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.
An excellent base for traveling in the Luxor area.
"Mara House is a fantastic place to stay if you are looking to visit the area around Luxor for ancient Egyptian sightseeing. Mara herself is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about organizing tours for guests to areas such as Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Dendara and Abydos Temples, etc. The mini-bar in the clean, no frills room was very clutch (for when you need tons of water!) and inexpensive, and there is free high-speed internet for the internet-conscious traveler. I highly recommend Mara House if you are looking for an inexpensive base for traveling around Luxor."
"Mara House is a fantastic place to stay if you are looking to visit the area around Luxor for ancient Egyptian sightseeing. Mara herself is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about organizing tours for guests to areas such as Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Dendara and Abydos Temples, etc. The mini-bar in the clean, no frills room was very clutch (for when you need tons of water!) and inexpensive, and there is free high-speed internet for the internet-conscious traveler. I highly recommend Mara House if you are looking for an inexpensive base for traveling around Luxor."
Like visiting an old friend
"This is not so much a hotel as staying at the house of an old friend. Mara makes the place worth coming to. The hotel is immaculate, with breakfast each day delivered to your door (included). Our room only had air conditioning in the bedroom, and there was no elevator (lift), but this did not detract from the experience. Mara's is not on the main drag, but not too far from the temples. The neighborhood is a little run down, maybe it looked worse because the building across the street had just been demolished, and the place is a little hard to find, but Mara takes care of you. She has tour guides if you want to use them that are honest, no baksheesh and no unwanted "shopping" trips. There is free wireless internet, and although it doesn't reach to some of the rooms, you can go down to the large air conditioned sitting room off the lobby and use the internet (and they will brew you a coffee, tea or karkaday, no charge) It's not the Ritz, but a really great place for travellers."
"This is not so much a hotel as staying at the house of an old friend. Mara makes the place worth coming to. The hotel is immaculate, with breakfast each day delivered to your door (included). Our room only had air conditioning in the bedroom, and there was no elevator (lift), but this did not detract from the experience. Mara's is not on the main drag, but not too far from the temples. The neighborhood is a little run down, maybe it looked worse because the building across the street had just been demolished, and the place is a little hard to find, but Mara takes care of you. She has tour guides if you want to use them that are honest, no baksheesh and no unwanted "shopping" trips. There is free wireless internet, and although it doesn't reach to some of the rooms, you can go down to the large air conditioned sitting room off the lobby and use the internet (and they will brew you a coffee, tea or karkaday, no charge) It's not the Ritz, but a really great place for travellers."
A hidden Gem in this city!
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"Mara house is a stunning egyptian style guest house that will make you feel right at home. We loved the extremely generous sized room with beautiful furniture, the big breakfast delivered to our room in the morning and the masses of information Mara provided us with during our stay! She's a true expert on the area and a delightful one as such! I wouldn't stay anywhere but here on any future journeys! I missed out on the amazing traditional egyptian feast the Mara serves a few times a week in the restaurant, so I most certainly will be back!"
https://marahouseluxor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sumptuous-breakfast.jpg
"Mara house is a stunning egyptian style guest house that will make you feel right at home. We loved the extremely generous sized room with beautiful furniture, the big breakfast delivered to our room in the morning and the masses of information Mara provided us with during our stay! She's a true expert on the area and a delightful one as such! I wouldn't stay anywhere but here on any future journeys! I missed out on the amazing traditional egyptian feast the Mara serves a few times a week in the restaurant, so I most certainly will be back!"
A rare and special place!
"Upon arrival at Mara House, with its pale pink facade, white tiled steps leading through an impressive glass and wrought iron entry, I knew I had discovered someplace unique. There are not enough superlatives for this exquisite hotel, a veritable oasis in Luxor, located in a quiet residential neighborhood, a short walk from the train station and central Luxor.
Wonderful interior design, very spacious, beautifully decorated rooms, sumptious breakfasts, and, on occasion, special "Egyptian" dinners served on the lovely roof-top garden/terrace await the fortunate guest. Do take advantage of the various excursions, local and further afield, offered by Mara House; not only excellent value, one is assured a totally rewarding and hassle-free experience, as Mara insists on using only the most reputable guides and drivers.
