4 Best Hotels in Luxor, Luxor and the Nile Valley

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.

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.

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.

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.