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.
Exceptional service
"We really enjoyed our stay at Mara House. The rooms are a great size, we had a good sleep each night as it's very quiet and it's brilliant value for money. In terms of location we really liked being out of the main tourist area and found it to be a really easy walk to the station (allowing us to see where the locals live) and on then on to some of the sights in Luxor but if you need to go further, taxis are cheap.
Our travel requirements were a little different to most as we were traveling with our 4 month old son. Mara gave us great advice on tours and how to get about and see things that were suitable to do with a baby. She was so helpful when we arrived and throughout our stay, organising delivery of meals on a couple of nights so we could stay in and our baby could sleep, as well as giving us a kettle to use in the room for boiling water/sterilising bottles etc. and having our breakfast brought up to our room on one day when our baby was having a nap. The information book Mara gave us on arrival is full of great information to make your stay in Luxor (and Egypt overall) as easy and enjoyable as possible. We thought the tour we booked through Mara (to Abydos and Dendara) was very reasonably priced and it give us peace of mind as we are aware of the scams that can face tourists booking tours in Egypt.
Mara offers a level of service that is really exceptional and this made our stay in Luxor, and Egypt in general, very memorable. Whenever we returned to Mara House, Mara was there offering a tea or coffee which was promptly brought to our room. Mara even offered to be available over the phone if we needed any advice when we were in Cairo. I would have no hesitation recommending Mara House to anyone but it would particularly suit people who want to avoid the homogeneous experience you get in a bigger hotel."
"We really enjoyed our stay at Mara House. The rooms are a great size, we had a good sleep each night as it's very quiet and it's brilliant value for money. In terms of location we really liked being out of the main tourist area and found it to be a really easy walk to the station (allowing us to see where the locals live) and on then on to some of the sights in Luxor but if you need to go further, taxis are cheap.
Our travel requirements were a little different to most as we were traveling with our 4 month old son. Mara gave us great advice on tours and how to get about and see things that were suitable to do with a baby. She was so helpful when we arrived and throughout our stay, organising delivery of meals on a couple of nights so we could stay in and our baby could sleep, as well as giving us a kettle to use in the room for boiling water/sterilising bottles etc. and having our breakfast brought up to our room on one day when our baby was having a nap. The information book Mara gave us on arrival is full of great information to make your stay in Luxor (and Egypt overall) as easy and enjoyable as possible. We thought the tour we booked through Mara (to Abydos and Dendara) was very reasonably priced and it give us peace of mind as we are aware of the scams that can face tourists booking tours in Egypt.
Mara offers a level of service that is really exceptional and this made our stay in Luxor, and Egypt in general, very memorable. Whenever we returned to Mara House, Mara was there offering a tea or coffee which was promptly brought to our room. Mara even offered to be available over the phone if we needed any advice when we were in Cairo. I would have no hesitation recommending Mara House to anyone but it would particularly suit people who want to avoid the homogeneous experience you get in a bigger hotel."
Smart choice in Luxor
"A bit far from the town center, but if you don't mind a little walk in dusty but lively roads and you are ready to repeat your name to a thousand kids on the way, then it's a great choice for your stay in Luxor.
The hotel is extremely clean and confortable. Our room was a real apartment (even bigger than our house in Italy). Overall the feeling of a 4-5 stars hotel, but with the warm welcome and the helpful suggestions Mara gave us every time we needed them.
Warm, clean, perfectly managed and friendly, when we most needed it."
"A bit far from the town center, but if you don't mind a little walk in dusty but lively roads and you are ready to repeat your name to a thousand kids on the way, then it's a great choice for your stay in Luxor.
The hotel is extremely clean and confortable. Our room was a real apartment (even bigger than our house in Italy). Overall the feeling of a 4-5 stars hotel, but with the warm welcome and the helpful suggestions Mara gave us every time we needed them.
Warm, clean, perfectly managed and friendly, when we most needed it."
Great value place to stay
"We had an apartment at Mara House for two nights. It was comfortable, spacious and beautifully furnished. We really felt that we had arrived at somewhere special. The price was less per person than we would spend on most B&B's in the UK. It was also nice and quiet at night despite being quite close to the centre of Luxor, very convenient for the train station.