Finally, along with the incredibly warm, welcoming, helpful, hotel staff, there is Mara herself, who truly cares about her guests and will do whatever necessary to ensure the best possible holiday. And one is well-advised to avail themselves of Mara's vast knowledge of Egypt, past and present; it only adds to the delightful experience that is Mara House."
"Upon arrival at Mara House, with its pale pink facade, white tiled steps leading through an impressive glass and wrought iron entry, I knew I had discovered someplace unique. There are not enough superlatives for this exquisite hotel, a veritable oasis in Luxor, located in a quiet residential neighborhood, a short walk from the train station and central Luxor.
Wonderful interior design, very spacious, beautifully decorated rooms, sumptious breakfasts, and, on occasion, special "Egyptian" dinners served on the lovely roof-top garden/terrace await the fortunate guest. Do take advantage of the various excursions, local and further afield, offered by Mara House; not only excellent value, one is assured a totally rewarding and hassle-free experience, as Mara insists on using only the most reputable guides and drivers.
Finally, along with the incredibly warm, welcoming, helpful, hotel staff, there is Mara herself, who truly cares about her guests and will do whatever necessary to ensure the best possible holiday. And one is well-advised to avail themselves of Mara's vast knowledge of Egypt, past and present; it only adds to the delightful experience that is Mara House."
couldn't be better
"We stayed 2 nights at Mara house and will be using Mara again in the future. The rooms or should I say apartments were great, clean and well equiped with all you need. Breakfast was a lovely selection served in our room.Don't worry also about walking in the area Mara is and in to Luxor we did it and had no problems. As for Mara herself you couldn't get better, Mara had got stuck in Cairo when we arrived but phoned to welcome us as soon as we were there and had arranged our taxi for our excursion the next day and rang the driver to talk to us to see all was ok, nothing was too much trouble and even provided me with some fruit the one evening as I was feeling ill as I had got too hot and over did it and my blood sugars had gone through the floor ( should know better being diabetic )
Would tell everyone to try Mara house you will not be disappointed."
"We stayed 2 nights at Mara house and will be using Mara again in the future. The rooms or should I say apartments were great, clean and well equiped with all you need. Breakfast was a lovely selection served in our room.Don't worry also about walking in the area Mara is and in to Luxor we did it and had no problems. As for Mara herself you couldn't get better, Mara had got stuck in Cairo when we arrived but phoned to welcome us as soon as we were there and had arranged our taxi for our excursion the next day and rang the driver to talk to us to see all was ok, nothing was too much trouble and even provided me with some fruit the one evening as I was feeling ill as I had got too hot and over did it and my blood sugars had gone through the floor ( should know better being diabetic )
Would tell everyone to try Mara house you will not be disappointed."
Restful in Luxor!
"We were travelling for the first time to Egypt and are normally Marriott people. However there were no Marriotts in Luxor so we went to the trusty Trip Advisors forum...and did we score. When we started to search for lodging one location kept coming up with amazing reviews and that was Mara House.
We starting emailing Mara with our travel times and she did the rest. She was able to provide a driver to meet us at the airport and any other time we might have needed one. She also had day trips to the various temples and sites that she was able to recommend. The tour guide that was provided was incredible and very well versed in English. (To be a legitimate tour guide in Egypt they must attend the University for 4 years and get their degree).
Mara's staff is very helpful and accommodating. Her staff are very hard working, due to the high standards that Mara has set. This even goes for the drivers and the tour guides...all are very professional while being very friendly and helpful.
The rooms are very spacious and the breakfast provided is wonderful. It gets you ready for a full day of sightseeing.
While you are there, don't miss out of the stories that Mara has about the history. It is a MUST!"
"We were travelling for the first time to Egypt and are normally Marriott people. However there were no Marriotts in Luxor so we went to the trusty Trip Advisors forum...and did we score. When we started to search for lodging one location kept coming up with amazing reviews and that was Mara House.
We starting emailing Mara with our travel times and she did the rest. She was able to provide a driver to meet us at the airport and any other time we might have needed one. She also had day trips to the various temples and sites that she was able to recommend. The tour guide that was provided was incredible and very well versed in English. (To be a legitimate tour guide in Egypt they must attend the University for 4 years and get their degree).
Mara's staff is very helpful and accommodating. Her staff are very hard working, due to the high standards that Mara has set. This even goes for the drivers and the tour guides...all are very professional while being very friendly and helpful.
