Pyramisa Isis Hotel

I visited this hotel with my husband while in a wheelchair and found that although places were not very wheelchair friendly, as I would expect in Egypt, the people more than made up for this.
Yes the curbs were very high with very few ramps but what do people expect in such a poor country; however everyone offered help and didn’t expect to be tipped for this.
The hotel was excellent, the rooms spacious and clean, the staff helpful and friendly and as for the waiters, I have never had so much welcomed help. They happily asked what I wanted at meal times and although it was all buffet style brought it to me, unlike other Egyptian hotel staff.
All in all I was very happy with the hotel, yes the food wasn’t the best but Egypt isn’t exactly renown for its cuisine so what do you expect you could always get something with chips at the pool.
During our stay we went up to the Sheraton hotel only to find so many mosquitoes it was untrue, which made us realise that neither of us had been bitten at our hotel although we are used to returning with more than our fair share of bites!
We are now looking to book this hotel for a second time and are taking more people with us so that should speak for its self.
We have all heard of the expression 'when in Rome' well when in Egypt expect it to be different from Spain but if you need all mod cons and bacon on holiday go to Spain.

We were sold this holiday as a 5* and because we had stayed at its sister hotel in Sharm El Sheik, we thought we couldn't go wrong.
Service was bad, food was bad, and the all inclusive a joke.
Only allowed wine or beer, they don't do local spirits. If you do want spirits it will cost you 66le for a double and it is a double - no Spanish measures here, measures just like home.
The food was awful, after day 3 we gave up and ate out. Kfc and pizza hut are just a 30 second walk away.
This hotel is used as stop off point for tourists on there way to Hurghada, coach after coach arrives, the main restaurant ran out of food one day, we had pizza again.
The stop off guests are really looked after and all the reps and guides leave with a Pyramisa gift bag. No such luck for us.
I wouldn't go to this hotel if it was offered to me for free. Our first room was dirty and noisy. It overlooked the main road and the mosque. Morning prayers start at 5am.
The hotel were pleased to move us once I agreed to pay. That room was nice, but still no hair dryer or drink making facilities.
I would rate this hotel a bad 3*.

We should have been booked into the Sheraton but were moved, with no forward notice as apparently they had overbooked.
The hotel was shabby in need of a refurb only about a 3* standard.
The rooms were poor, carpets coming up, exposed wires to name a few things. The service was poor, the waiters didn't want to serve you and some were openly rude.
The food was at best described as poor with the same old menu day after day and if you wanted to eat in one of the other restaurants, you were allowed the sum of 30 Egyptian pounds (£3) per person against the cost of a meal if you were HB.
This was not the relaxing holiday we anticipated.

Certainly not a 5* Hotel, compared with other 5* hotels in Sham El Sheikh, Food bland hotel seems very dated.
Reception staff poor. Bar staff very poor ( don't like serving) pool attendants good fun, but pool bar staff don't like walking.
This hotel is OK for a 3* but don't expect any better. The hotel is used a lot for 1 night stop-overs, so be prepared to see lots of hoards marching through the restaurant.
The food very bland and Lotus restaurant (Main) is poorly laid out more like school dinning room, and someone forgot to tell the waiter who pours out the coffee, to poor it not walk around ignoring everyone.

This was our first time in Egypt & after a disastrous 1 week cruise up the Nile this hotel was a very warm welcome.
The staff were friendly & helpful & the manager couldn't do enough for me! Our room was a Nile view which was very spacious, clean & comfortable. We were given use also of a city view & were so glad we opted for the Nile view! The food was a little bland & repetitive - real milk would have been nice. We ate once in the Italian restaurant which was very enjoyable.
Now the pool was the best part of this hotel. Clean & spacious. Biggest in Luxor I believe. The staff were friendly providing clean towels & humour to go with it!
However the Reps from Med Hotels were the rudest people we have ever met. We wouldn't recommend Med Hotels but would recommend Isis & would enjoy another week there.

My friend and I had a fabulous holiday in Pyramisa Isis hotel, food was great we had a great view overlooking the Nile the staff were so pleasant and helpful they could not do enough for you.
The rooms were very spacious and the trips we booked on were well organised the valley of the kings is a must but take a hat as very, very hot also do the camel trip as a great laugh we are definitely going back the Egyptian people are lovely.
Although you do get hassle from the shopkeepers they are okay with you if you just say no firmly. To be honest you cannot spend your money everything is cheap.

