I’ve finally gathered reviews and comments about Mara House and our Salahadeen Restaurant here on my own website. There aren’t many for Salahadeen, as it’s been open only to Mara House guests for years and TripAdvisor has since removed those reviews. These come from TripAdvisor, Google Maps, guest blogs, letters, and other kind words shared over time. Some are missing, as I hadn’t realized TripAdvisor began deleting reviews from tour guests who didn’t stay at Mara House. I hope these words give you a true sense of who we are and what Mara House is all about. Enjoy, Mara
464 entries.
Home away from home
Researching my trip to southern Egypt, I was lucky to happen upon Mara's website. Mara's posted itineraries and pointers made it really easy to figure out what I basically wanted to see and do. I then emailed Mara, who finalized a program and sent me a very reasonable quote, covering travel, sightseeing, and (Luxor) accommodation.
Her communication was responsive and to the point, I could feel that my vacation was in the right hands. When eventually I landed in Luxor, there was literally nothing I needed to take care of anymore for my entire trip - she and her staff had arranged it all, cars, drivers, guides, entrance tickets, lunch stops, in and around Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.
Everything ran safely and on time, and I could just focus on the awe-inspiring temples and tombs, desert, and Nile.
For the four nights I spent in Luxor, the house itself quickly felt like home. My room was in fact an apartment, including comforts like a mineral water-stocked fridge and air conditioning, of course. Amr and his wife cooked a fine breakfast, and every evening all guests caught up over a delicious dinner, with Mara presiding.
Located in a residential area not far from the center, Mara House offers very local sights and sounds, which definitely added to the experience.
Thank you Mara and team, I am certain that this vacation will remain in my heart.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Nov 14 2025
Researching my trip to southern Egypt, I was lucky to happen upon Mara's website. Mara's posted itineraries and pointers made it really easy to figure out what I basically wanted to see and do. I then emailed Mara, who finalized a program and sent me a very reasonable quote, covering travel, sightseeing, and (Luxor) accommodation.
Her communication was responsive and to the point, I could feel that my vacation was in the right hands. When eventually I landed in Luxor, there was literally nothing I needed to take care of anymore for my entire trip - she and her staff had arranged it all, cars, drivers, guides, entrance tickets, lunch stops, in and around Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.
Everything ran safely and on time, and I could just focus on the awe-inspiring temples and tombs, desert, and Nile.
For the four nights I spent in Luxor, the house itself quickly felt like home. My room was in fact an apartment, including comforts like a mineral water-stocked fridge and air conditioning, of course. Amr and his wife cooked a fine breakfast, and every evening all guests caught up over a delicious dinner, with Mara presiding.
Located in a residential area not far from the center, Mara House offers very local sights and sounds, which definitely added to the experience.
Thank you Mara and team, I am certain that this vacation will remain in my heart.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Nov 14 2025
Great base for individual travelling around Luxor
Me and my sister had a wonderful time at Mara House. The Guest House is very unique, beautifully decorated, very safe but not in a tourist area, delicious food and very spatious rooms.
The roof top terrace is wonderful for some down time. Mara and Amr are very kind and helpful and know the area and history very well. We would definitely recommend spending your stay there.
Also you can book the temple trips over Mara and we had great guides just for ourselves or in a small group for a good price. You also see wonderful temples that a lot of other tours would not show. It is great way for individual travelling.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Nov 6 2025
Me and my sister had a wonderful time at Mara House. The Guest House is very unique, beautifully decorated, very safe but not in a tourist area, delicious food and very spatious rooms.
The roof top terrace is wonderful for some down time. Mara and Amr are very kind and helpful and know the area and history very well. We would definitely recommend spending your stay there.
Also you can book the temple trips over Mara and we had great guides just for ourselves or in a small group for a good price. You also see wonderful temples that a lot of other tours would not show. It is great way for individual travelling.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Nov 6 2025
Hassle free tour of Egypt
Mara house is not just about somewhere to rest your head in Luxor, I have wanted to visit Egypt for over 20 years but even once we decided 2025 was the right time , I was nervous about booking the trip, I didn’t want it to be spoilt by hassle, scammers and forced shopping trips and end up feeling uncomfortable and disappointed.
Then I came across Mara on the internet pages and made contact with her to discuss a potential 9 day private tour starting in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. I needed a mid price trip but wanted to feel safe and that exactly what we got !! Great communication and a seamless tour, comfortable accommodation, clean cars with polite drivers and knowledgable guides.
