Gorgeous relic of the Victorian era, 20 foot ceilings in the bedrooms, huge marble bathrooms and garden or Nile views. Maybe a tiny bit run down but no serious problems at all. If it’s faded glory, emphasize the glory, not the faded. If you are sensitive to noise, choose garden view - Luxonians spend much of their driving time on the horn. The only thing that will waken you in the back is the call to prayer from the nearby mosques. The only idisappointment was the food, which was not up to standard for this grade of hotel. Food in La Corniche in the Old hotel was okay but not exceptional. Food in the coffee shop in the new hotel was awful. My chicken was a miraculous survivor from the days of the Pharaohs, and overcooked at that. Virtually inedible. Breakfast in the garden at the new hotel was okay, but service was dreadfully disorganized (two reminders to get one fork). Eat in the old hotel, but there is no coffee shop and the French restaurant requires a jacket and tie, which we did not have. Be sure to stay in the Old Winter Palace - not the New or the Pavillion. Having a drink on the patio watching the sunset s an experience to remember.

As a family of 5, we were given the presidential suite. The rooms were spacious and tastefully decorated. They provided many extra amenities to our room. We felt very pampered. The food was good at the pool. The restaurant in the hotel was fancy and would not allow my husband in unless he borrowed a jacket. He did, and the food was excellent. The staff was friendly and helpful. Only "bad" experience we had was the noise out on the boardwalk every night. A marching band with many drums played until 10:30 p.m. It was just a little annoying, but not the hotel's fault. I would still book a room overlooking the Nile because the views were spectacular, especially early in the morning when the hot air balloons would hover over the river.

As a family of 5, we were given the presidential suite. The rooms were spacious and tastefully decorated. They provided many extra amenities to our room. We felt very pampered. The food was good at the pool. The restaurant in the hotel was fancy and would not allow my husband in unless he borrowed a jacket. He did, and the food was excellent. The staff was friendly and helpful. Only "bad" experience we had was the noise out on the boardwalk every night. A marching band with many drums played until 10:30 p.m. It was just a little annoying, but not the hotel's fault. I would still book a room overlooking the Nile because the views were spectacular, especially early in the morning when the hot air balloons would hover over the river.

We stayed here for 3 nights after a week on the Nile on the Oberoi Zahra boat (please get in touch for info about this amazing floating luxury). We loved this hotel. So pleased we stayed in the Old Winter Palace, not the New (though I believe the New is being knocked down, thank goodness, it's a carbuncle!). We had a glorious room on the 2nd floor overlooking the magnificent garden (I think garden rooms are much better as the front of the hotel has alot of traffic and many large ugly cruise ships on the Nile to spoil the peaceful view). Our room on the 2nd floor (221) was clean, spacious, full of character with a beautiful marbled bathroom and separate toilet. The hotel has so much character, the bar area, foyer, dining room are beautiful with a genuine feel of old charm and serene history. Having a drink in the bar is a wonderful experience. Although you are required not to wear "casual" clothes, this doesn't mean wildly smart either, apart from in the one dining room which looked a tad stuffy anyway! The garden is a peaceful, beautiful oasis in a rather ugly, dirty city. We only ventured out of the hotel once to the Souk 2 mins walk away (the other tourist sights we had done from the Oberoi Zahra, hence no need to leave the hotel). The pool is huge and absolutely fine but, to be honest, the area needs a damn good clean and a bit of a make over!! BUT................ .......on the whole the food at this hotel was AWFUL. Breakfast was the worst. Oh yes, a wide variety of food to suit all tastes but it was stale, had been lying about for hours (if not days), much of it was inedable (and I'm not fussy!) Lunch at the poolside was not much better....greasy chips, stale salads. Evening meal, to be fair was much better, though very hit and miss. Room service seemed the best of the lot! Despite the negatives re. the food, the positives of this wonderful, charming hotel will be the lasting memory, and a very lovely one at that!

I have just returned from a stay in the Old Wing of the Winter Palace in Luxor and I have to say - for me anyhow - it is somewhere to remember and hopefully return. The staff were very obliging and attentive to the needs of guests at all times - the room had a nice balcony with a view looking to perfectly manicured gardens - fresh towels, flowers and petals on a down turned duvet all added to the luxurious surroundings - not to mention the thick bath robes ! The food in the 1886 restaurant was beautifully presented and rated 5 star. I have read other reviews of the hotel and find some of the comments to be unfounded - perhaps some were staying in the new or pavilion wings which are a little bit down market - however - guests there can - should they wish - if following the strict dress codes - enjoy the ambience and VIP treatment given to those guests who have paid that bit extra for the priviledge of enjoying the real Old Winter Palace!!