Mara House Luxor, a Hidden Gem in the Ancient City of Thebes
Discover Mara House, an exclusive haven nestled far from the bustling tourist strip in the legendary city of Luxor, a mere 10-minute stroll away from the ruins of the renowned Luxor Temple. This hidden gem resides within a regular Egyptian neighborhood, where life moves along at it’s own unhurried pace.
Almost every building in the street is home to an extended family unit of parents, children, their grandparents and in a few instances even great grandparents. The tradition is for a family to buy a piece of land and build each floor as they can afford it, every floor being a complete family apartment for one of the generations. The primary focus is on completing livable units and completing or decorating the exterior is the final focus. The street is relatively quiet in winter but in summer time it is teeming with children playing and neighbours mingling, taking advantage of the relative cool night weather until the early hours.
Street weddings and engagement parties are still the norm here. The nearby mosque can be annoying to some visitors but the early call to prayer is taken by most as part of the local cultural experience for which they choose to stay at Mara House.
As the weighty iron doors of Mara House swing open, time itself seems to succumb to the enchanting allure of the past, ushering you gently into a bygone era. Stepping across the threshold, a treasure trove of history unfolds within the interior, revealing an eclectic blend of Middle Eastern furnishings, art, and decor. Here, with a little imagination, you may immerse yourself in a symphony of history, as tales of ancient intrigue and romance seem to whisper through time.
Find yourself enchanted by the Moh Ali sitting room, an exquisite enclave adjacent to the entrance hall, paying homage to the illustrious lineage of Egypt’s rulers. Adorned with a unique collection of images and photographs, this room unveils the illustrious genealogy of Egypt’s Royal Rulers, spanning from the era of Turkish Sultans to the modern-day descendants of King Farouk, whose reign unexpectedly ended in 1952. Mara herself shares a profound connection to this royal lineage, entwined within her family tree through a series of ancestral and modern unions.
Within the walls of Mara House, the concept of “rooms” transcends the mundane definition of hotel accommodations. Here, guests get to experience a touch of grandeur from bygone eras before the majority of hotel suites were downgraded to mere bedrooms. Each suite at Mara House provides not only a bedroom and bathroom but also the indulgent luxury of a private sitting room with balcony. The Family Suites, a testament to cherished togetherness, offer the added splendor of two or three bedrooms, allowing families to bask in the comforts of home, unlike the customary hotel setups with separate chambers.
Rooms/Suites
Mara House, a sanctuary where history breathes life into the present, beckons you on an extraordinary journey. Traverse the delicate balance between antiquity and modernity, as the ethereal allure of this timeless escape leaves you with unforgettable memories etched in your heart. Reserve your place at Mara House, where you become a part of an esteemed circle of discerning guests, who relish the privilege of this timeless retreat.
SALAHADEEN RESTAURANT: a culinary experience not to miss
Amr – the House Manager is also our amazing Chef.
The restaurant was the brainchild and work of my son, Stephen and his wife, Sara.
The popularity of the authentic “Salahadeen Feast” served in the charmingly elegant Mara House restaurant gracefully catapulted Mara House to the pinnacle of TripAdvisor’s rankings during its public opening, a position it held until it’s closure to the public due to the events of 2011. Our culinary offerings embody the very soul of traditional, nourishing Egyptian cuisine, a cherished heritage lovingly passed down through the generations. The remarkable Chef, Amr, learned his culinary skills from a tender age, from his own mother. Today, the Feast stands as an exclusive indulgence, a cherished delight reserved solely for esteemed in-house guests.”
ROOF TERRACE:
At Mara House, the sun terrace is a serene oasis adorned with cacti and bougainvillea. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the night sky, after a day of sightseeing, as the clear skies offer an excellent opportunity for star-gazing. During winter, the newly built BBQ becomes a hot favorite, where guests can savor delightful meals outdoors even in the Egyptian winter.
Mara House welcomes a diverse range of guests:
- Independent travelers seeking a unique accommodation experience akin to an old-style private house rather than a standard hotel. Enjoy the luxury of spacious personal sleeping and living areas, distinct from the common spaces like the roof terrace, restaurant, and downstairs sitting room.
