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
"We had the most lovely time staying with Mara. I cannot recommend our time staying with her highly enough. Friendly and hospitable, charming, interesting, full of useful tips and recommendations both to Luxor and to surrounding sites. It was just the right type of personal attention. She built the house herself and the attention to detail is remarkable, from the gates she designed herself to the hand-picked Egyptian silks. She has everything you could need for a stay in Luxor - taxi numbers, shop recommendations, restaurant suggestions (if you don't eat with her - see below) and her own detailed guide to sites from her fascination with Egypt.
As to meals, breakfast was a simple and satisfying contintental spread served on a platter, but dinner was ultra-special. Her son oversees the evening kitchen, and most evenings they serve an Egyptian feast in their dedicated restaurant (about 10 - 15 dishes) - easily the best food we had our whole time in Egypt, and thoroughly to be recommended. I'm vegetarian (my boyfriend is not!) and neither of us had any difficulties whatsoever in selecting from amongst the 15 dishes. Think Lebanese/Greek/Turkish and you get the general idea.
As to the rooms, the room we stayed in was a small suite, albeit that we never used the sitting room and kitchenette area and only used the bedroom (the only room with aircon). I think all the rooms are small suites, but I'm not sure about that. What makes this place special is Mara, and if you're looking for the souless attention of a large chain 5* hotel, this place won't suit you. But if you're looking for a boutique-type experience that is for the independent traveller who doesn't particularly want the spa & Italian furnishings and likes the individuality of meeting owners (& who probably used to be a backpacker when they were in their early 20s!) this place is simply superb. It was my favourite place we stayed at in the whole of Egypt and I would thoroughly recommend it.
PS. Location; it's about 5 mins walk from the main railway station, and about 15 mins walk to Luxor Temple. Even shorter in a cab!"
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.)