Hotel Isis Movenpick Reviews

Just returned from a trip to Luxor on 03/02/05. We had a wonderful trip and would recommend Luxor to everyone especially if you love history.

Our bible while there was ";Lonely Planet - Egypt"; which we saw people carrying in every language. We got our copy from the library. Everyone else's comments above we found very helpful. Our tips to add to the above are:-

1. If you don't have transfers arranged for you check with any tour operator at the airport for prices of taxis to your hotel.
2. Take a wallet, rather than a purse as they don't have coins in Egypt only in notes.
3. Small notes are hard to come by, so on your first day go into a bank and ask for as many 5 and 10 egyptian pounds you can get. Locals are not able to do this so you often struggle for change.
4. Take a torch for visits to temples, especially Karnak by Night.
5. Ask at your hotel upon arrival about prices for guides on prices for taxis across town etc.
6. Never pay the price asked for.
Guide of Prices
Luxor Museum 20 EP - £2
Karnak Temple 40 EP - £4
Luxor Museum 55 EP - £5.50
Mummification Museum 35 EP - £3.50
Valley of the Kings (3 Tombs) 55 EP - £5.50 *
Tutankhamun 70 EP - £7
Nefatari Temple 20 EP - £2
Hot Air Balloon Flight 600 EP - £60
Train to Aswan (1st Class) 40 EP - £4
Flight by Egyptian Air Aswan to Abu Simbel 635 EP - £63.50 (This was 1st class 240 seater plane)

· 31 tombs but 18 closed when we went. The ones we had chosen were closed but we were thrilled with Remeses IV, VI and IX, which were our second choice.

Taxi half a day 60 - 80 EP - £6-£8/They will take you to the ticket office at Valley of Kings or Queens where you can get your tickets and then they will take you to the tombs and wait for you, however long you take. Pay at the end of your trip or your hotel.

Choips travel agent, on the road by the Old Winter Palace was the best travel agent in town. He booked our whole trip from Luxor to Aswan by train (1st class), overnight stay at the best hotel in Aswan - Movenpick on Elephant Island and flight to Abu Simbel £110 each and return.

Also day trip to Abydus and Dendra £25 each and Hot Air Balloon flight over the valley of the Kings, which was wonderful for £60. Much cheaper than booked through your hotel. Go on the earliest flight in the morning as the airstreams are better then and you get a longer flight.

We were very apprehensive about visiting Egypt but it turned out to be one of the most wonderful holidays of our lifetime. I am sure we will return again. We felt safer walking down a street in Luxor at night, than we did at home in Manchester. The only thing you have to get used to is everyone wants your custom and so they do pester you to ride in their taxis and go in their shops but if you just say 'No Thank you', they do not pressure you anymore.