- Families yearning for a private sanctuary to unwind and converse at day’s end, free from the hassle of moving between separate hotel rooms. Mara House caters to families, ensuring a family-friendly and child-friendly environment.
- Adventurers hungry for fresh perspectives, seeking unique insights and off-the-beaten-path tales about historical and contemporary Egypt.
- Food enthusiasts craving nourishing, wholesome, and authentic home-cooked meals that reflect the rich traditions of Egyptian cuisine.
Mara House caters to these discerning travelers, offering an inviting haven where cherished memories are woven into the tapestry of an unforgettable Egyptian experience.
MARA HOUSE FOR PRIVATE EVENTS:
You can book the entire Mara House for a diverse array of private events, providing exclusive experiences for our esteemed guests:
- High-profile individuals seeking utmost privacy by reserving the entire house, while exploring Egypt’s wonders incognito, accompanied by family or close friends. We can arrange properly trained security personnel to ensure your comfort and peace of mind. Experience a different facet of Egypt without the formality of black tie service, as we value and respect your privacy without compromising on exceptional service.
- Dreaming of a destination wedding that transcends the ordinary, an experience that exudes authenticity, spirituality, and a touch of magic? Look no further. Our offerings are enchanting yet tastefully curated, ensuring a special day that’s far from cheesy, but deeply rooted in the romance of Egypt through the ages. Amidst the marvels of ancient sites, your love story will find its timeless backdrop.
- Companies seeking to treat their valued employees to a unique and intimate team-building holiday experience will discover Mara House as the ideal setting. Our offerings are tailored to promote team building, encouraging meaningful connections, and providing ample space for getting to know each other better. The focus is on a rejuvenating and memorable escape, where shared experiences become lasting bonds.
- Celebrate family milestones and reunite with loved ones from different corners of the globe in an extraordinary holiday location that extends beyond sun, sea, and sand. Mara House offers a captivating backdrop for cherished family celebrations, ensuring a meaningful and unforgettable experience for all.
Mara House embraces the spirit of exclusivity and personalization, crafting private events that leave an indelible mark on the hearts of our cherished guests.
We are so thankful to have found Mara House. Amr has made us feel so welcome and we have never had such amazing food. I can’t wait to bring our children to Luxor one day. Thank you for making our Egypt experience so perfect!
D & J Family USA (Mara House Guestbook) 21 July 2018 Luxor Holidays package
Mara House Egyptian Experience- Thank You! Well earned TripAdvisor awards – excellent food and hospitality. Amr, not only a great cook (do you deliver to USA?) but also my first try at Koshari. I’m hooked!
Thank you for a most memorable stay. My momma heartily endorses all that you provided for this guest! Touring, transportation, a comfy place and good food and a most memorable experience in this country!!
KR Milwaukee, USA 13 July 2018 (Mara House Guest Book) Luxor Holidays package
Such wonderful hosts…and delicious food!!
Our accommodation in Luxor was lovely. It was basic 3 star, but it was clean, comfortable and decorated in classic Egyptian furnishings. From the moment of our arrival we basked in the feeling of being taken care of in this cute and traditional little B&B.
Ahmed, the manager, was a charming man who loves his work and clearly is fantastic at it! His happy presence and thoughtfulness made our stay in Luxor a delight. The extremely talented chef, Amr, made every breakfast a culinary treat, and the traditional dinner he created for us on our last evening was superb. The owner, Mara, was away so we did not get a chance to meet her, but she had been fantastic with her communications via email and all assistance with our travel preparations.
The guide provided with the tours we booked, Mohamed, was knowledgeable and friendly, and we learnt a lot about the amazing places he took us to. Mara also arranged our Nile cruise and Mohamed accompanied us on this, as well.
We had a wonderful time in our 3 nights in Luxor, but if we visited again, we would spend more nights and do things at a more leisurely pace. Luxor Holidays package
All around excellent experience!!
We spent 4 days at Mara House and enjoyed their 3 days of tours. All communication in advance was prompt and clear. Everything promised was delivered as stated.
The small apartment was well decorated and had all amenities. Including free bottled drinking water! They make the little things count at Mara House and will fulfill any special request.
