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
475 entries.
We'd like to thank and recommend Mara's services for providing a safe, solid, and unforgettable tour of the Giza Plateau, Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Khan-el Khalili, and the Islamic district of Cairo. Mara was very straightforward and accessible via email as we booked our last-minute tour and thank goodness we did because arranging visits to these amazing sites in Cairo is definitely challenging, even for the more experienced international traveler. Our guide, Manar, was just precious and is literally one of the most educated and kind tour guides we have EVER been paired with. She knows literally everything about Egyptian history and culture and we felt so safe and spoiled with her the entire time. We entered the tomb of Khufu's pyramid, saw the solar boat, Sphinx, and Valley Temple in the morning before the heat really set in. Our driver was very safe and efficient (Cairo traffic/driving is seriously overwhelming) and it was a newer air-conditioned Toyota minibus. We just loved Manar's tour of the Islamic district and Khan el-Khalili. Even if you consider yourself a more experienced international traveler, we highly recommend booking through Mara if you are visiting the sites in Cairo. I can honestly say we 100% would have encountered incredibly frustrating situations had we not been with our guide Manar. Now, we have amazing memories of our trip to Egypt without a single hassle! Thanks so much!
I've put off writing a review because I've been trying to think how to do justice to Mara House. Anyone who looks Luxor up online is bound to find the incredible resource that is Mara's website. There was never any question I was going to book my stay through her. But I wasn't prepared for how helpful and comprehensive a service Mara offers. She's full of information and tailors a trip to exactly what you want. I've never had a tourist experience quite like it. My stay and the tours in Luxor were exceptional (and the Egyptian breakfast was to die for).
But what I really want to recommend are the tours in Cairo. My two tour guides there were the best I've ever had anywhere. In fact, I enjoyed meeting them more than the amazing sites they took me to! Such sweet and interesting people. I only booked my Cairo tours through Mara as an afterthought, but they were the best decision I made, and the tours were the highlight of my time in Egypt.
But what I really want to recommend are the tours in Cairo. My two tour guides there were the best I've ever had anywhere. In fact, I enjoyed meeting them more than the amazing sites they took me to! Such sweet and interesting people. I only booked my Cairo tours through Mara as an afterthought, but they were the best decision I made, and the tours were the highlight of my time in Egypt.
Mara carefully organized every detail of our vacation, airport transfer, 3 tours, flucca picnic at the Nile & a calesh ride around town.
We also had 2 amazing dinners in their restaurant which is a must try!
Rooms are clean, large, suite sized.
Ahmed, the manager and Amr were extremely helpful. Mohamed, the tour guide is well knowledged.
Mara House is a small amazing place hidden outside the usual tourist area, a wonderful experience.
We also had 2 amazing dinners in their restaurant which is a must try!
Rooms are clean, large, suite sized.
Ahmed, the manager and Amr were extremely helpful. Mohamed, the tour guide is well knowledged.
Mara House is a small amazing place hidden outside the usual tourist area, a wonderful experience.
Not expecting 5 star but got it!
"This amazing old world style hotel has spacious suites, enchanting sitting rooms, free wifi and top quality, attentive staff. You can sunbake on the roof too!!!
I have had the best Egyptian food of my entire 2 week trip here - just sumptuous!
Mara also organized some great tours and the staff had really good suggestions for my days off there too.
Highly recommended and I will be staying there again when I return!"
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Date of stay: December 2015 Reviewed on TripAdvisor 2016
"This amazing old world style hotel has spacious suites, enchanting sitting rooms, free wifi and top quality, attentive staff. You can sunbake on the roof too!!!
I have had the best Egyptian food of my entire 2 week trip here - just sumptuous!
Mara also organized some great tours and the staff had really good suggestions for my days off there too.
Highly recommended and I will be staying there again when I return!"
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Date of stay: December 2015 Reviewed on TripAdvisor 2016
For sophisticated travelers who are looking for a unique and exclusive visit to Luxor, this is the perfect place to stay. From the prompt and friendly emails with Mara who arranged everything, to Amr and Ahmed who looked after the two of us in person and were so attentive and kind. It was a seamless and enjoyable visit to Egypt.
Mohamed is an exceptionally knowledgeable egyptologist and communicates wonderfully in idiomatic English. Mahmoud negotiated the daunting Egyptian roads with calm aplomb. We would also say that we felt completely adopted by the staff within minutes of arrival and you can't really put a price on that feeling.
We will definitely recommend Mara House to any fellow travelers to Luxor.
Mohamed is an exceptionally knowledgeable egyptologist and communicates wonderfully in idiomatic English. Mahmoud negotiated the daunting Egyptian roads with calm aplomb. We would also say that we felt completely adopted by the staff within minutes of arrival and you can't really put a price on that feeling.
