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.
Cozy guesthouse in a fascinating place
"Mara House was a great place to stay with our 8-year-old twins. We had a “family apartment” – two bedrooms with a HUGE living room, so the kids could go to bed, and we could still stay up (and read guidebooks!). There was more than enough room for the kids to build their “tomb”, inspired by the sights, adorned with various purchases from the bazaar.
The rooms are decorated beautifully, and are welcoming to come back to. Mara and her staff are wonderful.
One of the many things we loved about Mara House is the fact that Mara will arrange a taxi/car to take you to any of the sights, at a quite cheap price (and you can get a boxed lunch, if you like). She truly does care that you have a good time, as opposed to getting one more dollar, which makes a huge difference. She’s also an amazing resource. We had a great time.
We really enjoyed the location. It was perfect for us – a 10-minute walk from Luxor Temple, but just a little bit off the beaten path, so you get a bit more of a sense of the “real Egypt”, but you are still quite, well, cosseted!
We also very much liked the roof terrace (especially with a drink from the mini-bar)!
Highly to be recommended!"
"Mara House was a great place to stay with our 8-year-old twins. We had a “family apartment” – two bedrooms with a HUGE living room, so the kids could go to bed, and we could still stay up (and read guidebooks!). There was more than enough room for the kids to build their “tomb”, inspired by the sights, adorned with various purchases from the bazaar.
The rooms are decorated beautifully, and are welcoming to come back to. Mara and her staff are wonderful.
One of the many things we loved about Mara House is the fact that Mara will arrange a taxi/car to take you to any of the sights, at a quite cheap price (and you can get a boxed lunch, if you like). She truly does care that you have a good time, as opposed to getting one more dollar, which makes a huge difference. She’s also an amazing resource. We had a great time.
We really enjoyed the location. It was perfect for us – a 10-minute walk from Luxor Temple, but just a little bit off the beaten path, so you get a bit more of a sense of the “real Egypt”, but you are still quite, well, cosseted!
We also very much liked the roof terrace (especially with a drink from the mini-bar)!
Highly to be recommended!"
Fabulous
"I booked this hotel as we like to get away from the 4 & 5 star hotels and find some local places with local knowledge. This is an amazing place down a small side street with the local kids running to greet you every time you step out an dall very freindly and not too much hassle. The rooms were enormous, very comfortable beautifully decirated and extremenly clean and well maintained. Plus lovely roof terrace.
Mara is extremely helpful, arranged for a taxi to collect us from the station, booked trips (the cost of which was added to the room bill saving our cash ) thoroughly recommend the balloon trip and star gazing. Nothing was too much trouble, would definitly stay there again and recommend to friends."
"I booked this hotel as we like to get away from the 4 & 5 star hotels and find some local places with local knowledge. This is an amazing place down a small side street with the local kids running to greet you every time you step out an dall very freindly and not too much hassle. The rooms were enormous, very comfortable beautifully decirated and extremenly clean and well maintained. Plus lovely roof terrace.
Mara is extremely helpful, arranged for a taxi to collect us from the station, booked trips (the cost of which was added to the room bill saving our cash ) thoroughly recommend the balloon trip and star gazing. Nothing was too much trouble, would definitly stay there again and recommend to friends."
A true taste of Egypt with Irish hospitality
"A warm welcome from the start. We were immediately made comfortable in our exotic and very spacious, comfortable rooms. Mara believes in the personal touch and gave us her full attention and the benefit of her vast experience in Luxor.
Meals other than breakfast (which my two boys - 13 and 11, loved) were not available but Mara suggested we could order a take out when we wanted and even did the ordering for us. Teas/coffees are available on request - a very civilised touch!
The staff at Mara House are helpful and friendly and not a bit solicitous (unlike so many other locals) which makes returning to Mara House each evening feel like coming home."
"A warm welcome from the start. We were immediately made comfortable in our exotic and very spacious, comfortable rooms. Mara believes in the personal touch and gave us her full attention and the benefit of her vast experience in Luxor.
Meals other than breakfast (which my two boys - 13 and 11, loved) were not available but Mara suggested we could order a take out when we wanted and even did the ordering for us. Teas/coffees are available on request - a very civilised touch!
The staff at Mara House are helpful and friendly and not a bit solicitous (unlike so many other locals) which makes returning to Mara House each evening feel like coming home."
