Egypt has long been a beacon for curious travellers who dream of examining hieroglyphs in ancient temples, sailing along the glistening Nile, or escaping into the dunes. As one of the world’s oldest ‘tourist’ destinations, the country has also gathered a collection of top-tier hotels over the years. So, whether it’s utter luxury, historic guest lists, or a truly authentic, get-away-from-it-all experience in the wilderness, these are our top picks for the best Egypt hotels.
Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City
Cairo
Quite literally on the banks of the Nile, the view from the Kempinski couldn’t be better, especially if you’re enjoying it from the rooftop pool. Set in the historic Garden City, the hotel is one of Cairo’s finest, beginning with the fantastic variety of cuisines on offer. No matter what you have a craving for, one of the many restaurants is bound to satisfy it. We’re talking mouth-watering Italian pastas, an Oriental High Tea, or a sugar rush at the Chocolate Lounge – and make sure to try the signature martini before departure. In the main areas, you’ll find a refined decor with nods to Egyptian style, and plenty of bold artworks and designer pieces. The rooms are nothing short of plush and the suites, even more so, boasting marble bathrooms and bathtubs with serious views, private balconies, and 24-hour butler service. Kempinski has an enviable address for sightseeing too and in a single day you could visit King Tutankhamun’s gold mask at the Egyptian Museum, see one of the oldest mosques in Africa, and ride horseback amongst the Pyramids of Giza.
Sofitel Winter Palace
Luxor
Remember those historic guest lists we spoke of? Well, Luxor’s Winter Palace has one of the most impressive, having hosted Agatha Christie as she penned a few chapters of Death on the Nile, as well as the archaeologist who announced the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb on its front steps. Built along the Nile’s edge, tranquil scenes of passing feluccas await on a stroll through the centuries-old Royal Gardens or whilst enjoying a cocktail on the terrace. Once the Egyptian monarchy’s winter retreat, the interiors are fit for royalty with vintage furnishings, chandeliers and ornate heirlooms, whilst depending on your choice of room, views may include the Valley of the Kings or the West Bank Necropolis. In the restaurants, you’ll find everything from French-inspired cuisine to ‘catch of the day’ from the Red Sea, but the most coveted spot is the private candlelit gazebo for a dinner to remember. Perfectly placed for an exploration of Luxor, a city often described as an ‘open air museum’, step straight out the front door and wander down lavishly-painted corridors in the Valley of the Kings and see the iconic Colossi of Memnon. Then, a dip in the pool awaits back at the palace…
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract
Aswan
Set on a pink granite cliff at the very edge of the Nubian Desert, the Old Cataract was built as a palace and hasn’t lost a bit of its old-world charm. Having welcomed everyone from Princess Diana to Agatha Christie, the grandest rooms are named after its most prominent guests. Beyond the unassuming, mud-brown facade, the interiors are an homage to Egypt with photographs of famous figures dotted along the walls, and in the 1902 restaurant, modelled after Cairo’s auspicious Ibn Tulun mosque, you’ll find Moorish arches and beautiful star-shaped lamps. In the rooms, choose between modern decor or one of the original Palace suites; all come with gloriously deep bathtubs and Hermes amenities – and some even have a private balcony overlooking Elephantine Island. Outside, the infinity pool curves through the pretty gardens, giving the illusion of being part of the Nile. Speaking of which, the banks of Aswan are a trove of ancient history, which you can explore on a felucca sail between the Tombs of the Nobles, the sacred Philae Temple where the very last hieroglyphics were carved, and tiny islands that rise from the river.
The Oberoi Philae Luxury Cruiser
The Nile
Some say the best way to see Egypt in all its glory is a cruise along the Nile – and if you’re going to embark on a sail, we highly recommend doing so under the expert guidance of The Oberoi Cruiser’s on-board Egyptologists. You’ll spend four or six days idling along the river as it winds amidst ancient monuments, heading ashore to examine the intricate tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the great Abu Simbel structures, Philae Temple and the fascinating Colossi of Memnon (among many others). A striking, four-storey vessel dressed in white and blue, The Oberoi isn’t short of amenities either and each cabin has 24-hour butler service, intricately mosaic-ed bathrooms and fabulous views of their own – some from a private terrace and heated whirlpool, the perfect spot to wash off the desert. On the deck, the rooftop section offers the best view in the house as you sunbathe by the pool or dine from the well-chosen menu of dishes. And whilst The Oberoi’s travel itineraries are more than diverting, there’s a movie theatre and indulgent spa to enjoy in your down time too.
Adrere Amellal Ecolodge
Siwa Oasis
Egypt is a country brimming with surreal landscapes, but the Siwa Oasis may just be the most otherworldly of them all. There’s only one place to spend your time in this bucket list destination: the Adrere Amellal Ecolodge. Appearing to have arisen from the desert itself, the lodge is surrounded by astonishing vistas, from the 100-metre-high dunes of the Great Sand Sea, to the ‘White Mountain’ that flanks the rooms, and shimmering Lake Siwa laid out before them. There is ample chance to explore on horseback rides or jeep treks, heading out early to catch the sunrise over a plateau of crystals, and stopping to swim in salt lakes and examine fossils of extinct marine life. And this is a lodge that doesn’t just look the part – it really is the part too! Built in a traditional Berber style with walls of mud, sand and sun-dried salt, it will keep you cool in the scorching heat of the day and toasty during chilly nights, whilst oil lamps and beeswax candles replace electricity and there are no phones allowed outside your room. Here, it’s just you, the ethereal scenery to soak up, and spring-fed pool to relax in. Idyllic.
