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.
Take your tours through Mara House!
"I recently came back from an amazing trip to Egypt. In my research of things to do and sites to see, I came across Mara's website and found it to be extremely helpful. We (group of 6) decided to travel by sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor and stay three days there. Mara, via email prior to the trip, helped us decide which tours to take on which days based on our itinerary.
We ended up doing the West Bank tour on the day we arrived...Mara House was at the train platform waiting for us when our train pulled up. They took us to our hostel, allowed us to put our luggage away and then headed out for an amazing tour of the West Bank. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and patient (with a group of 6 all wanting to see and do different things, this is a necessary skill).
We also did a tour of Abydos and Dendara with Mara House, neither of which were on my radar screen prior to my discussions with Mara and both of which were absolutely incredible and among the highlights of our trip.
I also feel the need to mention that a couple of people in my group got sucked in by a "guide" in Cairo who was obviously more interested in getting commission than anything else, and he attempted to change our entire itinerary around (and succeeded with two of us).
The guide even took it upon himself to contact Mara to cancel our tours...she was wise enough to ask to speak to me to confirm the changes, which of course I did not confirm, and she advised me to speak to my group privately to make sure we understood what the guide was doing. I took her advice, and needless to say, 4 of us ended up "firing" him and continuing along with the initial plans. The 2 of us that chose to follow his lead ended up being stood up for 2 tours in Aswan (which they had paid for in advance) and were generally disappointed with their experience. They also missed our wonderful trip to Abydos and Dendara, and without us even asking, Mara issued a refund for them.
So if all the above doesn't convince you that Mara House is the best, then I guess you're on your own. Happy travels. :)"
"I recently came back from an amazing trip to Egypt. In my research of things to do and sites to see, I came across Mara's website and found it to be extremely helpful. We (group of 6) decided to travel by sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor and stay three days there. Mara, via email prior to the trip, helped us decide which tours to take on which days based on our itinerary.
We ended up doing the West Bank tour on the day we arrived...Mara House was at the train platform waiting for us when our train pulled up. They took us to our hostel, allowed us to put our luggage away and then headed out for an amazing tour of the West Bank. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and patient (with a group of 6 all wanting to see and do different things, this is a necessary skill).
We also did a tour of Abydos and Dendara with Mara House, neither of which were on my radar screen prior to my discussions with Mara and both of which were absolutely incredible and among the highlights of our trip.
I also feel the need to mention that a couple of people in my group got sucked in by a "guide" in Cairo who was obviously more interested in getting commission than anything else, and he attempted to change our entire itinerary around (and succeeded with two of us).
The guide even took it upon himself to contact Mara to cancel our tours...she was wise enough to ask to speak to me to confirm the changes, which of course I did not confirm, and she advised me to speak to my group privately to make sure we understood what the guide was doing. I took her advice, and needless to say, 4 of us ended up "firing" him and continuing along with the initial plans. The 2 of us that chose to follow his lead ended up being stood up for 2 tours in Aswan (which they had paid for in advance) and were generally disappointed with their experience. They also missed our wonderful trip to Abydos and Dendara, and without us even asking, Mara issued a refund for them.
So if all the above doesn't convince you that Mara House is the best, then I guess you're on your own. Happy travels. :)"
My wife and I visited Egypt for 2 wks in March 2012. I would return in a heartbeat. We North Americans always ask, "Is it safe?" My goodness, all you see is waves & smiles! Yes, the people are on very bad times now from lack of tourists so NOW is the time to visit this wonderful country and have it practically to yourself when you visit sights. Plus, your dollar goes a l-o-n-g way in Egypt.
We had the good fortune to stay 3 nights at Mara House in Egypt. Our host was Amr, a wonderful spirit who couldn't do enough for us. He took us shopping at the souk, arranged cabs, recommended restaurants. Ask him to bring a hibiscus tea to the rooftop garden so you can hear the street sounds below....that was a nice evening.
