Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor

The Winter Palace has lovely high-ceilinged rooms, stunning gardens, and the best location in Luxor. Breakfast was great, and service at all the outlets was top notch. After staying at some of the most luxurious Western brands across Egypt, this was the best service we experienced in the country. The concierge and reception teams were highly skilled and friendly. The public areas are majestic and historic, though they also feel outdated. Food prices are the highest we've seen in Egypt, but the food quality doesn't always match them. The poolside burger was boring, and the French classics at the fine dining restaurant were just okay. The pool buffet at $60 per person felt close to a rip off.

The staff were kind, and chief butler Mr. Ahmed was especially attentive and helpful. He did a lot to restore our impression of the hotel. Make sure to check out Gaddis & Co. on the Winter Palace ground floor, it's the best souvenir shop in Luxor. The Winter Palace itself is stunning, full of historic details. I gave it four stars because some improvements are needed. Our first room wasn't clean, the toilet smelled bad, and the towels were terrible. We insisted on changing rooms for the second night, and everything was fine there. It seems management hasn't made sure cleaning is consistent. Food was average, though the desserts at the royal bar were good. The rooms facing the Nile are noisy both day and night because there's a main road in front of the hotel. Choose the garden side if noise bothers you.

The staff were extremely kind and helpful, and our two small children were always welcomed without getting the side eye. We stayed five nights and couldn't have been happier. It's a charming, clean, historic building that's very well cared for, with several quite good restaurants and lots of good choices at breakfast. The garden is beautiful and peaceful, and the pool is large and inviting. We chose a Nile-view room with a huge balcony. We'd stay again, and probably will.

The professional service and exquisite breakfast buffet made our stay feel special. This historic property gave us a sense of Luxor in the 19th century, with many features dating back to when it was built. It has minor inconveniences, but the atmosphere makes up for them. The hotel is due for renovations and a rebrand as Mandarin Oriental soon, so this may be your last chance to experience it in its original form. I recommend it!