Amar managers Mara house, his house is lovely clean and comfortable, he also organised the restaurants, boat rides and horse and carriage tour, we requested.
We were happy to walk through the surrounding streets, we felt safe and found the local people friendly but it is completely different from the Uk with unfinished buildings and basic roads , best to check the other reviews for photos,
Traveled as couple. Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Mara house is not just about somewhere to rest your head in Luxor, I have wanted to visit Egypt for over 20 years but even once we decided 2025 was the right time , I was nervous about booking the trip, I didn’t want it to be spoilt by hassle, scammers and forced shopping trips and end up feeling uncomfortable and disappointed.
Then I came across Mara on the internet pages and made contact with her to discuss a potential 9 day private tour starting in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. I needed a mid price trip but wanted to feel safe and that exactly what we got !! Great communication and a seamless tour, comfortable accommodation, clean cars with polite drivers and knowledgable guides.
Amar managers Mara house, his house is lovely clean and comfortable, he also organised the restaurants, boat rides and horse and carriage tour, we requested.
We were happy to walk through the surrounding streets, we felt safe and found the local people friendly but it is completely different from the Uk with unfinished buildings and basic roads , best to check the other reviews for photos,
Traveled as couple. Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Great house and organizer
I had a full one week trip organized entirely by Mara and her team. I'm very happy that I chose her to be the organizer. Normally I love backpacking and DIY-type traveling. However with Egypt I decided to get help to avoid all the extra hassle.
I have nothing but good things to say. Tour guides were great, the house itself is huge, spacious and well decorated. I was shy to try any local Egyptian food, so Amr's cookings were a great help to get to know the cuisine.
Mara even helped me to find a private driver for the last day, so that I was able to complete a full itinerary of all the spots I wanted to visit. I'm not sure if I will return to Egypt, but thank you Mara for everything!
Traveled Solo - reviewed on TripAdvisor
I had a full one week trip organized entirely by Mara and her team. I'm very happy that I chose her to be the organizer. Normally I love backpacking and DIY-type traveling. However with Egypt I decided to get help to avoid all the extra hassle.
I have nothing but good things to say. Tour guides were great, the house itself is huge, spacious and well decorated. I was shy to try any local Egyptian food, so Amr's cookings were a great help to get to know the cuisine.
Mara even helped me to find a private driver for the last day, so that I was able to complete a full itinerary of all the spots I wanted to visit. I'm not sure if I will return to Egypt, but thank you Mara for everything!
Traveled Solo - reviewed on TripAdvisor
AMAZING EXPERIENCE
The owner is very kind and hospitable, and the room is very clean. The food is EXCELLENT.
Amazing!! Fresh products and very good taste of everything.
I love this hotel, i think i will get back here very very soon.
I reccomend with all my heart this hotel
Traveled with friends. Reviewed on TripAdvior
The owner is very kind and hospitable, and the room is very clean. The food is EXCELLENT.
Amazing!! Fresh products and very good taste of everything.
I love this hotel, i think i will get back here very very soon.
I reccomend with all my heart this hotel
Traveled with friends. Reviewed on TripAdvior
The highlight of our Egyptian trip!
My family and I loved staying at Mara House. Amr is a fantastic chef and manager who looked after us very well and we enjoyed his cooking. It was a wonderful Egyptian holiday for us, and we highly recommend staying at Mara house. The house is beautifully decorated and the dining room is especially gorgeous!
Posted on TripAdvisor
My family and I loved staying at Mara House. Amr is a fantastic chef and manager who looked after us very well and we enjoyed his cooking. It was a wonderful Egyptian holiday for us, and we highly recommend staying at Mara house. The house is beautifully decorated and the dining room is especially gorgeous!
Posted on TripAdvisor
Homely feel and warmly remembered
Fantastic stay with Mara house and cannot recommend enough. Mara and co were very helpful from the beginning of booking accommodation and recommending transport/logistics/sight visits, and throughout the stay
Amr (manager) was very welcoming and helpful, a good friend to be missed. Also, an incredible cook! I was well fed each evening with properly home made food.
Rooms are well kept and nicely decorated, and a comfortable sleep. Feels less like a hotel, and more like a home.
If you book your tours through Mara, the guides are very knowledgeable and patient, I spent three days with them visiting Karnak and Luxor, Abydos and Dendera (my favourite), and West Bank tour.
On return to Luxor, I will be sure to revisit Mara House. Hopefully, it will be soon!