We will definitely recommend Mara House to any fellow travelers to Luxor.
Big, clean rooms, excellent staff
"Room was large -- really a suite, with large bedroom + sitting room with couch and stocked mini-fridge. Very clean, beautifully decorated, even smelled nice. The two fellows on staff were excellent -- friendly, helpful, and always around if you needed them. Breakfast was good, with eggs, fruit, yogurt, and bread, and served at whatever time I asked for it. Just a lovely little place."
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
"Room was large -- really a suite, with large bedroom + sitting room with couch and stocked mini-fridge. Very clean, beautifully decorated, even smelled nice. The two fellows on staff were excellent -- friendly, helpful, and always around if you needed them. Breakfast was good, with eggs, fruit, yogurt, and bread, and served at whatever time I asked for it. Just a lovely little place."
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Wonderful stay
"Fantastic stay. Mara coordinated tours for us each day and Ahmed would be waiting at the door for us each evening. The team at the guest house was very attentive - actively asking if they could get us anything or do anything for us. One evening we were out a little longer that Ahmed expected and he called our carriage driver to make sure everything was okay - and of course he was waiting at the door for our return. We were pampered and well taken care of the entire time. Everything felt very authentic down to the room and the snacks in the room. Eat there at least one night so you can enjoy the authentic Egyptian cooking! Rooms were clean, not fancy, but well kept."
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
"Fantastic stay. Mara coordinated tours for us each day and Ahmed would be waiting at the door for us each evening. The team at the guest house was very attentive - actively asking if they could get us anything or do anything for us. One evening we were out a little longer that Ahmed expected and he called our carriage driver to make sure everything was okay - and of course he was waiting at the door for our return. We were pampered and well taken care of the entire time. Everything felt very authentic down to the room and the snacks in the room. Eat there at least one night so you can enjoy the authentic Egyptian cooking! Rooms were clean, not fancy, but well kept."
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Amazing!
"We (my husband and I) visited Mara house as part of our honeymoon.
A private taxi was organised from our hotel in Hurghda to Luxor for our two night stay. The driver was exceptional, as was the guide Mohammad. Mohammad's knowledge is second to none, he was also incredibly patient as a fair skinned girl from the north of Scotland I really struggled with the heat at times. He helped me fulfil a life long dream of visiting the valley of the Kings. He was also very helpful in learning the correct way to "haggle".
The Mara house Staff, Ahmed, and Armha provided us with a very warm (no pun intended) welcome, making us feel like we were at home away from home. The food Armha prepared for us was exceptional and with out a doubt thee best meal we had in Egypt. We will be recommending Mara house to our friends, and hope to return in the future."
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
"We (my husband and I) visited Mara house as part of our honeymoon.
A private taxi was organised from our hotel in Hurghda to Luxor for our two night stay. The driver was exceptional, as was the guide Mohammad. Mohammad's knowledge is second to none, he was also incredibly patient as a fair skinned girl from the north of Scotland I really struggled with the heat at times. He helped me fulfil a life long dream of visiting the valley of the Kings. He was also very helpful in learning the correct way to "haggle".
The Mara house Staff, Ahmed, and Armha provided us with a very warm (no pun intended) welcome, making us feel like we were at home away from home. The food Armha prepared for us was exceptional and with out a doubt thee best meal we had in Egypt. We will be recommending Mara house to our friends, and hope to return in the future."
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Helping to finish a 'bucket list' item!
"It had been a childhood dream to visit Egypt but so many things, especially at this time, seemed to say "Don't go!" However, after reading Mara's detailed and reassuring essays on every possible topic, I went. My goals were simple: see as many of Luxor's temples, relax, eat local food, learn about customs. With an efficient manager (Ahmed), awesome chef (Amir), knowledgeable guide (Mohammed), and safe driver (Mamout), I easily fulfilled my dream in safety and comfort. Thank you Mara, you have an amazing team."
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
"It had been a childhood dream to visit Egypt but so many things, especially at this time, seemed to say "Don't go!" However, after reading Mara's detailed and reassuring essays on every possible topic, I went. My goals were simple: see as many of Luxor's temples, relax, eat local food, learn about customs. With an efficient manager (Ahmed), awesome chef (Amir), knowledgeable guide (Mohammed), and safe driver (Mamout), I easily fulfilled my dream in safety and comfort. Thank you Mara, you have an amazing team."
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Great time, great service, awesome food, go now!
"Wow, what a great experience I had in Luxor with Mara House. The staff was incredible, the food they had was excellent. They even helped you with tipping advice, stomach bug issues, a great mini bar including local wine and arranging my tours and airport pickups.
Loved it there! In a time when tourism is down, it's great to support the local businesses. Check them out, they rock!"
Reviewed on Triipadvisor
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.)