Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel, Luxor

There is no other place to stay in Luxor that can compare. The Winter Palace is superb. Some scoff at the high price, and indeed you can stay next door in the adjacent sister Accor Pavillion hotel for half the price, but we found that the Old Winter Palace rooms have a timeless charm that are simply divine. Most rooms have a balcony overlooking the Nile or lush green garden. If you only have one night in Luxor, this is the place to splurge. It's still much more affordable than a luxury hotel in Cairo, and worth every penny! The facilities are 5 star and truly make you feel like you're staying at a fine european resort, but at a fraction of the cost! The rooms are large and comfortable. The view is absolutely stunning, especially over morning coffee on the balcony while felucca boats sail calmly down the palm-rich Nile below, with morning call to prayer humming distantly in the background. It's an equally lovely moment at sunset. Nothing is more exquisite than the impression this setting leaves on your mind. And the location is ideal. It's right next to the Luxor Temple which offers amazing sightseeing both day and night. The airport is only 15 minutes away by taxi. And the souks at the bazaar are just steps away. That is, if you can tear yourself away from your room, the pool, the elegant lounge where afternoon tea is served each day, or the tranquil gardens where you can sit and read a book or smoke a pipe. We highly recommend the Old Winter Palace Hotel and will return again most certainly.