It was so easy to go out to dinner each night with the use of the horse and carriage and fun too!
Ahmed the hotel manager did a great job in making us feel welcome. The 3 days of tours were certainly busy but we had enough time to visit each place in a relaxing manner. Mohamed our guide knew all the history and details of each site and was happy to answer all questions.
Thanks for making our visit to Luxor a smashing success!!!!
Visitied April 2018. Travelled as a couple. Reviewed on TripAdvisor but subsequently deleted by TripAdvisor
My wife and I had booked a cruise from Singapore to the Middle East and when we realised that Cairo is only 3 hours flying time from our last cruise port we thought why not visit. Well I am glad we did because our visit to Egypt was the unexpected highlight of our trip! Mara’s pre-trip information was excellent and her team in Cairo were the best. Fatma met us at the airport on arrival and her driver transported us to the comfortable Steigenberger Hotel in the heart of the city. Fatma had already visited the hotel and negotiated a great room on our behalf. Fatma stayed with us through the check in procedure to make sure the process was smoothly handled and this set the tone for the rest of our visit to Cairo. Fatma is a very knowledgable guide as well as a very nice person. Nothing was too much trouble as she expertly guided us through the unbelievable history of Cairo. Together with the assistance of Reham, an expert Egyptologist we were provided with fascinating insights to the pyramids and later at the Egyptian museum. This was a very memorable trip for us and we can unreservedly recommend Mara and her team (particularly Fatma) for a private tour of Cairo.
I had a little extra time after a work trip and did the Cairo Package, which was great. There’s no way you can see everything in three days, but doing so is better than not ever making the trip at all. And of course, you can do the Pyramids in a day, and honestly, there’s a reason doing so is on everyone’s bucket list.
What I really appreciated was how the guides provided direction and insight, but also pulled back to allow visitors to have their own experiences. After the tours were over, they were there to offer info about restaurants and activity hubs if you wanted it, but that was up to you. And as great as it is to have a guided tour of the Cairo Museum, taking some time to explore it yourself can be even more enlightening.
And if you’re like me and thinking about doing a trip on your own…just don’t. Mara lays out all the insight you need about why it’s best to have a guide (https://marahouseluxor.com/do-i-need-a-guide-in-cairo/), and after being there, I couldn’t agree more with all of it. It’s a question of whether you want to spend the trip seeing the sights or trying to figure out the best way to get to and see the sights. The latter is definitely the way to go, for more than the seven reasons she lays out.
Perfect Experience
My son (18) and I stayed there last week and had a wonderful time. With the tourism downturn we were the only guests and Ahmed basically treated us like family. The hotel is kind of classical Egyptian with beautiful public rooms where you have breakfast or the feast on the last night. The room was a one bedroom suite with two single beds which suited us beautifully. Nicely provisioned fridge as well (appreciated the beers at around $1.60 each).
The availability of a horse and carriage to get you around town is great – the streets are torn up locally due to gas main installations and the carriage is way more comfortable than any car or the Mara House van. Also very cheap – but please give the guy a good tip! The Nile sailing is great fun as well.
The tour guide, Mohamed, was excellent as well – lots of knowledge and an interesting guy to talk to. The tours are great – though the one to Abidos is a lot of time in the van – take a book or some music or both for that day. Mohamed also does a god job helping to fight off the folks trying to sell you stuff and is good for advising on who to tip (which is pretty important). All is all the whole package is superb value for money and will give you a great experience – but the little additions like Ahmed getting you to good reliable restaurants locally (the Indian place is really good) and Mohamed knowing where to go for lunch on the Valley of the Kings day is also special.
Finally – Ahmed – thanks again for getting us to your coffee house for the Liverpool Man City game. That was a truly special night (for us Liverpool fans anyway – which seems to define the whole of Egypt these days!).
Reviewed on TripAdvsor 15 April 2018 – stayed April 2018
I Was Treated Like a VIP
Visiting cities vastly different from one’s own, especially when traveling solo, can lead to a sense of imbalance, so it’s important to stay somewhere comfortable and safe. Upon my arrival in Egypt, Mara House was that place for me. Hungry, stressed, and exhausted when I arrived, I realized quickly I was in excellent hands with Ahmed, the manager, who helped me get oriented and called a taxi to take me to a nearby restaurant. Later, after a hot shower, I settled into my cushy, comfortable bed and enjoyed a great night’s sleep. The following morning, after a delicious breakfast, I felt completely renewed, energized, and ready to enjoy the splendor of Luxor’s temples.