Four Seasons Resort
Sharm El Sheikh
A life-sized sandcastle, the Four Seasons sits right beside the Red Sea in a garden of waving palms, hibiscus, and creeping bougainvillea. A true holiday resort where R&R is the name of the game (amid some exploring, of course), there’s not one but four swimming pools, airy cabanas to lounge in, and, whether you’re travelling with family or a deux, separate areas to splash around with the kids or sip on a cocktail at the swim-up bar. For a proper pampering, the spa is a dream and offers treatments like a Cleopatra’s Bath of milk, rose and honey, chocolate body wraps, and massages once reserved for royalty. Throughout the hotel, the design is elegant yet vintage with rich carpets, chandeliers and Pharaonic motifs, and the dining options run the gamut from Moroccan delicacies to seafood barbecues served within splashing distance of the water. Activities-wise, simply ride the resort’s funicular down to the private beach and snorkel straight out to the house reef to see turtles, rays, and multi-coloured shoals of fish. If you’ve come to Sharm El Sheikh for the diving, there are over 70 amazing sites only a boatride away and if it’s full moon, a night dive is definitely in order!
Al Moudira
Luxor
The very picture of an Egyptian escape with its palm-shaded apricot courtyards and secluded, heated pool on the sandy edge of the Valley of the Kings, Al Moudira could easily be a palace plucked from a storybook. With rooms embellished with Pharaonic motifs and grand columns, enormous beds draped in Egyptian linens, and the highest of high ceilings you’ll feel like royalty. In one of the suites, there’s even a small fountain and a private terrace, the ideal spot from which to enjoy the view. In the lounge and restaurant, interiors are rich and sumptuous with velvet armchairs, painted ceilings and stained-glass windows, all perfectly complimentary of the world-class dishes and novel cocktails. Relax to the sounds of the resident jazz band and in the morning, head out to the sunny courtyard for a decadent breakfast. There is no end to the sights there are to see, but King Tutankhamun’s tomb, the Temples of Karnak and Colossi of Memnon are top of the list. Why not see it all from the sky on a hot air balloon ride?
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh Luxury Resort
Hurghada
Gazing out across the Red Sea, The Oberoi is a vision in white with classic domes, voluminous interiors and grand columns. The view is phenomenal and you can spend as much time as you like admiring it, whether it’s breakfast on the beach or candlelight dinners on the pier – the white chocolate and black pepper cheesecake is sublime. The Oberoi is an all-suite resort and interiors take their inspiration from Ancient Egypt, striking the balance between ornate and earthy. For a good dose of R&R, the spa offers a menu of treatments, massages and remedies including the Spirit of the Pharaoh, while the poolside sala and secluded coves are an idyllic spot to recline. With its calm, crystal-clear waters, the Red Sea is a diving and snorkelling paradise, and the Oberoi is only a short boat ride away from stunning reefs. Or simply laze on the beach in a blissful haze and let that holiday feel sink in…
Marriot Mena House
Cairo
Eyeballing the spectacular Pyramids of Giza over a lamplit dinner isn’t something you get to do every day – except at the Marriot Mena House, where you can do it as many times as you like! In fact, the pyramids are just 700 metres away from the hotel and you can quite literally walk there. The best of the rooms enjoy the same surreal view from a private balcony. Sitting amongst 40 acres of palm and flower-filled gardens, the hotel also has plenty of its own attractions, including a heated pool and heavenly spa, which offers treatments inspired by those of Ancient Egyptian royalty. Tuck into local delicacies accompanied by wines from Egypt to Chile, and top off the evening with a frozen Mena House Martini as you gaze towards the shining pyramids. It’s the perfect ending to a day spent wandering between Islamic and Coptic monuments, trawling Cairo’s bazaars, or riding camelback to the base of the famous pyramids and Sphinx. There’s nothing quite like it…
Four Seasons Hotel
Alexandria
Enjoying a prime location along the Egyptian Riviera, the Mediterranean Sea shimmering before it, the Four Seasons more than lives up to its reputation. The accommodations are a dream with gold-trimmed suites and vintage furnishings, and the pieces de resistance are the uber-modern villas that sit along a private stretch of beach and boast their own pool and kitchen. The hotel also has a trio of fabulous pools; one on the fourth floor, a heated pool in the beautiful atrium, and a seawater infinity pool with a swim-up bar right on the beach. Those aren’t your only options for leisure either: the two-storey spa is a candlelit oasis with everything from the 1001 Nights Sensation to all-chocolate treatments. And we couldn’t possibly leave out the gastronomy – enjoy authentic Egyptian and Levantine dishes or head to the beachside spot for lip-smacking seafood. Then, when you fancy a little exploring, take a stroll along Alexandria’s Corniche, get a lesson in the city’s fascinating history at its many museums, or push the boat out on a diving expedition amongst the underwater ruins.