Best place to stay in Luxor
"Tired of those big hotels with their endless boring corridors? Want to experience Luxor in a small, intimate setting? I know just the place for you - Mara House, which, incidentally, received the top rating for hotels in Luxor in 2010.
We have just returned from our second stay with Mara -- and once again have nothing but praise for her hospitality. The rooms are large, probably the largest you'll ever stay in. The staff is eager to make your stay a pleasant one, and when you enter Mara's front door you leave the hustle and bustle of Luxor behind you. You are immediately welcomed into the family, offered a cup of tea, excellent advice on sites to see, and a willingness to arrange for guides and transporation. In my opinion, there's no better place to stay in Luxor so make your reservations now.
Until we meet again, Mara. Libby and Ed"
"Tired of those big hotels with their endless boring corridors? Want to experience Luxor in a small, intimate setting? I know just the place for you - Mara House, which, incidentally, received the top rating for hotels in Luxor in 2010.
We have just returned from our second stay with Mara -- and once again have nothing but praise for her hospitality. The rooms are large, probably the largest you'll ever stay in. The staff is eager to make your stay a pleasant one, and when you enter Mara's front door you leave the hustle and bustle of Luxor behind you. You are immediately welcomed into the family, offered a cup of tea, excellent advice on sites to see, and a willingness to arrange for guides and transporation. In my opinion, there's no better place to stay in Luxor so make your reservations now.
Until we meet again, Mara. Libby and Ed"
A 5 star stay!!
"We stayed at Mara House for two nights at the beginning of our holiday in Egypt and it was by far the best hotel that we experienced on the trip (easily outclassing the supposed 5-star hotels and 5-star Nile cruise ship).
Mara was extremely helpful, both before we arrived and during our stay, arranging a driver to meet us at the airport and providing advice on the best things to do and excellent local knowledge.
We enjoyed our stay that much. that we tried to book another couple of nights on our return from Aswan, but sadly Mara House was full."
A Unique and Wonderful Place to Stay in Luxor!!
"We had a great stay at Mara House in December 2010. The rooms are large and beautifully decorated, and Mara is a wealth of information about all of the Luxor sites and Egypt in general, not to mention restaurants, medicines for upset stomachs and, above all, honest guides and drivers, which was a welcome relief, as it is very easy to get taken advantage of in Egypt. We've stayed in plenty of 5-star hotels that didn't hold a candle to the value and service we got at Mara House. We recommend it enthusiastically !!!"
"We had a great stay at Mara House in December 2010. The rooms are large and beautifully decorated, and Mara is a wealth of information about all of the Luxor sites and Egypt in general, not to mention restaurants, medicines for upset stomachs and, above all, honest guides and drivers, which was a welcome relief, as it is very easy to get taken advantage of in Egypt. We've stayed in plenty of 5-star hotels that didn't hold a candle to the value and service we got at Mara House. We recommend it enthusiastically !!!"
It is wonderful staying with someone who knows Luxor as well as Mara
"Mara's House in Luxor provided a perfect base for our family to enjoy the marvellous and intriguing city of Luxor. Mara offered us excellent and frank advice regarding how to plan our days to get the most out of our holiday, and organised a wonderful guide for us. The room was very clean and all the staff were exceedingly pleasant. Mara was also extremely accommodating when one of our party was unable to attend the trip at the last minute. I would recommend this accommodation without hesitation and wish Mara and Steve all the best with their endeavours in the future."
"Mara's House in Luxor provided a perfect base for our family to enjoy the marvellous and intriguing city of Luxor. Mara offered us excellent and frank advice regarding how to plan our days to get the most out of our holiday, and organised a wonderful guide for us. The room was very clean and all the staff were exceedingly pleasant. Mara was also extremely accommodating when one of our party was unable to attend the trip at the last minute. I would recommend this accommodation without hesitation and wish Mara and Steve all the best with their endeavours in the future."
Thanks Mara for making us feel at home.
"My wife and I visited Luxor last September. One of the highlights of our trip to Egypt was our stay at Mara House. Luxor itself is an extraordinary place to visit, however, the heat, the dust, tummy troubles, Egyptian driving, etc. can wear you down. Mara House was an oasis in a beautifully restored building. Our room was large, clean and very comfortable. A mini fridge was always stocked with water, beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks at reasonable prices. We were well rested and well informed while at Mara House. Mara and her staff seem to really care about their guests. In fact, Mara is one of those rare people that you meet while traveling that becomes a memorable part of your trip.
