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.
Above and beyond the Call of Duty
"Our first impression of the area was 'oh my goodness what have we let ourselves in for'. The neighbourhood was shabby and poor. However, what a surprice when we arrived at Mara House was the smartest house in the district. The inside was charming and welcoming, matching every member of the staff as well.
The rooms were enormous and very clean. We were greeted by Mara herself, an unassuming lady who would turn out to give us more assistance than we ever could have expected. She generously offered us her asssistance in a very unassertive manner by allowing us to remain independent but safe. She gave us lots of serious traveller tips which set us on an incredible historical and cultural journey for three days. It would be easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of antiquities there is too see but Mara is able to contdense and contasin this for you. Unlike a package tour guide you felt in control and you felt you were a freind who was staying rather than a paying guest.
The five course meal, containing over 20 dishes, would be more than sufficent for the gluttons amongst you. An experience not to be missed!. The following nights meal was only three courses thankfully but its volume still pushed us to the limit!
The stay included a trip to Dendera and Abydos with a qualified Egyptologist who had morer information than our brains could possibly hold. The driving there was 'interesting' not just for the scenery on the way but the wackey races with other vehicles on the road which would be enough to frighten any boy racers amongst you!
The people in the neighbourhood were friendly and the dishevelled kids were adorable, their favourite saying 'Hey mister give me five' (clap hands not five pounds). we counted 10 kids in the street and bought 20 sweet lollipops for them. Big mistake! The lollipops disappeared under a cloud of dust as word had got out and people appeared from every where. Be warned, go armed with lots of boiled sweets! We throughly enjoyed our stay at Mara House it was a truly amazing experience."
"Our first impression of the area was 'oh my goodness what have we let ourselves in for'. The neighbourhood was shabby and poor. However, what a surprice when we arrived at Mara House was the smartest house in the district. The inside was charming and welcoming, matching every member of the staff as well.
The rooms were enormous and very clean. We were greeted by Mara herself, an unassuming lady who would turn out to give us more assistance than we ever could have expected. She generously offered us her asssistance in a very unassertive manner by allowing us to remain independent but safe. She gave us lots of serious traveller tips which set us on an incredible historical and cultural journey for three days. It would be easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of antiquities there is too see but Mara is able to contdense and contasin this for you. Unlike a package tour guide you felt in control and you felt you were a freind who was staying rather than a paying guest.
The five course meal, containing over 20 dishes, would be more than sufficent for the gluttons amongst you. An experience not to be missed!. The following nights meal was only three courses thankfully but its volume still pushed us to the limit!
The stay included a trip to Dendera and Abydos with a qualified Egyptologist who had morer information than our brains could possibly hold. The driving there was 'interesting' not just for the scenery on the way but the wackey races with other vehicles on the road which would be enough to frighten any boy racers amongst you!
The people in the neighbourhood were friendly and the dishevelled kids were adorable, their favourite saying 'Hey mister give me five' (clap hands not five pounds). we counted 10 kids in the street and bought 20 sweet lollipops for them. Big mistake! The lollipops disappeared under a cloud of dust as word had got out and people appeared from every where. Be warned, go armed with lots of boiled sweets! We throughly enjoyed our stay at Mara House it was a truly amazing experience."
Mara House Oasis in Luxor
"My stay at Mara house was an an all too brief insight into the real Eygpt away from the glamour of the usual tourist hotels. The immediate envriroment of the house allowed you to soak up the ambience of normal day to day life.The host was charming, informative and helpful in arranging sightseeing, guides as well as local knowledge on custom and manners - just what you need to fulfill your long held dreams of visiting the cradle of civilisation. The staff were accomodating and the standard of
our rooms were fine. The variety and quality of ethnic food in the restaurant was worth the visit alone."