Mara was very helpful and arranged teas, taxis and trips, as well as a special dinner of Egyptian dishes that was served in our room. The minibar was very well stocked with reasonably priced drinks."
"We had an apartment at Mara House for two nights. It was comfortable, spacious and beautifully furnished. We really felt that we had arrived at somewhere special. The price was less per person than we would spend on most B&B's in the UK. It was also nice and quiet at night despite being quite close to the centre of Luxor, very convenient for the train station.
Mara was very helpful and arranged teas, taxis and trips, as well as a special dinner of Egyptian dishes that was served in our room. The minibar was very well stocked with reasonably priced drinks."
Exceeded our expectations
"We stayed at the Mara House for six nights in November. Having read all the fantastic reviews we wondered if the Mara House would live up to our expectations. It did in every way. The rooms were large, spotless, well decorated and very comfortable. The beds great.
We really appreciated the stocked refrigerator (at reasonable prices). It was wonderful to return after a long day of touring and not have to lug back water, drinks and snacks.
Mara and her staff were great. We really appreciated that we could fully trust and rely on Mara’s advice, the Mara House drivers and tours (with no detours for shopping). Mara’s map got us oriented and kept us from getting lost. Her restaurant suggestions were fantastic.
Our only disappointment was that the restaurant was closed for remodeling during our stay.
Just a note: the Mara House is in a residential/small business neighborhood. As tourists we were obvious “outsiders.” But except for the children wanting to talk to us, no one took much notice of us (actually nice after running into one tout after another on the corniche). Further, we had zero safety concerns.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and were very happy that we hadn’t chosen the cocooned artificial reality of the chain hotel. Our experience of Luxor would have been very different if we had and not nearly as memorable.
As a last note we also stayed in the Mara House Apartments in Cairo and have a great time there as well."
"We stayed at the Mara House for six nights in November. Having read all the fantastic reviews we wondered if the Mara House would live up to our expectations. It did in every way. The rooms were large, spotless, well decorated and very comfortable. The beds great.
We really appreciated the stocked refrigerator (at reasonable prices). It was wonderful to return after a long day of touring and not have to lug back water, drinks and snacks.
Mara and her staff were great. We really appreciated that we could fully trust and rely on Mara’s advice, the Mara House drivers and tours (with no detours for shopping). Mara’s map got us oriented and kept us from getting lost. Her restaurant suggestions were fantastic.
Our only disappointment was that the restaurant was closed for remodeling during our stay.
Just a note: the Mara House is in a residential/small business neighborhood. As tourists we were obvious “outsiders.” But except for the children wanting to talk to us, no one took much notice of us (actually nice after running into one tout after another on the corniche). Further, we had zero safety concerns.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and were very happy that we hadn’t chosen the cocooned artificial reality of the chain hotel. Our experience of Luxor would have been very different if we had and not nearly as memorable.
As a last note we also stayed in the Mara House Apartments in Cairo and have a great time there as well."
Warm, welcoming, a familiar face
"We arrived at Mara's house and immediately felt relaxed. It's a lovely house and the suite was so beautifully clean and furnished.
Mara was a welcomed relief - nothing against Egyptians but it is nice to communicate with a someone also from your neck of the woods (Irish) as there is no language barrier or feeling of being sold something.
We appreciated Mara's advice on our day of exploring. And take away menus! as we arrived very late!
She provides an exceptional service. I want to go back to Luxor and stay a week to really explore and would definitely look at going back to Mara's.
Top Tip - bring ear plugs - that call to prayer at 5ish am - it way too early for my liking!"
"We arrived at Mara's house and immediately felt relaxed. It's a lovely house and the suite was so beautifully clean and furnished.
Mara was a welcomed relief - nothing against Egyptians but it is nice to communicate with a someone also from your neck of the woods (Irish) as there is no language barrier or feeling of being sold something.
We appreciated Mara's advice on our day of exploring. And take away menus! as we arrived very late!
She provides an exceptional service. I want to go back to Luxor and stay a week to really explore and would definitely look at going back to Mara's.