I’ve looked at some of the negative reviews and noticed they fall into two categories: Those who misunderstood something/ didn’t read information sent to them, and those who expect the street and facilities to be like home. Yes, the neighborhood looks very different from my own: Well-off Egyptians spend money on extravagances inside their homes and keep the outside very modest-looking. But the area is safe and provides the chance to see how Egyptians live. For me that made it more special. If you aren’t looking for that kind of authenticity, a chain hotel might better suit your needs, but you’ll be missing out on the unique charm, outstanding customer service, and excellent food at Mara House.
The facilities and service exceeded my expectations in a number of ways. I normally travel far more modestly, but prices in Egypt are currently so reasonable I was able to afford more. The house is beautiful, spacious, and impeccably clean, and my suite felt luxurious. I was treated like a VIP. Ahmed was incredibly kind and responsive to any question or request. And one evening, after a long day of sightseeing, I enjoyed one of Amr’s sumptuous dinner feasts; Cleopatra herself never ate so well!
Other touches I appreciated: The bottled water (a must for visitors) and snacks in the kitchen area of my suite cost the actual prices one would pay in an Egyptian shop instead of the usual 3-4 times as much. Also, Mara’s binder of practical information (in your room) is very helpful. She really does think of all the details so you don’t have to.
If you are considering traveling to Egypt, DO IT! It is a safe and friendly country, and you will be amazed by all the temples. It was the most fascinating trip I’ve ever taken. And while in Luxor, do yourself a favor and stay at Mara House.
Room Tip: The call to prayer is part of the Egyptian experience, but it may wake you at an ungodly hour! Bring earplugs.
Stayed: March 2018, travelled solo – reviewed on TripAdvisor 09.04.18
I want to thank Mara for the wonderful trip that we just finished. My daughter and I just left Cairo a day ago and already we miss it! We truly had the greatest experience of ur lives. The people, the culture, the city and even the traffic (lol) are all a marvel. I’m so happy that I found Mara online. I am 100% positive that without her service we would not have had the experience that we did. Our trip ran extremely well and smooth. Prior to leaving the USA I probably emailed Mara ten times with questions. And, I literally got a reply in seconds, no matter the time of day. It was that personal attention that made me feel very comfortable that this was a legitimate program. She gave us great instructions on how to get through the airport and find Fatma, our assistant. Fatma was waiting for us in a sea of people, with a big smile and warm welcome. Our driver was there and the next the we knew we were off to the hotel. The hotel was great. It was very safe, pretty, clean and the staff were all amazingly helpful and attentive. Fatma was extremely easy to speak to. Her English was fantastic and she immediately enlightened us about the area and what would transpire over the week while we were there. She was awesome! The next two days we were met by Mohammed, he was a wealth of information. In addition, to the traditional tours that Mara has on her website, we loved the fact that when we wanted to do other things, like a felucca ride, Fatma set the whole thing up for us, made sure we didn’t get price gouged, met up with us and took us for the boat ride. This kind of personal attention was priceless! The drivers were wonderful, the minivans were extremely clean, in great condition and air-conditioned. On a scale from one to ten I would give this experience a 100! everything went according to plan, it was easy, and smooth. In all honesty there is no better way to see Cairo than to use this service. I met someone on the plane ride back to the USA, who loved Cairo but was extremely unhappy since she didn’t have a guide service. She was constantly over paying and without an professional egyptologist, like Mohammed to fill you in on the history of Egypt she said she left not really understanding the things she was looking out. But that was not our experience at all. Great Trip! I completely recommend it!
Cozy, beautifully decorated, clean & excellent service!
I first inquired about staying at Mara House via email one week prior to my anticipated visit. Mara sent a prompt email response which included options for day trips to temples. The entire package price was affordable and to my surprise included a driver and tour guide to the temples, a sunset cruise on the Nile, and a fabulous dinner on my last night!