"My stay at Mara house was an an all too brief insight into the real Eygpt away from the glamour of the usual tourist hotels. The immediate envriroment of the house allowed you to soak up the ambience of normal day to day life.The host was charming, informative and helpful in arranging sightseeing, guides as well as local knowledge on custom and manners - just what you need to fulfill your long held dreams of visiting the cradle of civilisation. The staff were accomodating and the standard of
our rooms were fine. The variety and quality of ethnic food in the restaurant was worth the visit alone."
just like family
"We stayed with Mara at her lovely guesthouse for an all too brief stay last week. I was traveling with my daughters and I arrived with a bad foot after a fall in Cairo earlier in the day. They couldn't have done more for me, even going out to get an ace bandage and applying it for me! The property itself is lovely and comfy at the same time which I think is a reflection on Mara and her crew including her son Stephen who was quick with a smile and a cuppa. I really hated to leave because I felt like I was visiting family-Mara is the perfect hostess and I would like to go back with my husband and stay a few weeks......or more. Stay with Mara and her family and I can assure(as a travel agent)that you will love your visit as much as we did ours! As for the meal at the restaurant-go and eat!!! My daughter and I had a great time and even took pictures of all of the courses. It was wonderful for the both of us being it was such an assortment and great flavors-5 star all the way! GO,STAY, and EAT!!!"
"We stayed with Mara at her lovely guesthouse for an all too brief stay last week. I was traveling with my daughters and I arrived with a bad foot after a fall in Cairo earlier in the day. They couldn't have done more for me, even going out to get an ace bandage and applying it for me! The property itself is lovely and comfy at the same time which I think is a reflection on Mara and her crew including her son Stephen who was quick with a smile and a cuppa. I really hated to leave because I felt like I was visiting family-Mara is the perfect hostess and I would like to go back with my husband and stay a few weeks......or more. Stay with Mara and her family and I can assure(as a travel agent)that you will love your visit as much as we did ours! As for the meal at the restaurant-go and eat!!! My daughter and I had a great time and even took pictures of all of the courses. It was wonderful for the both of us being it was such an assortment and great flavors-5 star all the way! GO,STAY, and EAT!!!"
Join in the chorus!
"I stayed here for four nights after travelling for 37 hours from Australia. Although the airport pickup didn't happen as the staff member had misread the note, the taxi driver knew how to get there and Mara was most apologetic when I did arrive and took the taxi fare off my bill. The room was great - if i had been staying there longer or had kids it would have been perfect, but it was lovely to have a bit of space around me.
I didn't want to use this as it's such a cliche, but I did, in this case, go to Egypt as a visitor and feel like I had come away as a friend. Mara is a lovely person who puts all her energies into making sure that you have a good stay, She helped me arrange my three days in Luxor, was always available to ask about prices or payments or advice on tours, and to sort out taxi drivers yelling in your face about change!
The meal was fantastic - Steven has done a great job in the kitchen and I enjoyed my meals there very much.
Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone, in fact did so at the railway station to two lots of people in the three hours I was waiting for the train to Aswan!!! Thanks to all at Mara House for making sure that this stay was fantastic!"
"I stayed here for four nights after travelling for 37 hours from Australia. Although the airport pickup didn't happen as the staff member had misread the note, the taxi driver knew how to get there and Mara was most apologetic when I did arrive and took the taxi fare off my bill. The room was great - if i had been staying there longer or had kids it would have been perfect, but it was lovely to have a bit of space around me.
I didn't want to use this as it's such a cliche, but I did, in this case, go to Egypt as a visitor and feel like I had come away as a friend. Mara is a lovely person who puts all her energies into making sure that you have a good stay, She helped me arrange my three days in Luxor, was always available to ask about prices or payments or advice on tours, and to sort out taxi drivers yelling in your face about change!
The meal was fantastic - Steven has done a great job in the kitchen and I enjoyed my meals there very much.
Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone, in fact did so at the railway station to two lots of people in the three hours I was waiting for the train to Aswan!!! Thanks to all at Mara House for making sure that this stay was fantastic!"
Mara House is GREAT!
