16 Best Hotels in Luxor and the Nile Valley, Egypt

One of Luxor's most luxurious places to stay, Al Moudira is so enchanting you might not want to leave to go sightseeing. Ornate keyhole arches frame bright bougainvillea flowers and lead to the individually decorated rooms with hand-painted frescoes, silk and satin drapes, and antique furniture.  Pathways meander through colonnaded courtyards graced by fountains, ending at a pool and pavilion with a bar and restaurant.

Overlooking Medinet Habu, this charming guesthouse in a three-story mudbrick house is decked out in colorful Nubian textiles and traditional decor. It's run by Nour El Nil, which operates excellent dahabiya (traditional sailboat) cruises on the Nile that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Relaxed and welcoming, Gezira Garden Hotel is a little oasis on the West Bank, and all rooms come with balconies to soak up the flower-filled, tree-shaded scene. The two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens are popular with families, and the property has three restaurants, including a spot for Thai and a rooftop Egyptian restaurant. Yoga, dance, and painting classes take place here, and the pool is heated for a post-temple swim.

A beautiful blend of traditional architecture and modern amenities, Embrace Hotel channels good vibes into an environmentally thoughtful property that runs on clean energy, has a swimming pool without chemicals, and offers organic toiletries and meals. The meditation room is a nice touch, and the bliss continues in the lush gardens, where staff serve fresh juice from fruit grown on land owned by the hotel.

Al Minya has pretty much kept the same name for four thousand years. But in less than a decade, this hotel has gone by Nefertiti, Nefertiti and Aton, back to just Nefertiti, and now Etap, though the owner's haven't changed the sign outside. And no, this Etap is not affiliated with the Accor chain of Etap-branded budget hotels. It's your basic midrise city hotel begging for an update. There's a pool and a restaurant—though the bulk of the clientele are Egyptian businesspeople so there's no resort or vacation ambiance. Rooms are a reasonable size with modern furnishings and balconies.

One of the top places to stay on Luxor's East Bank, this riverside Hilton property is a treat to return to after a dusty day of temple-touring, and you can enjoy spectacular views (best seen with a discounted happy-hour drink in hand) of the Nile from the heated pools or unwind in the thermal bath area. If you're not staying at the hotel but want to take some time off from the city, a day pass is available for LE430.

There's nothing but a few yards of landscaped plaza between you and the banks of the Nile at Al Minya's sorely needed newest hotel. It's popular among Egyptian families with weddings to celebrate. Stay on a Friday night, and you may well see the outdoor pavilions lined with reception chairs, dodge toddlers running toward the kiddie rides, or hear the ululation—that birdlike trilling sound—of women. Highly polished stone walkways (Egyptians invest in flooring first) lead from the domed lobby to an indoor restaurant, a Nile-front café, and a pool. A distraction from these fine aspirations (at this writing, at least) is that nothing seems quite finished—trim is missing here, ladders are stacked up there. You get the impression that things have been left like this for some time. Expect ultrafirm beds and stone-clad baths in the rooms. But the best reason to stay here may be the possibility of watching the sunrise from the comfort of your bed, thanks to the room's sliding glass doors.

Ideally situated at the southern end of the Corniche, this blocky, white, Nile-front hotel offers the necessities without pretension. Rooms and facilities are comfortable but don't go above and beyond, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're out all day anyway.

Set on its own island linked to Luxor by a bridge, Jolie Ville is a beautiful place to disconnect and recharge after a long day out, and it's a good choice for families, too. Kids will love having their own dedicated water park and playground, and parents will love how much space there is for the kids to run around.

Set in a traditional mud-brick home, the only guesthouse on the East Bank guarantees an authentic, personal touch. Its lively neighborhood location gives an insight into a more genuine side of Luxor. The Belgian owners are passionate Egyptophiles who arrange tours and build custom itineraries.

Originally constructed in the 1920s as a dig house for the University of Chicago's archaeological expeditions, the Marsam Hotel maintains its simple historic charm with mud-brick rooms, locally made furniture, and traditional decor. If you're not staying, it's a great place to stop for a meal after sightseeing around the West Bank.

The Nefertiti Hotel ticks every essential travel box—clean rooms with comfortable beds, enviable central location, no-request-is-too-much service, and a top-notch rooftop restaurant—and it all comes at an unbeatable price. This small family-owned hotel is Luxor's best midrange stay, but even if you're overnighting elsewhere, it's worth stopping by to dine upstairs or at one of the tables in the alleyway—a people-watching extravaganza—or to ask about tours to the temples, the West Bank, and beyond.

The Philippe has seen better days, but it's still a decent budget stay in a good location. At the end of the day, you can leave behind the clamor of the Corniche and enter this quiet retreat. 

Built in 1886, this famous hotel has seen its fair share of history and still maintains elegant period fixtures and features, from afternoon tea in the Victorian lounge with original Venetian chandeliers and parquet flooring to the posh, suit-jacket-required restaurant. The huge well-manicured grounds hide a swimming pool, and this might be the only hotel in town where the garden rooms are a better option than the Nile-view rooms (the hotel is separated from the water by the traffic-heavy Corniche, so the garden rooms are much quieter). To get most of the Winter Palace experience for a lower price, book into the Pavilion wing, 110 years newer and lacking the period atmosphere but still on the property with the same access to amenities.

Outfitted with marble surfaces, dark wood, and rich, ruby-colored fabrics, the Sonesta St. George has a stately air that extends from its grand lobby to the sleek rooms upstairs. Higher category rooms have balconies with lofty views, whirlpool tubs, and "smart" showers and toilets.

Sandwiched among other chain hotels on Luxor's southern strip, this cream-colored, art deco–style hotel has the resort-y feel of being a city within the city, with stacks of rooms, restaurants, and entertainment options. Executive rooms have a more modern look, and the rooftop tennis court promises a match with a spectacular view.