Steigenberger Nile Palace (formerly Nile Palace)

Re: Any good pubs in luxor, and what is the nile palace like

by ourluxor

Hi there. If you've been to Luxor before, then you'll know that Egypt in general is not a place which has an "alcohol culture". Although there are a couple of European type pubs, I should think that the "type" part of that description would prove to be the most accurate part lol. Really though, heat and alcohol don't go well together. The bars in the nice hotels can be very pleasant, if a trifle expensive.
Eating out in Luxor can be very varied. Sites such as luxortraveltips.com and tripadvisor.com (Luxor page) have many restaurants listed, with some quality reviews. Again, the alcohol-less culture prevails and most restaurants are not licensed. My absolute favourite is the Salahadeen Restaurant and Bar at Mara House. The food is Egyptian, tastes wonderful and (in quantity) is more than any normal person could actually manage to eat. The furnishings are very traditional in style and the service excellent. A bottle of wine is slightly more expensive than in some of the less classy places, but considerably cheaper than in the hotels. Nearby the Nile Palace are a number of "English" restaurants which cater for the unadventurous tourists. The hotel also has a number of restaurants which come recommended.
Actually, the Nile Palace is a lovely hotel. Although I haven't stayed there, my wife and I are regular visitors for tea and coffee. (By the way, I judge their Irish Coffee to be the very best in Luxor!) We also enjoy the free nightly floor show, of Whirling Dervishes and a dance troop; very good. We have been shown a selsction of the rooms available, both when the hotel was first opening and again last year. On both occasions we were suitably impressed, the decor, furnishings and general condition were excellent.
Although a little removed from the town centre, the hotel's location isn't bad. The main drawback might be that because of its proximity to several other good quality hotels, there are also a good many tourist shops and insistant shopkeepers and intrusive taxi and caleshe men always hassling!
A walk into the real town centre will take about 30 minutes at a reasonably sedate pace.
I hope that you enjoy Luxor as much as we did while we were tourists.
Best wishes,
Edward.