We arrived in Egypt on a 19 day private tour (booked with El Sherif Tours) and stayed in El Luxor Hotel on the first night before boarding our cruise to Aswan. First impressions of the lobby and reception area were very good. Our room was on the second floor near the lift and I could hear the lift bell ringing all through the night every time someone stopped at our floor. The room itself was OK, although a little cold. Our view was to the side of the hotel and we had a small balcony with Nile view to the right. The bathroom was clean but looking well used and ready for refurb but everything worked well. We ate at a different restaurant with our guide so didn't sample the restaurant food on our first night.

We were up very early for a trip the next morning and saw the spectacular sunrise from the restaurant. The breakfast buffet selection was superb and there was a chef at the egg station who cooked us lovely omelettes. The waiter regularly came to see if we wanted refills of tea/coffee (we were the only people in the restaurant at 6 am). The breakfast was the highlight of the hotel for me! We checked out early so didn't see much of the hotel's facilities.

We went on a 4 night Nile cruise then stayed in Aswan at the Iberotel for a night then returned to El Luxor for two further nights and used it as a base whilst doing other trips. On the first night, the place was very quiet. We went to the Italian Restaurant by the pool which looked beautiful lit up at night. We ordered pizza which was acceptable but I've had much better - wouldn't order it again to be honest. We'd asked our guide to request a room on a higher floor away from the lift so we weren't disturbed all night and we were given room 601 which is on the top floor but still quite close to the lift. The room was freezing cold and there is no heating - only air conditioning that doesn't heat the rooms - so I put extra blankets on the bed and wrapped up well when not in bed. The bathroom was disappointing and worse than the first room we'd had. The toilet didn't flush properly and took a long time to refill, the sink was very slow to drain and the shower pressure was poor. The view from the room was much better than the first room as we were directly opposite the Nile. However I think I'd rather have the better bathroom and disturbed sleep from the second floor room.

We were disappointed with breakfast the next morning - having had such a pleasant experience on our first visit, we found the choice to be more limited and there was no egg station this time. Maybe there were fewer guests staying the second time around. What we did have was good though.

We ate in the 24 hr restaurant to the left of reception in the evening and ordered chilli & rice off the daily special menu which was delicious and well presented. I'd definitely eat in that restaurant if I were to return.

We had a late check out because we were doing an early morning hot air balloon ride at 6 am with Dream Balloons (highly recommended!) Our guide met us after our balloon ride and collected a breakfast box from our hotel for us which we enjoyed. We had 2 hours spare time when returning so packed then spent an hour on the sunbeds by the pool. It's a shame we didn't have time to use the pool because it's heated and looked so inviting! It's the only pool we found whilst in Egypt to be heated - all the others were freezing cold.

All in all, the El Luxor is good value for money and I would stay there again although reading other reviews, I'd probably request a room in the new wing and forego the Nile view (we didn't get chance to see much of it anyway as we were in our rooms for such a short time during our stay - it was really just a base for us).

If you want a good base and a great place to stay in Luxor then the el Luxor is the place great staff great food and rooms and in a perfect place to explore Luxor temple a few mins walk away can't fault it

Recently returned from our 3rd visit to Luxor & this hotel is our favorite for price & location. Right on the 'Corniche' not just overlooking it! We had an older room overlooking the West Bank where the ancient sites are primarily located & could even see Old Gurna (now a UNESCO site) & Hatshepsut's Temple (on clear days)! Wonderful! And watching the daily life activites of the people on both sides of the Nile was a 'plus': Folks going to/fro, boats moving up/down the river, ferries crossing, carriages carrying tourists, folks 'haggling'.

We were always greeted with friendly smiles by all staff, whether management, front desk, dining room, or room cleaners.

Asst Front Desk Mgr, Mokhlis Khalil, was always available with a charming smile to help us in whatever way he could. He was always advising us to be careful with whom we spoke out on the streets, since there are many scam artists about. His assistants at the Front Desk, esp. Randa, were also available to assist with travel plans, plane confirmations, room accomodations, and the like.

You won't be disappointed at the El-Luxor (formerly Etap & Mercure hotel) unless you must have 7* rating!

Again we visited the brilliant El Luxor between the 11th and 18th of January. Absolutely fantastic! As they say at the welcome – home from home. Be in no doubt they mean it. We had a fantastic room with a superb Nile view. Sunsets to die for. The staff from the Managers down to the cleaners were brilliant and always most helpful. Ali, the Customer Services manager, has far too much energy and he encouraged everyone to join in the activities. Even the senior managers joined a game of Bingo in the evening which though I am not a great fan, went down really well. Apparently the boules also went down a treat with much laughter and frivolity. The food was excellent and the staff should be highly commended on their personal service – always anxious to help. First class hotel, staff and amenities. Well done!
Whoever it was who suffered from some food poisoning obviously contacted it from elsewhere i.e. handling money, poor hygiene and not the El Luxor as for all the times I have stayed at the El Luxor I have never had any digestive troubles.
Luxor is eager to welcome new tourists. It is safe and contrary to the British publicity machine there was never any trouble at any time. Visitors are down to 25% and everyone is eager to do business.
Come on you Egyptophiles get to Luxor and enjoy the ambience