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 did their tours with us but 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
Best decision we made in Egypt
"I know it has all been said before by previous reviewers but I feel compelled to repeat and endorse the compliments. We are extremely well travelled spending at least 4 months of the year travelling all over the world so are not easily impressed.
My partner and I were planning to stay at a more upmarket hotel on the Nile as we were only staying 2 nights and thought it would be easier. Once we saw the reviews of Mara House on TripAdvisor we started to rethink. After a few email exchanges with Mara I knew that this was where we had to stay.
The personalised service begins from the first email. She immediately offered suggestions on our every option for the trip. She totally gets it. She offers tours (without being pushy) and also advice for those who would prefer to do things on their own.
At first I thought the price of the accommodation might be a bit high as there are hotels with pools available for not a lot more money. However with Mara there are no hidden extras. Her drinks are very reasonably priced - in the hotels the prices are extortionate. And boy do you have to drink a lot of liquids in Luxor. She sells a 1.5 ltr bottle of water for 3 Egyptian - the same price as the supermarket. The hotels charge at least 5 times that. Wi-fi is free too.
The location as mentioned by others is a little unusual on arrival - it is not Beverley Hills - but this is Egypt and it is totally safe and hassle free to walk around.
The building itself from the outside doesn't look special but once you walk through the door you see it is more boutique hotel than guesthouse. Beautiful decor.
Mara greeted us and treated us like we were old friends. She gave us great attention and answered all our questions in a very knowledgeable and helpful manner. The rooms are in fact apartments - very spacious and comfortable with separate living room and balcony.
The staff are extremely attentive - even came to the phone shop with us to help us through the burocracy of buying an Egyptian SIM card. The day after we arrived Mara went to Ireland to visit family but her staff kept up the same level of service.
We took two tours organised by Mara. At first I thought the prices a little high but as I said before - with Mara there are no hidden extras. All the entry fees to temples and tombs (which are not cheap!) are included. Most of what you are paying is to cover these fees. The drivers are courteous and the guides knowledgeable and the most important thing for us is that unlike most guides all over the world they don't take you to shops.
Mara also has a folder of useful information and recommendations which cover most things you would want to know. Her restaurant recommendations were spot on. Whenever you need to go anywhere she will organise a taxi within 10 minutes at a fixed reasonable price. She or her manager are always at the other end of the phone to send a taxi to pick you up.
Her restaurant isn't open every night - seems to depend on the number of guests. But she will let you know if it is going to be open. Don't miss it. It is an incredible feast. Don't eat too much during the day so that you have a good appetite for this banquet. And the restaurant itself has beautiful decor.
Once you leave the oasis of Mara House and venture into the touristy neighbourhoods Luxor is a total hassle. Everybody is on the make and they are annoyingly persistent. Understandable at one of the worlds top tourist attractions in such a poor place.
Mara also has 2 self-catering apartments in downtown Cairo where we are staying now. A very different experience from Mara House but it is perfect for us. She organises tours and transfers here in Cairo as well.
Even though she has now gone to Ireland she keeps her Egyptian phone switched on in case we need anything. Saved our lives the other night when we needed to know where we could buy some cold beer.
Thank you so much for everything Mara. Go raibh maith agat! Shokran. You are a great reason for us to return to Egypt."
"I know it has all been said before by previous reviewers but I feel compelled to repeat and endorse the compliments. We are extremely well travelled spending at least 4 months of the year travelling all over the world so are not easily impressed.
My partner and I were planning to stay at a more upmarket hotel on the Nile as we were only staying 2 nights and thought it would be easier. Once we saw the reviews of Mara House on TripAdvisor we started to rethink. After a few email exchanges with Mara I knew that this was where we had to stay.
The personalised service begins from the first email. She immediately offered suggestions on our every option for the trip. She totally gets it. She offers tours (without being pushy) and also advice for those who would prefer to do things on their own.
At first I thought the price of the accommodation might be a bit high as there are hotels with pools available for not a lot more money. However with Mara there are no hidden extras. Her drinks are very reasonably priced - in the hotels the prices are extortionate. And boy do you have to drink a lot of liquids in Luxor. She sells a 1.5 ltr bottle of water for 3 Egyptian - the same price as the supermarket. The hotels charge at least 5 times that. Wi-fi is free too.
The location as mentioned by others is a little unusual on arrival - it is not Beverley Hills - but this is Egypt and it is totally safe and hassle free to walk around.
The building itself from the outside doesn't look special but once you walk through the door you see it is more boutique hotel than guesthouse. Beautiful decor.
Mara greeted us and treated us like we were old friends. She gave us great attention and answered all our questions in a very knowledgeable and helpful manner. The rooms are in fact apartments - very spacious and comfortable with separate living room and balcony.
The staff are extremely attentive - even came to the phone shop with us to help us through the burocracy of buying an Egyptian SIM card. The day after we arrived Mara went to Ireland to visit family but her staff kept up the same level of service.
We took two tours organised by Mara. At first I thought the prices a little high but as I said before - with Mara there are no hidden extras. All the entry fees to temples and tombs (which are not cheap!) are included. Most of what you are paying is to cover these fees. The drivers are courteous and the guides knowledgeable and the most important thing for us is that unlike most guides all over the world they don't take you to shops.
Mara also has a folder of useful information and recommendations which cover most things you would want to know. Her restaurant recommendations were spot on. Whenever you need to go anywhere she will organise a taxi within 10 minutes at a fixed reasonable price. She or her manager are always at the other end of the phone to send a taxi to pick you up.
Her restaurant isn't open every night - seems to depend on the number of guests. But she will let you know if it is going to be open. Don't miss it. It is an incredible feast. Don't eat too much during the day so that you have a good appetite for this banquet. And the restaurant itself has beautiful decor.
Once you leave the oasis of Mara House and venture into the touristy neighbourhoods Luxor is a total hassle. Everybody is on the make and they are annoyingly persistent. Understandable at one of the worlds top tourist attractions in such a poor place.
Mara also has 2 self-catering apartments in downtown Cairo where we are staying now. A very different experience from Mara House but it is perfect for us. She organises tours and transfers here in Cairo as well.
Even though she has now gone to Ireland she keeps her Egyptian phone switched on in case we need anything. Saved our lives the other night when we needed to know where we could buy some cold beer.
Thank you so much for everything Mara. Go raibh maith agat! Shokran. You are a great reason for us to return to Egypt."
See More
- Mara House Luxor – your home away from home
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Photos of Our Suites – Take a look at the rooms you’ll call home.
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Mara House Guest Gallery – Faces and memories from over the years.
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Salahadeen Restaurant & Feast – The story behind our restaurant and its exclusive menu.
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(Coming Soon: Photo Journal of Mara House – from the first brick to today.)