For heaven's sake do not let the rather negative reviews about this hotel put you off having a wonderful holiday there.
My fiancé and I stayed for a week all inclusive at the Pyramisa Isis last year and it was the holiday of a lifetime. So good, in fact, that we considered booking up again for our honeymoon later this year.
I came across this site only after my fiancé became concerned after reading negative reviews about a different hotel that we have just booked for our honeymoon, in Hurghada. I thought I would look at the reviews of the Pyramisa Isis as a matter of interest as something to compare it to.
Here's what I know about the Pyramisa Isis...
It is a peaceful, exotic haven amidst the bustle of Luxor city. The grounds border right up to the Nile and you don't even need to worry about mosquitoes since the hotel has a bizarre insect fogging session every week or so during the night that wipes them all out.
The Pyramisa Isis was fantastic value for money, the food was great, the room was spacious and lovely, and I think that we had the most basic room after reading that some visitors had two balconies! The carpets in the hotel were washed by hand every day, and the towels and sheets were changed daily.
The view across the Nile was simply breathtaking, especially at sunset and the staff were some of the kindest people I have ever met - they could not do enough for you and most did not expect tips.
There are some great excursions within thirty minutes traveling time -The sound and light show at the Temple of Karnak was exhilarating and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is quite a sight. We also had a thoroughly enjoyable "Galabeya Evening" where we all donned traditional Egyptian cotton dresses and feasted on traditional Egyptian food, had camel rides, smoked Sheeshas and danced the night away with “Whirling Dervishes” on an island in the middle of the Nile. We were guided around the Valley of the Kings by a genuine Egyptologist who even lent us money to buy an £80 hand-crafted statue of Anubis until we got back to the hotel.
The only thing that was really a shock to us at first was the “harassing” by local shopkeepers but we are a young and timid couple and it is minimal inside the hotel. We are returning Egypt this year as I mentioned earlier and since we now know what to expect, it doesn’t bother me.
Only one word of warning... We went to Luxor in May and it the weather peaked at fifty degrees. The excursions are usually half day affairs that begin in the very early morning to avoid the midday heat. For example, when we visited the Valley of the Kings, we were back in the hotel by 10:30 because the heat becomes so unbearable. It is a very dry heat so it's not so bad if you are by the pool and can cool yourself in the water or the shade, but when you are in the open there is no escape.
Also, when we visited the Temple of Karnak, even though it was night time (for the sound and light show) all the stone stores the heat and it was absolutely sweltering. One girl even fainted. Hats and water flasks are essential. If you don't think you can handle the heat, visit during the winter months.

It appears (unless I’ve missed any) that I write the first review of this hotel from a permanent wheelchair users perspective.
Firstly, accessibility of the hotel and most of its facilities couldn’t be much better, I found Luxor on the whole not very wheelchair friendly but we did manage with a struggle what with its huge curbs and no ramps, some places I just couldn’t get to without being manhandled by five or six blokes but if you don’t mind this then fair do’s, it is extremely flat which is a bonus, we mostly just had to go along the edge of the road, easier, the locals are more than willing to help (for a small tip, sometimes its hard to tell whether they’re being genuinely helpful or just on the scrounge), tipping everywhere in Egypt is the done thing, but if they do really help and a tip works out at minimal pocket change, what the hell?
Two friends and I stayed in one twin room with one added bed, and there was still a load of space, the rooms were massive with not one but two balconies. The balconies on the hotels other side viewed the Nile which is beautiful when not obstructed by cruise liners, ours looked over the main road, but I actually quite enjoyed this as there was almost always something of interest going on in the street. The bathroom had a bath with shower and large washbowl with mirror, ample space, clean and usable. Room décor was a little rough and seemed bodged up, like you’d expect from a dodgy landlord, but was cleaned and tidied with fresh towels and linen daily.
We only used the restaurant for breakfast, there was variety of foods available to cater for all tastes, personally I love my food and didn’t rate it very high, but that went for most Egyptian food. As for the waiters, very efficient, jolly and helpful as are all staff.
The pools and gardens are exquisite, it goes right up to the very edge of the Nile where you can enjoy a glass of wine whilst watching the magnificent Egyptian Nile sunsets, the only drawback is steps, I’m talking half a dozen at a time and the make shift ramps consisted of a board laid up the steps, literally forty five degrees, still we managed, it’s worth it.
We went during Ramadan which can be very interesting to the inquisitive, but be warned, if you’re not keen on being blasted out of bed by painfully loud prayer at all hours, check your Muslim calendar, this hotel is directly opposite a synagogue with multiple loudspeakers. To be honest I’d rate the hotel three or four star, not five.

I agree with some of the earlier reviews - this hotel, although apparently 5*, does lack a gym. WHY PEOPLE WANT AN INDOOR POOL IN EGYPT IS BEYOND ME! I had a fantastic holiday, the general manager was continually walking around checking that his guests were happy and the staff were calm and friendly. The only downside to the service was the occasional “dry spell” by the pool.
Our room was huge and well equipped. The furniture was a little old looking but this was made up for by the extensive balcony and Nile View.
The food was ok although perhaps a little repetitive. There are plenty of restaurants nearby that are excellent, The Ritz provides a much needed Jacket Potato at a fantastic price! Our hotel rep Mohamed did a fantastic job of making sure we knew where to go in the town to find safe, tasty food.
Our Boat was easily the smallest on the Nile but had excellent service and an incredibly friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The staff were quick to respond to a guest that was unwell (not due to the food) and ensured they were comfortable. Not posh by any means but perfect if you like to make friends.
Luxor is lovely, the locals “Harassing” is NOT localised to the town, it is a way of life across Egypt. MOST visitors know this prior to their arrival, our Viking Rep was very helpful and even taught us a few key phrases to help out. The locals are persistent but very friendly, they are more offended by people ignoring them than those that are willing to pass a few cheeky comments. Barter for some souvenirs, its great fun and part of their culture.
All in all, a refreshing holiday, lots of sights to see and a fantastic change to the norm. Highly recommended.

Splendid accommodation - lounge, two toilets, two balconies as well as large bedroom.
Boxes of tissues everywhere! Air conditioning not too noisy. Splendid views across the Nile to the Valley of the Kings. Two pools, sometimes overshadowed by Cruise vessels and diesel smells.
General lounges often full with groups moving hither and thither, but bar area more peaceful.
Service variable: either overwhelming or totally absent.
Food reasonably good, though variety limited - sweets were quite delightful. Dinner in the open air on one occasion was very pleasing.
Beyond the hotel beware of locals harassing you. Knowledge of one or two relevant Arabic words would usually put them off.
Despite its less than inspiring frontage I’d book there again.