Posted on TripAdvisor
Fantastic stay with Mara house and cannot recommend enough. Mara and co were very helpful from the beginning of booking accommodation and recommending transport/logistics/sight visits, and throughout the stay
Amr (manager) was very welcoming and helpful, a good friend to be missed. Also, an incredible cook! I was well fed each evening with properly home made food.
Rooms are well kept and nicely decorated, and a comfortable sleep. Feels less like a hotel, and more like a home.
If you book your tours through Mara, the guides are very knowledgeable and patient, I spent three days with them visiting Karnak and Luxor, Abydos and Dendera (my favourite), and West Bank tour.
On return to Luxor, I will be sure to revisit Mara House. Hopefully, it will be soon!
Posted on TripAdvisor
What a great find!!!! Hospitality, hsopitality and a little bit more!
What a superb find in Luxor for a family (2 adults and 2 teenagers) to explore the local sights. As soon as we arrived, we met the incredibly hospitable Amr and He provided tea on arrival. The apartment was incredibly clean and well presented, and unique with a more traditional feel.
The beds were extremely comfortable (which is major plus for us!), and the linens were soft and plentiful.
Breakfast was amazing, with a wide variety of local cuisine. A short walk into the main tourist areas through local streets all added up to an amazing experience.
If we were to visit Luxor again in the future, we would definitely choose Mara House.
Posted on TripAdvisor
What a superb find in Luxor for a family (2 adults and 2 teenagers) to explore the local sights. As soon as we arrived, we met the incredibly hospitable Amr and He provided tea on arrival. The apartment was incredibly clean and well presented, and unique with a more traditional feel.
The beds were extremely comfortable (which is major plus for us!), and the linens were soft and plentiful.
Breakfast was amazing, with a wide variety of local cuisine. A short walk into the main tourist areas through local streets all added up to an amazing experience.
If we were to visit Luxor again in the future, we would definitely choose Mara House.
Posted on TripAdvisor
Amazing secret hideaway in Luxor
An absolute charmer of a guest house in central Luxor, Maras presents a level of sophistication and style that’s usually well above my pay grade. Our suite (yes, suite – not just a room but an apartment) is a wall to wall mini museum of tapestry, carpets, classic furniture and local art, tastefully pulled together in a manner that makes you feel like a very honoured guest.
And that feeling continues when you engage with Mara, Amr and the team – the most genuinely helpful and supportive people I have met on any holiday, and always willing to go the extra mile for your happiness.
If you are reading this while planning a holiday – book it now. Suite 4 is a charmer, say yes when Mar offers you tea (the handmade biscuits were astounding), sign up for the feast and visit Abyssinian and Dendara too!
Travelled with family in Feb 2024. Reviewed on TripAdvisor and Google Maps
An absolute charmer of a guest house in central Luxor, Maras presents a level of sophistication and style that’s usually well above my pay grade. Our suite (yes, suite – not just a room but an apartment) is a wall to wall mini museum of tapestry, carpets, classic furniture and local art, tastefully pulled together in a manner that makes you feel like a very honoured guest.
And that feeling continues when you engage with Mara, Amr and the team – the most genuinely helpful and supportive people I have met on any holiday, and always willing to go the extra mile for your happiness.
If you are reading this while planning a holiday – book it now. Suite 4 is a charmer, say yes when Mar offers you tea (the handmade biscuits were astounding), sign up for the feast and visit Abyssinian and Dendara too!
Travelled with family in Feb 2024. Reviewed on TripAdvisor and Google Maps
Thanks for an amazing stay!
Wow! An oasis! A charming little hotel more like a bend and breakfast. Spacious and comfortable rooms like a step back in time. Amr and Aylie take great care of you tending to your every need. The Salahadeen feast has to be experienced. So delicious! Mo is an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable, keeps you away from the crowds. Mara has great recommendations for tours. Highly recommend!!
Travelled as family in Nov 2023. Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Wow! An oasis! A charming little hotel more like a bend and breakfast. Spacious and comfortable rooms like a step back in time. Amr and Aylie take great care of you tending to your every need. The Salahadeen feast has to be experienced. So delicious! Mo is an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable, keeps you away from the crowds. Mara has great recommendations for tours. Highly recommend!!
Travelled as family in Nov 2023. Reviewed on Tripadvisor
See More
- Mara House Luxor – your home away from home
-
Photos of Our Suites – Take a look at the rooms you’ll call home.
-
Mara House Guest Gallery – Faces and memories from over the years.
-
Salahadeen Restaurant & Feast – The story behind our restaurant and its exclusive menu.
-
(Coming Soon: Photo Journal of Mara House – from the first brick to today.)