My 3 awesome nights at Mara House were made unforgettable by Ahmed, the hotel manager, the driver Ahmed, and the tour guide, Mohamed. Breakfast and the final dinner on my last night was great and the chef accommodated my vegetarian diet. I received impeccable service in a cozy, clean, and beautifully decorated hotel!
Thank you Mara!
Reviewed on TripAdvisor
We had a trip of our life to Egypt from 2/13/18 -2/25/18. Mara and Ahmed are our tour leaders. They are superb, sweet and kind and organized. My husband just had a quadruple bypass and everyone take such a good care of him . We had a awesome,memorable trip.Both of our Egyptologist guides are so knowledgeable. It make our trip more fun and educational. Thank you very ….. much for our international ground members. You guys are the “Best”. You are sweet , thoughtful , kind and helpful. We sincerely appreciate it.
Hopefully in the future, we will have a reunion.
Missed you!! Take care!
A different hotel experience with top notch service
This was quite different for us, in the sense that we were the only people in the hotel. So my daughter and I had a large family room, but with only one bedroom. It has a huge living area with a fridge and sink. It’s very clean and well maintained and while the bathroom is different than most Westerners are used to (no shower stall), it is scrupulously clean, no mold, nothing. No elevator so be prepared to get a leg work-out on the stairs.
The location is in a residential neighborhood. No, you can’t just walk to restaurants or shops and yes, there is major construction all around (including the city which was ripping up streets to replace gas lines, nothing the hotel had any control over) but while the views from the roof top terrace might not have been stellar it was lovely up there in the sun.
The breakfast is basic but fresh and prepared whenever you want it. 7:00, 10:30, complete flexibility. We found this hotel through a package. We got 3 nights and 3 days and it included tours on each day, a carriage ride, boat ride, etc. The best part was the flexibility. Because we were leaving at midnight on day 4, they completely arranged the tour so that we didn’t end up having a whole day with nothing to do and made another suggestion to keep us busy. There was no pressure to follow the schedule, it was completely at our desire.
We had the same guide for all three days. His name was Mohammed (not sure last name) and he was great. He spoke perfect English, was pleasant and knowledgeable and it was great to have the same guide with only 2 of us (1 extra the last day but not an issue) and I would highly recommend him. He also didn’t try to force us to take extra tours on the side for more money, was very helpful in letting us know who we had to tip where and how to avoid tipping if we didn’t want assistance and never once pressured us to stop at a tourist shop or buy anything. It was refreshing to have a guide who was focused on guiding and not getting a cut from a friend’s shop.
Our main driver was Ahmed Modi. He had a taxi and except for one big tour out of town, was our driver for all tours and when we wanted to go out in the evening for dinner. He spoke great English, was charming, always made sure we got where we were going, we were again never “suggested” we go to X or Y, and went out of his way to help us out. It was like having a personal driver and while you are not downtown, it is fairly inexpensive to take a taxi there.
The crown jewel though was Ahmed, the manager of the hotel for lack of a better word. When we would return from dinner or a tour they would phone and tell him we were coming and it was like having your mom waiting for you at the door. He arranged everything for us, made sure we knew what was going on, ordered food for us when we were too tired to go out, my daughter sprained her ankle on the second last day and he went to the pharmacy and got her cream to ease the pain, he was just a really pleasant fellow who spoke perfect English. He was just tops with customer service.
So if you like typical anonymous hotels (I usually do) and want to stay right on the Nile or right in the heart of the action (such as it is, Luxor is a small town) this is probably not for you, but if you like to feel that you are not just a number on a tour and arrangements taken care of for you, it’s ideal. We were two women traveling and it was nice to not have to deal with some of the less savory sides of things (not that we don’t have extensive experience traveling together and solo – but Egypt is a completely different environment). So if you are looking for a slightly more non-commercial experience and it was really a great price for hotel with all tours included.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor – travelled Jan 2018 – Family.
A Wonderful Stay
We planned a year end visit about two weeks before the leaving Malaysia. Despite this short notice, Mara and her team made our stay a most wonderful experience. One key ingredient is that Mara delivers exactly what she promises.
