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.
lovely place to stay
"The hospitality and staff at Mara House was brilliant.Everyone was friendly and very helpful. It was a great place to come back to after a hectic day out in Luxor. The Egyptian dinner on the rooftop is a must. We were served some of the best food we had in Egypt.
We both thoroughly recommend Mara House."
"The hospitality and staff at Mara House was brilliant.Everyone was friendly and very helpful. It was a great place to come back to after a hectic day out in Luxor. The Egyptian dinner on the rooftop is a must. We were served some of the best food we had in Egypt.
We both thoroughly recommend Mara House."
great place to stay
"Staying at Mara House is the most comfortable and secure experience when travelled to Egypt. My husband and I spent a lot of time at Mara's well decorated living room, for breakfast, for waiting before dinner and late night bar.....
it's wonderful! Can't wait to go back again!"
"Staying at Mara House is the most comfortable and secure experience when travelled to Egypt. My husband and I spent a lot of time at Mara's well decorated living room, for breakfast, for waiting before dinner and late night bar.....
it's wonderful! Can't wait to go back again!"
Home away from home
"The friendliest place I have ever stayed in in Egypt. The staff and owner go out of their way to make you feel welcome and comfortable. The rooms are simple but spacious and comfortable. Breakfast is ok. The roof terrace is a haven of peace after a hot and busy day. Dinner on the roof terrace is warmly recommended. Free wifi in the lounge."
"The friendliest place I have ever stayed in in Egypt. The staff and owner go out of their way to make you feel welcome and comfortable. The rooms are simple but spacious and comfortable. Breakfast is ok. The roof terrace is a haven of peace after a hot and busy day. Dinner on the roof terrace is warmly recommended. Free wifi in the lounge."
Best hotel in Egypt
"Really. The owners are native English speakers; we came to the hotel at about 11 p.m. having no reservation, and they have found for us beautiful large room. Next morning Mara - the owner of the hotel -- saved our trip. We were unable to get train tickets -- we had to move on the next day to Cairo but at the local ticket office they said that all the trains are 'full up' for the next 10 days and there was no choice for the foreigner to get from Luxor to Cairo. Mara asked one person of her staff to help us, and this wizard-looking gentlemen went to the train station and brought us the tickets.
At the hall of the hotel there are lots of albums with the views of Luxor; people of the hotel can recommend the must-see and must-not-see places.
Actually, this hotel was the best and the most beautiful place in the whole Egypt."
"Really. The owners are native English speakers; we came to the hotel at about 11 p.m. having no reservation, and they have found for us beautiful large room. Next morning Mara - the owner of the hotel -- saved our trip. We were unable to get train tickets -- we had to move on the next day to Cairo but at the local ticket office they said that all the trains are 'full up' for the next 10 days and there was no choice for the foreigner to get from Luxor to Cairo. Mara asked one person of her staff to help us, and this wizard-looking gentlemen went to the train station and brought us the tickets.
At the hall of the hotel there are lots of albums with the views of Luxor; people of the hotel can recommend the must-see and must-not-see places.
Actually, this hotel was the best and the most beautiful place in the whole Egypt."
Excellent and very safe hotel
"Mara house is a great place to stay. I am female and was travelling alone so safety is very important to me and the house and neighborhood are very safe. I highly recommend the Egyptian dinner where you can eat 12 or more types of food. She also has nice rooms in Cairo. Mara is an excellent hostess and all the staff were great as well."
"Mara house is a great place to stay. I am female and was travelling alone so safety is very important to me and the house and neighborhood are very safe. I highly recommend the Egyptian dinner where you can eat 12 or more types of food. She also has nice rooms in Cairo. Mara is an excellent hostess and all the staff were great as well."
Would not stay anywhere else in Luxor
"My girlfriend and I are traveling for one year so we use tripadvisor a lot to find places to stay. When the number 1 ranking is in an affordable range we usually try to book it. Sometimes, unfortunately, we've been disappointed with the number one ranking. Mara house however, was not one of those times. Our room was massive (biggest on our trip so far), and completely spotless. The shower was hot and the breakfast was good. The staff were all very friendly and attended to all your needs. The best thing about Mara house though is Mara herself. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Egypt. The tour and the egyptologist she recommended for us was fantastic (Abydos and Dendara). We normally do not partake in tours but we were really happy we did this one (and no they don't take you to all those stupid shops or factories that tour groups are usually taken to). If you want to learn about the mysteries of Egypt, Mara is the person to talk to and we wouldn't stay anywhere else in Luxor.."
