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
471 entries.
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
Mara House for a perfect holiday
"Mara House is a fantastic place to base yourself so as to explore the area
The rooms are clean tidy and tastefully decorated to an Egyptian theme
The place is very well managed by Ahmed and everyone is looked after by Amr who is a great cook when it comes to authentic Egyptian food
I was able to engage Mara to show me the sites and it was amazing to be able to tap into her knowledge of the Temples Tombs and general history of the country
The story's on the walls all made sense after Mara explained them and took you back in time
We cruised the Nile to Komb Ome Temple(don't miss the crocodiles)then onto Aswan
Phillea and Elephantine Islands by Felucca
Then by car to Edfu(Temple of Horus)and back to Luxor
Close by is Karnak and Luxor Temples
A day trip to the Valley of the Kings is special( King Tutenkarmen is back in his Tomb)
As is the highlight of the trip a day visiting the pristine Temples of Abydos/ The Osirion
And Dendera Temple while your there just stop and sit for awhile and feel the Magic of the place
Much thanks to the team at MARA HOUSE For a perfect holiday"
"Mara House is a fantastic place to base yourself so as to explore the area
The rooms are clean tidy and tastefully decorated to an Egyptian theme
The place is very well managed by Ahmed and everyone is looked after by Amr who is a great cook when it comes to authentic Egyptian food
I was able to engage Mara to show me the sites and it was amazing to be able to tap into her knowledge of the Temples Tombs and general history of the country
The story's on the walls all made sense after Mara explained them and took you back in time
We cruised the Nile to Komb Ome Temple(don't miss the crocodiles)then onto Aswan
Phillea and Elephantine Islands by Felucca
Then by car to Edfu(Temple of Horus)and back to Luxor
Close by is Karnak and Luxor Temples
A day trip to the Valley of the Kings is special( King Tutenkarmen is back in his Tomb)
As is the highlight of the trip a day visiting the pristine Temples of Abydos/ The Osirion
And Dendera Temple while your there just stop and sit for awhile and feel the Magic of the place
Much thanks to the team at MARA HOUSE For a perfect holiday"
Peaceful Oasis in Luxor
"You enter this lovely lodging through a very ornate entrance and immediately you feel the peace and tranquility of a beautifully decorated Egyptian home.
It was our first visit to Egypt and everything is so new and unfamiliar but Ahmed, our host,greeted us so warmly with offers of tea and conversation, that we felt relaxed and at home. Ahmed took such great care of us. He organized an excellent felucca ride for us and recommended an exceptionally good restaurant for us to dine at later. He made sure that the folks transferring us to our ship the next day knew exactly where to come to. He really couldn't do enough for us. Ahmed even went out of his way to help us but some gin! Not always easy to do in Egypt!
Mara House is lovingly maintained and as I have mentioned above,decorated with lovely Egyptian textiles which give it quite an exotic atmosphere. The rooftop deck is lovely anytime of day and wonderful at night to watch the stars from. The rooms are spotlessly clean and bright and contain all that you need for a comfortable stay including cold drinks. Mara House can arrange excellent to tours in Cairo too!
I also highly recommend that at anyone to travelling to Egypt for the first time read Marie's website. It is a goldmine of info. We found it so very helpful in everyway. Thanks Marie. Your operations are first class!"
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
"You enter this lovely lodging through a very ornate entrance and immediately you feel the peace and tranquility of a beautifully decorated Egyptian home.
It was our first visit to Egypt and everything is so new and unfamiliar but Ahmed, our host,greeted us so warmly with offers of tea and conversation, that we felt relaxed and at home. Ahmed took such great care of us. He organized an excellent felucca ride for us and recommended an exceptionally good restaurant for us to dine at later. He made sure that the folks transferring us to our ship the next day knew exactly where to come to. He really couldn't do enough for us. Ahmed even went out of his way to help us but some gin! Not always easy to do in Egypt!
Mara House is lovingly maintained and as I have mentioned above,decorated with lovely Egyptian textiles which give it quite an exotic atmosphere. The rooftop deck is lovely anytime of day and wonderful at night to watch the stars from. The rooms are spotlessly clean and bright and contain all that you need for a comfortable stay including cold drinks. Mara House can arrange excellent to tours in Cairo too!
I also highly recommend that at anyone to travelling to Egypt for the first time read Marie's website. It is a goldmine of info. We found it so very helpful in everyway. Thanks Marie. Your operations are first class!"
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Great Value, Awesome Hotel
"I just finished a 3 day stay at Mara House and I wanted to take the time to let others know about this incredible hotel. Nestled in a back road away from the normal tourist strip, Mara House provides a unique opportunity to live in an Egyptian residential neighborhood. It is easy to walk to surrounding attractions and restaurants, but when you walk back to the hotel, you're given a glimse of what life is like for locals. The room was clean, spacious and had hot water. The tours I took with Mara House were comprehensive and entertaining. The breakfast was pretty tasty too! Ahmed was an incredibly interesting person to talk to and made my stay easy!"
"I just finished a 3 day stay at Mara House and I wanted to take the time to let others know about this incredible hotel. Nestled in a back road away from the normal tourist strip, Mara House provides a unique opportunity to live in an Egyptian residential neighborhood. It is easy to walk to surrounding attractions and restaurants, but when you walk back to the hotel, you're given a glimse of what life is like for locals. The room was clean, spacious and had hot water. The tours I took with Mara House were comprehensive and entertaining. The breakfast was pretty tasty too! Ahmed was an incredibly interesting person to talk to and made my stay easy!"
Thanks for a Wondeful Visit
"I had a great visit to Mara House this April. The place itself was very comfortable and everyone extremely welcoming and helpful.
I had been looking forward to the 'feast' which sadly they weren't able to put on due to numbers, but to make up for it they prepared for me an individual home cooked Egyptian meal which was just delicious!
The tours were exceptional and the guide really brought the temples and tombs to life - I have never been so blown away by ancient sites anywhere else in the world.
I had been feeling quite daunted by the prospect of travel to Luxor, with its reputation for hassle and touts, but i didn't really feel any hassle at all during the whole stay, and this is all thanks to Mara and the team.
Thanks again!"
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
"I had a great visit to Mara House this April. The place itself was very comfortable and everyone extremely welcoming and helpful.
I had been looking forward to the 'feast' which sadly they weren't able to put on due to numbers, but to make up for it they prepared for me an individual home cooked Egyptian meal which was just delicious!
The tours were exceptional and the guide really brought the temples and tombs to life - I have never been so blown away by ancient sites anywhere else in the world.
I had been feeling quite daunted by the prospect of travel to Luxor, with its reputation for hassle and touts, but i didn't really feel any hassle at all during the whole stay, and this is all thanks to Mara and the team.
Thanks again!"
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
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.)