Maritim Jolie Ville Luxor Island Resort

8 readers found this review helpful

Have just returned from a week at the JV which we thoroughly enjoyed following a week's cruise on the Nile which was brilliant but hectic. We were really just looking for a week of R&R and found it. The bungalows are a tad tired but perfectly adequate, spacious, clean and with copious amounts of hot water for relaxing baths at the end of a busy sun bathing session. The grounds are extensive (125 acres) and it's situated on a private island (Kings Island formerly known as Crocodile Island). We toured the kitchen which was very good although they are building new kitchens in the not too distant future. We were on a B&B basis (served from 5 am to 10.30 am) and the choice was wide ranging given the variety of nationalities staying. We opted for the "snack menu" in the Kings Bar which offered a good choice of dishes at reasonable prices. There is also an international buffet in the main dining room and an A La Carte restaurant. Our rep, Carol (from Thomson) was a delight as were all the staff who were very professional and very polite. They have 450 staff! This is because they have extensive grounds (52 staff) and produce a lot of their own kitchen produce and also have quite extensive fruit groves. We had heard terrible stories of the Pharoah's Revenge (tummy upset) and were a bit paranoid about this but both the kitchen on the cruise ship and the JV wash their salads etc in mineral water. But they also served wonderful Movenpick icecream which we much enjoyed. The hotel was not full (about 550 at the time) but it never seemed that busy. There were two pools (one for adults only) and a lot of people are out on sightseeing trips. There was a free shuttle bus or boat into Luxor (about 4 kms) or taxis were available at just over £2. Hope this helps and we hope to return before too long.

12 readers found this review helpful

“It's not that disaster happens...it’s how we deal with it that defines us”
This was my fourth visit to Luxor, and the previous times have always been positive experiences. I had previously visited the Jolie Ville and was looking forward to staying there this time.
The resort itself is lovely albeit the rooms are dated and of a 2-3 star standard, nevertheless the rest of the resort is very good and we were having a good time until day three, when we discovered our digital camera had been stolen from our hotel bedroom.
It was clear from the outset that the camera had been taken within a one hour time frame coinciding with the room being cleaned earlier that morning, and we immediately reported this too the reception and to the Manager of the front desk. His response was to enlist the assistance of the Head of security and the Head of Housekeeping and the three immediately commenced to carry out an extensive and embarrassing search of our room.
Having satisfied themselves that we hadn’t hidden the camera and interrogated us as to establish that we didn’t know anyone else in the resort to and we weren’t involved in some grand conspiracy, the Manager stated there wasn’t a great deal he could do and he would not accept that the cleaning staff had taken the camera and referred us to see our Thomas Cook Tour rep, Claire.
We saw Claire the Tour Rep the following day, and her response was equally indifferent. I dare say, had I been interested in purchasing an excursion she would have run barefooted across hot coals to get a sale, however given that this carried no commission the response from her and the hotel Management was generally ‘it’s just one of those things’ and there is no real point involving the Police unless you are claiming off your insurance, which wasn’t worthwhile in our case, and that it was a ‘long and laborious process’ and they wouldn’t do anything anyway. I was assured that the Hotel would ‘look into’ the allegation and get back to us.
Several days later, we had not heard anything. In fact, nobody spoke to us, literally! And it was clear that we were being treated as troublemakers for rocking the boat in daring to be victims of a crime.
As a result, on day 12, I again spoke to Claire the Holiday Rep and the Manager of the Hotel and asked for an update. He refused to physically speak to us and we ended up in a bizarre scenario where he and another manager stood at a distance from us with the tour rep acting as go-between passing on our questions as to the progress.
Needless to say, they had not done anything and were trying to brush the matter under the carpet, and as a result we requested the involvement of the Police. I also asked to speak with the General Manager.
An Interpreter/ Tour Rep were arranged for us through Thomas Cook and we attended the Police Station that day. The Police were absolutely brilliant, and it was refreshing to be believed. Within hours the cleaner for our room was arrested and we were told the matter would be dealt with at court before our departure.
The following day, I attempted to speak with the General Manager but was repeatedly told he was busy. He chose instead to send various Managers including the Manager of Human Resources and the Manager of Reservations, and at one point I spoke to the Manager of the restaurants however never to the top man. He was however gracious enough to pass on his business card through one of his underlings.
The following evening (our last evening), as we were walking out of the hotel to go for a meal, we were told by reception that the Police had called and we were to attend the court in Luxor.
Our taxi driver took us to the court at Luxor. This was quite a distressing experience as there was a large crowd of 50+ men stood outside the court, some of whom were relatives of the cleaner who had been arrested and the situation was volatile to say the least. Fortunately our taxi driver looked after us, instructing us to stay in his car until he had summoned assistance and established where we were to go.
We then were interviewed by the Examining Judge in the court, during which the Deputy Head of Security from the Jolie Ville was dragged up and chastised in respect of the conduct of the hotel, to which he apologised to us, albeit in Egyptian via the Judge.
Having finished at court at 11.45pm, we were again distressed to find that representatives from the hotel and Thomas Cook had left, and we were basically left to our own devices to find our way out and home.
Subsequent attempts to speak with the General Manager failed.
The level of care and customer service from this hotel was absolutely atrocious on so many levels over a number of instances. We went on holiday to relax, but instead had the holiday from hell. Some recognition of remorse from the Management, in a simple “SORRY” would have meant so much.
The shame of it is at ground level, the waiters, pool boys, gym staff were generally good but were let down severely by an extremely incompetent, arrogant and corrupt management team.
STAY HERE AT YOUR OWN PERIL!
Letters of complaint have been forwarded to Maritim and Thomas Cook.

