been though, La Villa isn’t so exclusive that you can’t get an appointment. The salon manager will do her best to accommodate you even for a walk-in appointment on a busy Saturday, but calling ahead is advised.
The moment you walk through the villa’s garden, upstairs and through the salon’s doors, someone greets you with a robe and seats you at one of several mirrored tables or couches. As you take in the pink and purple curtains and matching walls, a staff member offers you complimentary coffee, tea or juice.
Be prepared to relax and wait, or perhaps ask for a manicure or pedicure, as appointment times are not strictly followed. If you’re willing to spend a couple hours enjoying the atmosphere, reading magazines and watching the stylists cutting and sculpting, relaxing at La Villa can be an escape rather than a pain.
When your turn comes, be prepared for one of the best shampoos you’ve ever had. In a salon chair that fully reclines into a bed so you won’t feel the sink pushing into your neck, you can actually appreciate the lengthy scalp massage that follows.
Your stylist will like nothing more than for you to give them license to do whatever they want with the scissors – they seem to see themselves as artistes here – but if you have something in mind, don’t be afraid to be specific.
A cut, blowdry and style will cost you LE170, a single-process coloring starts at LE300, and manicure/pedicure around LE100. Highlights, waxing and other services are also available.
La Villa No 36, 36 Messaha St., Dokki. Tel: 012-644-0084, 02-3337-4094