Our stay was made special by the attentive Ahmed, who is the manager at Mara House and also our guides Mohamed (Luxor-Aswan) and Fatma (in Cairo).
We started out in Luxor instead of Cairo and Mohamed made our tour most interesting as there is a clear understanding of his ancient heritage, so whilst we did the usual visits to the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor temples, we also visited less the worker’s village and the Hellenistic temples at Abydos and Dandera.
Also, Fatma gave us a grand tour of Cairo showcasing what contemporary Egypt has to offer. Despite what appears to be a rather packed schedule,
Mara and her team made sure there were quiet moments floating down the Nile in a Falucca. It was indeed a magical and wonderful experience.
Absolutely outstanding travel experience!
I traveled to Egypt recently with my parents who I can honestly say would not have set foot in the country were it not for Mara and her wonderful staff.
From allaying our initial nervousness and providing us with a detailed itinerary for a day in Cairo and 3 in Luxor, to detailed travel advice, professional & knowledgeable guides and gorgeous accommodation, we didn’t have to worry about a single thing, and loved every minute of our time in this incredible country.
Mara House is so beautifully decorated, the rooms are huge and very clean and comfortable, and the Feast is a fantastic experience. I wish we could have stayed longer!
The tours (we did the Giza plateau in Cairo, and the West Bank and Luxor/Karnak temples in Luxor) were all fantastic, and we can’t speak highly enough of the guides.
Special mention must be made of Ahmed, the manager at Mara House – we were late arriving at Mara House after a missed connection, and Ahmed went above and beyond helping us navigate a detour to Aswan and a train journey to Luxor so that we didn’t miss out on our planned tour! Thanks so much Ahmed, we’re so grateful for your help.
In summary, don’t do Egypt without stopping at Mara House; these guys are absolute professionals with a passion for sharing the wonders of their fascinating & beautiful country.
Four nights at Mara House and other tour content mostly organised through Mara – 24 Nov 2017 –
This boutique hotel is located on a very Egyptian side street in Luxor but from the threshold one is inside a delightful Mara’s version of the Cretan Woman’s House in Cairo. My rooms (bedroom, shower/toilet/kitchenette/extended lounge area) were huge for a solo traveller, clean and well presented. Wonderful hospitality and organisation by Ahmed. Very good quality food and recommendations. Mara made my visit to Egypt an enjoyable, educational and enriching experience. People with mobility issues may find the stairs interesting.
Solo Traveller – Nov 2017 – reviewed on TripAdvisor. Booked Tours in Cairo and Luxor Holidays packages
Best experience
Being two females travelling alone to Egypt, my friend and I had all the typical words of caution before setting off on our journey.
We did the 10 days in Egypt through Mara House and I cant imagine seeing it any other way! Every step of the way was so well thought out and meticulous. Starting with the communication before leaving with Mara. She had everything so well documented that you knew what to expect every step of the way. Every single transport had a professional and on time driver. Each and every guide was so knowledgable, personable and down to earth. This is huge considering you will be spending a substantial amount of time with these individuals.
Mara House itself is absolutely beautiful! From the decor to the spacious rooms, you really felt welcomed and comfortable. The cook is AMAZING, our breakfasts were always perfect and the Salahadeen Feast was to DIE for! The manager of Mara House is such an amazing human. Mara really picked the perfect people to run things for her.
You can trust that if you do this tour you will be well taken care of. Go see Egypt and experience it for all of its beauty and gracious people!
Travelled with friends – Oct 2017 – Egypt Holidays package – Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Spectacular Experience!
My husband and I just spent three days and nights with Mara House in Luxor. We can’t say enough wonderful things about the staff, the rooms and the location. Each room is its own large apartment/suite with a sitting room, balcony, kitchenette, a wet room bath, very comfy beds, laundry services, and AC. Also provided is very fast Wi-Fi!
