Definately worth booking a De Luxe Nile View but do insist on one with a balcony - 2nd or 3rd floor have best views. We stayed in Room 239 which was great. Faded splendour still but renovation planned.. hope Sofitel don't spoil it like the Old Winter Palace which is now really poor value for money.

March 15, 2008: I specifically chose Old Cataract Hotel for our group's stay of 2 nights in Aswan. Being such a well-known landmark in stories and movies, the Old Cataract is probably the best known hotel in Egypt. It is colonial in feeling, like Raffles, with expansive public rooms, especially the lobby and the 1902 restaurant. The rooms are unusally large and spotless. Although no fault of the hotel, we were given garden view rooms (ours was #265 over the entrance) instead of Nile view rooms. We were so disappointed because from that side, one could feel a romantic side of the Nile with the darting fellucas, high cliffs, and pharaonic ruins. A drink on the terrace accomplished the same thing. We later filed a complaint to our tour operator, STI Travel, who accepted responsiblity and provided compensation. Happily, there was coffee service in the lobby for those who wake up, or check out, very early. The buffet breakfast was located in the 1902 where we also had dinner. The 1902 was very impressive, and I imagine that it looked the same to one of its more famous guests, Agatha Christie. The breakfast was so-so, but the dinner was exceptional. I had veal which was perfect. I enjoyed the ever-present "om ali," or rice pudding dessert. A native musical group provided authentic accompaniment. Wine and spirits were overpriced. You would think that an older hotel would have lots of shops and restaurants surrounding the property. There is really nothing nearby except for a large cemetary and a Nubian Museum. The walk is hilly and rough as only the hotel property is kept well-maintained. Security on the property was omnipresent both at the entrance and at the door. Although we didn't stay in the Nile view room, our experience was memorable. The Old Cataract may never be the same again after the extensive renovations beginning in May.

We stayed for a night in Aswan after a Nile cruise - and are very glad we picked this hotel. Yes it is worn down and feels older, but one should know to expect this in an older historical building. Ceilings were very high, chandelier in our room very classy, and bed comfortable and clean. Large window with very pretty view of the Nile and nearby island. Bathroom clean and usable; maybe not 5 star but definitely 4 star. The views from the terrace and just watching the Nile from the back of the hotel is an experience worth staying here for. The drinks are good at the bar (I recommend the fresh juices in Egypt!) and I can see why people loved the terrace so much over the lifetime of the hotel. We ate only breakfast at the hotel - which is a lovely way to eat in the 1902 restaurant with its vaulted ceilings and very unique decorations. Breakfast was very tasty with some local selections as well as standard European and American fare, and service was good. For dinner we ate at a nearby Nubian restaurant - just ask the concierge to call a boat for you and its a 2 minute ride from the hotel landing dock to the restaurant on a nearby island. For 1/2 the price we had twice the food - and authentic local food at that. I highly recommend it as a way to eat while staying at this hotel! I did not use the pool or other facilities here, but the pool looked pleasant. We saw the Agatha Christie suite - some lucky friends of ours were staying there - and it is fantastic. If you can get one, book a Nile view room with a terrace - our window was lovely, but a private terrace would have been superb - and not too much more. I know the hotel is about to close and I'm very glad it was still open when we took our trip. I would not hesitate a moment to stay here again or recommend it to family or good friends - the location is unbeatable and lovely, and it is steeped in history from the last 100 years, surrounded by history from the last 4000 years.

This hotel is past its' sell by date', living on a reputation built many years ago when it was great.. We have stayed on a number of occasions but this years break was the last.. Sofitel are closing the hotel for refurbishment which will take 2 to 3 years BUT will the mind-set change ? Front gate staff who try to physically block your passage until you answer their questions ie what is your room number ? After 27 times of being questioned whether you are resident, being asked again as you enter the front door further away, front desk staff who are truculent and failing the very simple test of saying 'good morning' , room attendants having a verbal set-to in the corridor whilst you walk past, the terrace area ( signed as reserved for residents when hotel is busy ) with no space to have tea due to tour groups filling it for the afternoon , the 1902 restaurant serving bland and very average food under the guise of gourmet cooking ( it was a few years ago !! ) ,we think it time to take our custom elsewhere. Whilst dining at a swiss managed hotel in Aswan , we noted two couples also staying at the Old Cataract hotel who remarked on the poor management with rude staff and mediocre food,hence dining out .....all in all a poor experience with a total 'couldnt care less 'attitude prevailing at all levels. A great pity that this hotel has been allowed to fall so far...for Sofitel to offer the excuse that they had a VIP guest at the hotel and the staff were being security conscious is deriseable...the hotel has had its day.