"My girlfriend and I are traveling for one year so we use tripadvisor a lot to find places to stay. When the number 1 ranking is in an affordable range we usually try to book it. Sometimes, unfortunately, we've been disappointed with the number one ranking. Mara house however, was not one of those times. Our room was massive (biggest on our trip so far), and completely spotless. The shower was hot and the breakfast was good. The staff were all very friendly and attended to all your needs. The best thing about Mara house though is Mara herself. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Egypt. The tour and the egyptologist she recommended for us was fantastic (Abydos and Dendara). We normally do not partake in tours but we were really happy we did this one (and no they don't take you to all those stupid shops or factories that tour groups are usually taken to). If you want to learn about the mysteries of Egypt, Mara is the person to talk to and we wouldn't stay anywhere else in Luxor.."
Great hostess for English speaking tourist interested in Egyptian culture
"Mara House is a small hotel in a quiet section of Luxor, off the beaten track. The facilities are comfortable and safe, the staff attentive, and Mara is fabulous as a hostess for travelers interested in the history and culture of ancient Egypt. Travelers should be aware that this is not a typical commercial (chain) hotel, more of a B&B. Its location is a safe 15 minute walk from the town center with its touristy flavor at the Luxor temple site. Mara arranges tours for small groups of travelers with local Egyptologists who are very responsive to the individual's interests and schedule. The room was large and comfortable, although bathroom facilities are simple. Mara and staff cooked a 12 course Egyptian feast for us one night."
"Mara House is a small hotel in a quiet section of Luxor, off the beaten track. The facilities are comfortable and safe, the staff attentive, and Mara is fabulous as a hostess for travelers interested in the history and culture of ancient Egypt. Travelers should be aware that this is not a typical commercial (chain) hotel, more of a B&B. Its location is a safe 15 minute walk from the town center with its touristy flavor at the Luxor temple site. Mara arranges tours for small groups of travelers with local Egyptologists who are very responsive to the individual's interests and schedule. The room was large and comfortable, although bathroom facilities are simple. Mara and staff cooked a 12 course Egyptian feast for us one night."
Home away from home!
"Had a delightful stay at Mara House. When one of us got very sick, we were so grateful for Mara's sage advice about battling mummy tummy. The room was incredible - kitchenette, two bedrooms, living area and balcony and it was a pleasant surprise to be in a neighborhood as opposed to a tourist district. Enjoyed the Saladin's feast one evening and it was a real treat .
Can't say enough about Mara and her staff who took great care of us in Luxor. If you do book this hotel, print out the directions and take them with you. As the website cautions, it's not well known to drivers/guides."
"Had a delightful stay at Mara House. When one of us got very sick, we were so grateful for Mara's sage advice about battling mummy tummy. The room was incredible - kitchenette, two bedrooms, living area and balcony and it was a pleasant surprise to be in a neighborhood as opposed to a tourist district. Enjoyed the Saladin's feast one evening and it was a real treat .
Can't say enough about Mara and her staff who took great care of us in Luxor. If you do book this hotel, print out the directions and take them with you. As the website cautions, it's not well known to drivers/guides."
Comfortable, relaxed environment to visit Luxor
"Mara and her team were extremely helpful with our trip and we enjoyed staying at her hotel. She arranged a driver to pick us up from the train station, called good taxi drivers, recommended good restaurants, and was an all-around excellent resource. We went on 2 of her tours - West Bank and Abydos/Dendara, then did Luxor/Karnak on our own (go early to Karnak and walk to Luxor). Ali was an ok guide at West Bank, but stronger at Abydos/Dendara. GO TO ABYDOS AND DENDARA if it is the only thing you do - seriously.
The hotel location and the hotel itself are both great. her guys bring a simple yet delicious breakfast every morning in the enormous suite (huge bedroom and great living room with french doors to a small balcony). Spotless accommodations. She has a nice selection of guidebooks in the lobby if you forget yours. Also, there is a beautiful roof deck where you can enjoy the twilight (beers and wine in the room are reasonably priced and you can bring a drink to the roof). Bring earplugs unless you'd like to be LOUDLY woken by the 4am morning prayer - the speakers are on the adjacent building.
Thank you Mara for a terrifc time!"
Exactly What We Were Looking For
"My son and I took the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor and we had only one night to spend in Luxor. Thank goodness we followed TripAdvisor's advice and spent it at the Mara House.
Mara gave us great advice via email on what to see before we arrived. I followed her advice on seeing Abydos and Dendura and was not disapointed. Although it took over 2 hours by car to get to Abydos, it was worth it. I think she even held the tour when our train was delayed (which seems to be routine).
We really appreciated that the Mara House is located on the east side of the tracks, which gave us the opportunity to see some of the real Luxor as we walked to and from the Nile and historic attractions. We were able to walk by the bakery, the carpenter shop and the shoe repair shop that real people use.
The room was delightful, and even more so was the rooftop garden which Mara graciously allowed us to rest while we waited for our train's departure time. The ice cold Stella beer didn't hurt either."E
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.)