Have any Fodorites stayed at either Mara House or El Nakhil in Luxor? Both are very inexpensive but got the best ratings on Trip Advisor. On the other end of the scale is Sonesta St. George. Anybody stay there?

Would appreciate any recommendations.

The St. George is good. If they are finished with their remodel project it is a good choice. My favorite budget hotel in Luxor is the St. Joseph's Hotel, directly across the street from the St. George. You can see their web site at http://www.touregypt.net/magazine/mag06012001/mag8b.htm or email them at [email protected] for rates.

I think they are by far the best VALUE in Luxor.

We're staying at the Sonesta St. George and it certainly got good reviews on Trip Advisor. It is part of a tour that we are doing through Trafalgar. The pics on their website look really nice.

Thank you both for your comments.

The Sonesta St. George is lovely. We were booked there, but moved to the Steigenberger (next door) only because there was so much construction going on at the SSG that I thought would impact our enjoyment of the pool area. That was a year ago, though, so it might be done by now.

We stayed at the Steinberger for one night. It was fine, but more like a glorified motel than an upscale place. The buffet breakfast was pretty bad, and dinner at the Egyptian restaurant was mediocre. Our fellow travelera on a cruise stayed at the Sonesta. It sounded very similar. I say this just to point out that a so-called "5-star" level in Luxor is well below what most people think of as upscale. Just bear that in mind when you are thinking of stayng at a less expensive place.