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Aswan has relatively few hotel choices, particularly in the midrange. You can expect rates to be higher here than for equivalent accommodations in Luxor or Cairo, except in summer. In Aswan, rates are less expensive in summer—late April to the end of September—sometimes dramatically so, and many hotels will offer discounted rates in times of low occupancy regardless of the season. Aswan in particular has a lot of large groups that stay only a night or two to see Philae and the local sights and then move on. The Aswan hotels that have island addresses automatically offer regular free ferry services to the town.
Get a taste of village life and Nubian hospitality at Anakato, a world away from Aswan city across the river. The name means "our home" in the Nubian language, and you'll immediately feel at ease walking around the colorfully painted guesthouses.
Sprawling across the northern portion of Elephantine Island, the Mövenpick offers uber-comfortable rooms decorated in bold geometric patterns and rusty desert tones. The otherwise low-rise hotelscape is dominated by an odd tower that looks like it could be for air traffic control but actually houses Panorama, a wraparound restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that display some of Aswan's best sunset views. A LE350 day pass allows nonguests access to the pool and restaurants.
Opened in 1899, the Old Cataract is one of Egypt's grandest hotels, well known for its scene-setting role in Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile (you can even stay in her suite for a whopping US$8,000 a night). An impressive roll call of famous folk have overnighted here, including Winston Churchill (who also has a dedicated suite), Tsar Nicolas II, Princess Diana, and Jimmy Carter.
Occupying a promontory above Aswan, the Basma has an artsy vibe and is accented with murals, stained glass, and sculptures, many made by local artists.
Owner Fikry Kachif can remember what Nubia was like before it was swallowed up by Lake Nasser, and he keeps that memory alive through this B&B. The best reason to stay here may be to admire the architecture and construction methods; you can see exactly how the mud bricks fit together to make the characteristic Nubian domes and barrel vaults.
Set back in a quiet residential area this lively hostel-B&B is run by owner Gandhi, a former tour leader whose invaluable advice is guaranteed to improve your time in Aswan. You're bound to find budget-minded travelers swapping stories and buddying up for tours and felucca rides.
The Obelisk sits in the center of it all—smack-dab on the waterfront and a quick walk to many restaurants and shops. Garden-view rooms have a terrace and are set among shrubs and flower beds. Nile-side rooms give up the terrace for water-level views.
Set on 28 lush acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Pyramisa is a veritable oasis with an enviable location. The rooms are decorated in dark wood and homey apricot tones and come with a balcony to soak up the Nile views.
Nubian-style bungalows are scattered around a verdant garden replete with waterfalls and a swimming pool right at the edge of Lake Nasser. The whitewashed walls and faux-stone details are of another era, but rooms are clean and comfortable.
The high-ceilinged reception area, complete with olive and maroon columns and carvings of Abu Simbel and Philae, makes the Tolip look like a neo-pharaonic temple on the northern reaches of the Corniche. The rooms don't quite live up to the lobby's lofty promise, but this hotel is a great place for families looking for an entertaining alternative to the temples: try on-site tennis, bowling, billiards, and more.