Our Room 2 was very spacious with several sitting areas, good furnishings, a comfy bed, a strong shower, and a stocked fridge (including wine). Excellent.
I'd brought hair braids & coloured pens for the kids we'd meet along the way. What a hit for them...yet it's such a small easy thing for us to do. Make a personal connection, one person to another, when the world is so desperate for a good healing.
If you're looking for a vacation where you can learn, be dumbstruck by ancient sights, and enjoy the people, GO TO EGYPT and for icing on the cake, stay at MARA HOUSE!
We had the good fortune to stay 3 nights at Mara House in Egypt. Our host was Amr, a wonderful spirit who couldn't do enough for us. He took us shopping at the souk, arranged cabs, recommended restaurants. Ask him to bring a hibiscus tea to the rooftop garden so you can hear the street sounds below....that was a nice evening.
Our Room 2 was very spacious with several sitting areas, good furnishings, a comfy bed, a strong shower, and a stocked fridge (including wine). Excellent.
I'd brought hair braids & coloured pens for the kids we'd meet along the way. What a hit for them...yet it's such a small easy thing for us to do. Make a personal connection, one person to another, when the world is so desperate for a good healing.
If you're looking for a vacation where you can learn, be dumbstruck by ancient sights, and enjoy the people, GO TO EGYPT and for icing on the cake, stay at MARA HOUSE!
Many thanks
"Mara is the most helpful people you will find if you want to do a trip to Luxor. She knows her job and does it with a great pleasure and you feel it at your first email exchange.
The place is well located and we enjoyed walking until the Corniche and the Nile. The aera where she is located is full of kind popular Egytians and they welcome you without end.
Her hotel is well done and in an islamic style which is beautiful and more interesting than the standard furniture of big chains...
Enjoy it like we did...
François."
"Mara is the most helpful people you will find if you want to do a trip to Luxor. She knows her job and does it with a great pleasure and you feel it at your first email exchange.
The place is well located and we enjoyed walking until the Corniche and the Nile. The aera where she is located is full of kind popular Egytians and they welcome you without end.
Her hotel is well done and in an islamic style which is beautiful and more interesting than the standard furniture of big chains...
Enjoy it like we did...
François."
Home from home !
"We didn't stay there for long enough, but we hope to return one day !
Mara was so helpful to us in any number of ways, as well as offering a lovely hotel with a top class welcome. The staff, all locals, were most obliging and helpful, and we were very comfortable and happy there. This is the place to go to get the low-down on life in Luxor, and Egypt more generally. Nothing can quite match the local knowledge of a Westerner who has spent years getting to know the ins and outs of the country and its people, and yet also understands the needs of a non-Egyptian !
We ate the marvellous Sahaladeen feast in the beautiful and newly-reopened restaurant, which was a delight to the senses, and is heartily recommended."
"We didn't stay there for long enough, but we hope to return one day !
Mara was so helpful to us in any number of ways, as well as offering a lovely hotel with a top class welcome. The staff, all locals, were most obliging and helpful, and we were very comfortable and happy there. This is the place to go to get the low-down on life in Luxor, and Egypt more generally. Nothing can quite match the local knowledge of a Westerner who has spent years getting to know the ins and outs of the country and its people, and yet also understands the needs of a non-Egyptian !
We ate the marvellous Sahaladeen feast in the beautiful and newly-reopened restaurant, which was a delight to the senses, and is heartily recommended."
Mara House: A real good deal
"After staying 3 days in Cairo, we headed to Luxor because we booked the Meritaten package at Mara House, which included 3 nights, tours every day of our stay and free breakfast.
Since the moment we arrived we felt welcome, we were offered complimentary tea and coffee through our stay. Mara took the time to tell us the story of how she built her business, which was awesome to hear and helped us appreciate her place so much more.
