| | Khaled Ben El Walid Street Luxor 85111, Luxor, Egypt
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Overall Community Rating: |   9.6 (based on 3 user reviews) |
 Steigenberger Nile Palace: Steigenberger Nile Palace - a good place to be/Nile Cruise?? by Alan |
| Posted 16 February 2008 about a visit in January 2008 | Overall rating: 9.0 |
Stayed here the first week in January 2008, following a Nile cruise. (party of 4)
We had booked a Nile view room, but, on booking us in, they seemed to not know this and sent our friends to a courtyard view room, whilst we were kept waiting half an hour for our room, during which time our friends were re-allocated the correct room type. In recompense (or so we thought at the time) we were given an upgrade to Superior Nile View. (which should have cost another £140) The reception guy who took us up then stood with his hand out, but I was still cross about being kept waiting and sent him away empty-handed. I only realised later what the upgrade was worth, and felt a bit guilty!
Our friends then complained to Customer Services that they, also, had been messed about, were disappointed with their standard room, and were eventually also upgraded FOC. They did feel grateful and tipped generously.
I only mention all this detail because, on reading reviews of this hotel on other websites, it's a theme that's repeated over and over again, and is obviously a scam to up the tips!
Apart from that, the hotel was excellent. All the staff were very friendly & helpful, and did not hold their hand out for every little service, as I have read in other reviews. You rarely had to open a door for yourself or pour the second half of your bottle. They even came to the room every evening to turn-down the bed and leave chocolates, usually changing the towels (only fresh that morning) at the same time.
Our superior Nile view room was large and very nicely furnished, with a huge bed. The balcony and bathroom were also super-sized, with toiletries replenished every day. Also free safe, mini-bar, TV/DVD, hairdryer etc. Either Guest relations or the Housekeeper (a lovely Scottish girl) rang every day to check all was to our satisfaction - and it was.
The hotel features a courtyard with Italian and Lebanese restaurants, a patisserie and nightly entertainment (for about one hour - same act repeated two days later) We were half board, so ate in the excellent Nubia buffet, although you could eat in the others for a supplement. We did not feel the need, as the Nubia had a great range of varied and interesting food, all well-presented and piping hot. Alcoholic drinks were a problem. (remember this is a Muslim culture ie they don't drink alcohol) The house wine at £15 a bottle was awful, and imported wine was £40 ! We drank water, so I suppose our livers were grateful!
Beer in the bar was £2.50 for 500ml, which is not bad, but spirits were £4.50 a single small measure. Doubles were twice the price, and, we thought, less than twice the quantity. The Lobby bar was a bit of a thoroughfare, but they are building a "snug pub" and Thai restaurant, opening February 2008. We did try a local "English Bar" one night, but it was dire and not much cheaper.
There was a pool snack bar and Egyptian barbeque for lunchtimes, which we were very satisfied with eg. steak baguette & chips/salad for £3.50.
The pool is not large, but it is heated to 27C and spotlessly clean. There was never any problem getting sunbeds and the attendants were very good at looking after us. (a good tip at the outset probably helped) You can lie round the pool watching the Nile for hours - from modern cruise boats to Fellucas and fishing methods which have probably not changed for centuries.
Once you step outside the front door, it's a different world - poverty, squalor and persistent hassle to buy things you don't want. You do get hardened to it, and I enjoyed wandering about, never feeling threatened. It's only a short walk to the magnificent temples of Luxor and Karnak (£2.50 - £5.00 entrance fee)
In summary, the Nile Palace is an oasis I would heartily recommend for anyone who appreciates quality, comfort and service. We had booked it as part of our First Choice package and it seemed cheap for its class. The published prices for private bookings are very much higher, probably paid by business guests (ie. on expenses). I haven't looked what discount, if any, you can get on-line.