"I had never been to Egypt, and I was bringing my son to show him a bit of the world. Mara was welcoming, helpful, and fed us wonderful food. I felt like I had a friend in Egypt. Everything was clean and well kept. It was a wonderful experience. If you want to go to Luxor and really feal a part of Luxor, I recommend you go to Mara House. She really made our trip special."
"I had never been to Egypt, and I was bringing my son to show him a bit of the world. Mara was welcoming, helpful, and fed us wonderful food. I felt like I had a friend in Egypt. Everything was clean and well kept. It was a wonderful experience. If you want to go to Luxor and really feal a part of Luxor, I recommend you go to Mara House. She really made our trip special."
A home away from home!
"We stayed at Mara House last November 2008, and although we are very late adding our review, Mara House has remained in our minds and hearts all this time as one of the best experiences of our adventure in Egypt. We arrived tired and overwhelmed after the culture shock of Cairo and the dreadful trip on the 1st class day train (I don't recommend it - take the sleeping train!). Mara, Saiid and her staff welcomed us like we were friends returned. Immediately we felt at home, relaxed and cared for.
The stay at Mara House really saved us and turned our trip around into a more positive and enjoyable experience.
Mara and Saiid also helped us in our attempts to find music and dance in Luxor, which was a challenging task but they did their best and thanks to them I was successful in getting a dance lesson.
Our teenage daughter Salome also enjoyed the stay in Luxor and felt safe and welcomed at Mara House.
If I return to Luxor I will definitely stay at Mara House again, and I have recommended it to all other travellers that I hear are going to Luxor."
"We stayed at Mara House last November 2008, and although we are very late adding our review, Mara House has remained in our minds and hearts all this time as one of the best experiences of our adventure in Egypt. We arrived tired and overwhelmed after the culture shock of Cairo and the dreadful trip on the 1st class day train (I don't recommend it - take the sleeping train!). Mara, Saiid and her staff welcomed us like we were friends returned. Immediately we felt at home, relaxed and cared for.
The stay at Mara House really saved us and turned our trip around into a more positive and enjoyable experience.
Mara and Saiid also helped us in our attempts to find music and dance in Luxor, which was a challenging task but they did their best and thanks to them I was successful in getting a dance lesson.
Our teenage daughter Salome also enjoyed the stay in Luxor and felt safe and welcomed at Mara House.
If I return to Luxor I will definitely stay at Mara House again, and I have recommended it to all other travellers that I hear are going to Luxor."
Marvellous Mara!
"Just got back to the UK after travelling around the world for 12 months with my family. Mara is a delightful human being and is passionate about making sure every one of her guests has a great experience of Egypt. She works tirelessly with her team to present a gorgeous Egyptian home-from-home. It really is beautiful and spotlessly clean.
Mara House is about 10 minutes walk from the tourist centre so you can avoid that if you want to. Her street is a delight to walk through as the locals are friendly, curious and basically get on with life as usual. This means if you want to experience the real Luxor it is a great place to be.
Mara's Irish charm makes the whole experience special and I would also recommend a meal in her fabulous restaurant."
"Just got back to the UK after travelling around the world for 12 months with my family. Mara is a delightful human being and is passionate about making sure every one of her guests has a great experience of Egypt. She works tirelessly with her team to present a gorgeous Egyptian home-from-home. It really is beautiful and spotlessly clean.
Mara House is about 10 minutes walk from the tourist centre so you can avoid that if you want to. Her street is a delight to walk through as the locals are friendly, curious and basically get on with life as usual. This means if you want to experience the real Luxor it is a great place to be.
Mara's Irish charm makes the whole experience special and I would also recommend a meal in her fabulous restaurant."
Perfect hotel for families
"Mara's House was the perfect place to stay in the city of Luxor. We stayed in a room with a huge living/family room, a kitchenette, 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a balcony. It was the perfect place for a family who wants more space than a cramped hotel room. The hotel was clean, Egyptian in feel, and comfortable. Besides the really nice accommodations, Mara provided personalized service that a big hotel chain would never give you. Mara was responsive to emails, ensured we had transportation to her hotel from the airport, welcomed us upon our arrival, and gave us great advice on what to do and avoid in Luxor. She made Luxor the highlight of our vacation to Egypt.