Top Tip - bring ear plugs - that call to prayer at 5ish am - it way too early for my liking!"
A fantastic experience - Thank you Mara!
"Staying at Mara House was a fantastic experience. We travelled to Egypt with our two daughters, aged 7 and 9. Our suite at Mara House was charming and you could see that a lot of love, care and attention to detail was exercised in the building and decoration. Family accommodation in Luxor is limited and this was a great find. Set in a friendly neighbourhood and close enough to walk to the station, the town, Luxor Temple and the Nile. The personal service and Mara’s orientation of Luxor and the vicinity insured that we maximised our limited time there. All of the staff were welcoming and made us feel right at home. The breakfast was great too! I would recommend Mara’s without a doubt!"
"Staying at Mara House was a fantastic experience. We travelled to Egypt with our two daughters, aged 7 and 9. Our suite at Mara House was charming and you could see that a lot of love, care and attention to detail was exercised in the building and decoration. Family accommodation in Luxor is limited and this was a great find. Set in a friendly neighbourhood and close enough to walk to the station, the town, Luxor Temple and the Nile. The personal service and Mara’s orientation of Luxor and the vicinity insured that we maximised our limited time there. All of the staff were welcoming and made us feel right at home. The breakfast was great too! I would recommend Mara’s without a doubt!"
A warm welcome and a haven after intensive sightseeing
"As others have said before, Mara is a wonderful hostess in Luxor - full of great tips on how to get the most out of your trip to the Nile Valley. We were very glad to have found her accommodation and found all her advice reliable and helpful."
"As others have said before, Mara is a wonderful hostess in Luxor - full of great tips on how to get the most out of your trip to the Nile Valley. We were very glad to have found her accommodation and found all her advice reliable and helpful."
A home away from home!
"I traveled to Egypt recently with my two eldest (13 yo girl and 11 yo boy..) Our timetable did not permit us to take a tour and I was a bit daunted by all the arrangements that I needed to make to see the sites (even though I am a lonely planet fan and have been to Egypt before). In addition, standard hotel rooms are not great for our traveling configuration. I came across Mara House on Trip Advisor and shot off an email to Mara.
I received a reply very quickly and called her to make arrangements. She arranged all transfers as well as guides. In addition, she made suggestions (that turned out to be fantastic) about what and how to see things in Luxor.
We arrived late in the evening from Cairo and she was there to greet us. The rooms were amazing - clean and very comfortable. The service was impeccable [I made the mistake of leaving dirty clothes in a pile and they were taken away, washed and pressed gratis!] and breakfasts were very tasty.
Mara was a pleasure to talk to, and her knowledge of Luxor is fantastic. She also took time to talk to my kids and found out what they enjoyed, how their day was etc.
I would heartily recommend Mara to anyone who is traveling to Luxor, and I would go back in a heartbeat. My one regret is that I could not find anyone comparable in Cairo!"
"I traveled to Egypt recently with my two eldest (13 yo girl and 11 yo boy..) Our timetable did not permit us to take a tour and I was a bit daunted by all the arrangements that I needed to make to see the sites (even though I am a lonely planet fan and have been to Egypt before). In addition, standard hotel rooms are not great for our traveling configuration. I came across Mara House on Trip Advisor and shot off an email to Mara.
I received a reply very quickly and called her to make arrangements. She arranged all transfers as well as guides. In addition, she made suggestions (that turned out to be fantastic) about what and how to see things in Luxor.
We arrived late in the evening from Cairo and she was there to greet us. The rooms were amazing - clean and very comfortable. The service was impeccable [I made the mistake of leaving dirty clothes in a pile and they were taken away, washed and pressed gratis!] and breakfasts were very tasty.
Mara was a pleasure to talk to, and her knowledge of Luxor is fantastic. She also took time to talk to my kids and found out what they enjoyed, how their day was etc.
I would heartily recommend Mara to anyone who is traveling to Luxor, and I would go back in a heartbeat. My one regret is that I could not find anyone comparable in Cairo!"
It's all true!
"We had read many positive reviews on the Mara House and it is all true. Mara is a gem. The house is beautifully decorated in the Egyptian style and with antique furniture.
