Older character hotels
Former palaces and colonial marvels which have subsequently become hotels, these options are often of great interest in their own right, and transport you back to a different chapter in the region’s history.
Where you’ll find places like this: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan (Egypt), Kairouan (Tunisia)
A featured example: The Old Winter Palace, Luxor
The Old Winter Palace was constructed in 1886, a wonderful building on the banks of the Nile at Luxor which hosted European nobility from its earliest days, and today, operated by Sofitel, provides excellent accommodation for visitors to the sites around ancient Karnak.
The hotel’s 86 rooms and 6 suites have all been finished to a good standard, consistent with the stylish colonial feel of the main building itself. Views from the rooms look over the main road to the Nile on one side, and to the delightful gardens on the other. The peace on this side is a wonderful tonic to the busy city, and the ideal place to relax after a good day’s sightseeing. The 1886 restaurant is well-known too, with a charming atmosphere and a French-inspired menu.
One of a handful of characterful colonial properties in Egypt, we would heartily recommend the Old Winter Palace as a central place to stay in Luxor.