It is hard to be complimentary about the Nile cruise on M/S Orchid in the week before our stay at the Nile Palace. The boat was badly in need of refurbishment and updating (we note that it has been taken out-of-service for 3 months immediately after our trip, so assume it's being refurbished) Our deluxe cabin was spacious, well-equipped and clean, but the decor was dingy. It also had a very large and well-appointed bathroom - unfortunately, after the first few days, we had to spend quite a lot of time in there!
The guest staff were all very helpful and pleasant, especially the waiters. Food was ok (buffet) but repetitive. We were all-inclusive, so could have unlimited wine by the glass - it was all drinkable (just) but we found the rose was good, so stuck with that.
There was entertainment evey night in the Lounge Bar, but we found most of it not to our taste. The party atmosphere got better as the week went on, but we were feeling pretty fragile by then and missed out.
We never had any problem getting sunbeds on deck, and watching the sights on the banks of the Nile go by, drink in hand, on a sunbed was a real highlight.
The two Egyptologists on board took all the trips to temples & tombs, and their expert knowledge brought it all to life.
For anyone planning a Nile cruise, I would say read the recent reviews, because the boats vary enormously in standards, not necessarily in line with price, star rating or UK travel company. (there are, amazingly, 365 cruiseboats operating between Luxor and Aswan)
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 16 of 16 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? |   |
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 Steigenberger Nile Palace Reservations |
| Steigenberger Nile Palace: Great Hotel by Stephen Mcnally |
| Posted 12 February 2006 about a visit in September 2005 | Overall rating: 9.7 |
We stayed at the Le Meridien after a weeks Nile cruise the hotel was excellent the rooms are very big the bathroom is large fresh linen and towels every day, we over looked the patio area which got the shade in a afternoon the balcony was a bit small but fitted two chairs and small table to watch what went on down below in the Italian and Lebanese restaurants and listen to the music that is played at night by keyboard player and a duo singing
Breakfast are very good with a lot of choice as much as you can eat unlimited tea and coffee ,large inside dining room smoking or no smoking or out on the terrace in the lovely early morning sun
the pool was nice and clean two pool attendants that looked after the beds if non available they went and brought more out only hotel towels on the beds ,snacks and drinks by waiter services from the pool bar £3.50 for a steak baguette with chips and salad, drinks £1.80 a bottle of lager £1.00 for a pot of tea/coffee,80p for a ice cream
all staff were friendly and polite and very helpful
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| 11 of 11 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Steigenberger Nile Palace Reservations |
| Steigenberger Nile Palace: Lovely hotel by Helen Shepherd |
| Posted 13 October 2004 about a visit in July 2004 | Overall rating: 10.0 |
Ratings| Dining | 10 | | Location | 10 | | Cleanliness | 10 | | Service | 10 |
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Our first time in Egypt,and we were so glad we stayed at Le Meridien.A new hotel in Luxor and is very comfortable,cool rooms,sat tv,mini fridge,safe,towels changed twice a day.Full size snooker table and pool,large gym(ask for a massage..brill).Food in the restauants and bars is very good.A great place to stay when not tomb raiding.Saddly outside the hotel on the steets of luxor we found nothing but begging and hassel from the locals it can get you down after a while,but don't let it put you off, the tombs and temples of Karnak will blow you away.
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| 17 of 17 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Steigenberger Nile Palace Reservations |
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Steigenberger Nile Palace Questions | Have you got a question about Steigenberger Nile Palace that you want answered before you book online? If our reviews do not contain the information that you need, ask a question and let other visitors tell you the real story!
 Steigenberger Nile Palace: Is it a Noisy hotel ? |
| 11 Feb 2008 by Andy Mellows |
Hi can anyone help !
Like to book a weeks Nile cruise plus week in a hotel. We are trying to decide whether to spend our final week in a hotel on crocodile island away from the hustle and bustle, or to be nearer to the city and attractions at the Steigenberger.Does the noise and pollution from traffic and city life intrude through the hotel room double glazing and around pool at the Steig' . Andy
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