Mara House is located in a typical residential area really close to the train station. We thought it was cool to stay with the locals, plus they were friendly and greeted us, and even gave us directions back to Mara's House when we got a little lost.
At Mara's they gave us our own key to our little apartment/suite. The place comes equipped with a kitchen, minibar, Tv, etc. They have free wi-fi (most places charge), just know that internet connection in Egypt is not that good. Mara was also very helpful in telling us how to get to places from our location, we walked everywhere and felt safe. The tours were well organized, on time, and worth every penny!
The house also has a restaurant, where we tried an egyptian feast for dinner, and the lounge/bar area is nice to just sit back and read a book. Staying with Mara was like staying with family and I'm really glad we found her. Thank you for making our trip to Luxor, unforgettable!"
"After staying 3 days in Cairo, we headed to Luxor because we booked the Meritaten package at Mara House, which included 3 nights, tours every day of our stay and free breakfast.
Since the moment we arrived we felt welcome, we were offered complimentary tea and coffee through our stay. Mara took the time to tell us the story of how she built her business, which was awesome to hear and helped us appreciate her place so much more.
Mara House is located in a typical residential area really close to the train station. We thought it was cool to stay with the locals, plus they were friendly and greeted us, and even gave us directions back to Mara's House when we got a little lost.
At Mara's they gave us our own key to our little apartment/suite. The place comes equipped with a kitchen, minibar, Tv, etc. They have free wi-fi (most places charge), just know that internet connection in Egypt is not that good. Mara was also very helpful in telling us how to get to places from our location, we walked everywhere and felt safe. The tours were well organized, on time, and worth every penny!
The house also has a restaurant, where we tried an egyptian feast for dinner, and the lounge/bar area is nice to just sit back and read a book. Staying with Mara was like staying with family and I'm really glad we found her. Thank you for making our trip to Luxor, unforgettable!"
We "like" Mara House
"Thanks to the previous reviewers on Trip Advisor, Mara House was exactly as I expected.
The hotel was the perfect place to host 3 Egyptian friends, and Mara was right there the entire time to make sure our stay in Luxor went well. In a very professional way, she helped me navigate about and arranged for us a tour of the West Bank. I needed transportation from Luxor to Sohag, and Mara took care of the details for that as well.
Her Salahadeen feast was well received. My friends were very comfortable and were as impressed as I. I highly recommend Mara House to the savy traveler."
"Thanks to the previous reviewers on Trip Advisor, Mara House was exactly as I expected.
The hotel was the perfect place to host 3 Egyptian friends, and Mara was right there the entire time to make sure our stay in Luxor went well. In a very professional way, she helped me navigate about and arranged for us a tour of the West Bank. I needed transportation from Luxor to Sohag, and Mara took care of the details for that as well.
Her Salahadeen feast was well received. My friends were very comfortable and were as impressed as I. I highly recommend Mara House to the savy traveler."
Salahadeen Restaurant
"Tolles Esseu, supter service, Agypten wie ich es liebe! Underbara matupplevelser! Fantastisk. Njutit varje gekund". - Katarina & Micha (Sweden/Germany) dined 20 Feb 2012.
"Tolles Esseu, supter service, Agypten wie ich es liebe! Underbara matupplevelser! Fantastisk. Njutit varje gekund". - Katarina & Micha (Sweden/Germany) dined 20 Feb 2012.
Salahadeen Restaurant
"I can't stop thanking all of you for making us feel at home. We enjoyed every bit of our stay from the delicious food, the cozy room, the good advice and the excellent service. This is a place that we will never forget, Mara. We wish you the besta and you deserve to be No. !! Gracias. Michael & Jeanne-Marie (Arizona) dined 18 Feb 2012.
"I can't stop thanking all of you for making us feel at home. We enjoyed every bit of our stay from the delicious food, the cozy room, the good advice and the excellent service. This is a place that we will never forget, Mara. We wish you the besta and you deserve to be No. !! Gracias. Michael & Jeanne-Marie (Arizona) dined 18 Feb 2012.
