El Luxor Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

My husband and I have stayed at the "Etap" (as it was once called, the people who go back year after year stil call it this) 12 times and are returning next year. We normally email the staff about 2 weeks before we go requesting one particular room and always get it when we arrive.
The rooms are spacious and cleaned every day with fresh linen and towels, we even get flowers and fruit sometime left in our room.
The food is excellent and quite cheap, we always go on B & B basis but eat in the hotel about 6 times during our two week stay as there are lots of places to eat within a short, cheap taxi ride away.
We have always found the staff to be very helpful and have known many of them for years now, the staff never seem to want to leave, in fact we have heard that they have a very big waiting list for people to work for them. Every time we go back we get "welcome home" and that is just what it feels like, we are in the hotel a day and feel we have been there a week, we are so relaxed.
This is the place to stay for touring, it is very central and everywhere touristy is within easy access from here, I have read reviews of some staff being surly, but surely we are all entitled to an off day, especially in the very high temperatures, and we have saw the way some guests treat the staff, as if they are dirt under their feet, yes we pay good money to stay there but come on what does a little bit civility cost?
Yes enjoy the sites, but coming back to the hotel and lounging by the pool is just fantastic, the pool is large with loads of beds and towels, it is cleaned regularly and inspected every morning, so yes you can totally relax here knowing it is clean and safe.
I dont think it is a hotel for kids as they do not have much for them to do, but that aside I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone, I already hav to family and friends and they all agree with me, it is the best.

1 reader found this review helpful

The best holiday I have ever been on!!!! This hotel should be rated as a five star as I couldn't fault them on anything. The food was fantastic and really cheap. The staff went out of their way to help and as for the standard of service, it was out of this world. I have made many friends whilst there and return regularly. Getting round Luxor was extremely easy with many taxi's, but I seen alot of horse taxi's and unfortunately the horses look the worse for wear, but the hotel doesn't allow them near. The entertainment could be better at the Mercure, but that is just my personal view, my family really enjoyed it.

1 reader found this review helpful

Haveing stayed here many times the only 2 things wrong is the food could be hoter and time for better evening entertainment!! Otherwisw very good, pool larger than most hotels. Staff wonderfull.Rooms very clean.Any problems just see ALY quest relations man he will do the best he can and speakes perfect english. There are plenty english resurants just pay 20egyption pound (£2 ) english in taxi ask for 7ways for 7days or john johns maxines they will drop you at the door. Also we know of good honest shop run by JACK called DIANA WORKSHOP just past the jewelry factory down street with bank on corner and police box on corner highly recomended.Dont use the horse and carts as they whip the poor horse( CALESHES) In front of The Winter Palace is Jollys they do good cheep tours very good.We were afaid at first time but after 12 times ofgoing we find safe than home. You will be hassled but thats there way of life just tell them NO !! it doesnt stop but then they have a living to make and its the way of life. HAPPY HOLIDAY. E.M. me if any ?

I've stayed in quite few hotels owned by the Accor chain. This has to be the worst for drab and lifeless rooms. Although they are spacious (odd numbered rooms are smaller than even numbered rooms, which also has the best views) they are in urgent need of decoration.
The mattresses are awful. Every morning my back ached and I don't suffer with a bad back! The noise from the night club below can keep you awake till 2.00am.
The service from staff was ok. The food was ok too. The menu's lack inspiration.
The swimming pool is good, but I would strongly recommend that they remove people's stuff off the sun beds.
As these people leave their stuff and clear off for hours and don't use them! In the end I removed these people belongs and handed them to staff at the pool bar, so I could use the beds.
All in all I would stay in another hotel in Luxor rather than here.
It is not a 4 star hotel to world standards.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have stayed in this hotel for at least 2 weeks every year since 1992 and have always found it provides excellent value and service.
It is well located and offers very clean, comfortable accommodation. Hotel staff are courteous, polite and, above all, friendly.
The recently refurbished pool garden is an excellent relaxation facility and should be enjoyed by all.
Unfortunately the air conditioning within the hotel can be problematic and this can result in rooms feeling slightly hot, but not uncomfortably so.
The breakfast buffet has deteriorated in quality and choice over the past few years but you may find it improves if you have it delivered to your room, the charge for this service being a mere LE1 (10p!).
Overall, this is an excellent hotel; having travelled extensively throughout Egypt we find that this hotel has an atmosphere like no other, and this is what makes us return continually.
Thanks to Nabil, Yahia, Ahmed, Tut, Ali and the rest of the staff for giving us a fantastic time again.

We stayed at the Mercure for 1 week on a B & B basis.
I could not fault this hotel at all. All the staff were courteous and helpful.
The pool area is excellent, as is the Italian Restaurant and the room service also.
10 out of 10!