Mara herself was very hospitable, as were her staff. You aren’t bothered by incessant tipping of the staff as you just leave a tip at the end in the ornate tip box in the lobby.
We availed ourselves of a number of Mara’s tours. Our guide was Ibrahim who is an accomplished Egyptologist and outstanding guide. Mara was able to arrange for a Hod-Hod Soliman hot-air balloon ride for us and managed to dovetail that into the regular tour to the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the workers and Hatsupshet’s temple the same day (along with the Ramses II temple and Collosi Memnon).
Mara provides travel tips for her guests, including recommended restaurants, exchange banks with the best rates, maps for walking, etc. No stone is left unturned.
Breakfast is provided in the dining room each morning and is adequate. It could use some variety as the breakfast was the same every day of our stay.
Mara is a wealth of information on Egypt and Luxor and is fun to talk to about Ireland as well.
A stay at Mara House is a memorable experience!"
"We had read many positive reviews on the Mara House and it is all true. Mara is a gem. The house is beautifully decorated in the Egyptian style and with antique furniture.
Mara herself was very hospitable, as were her staff. You aren’t bothered by incessant tipping of the staff as you just leave a tip at the end in the ornate tip box in the lobby.
We availed ourselves of a number of Mara’s tours. Our guide was Ibrahim who is an accomplished Egyptologist and outstanding guide. Mara was able to arrange for a Hod-Hod Soliman hot-air balloon ride for us and managed to dovetail that into the regular tour to the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the workers and Hatsupshet’s temple the same day (along with the Ramses II temple and Collosi Memnon).
Mara provides travel tips for her guests, including recommended restaurants, exchange banks with the best rates, maps for walking, etc. No stone is left unturned.
Breakfast is provided in the dining room each morning and is adequate. It could use some variety as the breakfast was the same every day of our stay.
Mara is a wealth of information on Egypt and Luxor and is fun to talk to about Ireland as well.
A stay at Mara House is a memorable experience!"
More than just a Guesthouse
"Mara's readily given help & advice makes this more than just a nice place to stop - it is also a place to get assistance in arranging onward travel. We arrived in Luxor, and our only concrete plan was to fly out of Aswan four days later.
Immediately upon arrival, Mara sat us down and went through our options with us, and within an hour and a half we'd settled on an itinerary that allowed us to take in as much as possible. Through her connections we managed to get on a cruise at the last minute, and on her advice, managed to sort some cheap return flights to Abu Simbel. I'd emphasize that Mara did not put together a package for us (the onus was always on us to finalise arrangements), but as independent travellers, her advice was absolutely invaluable. On the basis of our discussion with her, we ended up leaving the next day, so it's clear she doesn't let her own commercial interests get in the way of providing her customers with the best advice.
The place is spotless, the staff are friendly and helpful, and there's a great restaurant. One thing I'd recommend to other travellers is to pay attention when venturing out from Mara House for the first time. In the event you are walking back or have the misfortune to have a taxi driver who hasn't heard of the place, it can be hard to find the place unless you took note of its location."
"Mara's readily given help & advice makes this more than just a nice place to stop - it is also a place to get assistance in arranging onward travel. We arrived in Luxor, and our only concrete plan was to fly out of Aswan four days later.
Immediately upon arrival, Mara sat us down and went through our options with us, and within an hour and a half we'd settled on an itinerary that allowed us to take in as much as possible. Through her connections we managed to get on a cruise at the last minute, and on her advice, managed to sort some cheap return flights to Abu Simbel. I'd emphasize that Mara did not put together a package for us (the onus was always on us to finalise arrangements), but as independent travellers, her advice was absolutely invaluable. On the basis of our discussion with her, we ended up leaving the next day, so it's clear she doesn't let her own commercial interests get in the way of providing her customers with the best advice.
The place is spotless, the staff are friendly and helpful, and there's a great restaurant. One thing I'd recommend to other travellers is to pay attention when venturing out from Mara House for the first time. In the event you are walking back or have the misfortune to have a taxi driver who hasn't heard of the place, it can be hard to find the place unless you took note of its location."
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.)