Salahadeen Restaurant
Thank you Mara and the staff!!! For everything and the Egyptian meal. We enjoyed it 🙂 Good luck with everyone! Maybe we will be back on day." - Ming & Kwan (Neatherlands) dined 18 Feb 2012
Thank you Mara and the staff!!! For everything and the Egyptian meal. We enjoyed it 🙂 Good luck with everyone! Maybe we will be back on day." - Ming & Kwan (Neatherlands) dined 18 Feb 2012
Mogg Morgan of Mandrake in Egypt
"There will be a longer account on my blog "Mandrake In Luxor" - so this is interim note - Mara Guest house suited me in everyway and I certainly will be returning, probably with a posse. I stayed in Luxor the entire week, visiting the sites but also some prospective authors on the West Bank (I'm a publisher). Despite all the "troubles" one hears of in the press - this must be one of the savest cities to walk around in at night. I crossed over to the west bank to visit my clients and came back late - no problem.
The guide books say this is hassle capital of Egypt - but that certainly isn't true. People in Salakhana are interested and friendly but that doesn't really translate into hassle. There are probably some dodgy types around near the rail station but nothing you wouldn't find in UK - beside the local traders have a vested interest in protecting tourists from hassle.
I'm not fond of big corporate hotels and prefer a more low key guest house - actually less hassle and in many ways more luxurious. One of the stars of Mara must be Amr, the manager but also secret cook. Apparently they stopped having a professional chef, as on a good day Amr is a real foodie. It was very quiet in Luxor and Mara's, so not too much going on, mainly just the breakfasts. On my last day Mara suggested I go chill out on the roof garden - they'd wakeme when it was time for my taxi. Next thing I know its 3 oclock and Amr says "I made you some nice soup" - what an underestimate that was!
I took my bags downstairs and chatted for my last 30mins. Another bowl of, this time marrow soup materialised - slight bitter aftertaste but delicious - especially good with the fresh pocket bread. I gotta go back on the promise of more culinary adventures. Mara's says Yarrow soup is therapeutic so I maybe needed the vitamins in that soup.
"Amr!" I said, "You can cook!"
There's more - all things permitting, you just got to go to Mara's."
"There will be a longer account on my blog "Mandrake In Luxor" - so this is interim note - Mara Guest house suited me in everyway and I certainly will be returning, probably with a posse. I stayed in Luxor the entire week, visiting the sites but also some prospective authors on the West Bank (I'm a publisher). Despite all the "troubles" one hears of in the press - this must be one of the savest cities to walk around in at night. I crossed over to the west bank to visit my clients and came back late - no problem.
The guide books say this is hassle capital of Egypt - but that certainly isn't true. People in Salakhana are interested and friendly but that doesn't really translate into hassle. There are probably some dodgy types around near the rail station but nothing you wouldn't find in UK - beside the local traders have a vested interest in protecting tourists from hassle.
I'm not fond of big corporate hotels and prefer a more low key guest house - actually less hassle and in many ways more luxurious. One of the stars of Mara must be Amr, the manager but also secret cook. Apparently they stopped having a professional chef, as on a good day Amr is a real foodie. It was very quiet in Luxor and Mara's, so not too much going on, mainly just the breakfasts. On my last day Mara suggested I go chill out on the roof garden - they'd wakeme when it was time for my taxi. Next thing I know its 3 oclock and Amr says "I made you some nice soup" - what an underestimate that was!
I took my bags downstairs and chatted for my last 30mins. Another bowl of, this time marrow soup materialised - slight bitter aftertaste but delicious - especially good with the fresh pocket bread. I gotta go back on the promise of more culinary adventures. Mara's says Yarrow soup is therapeutic so I maybe needed the vitamins in that soup.
"Amr!" I said, "You can cook!"
There's more - all things permitting, you just got to go to Mara's."
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.)