Tried and Tested: Hilton Luxor

Luxor has long been associated with package tour groups trouping around the stunning Egyptian tombs, bustling around the temples and getting mobbed by enthusiastic street sellers.

There was a gap in the market as a modern option for the luxury traveller simply didn’t exist.

Noting this void, Hilton closed its Luxor property and embarked on a 30 month, US $50 million renovation, renaming it the Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa.

The first notable addition was the spa, but the whole property has been transformed to take advantage of its position on the bank of the Nile.

THE ARRIVAL: I arrived at Luxor airport in the early hours of the morning having flown Jazeera Airways using the Dubai via Kuwait route.

I was more than impressed with Jazeera’s staff. Kind, courteous and incredibly helpful, I could see why the brand has built a loyal following and is expanding. However, it is unfortunate the airline is no longer allowed to fly direct from Dubai to Luxor.

A Hilton coach picked me up and I was treated to refreshing towels and a drink as we made our way through Luxor to the resort.

In the foyer it was immediately apparent that somebody with a great deal of taste had been behind the renovation, providing a modern Arabic chic feel that was instantly comforting.

THE ROOM: My room — King Hilton Room Plus (standard room) — had a 32-inch LCD TV and DVD player. The bed was incredibly comfortable, one of the best I have slept in.

The bathroom was fairly typical with a nice shower, but there was no bath. This wasn’t much of an issue as the pools and spa more than made up for my water needs.

My balcony looked over the spa garden and the Nile. It was a spectacular view and you can’t help but smile when you look across the famous waters and see the Valley of the Kings in the distance.

My only gripe would be the fact I had one complimentary bottle of water in the room despite two of us staying. It may sound petty, but the fact you can’t drink Egyptian tap water makes everything from brushing your teeth to filling the kettle a little expensive.

RECREATION: The pools are fantastic and nicely chilled to counter the Egyptian sun. Sun Loungers are available looking out over the Nile, sunken into the pool or dotted around the property.

Four poster hammocks with drapes are far too comfortable and before you have made it half way down the page of your book you will be asleep.

The staff are incredible as you relax and enjoy the facilities. You have towels and snacks brought to you as well as your sun glasses polished.

Food and beverages can be ordered to your sun lounger with side table. The aim of the resort is to provide relaxation and it does this in abundance.

However, for those looking to raise their pulse there is a fully-equipped gym with state-of-the-art equipment, once again, with views over the Nile.

THE SPA: Nayara Spa is the first international spa in Luxor boasting 12 treatment rooms, eight Nile-side spa bungalows and five spa suite guest rooms.

I had a back massage and foot reflexology session that were both fantastic. I felt more relaxed just by  looking inside the treatment room with a large window overlooking the Nile.

The spa is complemented by a stunning and tranquil open-air courtyard and Jannah Bar where you can order spa food and refreshments.

The spa garden leads down to the Nile with a spectacular infinity pool, cabana hammocks and sun loungers.

THE FOOD: The food options are varied, but all outlets were of a high standard.
Whether fine dining at Silk Road with its exotic eastern cuisine; having a buffet breakfast sat outside in the morning sun at Rosetta; grabbing a snack at Olives or having a shisha at Diwan where you relax into cushions and watch a sailing boat drift down the Nile, all my experiences were positive.

I normally always try room service as a matter of course, but I was always tempted down to one of the outlets. 

THE DESTINATION:  For those who don’t slip into a dreamy world of relaxation, whereby nothing will prize you from the resort, the other draw to Luxor is its history.

The Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Hatshepsut have attracted visitors from around the world for centuries.

It is hard to describe the magnificence of these sites as they all have their own unique attraction and style.

What staggered me was the preservation of colour inside the tombs of the pharaohs, completely changing my perception of what ancient Egypt would have looked like. Furthermore, the lush greenery of the banks of the  Nile where sugarcane is harvested was a surprise.

The importance of the Nile to the Egyptians is all too apparent with its life maintaining qualities, although I certainly wouldn’t recommend anyone take a dip in it now.

I was less interested in the street markets where you get hassled by vendors selling mainly cheap factory knock offs of resin replicas of the local alabaster.

Luxor museum is a must-visit, I found it incredibly interesting and some of the artefacts are beautiful. Once again, watch out for the guards who will hassle you to take your photo despite it being bad for the artefacts.

But I must stress, the knowledge you can return to the resort and indulge in a massage or sprawl out in a hammock, gently rocked by the cool Nile breeze while reading your favourite book, means the street hawkers can largely be ignored.

It is essential to get a good guide who will be able to bring to life the history of Luxor. Ask the resort for the best ones.

Shuttles run from the resort into Luxor, but taxis aren’t expensive, just ask the concierge how much you should be paying for your trip.

The Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa really left an impression on me. Being a bit of a history buff I thought I would be telling everyone about the monuments and temples on my return.

Certainly, I will never forget being in Tutankhamun’s tomb or wondering around the pillars of the Temple of Karnak, but the first thing I describe to people is the resort.

The pools, the spa, the food and beverage offering was superb, all complemented by an enchanting view of the Nile.

However, it is the amount of time clearly spent on training the staff that will secure the resorts future as a must-visit property.

Luxor is planning to turn itself into an open air museum and has already started ambitious restoration plans.

Furthermore, it is looking to develop its tourist offering outside of the monuments and temples. Luxor should be firmly planted on your selling radar and Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa should seal the deal.