I had the pleasure of staying here in June 2005 and it was the perfect base for the holiday of a lifetime. Not particularly lavish but doing exactly what it says on the tin, the hotel is ideally equipped to cater for all holiday needs. With a fantastic sized pool, several restaurants, well kept gardens, an array of tourist suited shops and welcoming bar, the hotel meets all the holiday criteria. But in truth, people shouldn't be coming to Luxor to just lounge around the pool staying in just the hotel grounds.
Often described as the world's greatest open air museum, Luxor is steeped with ancient treasures offering its explorers to delve into this rich culture as much or as little by choice. Boosting its own temple and hosting Karnak Temple on its outskirts, Luxor's vibrant past, dating back to 3100BC, is still vividly alive.
Deliberately working on a bed and breakfast, the hotel is encouraging its guests to explore and sample the Egyptian lifestyle, food and culture, whilst still providing well prepared options within its domain. I actually had the best steak of my life in the little Italian restaurant, elegantly lit by the pool - and my partner can tell you how fussy I am about my steaks!
The staff of the Mercure Coralia cannot be faulted in any way. Befriended by all, two bar waiters actually invited us back to their homes and to meet their families, sampling true hospitability and real Egyptian life. One living in the outskirts on a self contained 'hut', the other owning a city flat with his wife and young son, the two dwellings couldn't have been more diverse and thus providing a well rounded view of two lifestyles.
I think the negativity this place has received is largely given by returning guests with unrealistic expectations. It is always said visiting a place twice never leaves you with the same satisfaction; you can never experience the same hotel twice. I think the comments are somewhat unfair. The hotel is clearly providing an excellent service, otherwise why would people be tempted back, so it if is ain't broke and all that.
I couldn't recommend the hotel enough. Clean facilities, fantastic swimming pool, unwavering service and all overlooking the Nile. This hotel is perfect for holidaymakers wishing to discover the dark depths of Egypt's past. If you're after a beach drenched, lie by the pool type holiday then maybe Sharm is best for you.

Excellent accommodation, beautiful hotel with amazing lobby area. Nice pool and a large choice of restaurants in the vicinity.
The hotel overlooks the river Nile and is within walking distance to the temple, museum and bazaar. Will be going again next year...fabulous!

Following a weeks Nile Cruise where the staff were so caring and attentive, the Mercure did not live up to the standards of a 4 star hotel, in my opinion.
On the cruise towels were changed 3 times a day, and rooms were constantly inspected, yet arriving at the Mercure, the fridge did not function so it had to be replaced (and they forgot to take away the old fridge so that was another hassle). The mattresses were well worn - and this was in the newer extension, so the next day these had to be replaced. There seemed to be very basic room cleaning (lack of toilet rolls/ proper cleaning), so this was all disappointing.
I visited here almost 10years ago and whilst many things are the same, there has not been an improvement in the general management being as friendly as they used to be. That is not to say that people were impolite.
The menus in the Italian and French restaurants are still the same. Some waiters were very nice and polite, whilst a couple over-stepped boundaries in my opinion. I prefer to be an anonymous guest when dining rather than having to enter into forced banter with a highly- positioned waiter in one restaurant.
I can concur with a recently read report that this hotel, because of it's central location to the main living areas, does tend to be noisy, plus I was awakened by the noise from people leaving the disco. For me this Disco is not a welcome feature: it must be a blessing for other hotels as tourists at, e.g. The New Winter Palace came especially for the late night disco!
There is much hassle from boys and males trawling the streets for trade; be it taxis, feluccas or calashes, and this becomes very tiring. There was also more noticeable ongoing hassle from traders who I believe are not making as much money since the old bazaar has been closed, so some sympathy here, although it can be rather over-bearing to be constantly hassled.
I noted luxury suites at this hotel and would imagine the management are going, not only for the tourist trade but for the more lucrative end. It does need balancing as I would not wish to re-visit.
I have read that others state the pool area has been refurbished however whilst work may have been done to update the pools poor cleansing system, and maybe re-paving etc, the pool area remains exactly like it was 10 years ago. It is a very nice area with plenty of sun beds and parasols, & toweling for use FOC.
If you want basic, with a fairly good reception and do not mind the outside and inside disco noise then this lower end hotel may be for you.
It is no longer for me & tiappears to be a 3star hotel.

Having stayed here 8 years ago it was with disappointment to find that the Mercure has not improved. There is now a new extension (in which we stayed) and we had the view we wanted, overlooking the Valley of the Kings, however the balconies were small. We could have had a larger balcony however : 1) at the front this is directly over the noisy disco that closes at 2.30am. 2) The rear has much more noise input from the 'wake-up-call' from local mosques, starting around 4am/5am.
We did not find too many of the staff overly helpful insomuch as we had the use of a wheelchair and only one staff member opened a door for us, other than at the hotel entrance.
Luxor is going through a major re-development phase: the much lived local bazaar has now had to make way for a new road. Apparently this is so that travelers arriving at the railway to the top of this area (many streets behind this hotel), can have the breath-taking view of the Nile and Valleys etc. Whilst this is a good tourist point and welcoming for the impact it must give to the first time traveler to Luxor, it feels that the heart has been removed from this once vibrant centre. Government shops, which are all half the stated price and do not allow haggling are taking over. Where is the fun and tradition without a good haggle! Enjoyed both by Egyptian traders and Tourists alike!
The main restaurant serves an excellent buffer breakfast that still is of a 4* style, although the waiters are invariably surly to female travelers until you assert your right to have tea or coffee served when it suits you and not the waiter!
The pool area is still lovely as are the gardens. It does seem there are more staff to tend to these areas than to the guests.
Sorry to be so brutal but the room needed some serious cleaning: it was not prepared and other than the main Housekeeper who was keen to be of assistance, the staff seemed surly here too. Perhaps it is low wages, long hours, and in all that (to the traveler) wonderful heat.
I wish I could write the glowing review (except for the noisy location) that I would have done 8 years ago, but in our opinion this should be an 3 star hotel. Such a lovely viewing location, handy for all the important sights, and as previous remarks have stated, do make your own arrangements to visit places of interest: the taxi drivers can be friendly if picked carefully, and they can take you for a fraction of the cost asked for by Travel Agent tours.
The spiritual atmosphere, for me, is undermined by the constant haggling and bantering: I was even approached in Luxor Temple by an Egyptian trying to get me to a certain restaurant! If only one could communicate to the Egyptian people, whom we travel to see the sights and experience their precious heritage, and we would like them to respect their heritage too: not just a money making scheme. Yes I am aware that there is much poverty in Luxor but respect and regard come free.