The rooms are very spacious and the breakfast provided is wonderful. It gets you ready for a full day of sightseeing.
While you are there, don't miss out of the stories that Mara has about the history. It is a MUST!"
Home away from home
"My husband and I had a wonderful experience at Mara House. We stayed for 3 days in June, and felt as though we were at a friend's home. The location is very central and convenient - a short walk or cheap and easy cab ride from anywhere - but is nicely tucked away in a residential neighborhood, away from the Nile-front tourist traps. The room are all ensuite - very large, clean and comfortable. Mara and her staff are wonderfully helpful and ready to answer all of your questions and help you get around.
Another very nice feature - Mara does not hard sell you on her tours (this is a problem in some places). We chose to book a tour through her and were very pleased. We recommend our guide Ali - he was knowledgeable and taught us a great deal, but also gave us time to explore on our own and take our silly tourist pictures.
Do book with Mara if you are able - you will have a unique, relaxing and memorable stay."
"My husband and I had a wonderful experience at Mara House. We stayed for 3 days in June, and felt as though we were at a friend's home. The location is very central and convenient - a short walk or cheap and easy cab ride from anywhere - but is nicely tucked away in a residential neighborhood, away from the Nile-front tourist traps. The room are all ensuite - very large, clean and comfortable. Mara and her staff are wonderfully helpful and ready to answer all of your questions and help you get around.
Another very nice feature - Mara does not hard sell you on her tours (this is a problem in some places). We chose to book a tour through her and were very pleased. We recommend our guide Ali - he was knowledgeable and taught us a great deal, but also gave us time to explore on our own and take our silly tourist pictures.
Do book with Mara if you are able - you will have a unique, relaxing and memorable stay."
Superb
"In the sometimes intimidating Luxor, Mara House is an oasis. Mara is a delight to meet, the rooms are clean and wonderfully decorated, and the breakfast is very nicely done. Couldn't recommend it more highly."
"In the sometimes intimidating Luxor, Mara House is an oasis. Mara is a delight to meet, the rooms are clean and wonderfully decorated, and the breakfast is very nicely done. Couldn't recommend it more highly."
Gem in luxor
"Mara house, apparently, is difficult to find but my married daughter in her 30's and I, in my 60's found this small hotel to be a comforting oasis. Just get the map from the internet before you arrive and it is no problem. It has a lovely tented rooftop, and large apartment sized quarters. Breakfast arrives at the appointed time. All is clean and safe. As intelligent people who need and recognize value for money we were delighted. The owner is so caring that she spent far more time than necessary making sure that we were well. The owner is Irish so that language for English speakers is not problem. We were only sorry that we had so little time in Luxor at this lovely hotel."
"Mara house, apparently, is difficult to find but my married daughter in her 30's and I, in my 60's found this small hotel to be a comforting oasis. Just get the map from the internet before you arrive and it is no problem. It has a lovely tented rooftop, and large apartment sized quarters. Breakfast arrives at the appointed time. All is clean and safe. As intelligent people who need and recognize value for money we were delighted. The owner is so caring that she spent far more time than necessary making sure that we were well. The owner is Irish so that language for English speakers is not problem. We were only sorry that we had so little time in Luxor at this lovely hotel."
Western Sanctuary in Luxor
"My husband and I just got back from Egypt and It was a great trip. By the time we got to Luxor, we were seeking rest after being sick for two days. Mara house provided that for us by having beautiful clean rooms. She also said we could order in from mc donalds and pizza hut and we definately took her up on that offer. Breakfast is included and its delicious. Air conditioning in rooms as well. Rooms are huge, hot water works, everything is super clean. Mara helped us get in touch with our tour guide and provided us with sheets as to how to deal with taxis around luxor. Even though the hotel is located off the beaten path - its worth it. Most people in Luxor know of it as well."
"My husband and I just got back from Egypt and It was a great trip. By the time we got to Luxor, we were seeking rest after being sick for two days. Mara house provided that for us by having beautiful clean rooms. She also said we could order in from mc donalds and pizza hut and we definately took her up on that offer. Breakfast is included and its delicious. Air conditioning in rooms as well. Rooms are huge, hot water works, everything is super clean. Mara helped us get in touch with our tour guide and provided us with sheets as to how to deal with taxis around luxor. Even though the hotel is located off the beaten path - its worth it. Most people in Luxor know of it as well."
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.)