6 readers found this review helpful

just returned from jolie ville after two weeks,cant fault the hotel apart from very expensive wouldnt recommend doing half board because its not value for money...most of the staff were lovely hassan our cleaner was very good at his job,sayed the waiter he was a lovely man also the thomson rep gabriel,hany our travco guide was lovely my daughter fell in love with him and wanted to take him home.we will be returning to luxor in a few months but not staying at jolie ville probably will stay at iberotel or the nile palace...

3 readers found this review helpful

Stunning location, nice rooms, friendly staff but five star rating not justified. Buffet style evening food diabolical. Take your evening meals in downtown Luxor. Everything in this hotel is extremely pricy.

1 reader found this review helpful

Have just spent a most relaxing and wonderful week at the Jolie Ville. After such a hectic week on a Nile Cruise we were looking forward to a rest. Oh and what a rest we had. The bungalows are spacious, yes the bathrooms are a bit dated but they're clean and adequate. The staff are wonderful and nothing is too much trouble. The food is good even though some people may think there is a limited choice. The shop is well worth a visit if you don't like haggling. The grounds are full of well kept gardens and intresting plants and wildlife. The best of all is the Adult Pool which is next to the ice cream parlour. The other pool is also beautiful and has a good area for children. We only managed to explore half of the resort. They have a zoo, which I understand is lovely. If you want to have a go at riding a camel and don't fancy a 2 1/2 hour excursion. Cleo the camel can take you on a short jaunt round the grounds. Both my husband and myself indulged in a full body massage, it was wonderful we can highly recommend it. I also indulged in a body scrub, manicure and pedicure. Luxor centre is not far and can be reached either by the free bus or water bus. Taxi is about 30LE.

1 reader found this review helpful

A really lovely hotel.
The room was a little basic with a 'taste of the 80s' style of decor, but it was clean and the beds were nice. The gardens are beautiful, the infinity pool is fantastic and the staff are really helpful. Service overall in this hotel was excellent. There was a really wide range of food for breakfast - something for everyone - and nothing was too much trouble.
The bar was very small, but OK.
It was really easy to get in and out of Luxor and I would recommend it to anyone.
I would certainly go back here.

3 readers found this review helpful

A beautiful island resort, when we left the pool we picked limes from the trees to put in our drinks. The adult pool I totally agreed with( no kids, no music, no mobiles) but the infinity pool was fabulous and I didn't meet an unruly child, and they had a seperate child's pool play area for the younger ones.
The staff were so helpful, the rooms, although a little old fashioned, were spotless and after having been cleaned in the morning they would be checked again in the evening. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
This hotel has won an award for being the most eco friendly in egypt this year, they recycle a lot, have water recycling systems, etc etc, which was nice to know as the amount plastic bottles from water drinking would make an eu mountain.!!!
The gardens and wildlife were gorgeous and just looking onto the nile to watch somebody fishing in the reeds really made you feel that you were abroad, amazing sunsets. The food was good but not great, but hey you're in a third world country and everyone made it they're business to make you enjoy the whole experience.
We took advice before leaving and used a taxi (air conditioned!!!! which costs a couple of quid more)for the more local excursions, the west bank,karnak temple etc, as it is so much cheaper that way and the locals who are very poor get the benefit not the tour operators and the advantage is you can give up when YOU want to , in the 45 degree heat, go out early!
The hassle in the town is like running the gauntlet in gladiators, my teenage daughter found it quite daunting, but when I said lets make it fun by bartering it eased her mind but being asked 'how many camels for your daughter' just isn't funny, the hotel staff however are nothing but polite and friendly and good with kids.
I have to sing the praises of the chef who did the cooking to order part of breakfast, you'd recieve a plateful of food before you'd left your seat to ask for it, my daughter was all pancaked out!
All I can say is within a week of getting home we've booked for next year.

This was are third visit to luxor and to the same hotel, this year however the hotel has changed hands and is now German owned the prices have really gone up since our last visit in 06 I cannot see how they can justify the prices at the bar and to eat at the hotel
needless to say we ate in town every, and i think the only 5 star it deserves is for the grounds and the friendlyness of the staff but may be in the future well visit again

R Gillard

2 readers found this review helpful

The jollie Ville Island resort is located on an island opposite the West bank.
All the rooms are fully air conditioned and come with television.
The grounds are stunning and well maintained, all the staff are friendly and willing to assist with any difficulties you may encounter.
There are 3 resturants and a bar which is open all day .
Each evening the main resturant offers food from 1 individual country and it is very reasonably priced.
During the day there are two big swimming pools, one which is child friendly, and the other for adults only. there is also a zoo at the rear of the resort which is worth checking out.
There is a boat service to take you into Luxor town throughout the day, which is a wonderful way to approach luxor.
Overall i found my stay at Jollie Ville to be a very relaxing and enjoyable experience, and i would certainly go back..

3 readers found this review helpful

Wow! Totally blown away is the best way I can describe this place!
Every morning it was like waking up in a picture, breathless views - and the sunsets are some of the best on the Nile.
I can't wait to go back.
I can highly recommend the masseuse who is resident in the health and fitness club. Ask for LoLo (lulu).
Also I'd highly recommend the hot air balloon ride! Who can say that they've soared over the valley of the queens!
Personally, I'd never get bored of this place. Am saving now to return next year!
The waiting staff are so sweet and have impeccable manners.
Sunbeds are in abundance, towels are also provided for them.
I never really wanted to go to Egypt, but now I have to say I'm hooked. I call the Egyptians smiley people! A lot are destitute which is sad, but they are always happy.
Beware when walking around the temples and cover up! You will be of interest to the locals, male and female.. they aren't fussy there.
It is fun... overall rating of 10 is not enough... 110 maybe! Fabulous place...
Enjoy yourselves.