Orchida St. George Hotel

The hotel insisted on cash payment, which I suspect may have been tax fraud. I had to pay an extra 20 USD to withdraw enough money from the bank.

The triple room was roomy, with separate beds, big windows, and a covered balcony. The location is handy too, right by the main street and opposite the docks, with restaurants and shops nearby since breakfast isn't included. Still, this doesn't feel like the best deal, even as a low-cost hotel. The place doesn't look especially old, but it needs upkeep: the lobby was dim and bare, the pool looked swampy, and the bathroom and shower were awful, with leaks, a bad smell, and dirt. We booked through a travel app and said we'd pay by card. There were VISA, MASTERCARD and other stickers at reception, but the manager insisted on cash. We pushed back and demanded to pay by credit card. I'd use it just to sleep before an early trip to Abu Simbel. That's a must-see.

The place felt neglected, and the dim lighting made it seem gloomy everywhere. The fridge was filthy and smelled terrible, which was the worst part for me. I only stayed one night during a quick stopover at Orchida St. George. If all you need is a cheap place to sleep, it may be enough, but don't count on comfort, cleanliness, or a friendly atmosphere.

The location worked really well for us, along the Corniche and near the upper entrance to the Old Aswan Market. We also found a parking spot with some help in a lot a short walk away. The front desk staff were polite and friendly, and the elevator worked fine. Our room was dated and dusty, though the water, shower, fridge, and other basics all worked. The old a/c cooled the room but made a lot of noise. The rooftop pool looked lovely in the online photos, but it wasn't operating. I didn't take a room photo, just the view from our window. For a budget stay at a pretty low price, it was decent enough for a good night's sleep. Don't expect luxury or set your expectations too high, but in Aswan it's hard to beat the price against other hotels.