The restaurant wasn't operating while we were there unfortunately.
There are no amenities like swimming pool, internet, gym, etc. So, if you need those things, this isn't the place. Also, it's located on a residential street, somewhat behind the train station, so it is not a convenient location but it is accessible to all attractions."
"My wife and I visited Luxor last September. One of the highlights of our trip to Egypt was our stay at Mara House. Luxor itself is an extraordinary place to visit, however, the heat, the dust, tummy troubles, Egyptian driving, etc. can wear you down. Mara House was an oasis in a beautifully restored building. Our room was large, clean and very comfortable. A mini fridge was always stocked with water, beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks at reasonable prices. We were well rested and well informed while at Mara House. Mara and her staff seem to really care about their guests. In fact, Mara is one of those rare people that you meet while traveling that becomes a memorable part of your trip.
The restaurant wasn't operating while we were there unfortunately.
There are no amenities like swimming pool, internet, gym, etc. So, if you need those things, this isn't the place. Also, it's located on a residential street, somewhat behind the train station, so it is not a convenient location but it is accessible to all attractions."
Outstanding!
"Following the excellent reviews, I decided to book a room for 2 nights during the Xmas break. I travelled with my wife and my sons aged 24, 21 and 16.
What we got was beyond our expectations. First Mara is such a nice person always available to advise her customers on how to make the most of Luxor and its surroundings. We did the tour to Abydos and Dendera and that was worth the long drive. One of my sons suffered from a stomach bug and Mara gave him the tablets to cure his problem. Her staff is very helpful too.
As far as the room is concerned it was more like a flat with 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge and a dining area. There was as well a fridge and a sink. After a long day out we could relax on the roof terrace which offers a fantastic view of Luxor especially at night. Breakfast which offers Egyptan products was great. As far as the location is concerned I was pleased Mara House is located in a residential area. It's only a 10 min walk from the train station and while walking you come to see the real Egyptian way of life with the different workshops (mechanics, baker, laundry etc..) set in the streets.
The people are very friendly and we didn't come across a single person begging for money. It's a very safe environment. So a fantastic experience and we will come back to Mara House to do the West bank Tour with Mara's guide."
"Following the excellent reviews, I decided to book a room for 2 nights during the Xmas break. I travelled with my wife and my sons aged 24, 21 and 16.
What we got was beyond our expectations. First Mara is such a nice person always available to advise her customers on how to make the most of Luxor and its surroundings. We did the tour to Abydos and Dendera and that was worth the long drive. One of my sons suffered from a stomach bug and Mara gave him the tablets to cure his problem. Her staff is very helpful too.
As far as the room is concerned it was more like a flat with 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge and a dining area. There was as well a fridge and a sink. After a long day out we could relax on the roof terrace which offers a fantastic view of Luxor especially at night. Breakfast which offers Egyptan products was great. As far as the location is concerned I was pleased Mara House is located in a residential area. It's only a 10 min walk from the train station and while walking you come to see the real Egyptian way of life with the different workshops (mechanics, baker, laundry etc..) set in the streets.
The people are very friendly and we didn't come across a single person begging for money. It's a very safe environment. So a fantastic experience and we will come back to Mara House to do the West bank Tour with Mara's guide."
Best place we have stayed in Africa and the Middle East
"Mara House is almost too good to be true! Mara is a fantastic, warm, helpful host that makes you feel at home and looked after. Mara house is clean and new and lovely. The rooms are huge and spotless with a kitchenette. They also have balconies and a clothesline (so useful for a traveller!!). The attention to detail at Mara House is amazing, the breakfast is great, tours are of a very high quality and reccomendations are spot on. We leave wishing we had booked more than two nights here."
"Mara House is almost too good to be true! Mara is a fantastic, warm, helpful host that makes you feel at home and looked after. Mara house is clean and new and lovely. The rooms are huge and spotless with a kitchenette. They also have balconies and a clothesline (so useful for a traveller!!). The attention to detail at Mara House is amazing, the breakfast is great, tours are of a very high quality and reccomendations are spot on. We leave wishing we had booked more than two nights here."
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.)