Visiting Luxor – Day 2
After a breakfast on the edge of the Nile at the Maritim Jolie Ville and our visit to The Valley of The Kings, described in my post yesterday, we headed into Luxor to visit a number of Nile cruise ships and hotels that we have sent clients to over the years and also to see a few properties that we haven’t’ used before.
Falling into that category was the Nile cruise ship, The Admiral, which is part of the Presidential fleet of ships.
It’s a 4 Star Nile cruise ship that offers an All Inclusive option and sails for a 7 night cruise from Luxor on a Monday. I have to be honest I wasn’t’ really impressed with the ships itself which is a little tired-looking and it’s furniture and fittings really showed that it is a 4 star ship. The cabins were very basic and if passengers are used to 5 star hotel standards I think they would be very disappointed with the levels of comfort and decoration.
However, saying that the crew were very welcoming and we did return that evening at the invitation of the owners to enjoy a lovely dinner in the restaurant. The other people who were in the restaurant and sailing on The Admiral seemed very content with their choice and so I imagine that if you are on a limited budget then it would look like a good choice. If you are looking for something more luxurious I don’t’ think the Presidential boats are the ones for you.
On leaving The Admiral we made our way to see the first of the Luxor hotels that we use regularly for those clients seeking a Nile cruise and stay holiday. In this case it was the Sofitel Karnak, just opposite the world-famous Karnak Temple.
We have visited the Sofitel Karnak before but it’s in such lovely location, right on the banks of the Nile with beautifully kept gardens, that’s its’ a pleasure to visit once again. The hotel is a “low-rise” hotel with no buildings seemingly over two stories which makes for a nice atmosphere. There are excellent facilities for both families and couples and the hotel is the only “All Inclusive” hotel in Luxor.
It would certainly provide a great chance to chill-out and relax after a Nile cruise with no transfer time to speak of as the hotel is just on the outskirts of Luxor.
The hotel provides a twice daily shuttle bus into Luxor’s town centre but it also, more appealingly, offers a water taxi to its’ guests that takes you right into the heart of Luxor sailing along the banks of the Nile. A lovely touch.
From the Sofitel we drove back into Luxor centre to have lunch at the 5 star Steigenberger Nile Palace.
From the outside the Nile Palace looks like an normal hotel building, although a very luxurious one. However when you walk through the main reception you enter into a very large atrium or open-air square that sits in the middle of the hotel’s wings. This is populated with restaurants, beautiful plantings and lots of seated areas where you can sit and relax, take coffee or something stronger and simply relax.
In fact once you are in the beautiful atrium area you are in another world. It’s a really beautiful location and a truly special feature.
We were invited to have lunch at the hotel’s Lebanese restaurant which was on a raised mezzanine area looking over the open-air atrium. A beautiful position.
It was also one of the largest meals I’ve ever had with course after course being served to us by the charming waiters and staff. I love my food but even I had to eventually say no the continuous offerings that kept coming.
If you’ve you’ve never eaten a Lebanese meal then I highly recommend that you try it but make sure you haven’t’ eaten for about a week prior!
We were then shown around the hotel by it’s super-friendly management staff and were able to view the excellent rooms that are available at the Nile Palace as well as the lovely gardens, swimming pool and Spa areas.
I would highly recommend the Steigenberger Nile Palace as I can imagine it would be a wonderfully relaxed environment to spend a week recharging your batteries.
Tomorrow I’ll tell you more about our second full day in Luxor.
