Egypt

On our Saga Holidays tour of Egypt in 2004, we stayed at the following five star hotels. By UK standards they were very cheap:

Pyramisa Hotel, Cairo

Located in the relatively leafy western side of Cairo and a few hundred metres from the Nile, the large Pyramisa Hotel has 287 rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, several restaurants, shops, a bank and a casino. The service was good and friendly, and the rooms were large - the picture shows the lounge area in our room. The views from the bedrooms varies from grim - concrete and satellite dishes - to a panorama of the city. As with most city hotels, expect to hear some traffic noise at night.

Isis Island Hotel, Aswan

The Isis Island Hotel would be an ideal spot for a honeymoon as it is situated on its own peaceful 28-acre island in the Nile. The 380 rooms all have good views from their balconies. The main features are two

swimming pools, a mini-zoo, luxurious green gardens, tennis courts and an English-style bar.

Travel to nearby Aswan is by a free ferry. The island is sandwiched between Aswan, whose illuminated minarets are a joy to see at night, and the desert hills topped by the Aga Khan's mausoleum.

Isis Hotel, Luxor

On a large enclosed site on the Nile bank, the Isis Hotel has 516 rooms, many with extensive views of the Nile and the mountains above the Valley of the Kings.

The two secluded outdoor swimming pools provide an excellent place to swim or relax with a drink. Balloon flights over the Valley of the Kings can be booked here.

The busy bar has live entertainment on most evenings - we saw an excellent singer and a belly dancer. There are several restaurants, a club, shops and a pretty garden.

The centre of Luxor is a short walk (or horse-drawn carriage ride) away from the hotel.

More basics about Egypt

About Aswan | About Luxor | About Cairo

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Pryamisa, Cairo | Isis Island, Aswan | Isis Hotel, Luxor

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