The Veerkamp family from USA"
"Mara's House was the perfect place to stay in the city of Luxor. We stayed in a room with a huge living/family room, a kitchenette, 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a balcony. It was the perfect place for a family who wants more space than a cramped hotel room. The hotel was clean, Egyptian in feel, and comfortable. Besides the really nice accommodations, Mara provided personalized service that a big hotel chain would never give you. Mara was responsive to emails, ensured we had transportation to her hotel from the airport, welcomed us upon our arrival, and gave us great advice on what to do and avoid in Luxor. She made Luxor the highlight of our vacation to Egypt.
The Veerkamp family from USA"
Mara House is a must!
"Mara House was an absolute delight to stay in. After dusty and noisy Cairo, it was like a breath of fresh air to arrive in Luxor and discover Mara House. We had two rooms - a double and a twin - the rooms were large and spacious, with a living room, kitchenette and a lovely and large bathroom. We could easily have stayed there comfortably for a week or more! There is nothing better than a good bed and a nice bathroom when you're travelling around and Mara House did both and more to an excellent standard.
Location was great - about ten minutes walk from the train station and to top it off, Mara herself was tremendously helpful. We only had one day in which to see all the sights and her advice and guidance in planning the day was invaluable. Not only that she helped us to find transport at reasonable prices when we needed and the whole atmosphere of the place was more like staying at a friend's house than a hotel. Highly recommended - you cannot go to Luxor and not stay in Mara House!"
"Mara House was an absolute delight to stay in. After dusty and noisy Cairo, it was like a breath of fresh air to arrive in Luxor and discover Mara House. We had two rooms - a double and a twin - the rooms were large and spacious, with a living room, kitchenette and a lovely and large bathroom. We could easily have stayed there comfortably for a week or more! There is nothing better than a good bed and a nice bathroom when you're travelling around and Mara House did both and more to an excellent standard.
Location was great - about ten minutes walk from the train station and to top it off, Mara herself was tremendously helpful. We only had one day in which to see all the sights and her advice and guidance in planning the day was invaluable. Not only that she helped us to find transport at reasonable prices when we needed and the whole atmosphere of the place was more like staying at a friend's house than a hotel. Highly recommended - you cannot go to Luxor and not stay in Mara House!"
The Emerald in the Crown.
"An exceptional hotel run by an exceptional lady. Mara the best hostess on the Nile since Cleopatra runs this hotel with elan. Vibrant and energetic , she knows all there is to know and 'not know' about Luxor'. If you want to sample Egyptian cuisine, at its best, prepared in an immaculate kitchen - this is the spot. Nothing is a trouble to this lady and her immaculate accommodation reflects this. The reason Mara's is number 1 on the list is because 'Irish Cream' rises to the surface. Look no further. You may experience local taxi drivers trying to lead you to more expensive hotels . I just told them that I had already paid by Credit Card. The location is slightly off the beaten path ( 10 mins walk to Train Station), but why walk? Taxis are 'as cheap as chips'. Haggle. Your journey will be worth it. Phone Mara direct and do your own negotiating. Prices are very reasonable."
"An exceptional hotel run by an exceptional lady. Mara the best hostess on the Nile since Cleopatra runs this hotel with elan. Vibrant and energetic , she knows all there is to know and 'not know' about Luxor'. If you want to sample Egyptian cuisine, at its best, prepared in an immaculate kitchen - this is the spot. Nothing is a trouble to this lady and her immaculate accommodation reflects this. The reason Mara's is number 1 on the list is because 'Irish Cream' rises to the surface. Look no further. You may experience local taxi drivers trying to lead you to more expensive hotels . I just told them that I had already paid by Credit Card. The location is slightly off the beaten path ( 10 mins walk to Train Station), but why walk? Taxis are 'as cheap as chips'. Haggle. Your journey will be worth it. Phone Mara direct and do your own negotiating. Prices are very reasonable."
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.)