Because Mara House curates the experience for you with the best Luxor has to offer, they helped us with transportation (we had the best drivers!), hooked us up with a guide (Mohammad was fabulous!!) and every morning Mara House manager Ahmed was there to meet us with a HUGE and delicious breakfast and get us ready for our day, and every evening he was there to help us find the best restaurants Luxor has to offer! He was so amazingly thoughtful as well. We’d mentioned how much we’d loved one of the cheeses provided at breakfast and like magic a couple of boxes showed up in our room for us to take back to the USA with us! He was so very thoughtful! We also were lucky enough to experience their full Egyptian dinner as well. This was by far and away the best meal we’d had while we were in Egypt.
Don’t hesitate. If you’re in Luxor, this is the place to stay! I can’t give Mara House and the staff enough stars!
Travelled as a couple – October 2017 – Booked Luxor Holidays package. Reviewed on TripAdvisor
We did a bit of everything with Mara House and it went incredibly well.
The house is beautiful. The rooms are large (apartment like). The space is clean and comfortable. The wifi internet is fast for Luxor. The team is caring, speaks great English, and is always available.
We went on tours in Luxor (and across Egypt) all organized by the Mara House team. They’ve vetted the best guides who know the ins and outs and will even get you behind the scenes). The guides are experts on the history, the temples, the tombs and will fill you in on the local approach to life. We went on a boat ride – awesome, enjoyed a feast at Mara House – also awesome, rode on a horse-drawn carriage – perfect, had our laundry done – fast and excellent, and had breakfast provided each morning – delicious.
The team is exceptional. They made the visit incredibly easy and covered us from airport arrival to departure and everything in-between. If you’ve got questions, they’ve got answers and we were incredibly informed which made our visit easy, fun, relaxing and educational.
Mara House is a great place to stay. We had an extraordinarly experience.
We arrived into Luxor at noon and were promptly greeted by an employee of Mara house. Following check in, we relaxed for an hour in what could only be described as an apartment, and then left for the first day of tours, visiting two amazing temples (Luxor and Karnak).
The next 2 days, beginning at 8 a.m., we visited a number of sites in the area with a very capable guide by the name of Mohammed. Intelligent, knowledgeable and very patient, Mohammed showed us the best that Luxor could offer. His English was impeccable and he took the time to make certain our questions were answered.
Each evening when we returned “home”, the host at Mara house, Ahmed, greeted us warmly and inquired on what we had seen. To our surprise upon returning each day, he has turned on our room air conditioners (it was 114 F our final day), so that our rooms were comfortable. Ahmed went out of his way, morning and night, to make us feel welcome and comfortable.
The refrigerator in our room was stocked with cold drinks, wine and chocolate, as well as other snacks to munch on. But the golden gem of Mara house were the meals. Amir prepared a delightful breakfast each morning. Delicious and plentifil, we left for our daily tours full and content each morning. One evening we were treated with a “traditional ” meal. The time and care Amir put into preparing this meal was obvious. It was superb!
Every detail at Mara house was well thought out to provide for comfort and a feeling of being cared for. With out a doubt, for lodging, tours and meals, this is the place to be.
Once in a Lifetime Trip Perfected
I traveled to Egypt with two women in June 2017 and completed the Mara House Luxor package. Looking back, I wish I had used Mara House services for my entire time in Egypt! It was absolutely wonderful to have everything taken care of in a culturally sensitive way, allowing for explorations of the true uniqueness of Egypt without falling into tourist hypes.
Upon landing in Luxor, we were greeted at the airport by someone from Mara House clearly holding a sign so we knew where to go–exactly as Mara had instructed in her email. (As a type A individual, I greatly appreciated Mara’s detailed communication). We were driven to Mara House, which seemed more on the local side of town–something myself and my group were grateful for; we wanted to experience more of the “true” side of Egypt. Ahmed greeted us at the door–I cannot stress how wonderful Ahmed was in his attentiveness and respectfulness for our every need, going out of his way to assist in personalizing our trip and helping in any way possible. When we were guided to our suite (as we had more than two in our group), my travel companion gasped out loud because of how ecstatic she was with the room–a complete difference from our made up hotel room. It was luxury in what our minds was a dream of Egypt: traditional furnishings, pillows, tapestries, etc. This is exactly what I wanted for my once-in-a-lifetime trip to Egypt!
There is little time to catch your breath, as you are quickly whisked off to begin touring of temples in the early afternoon of the arrival day. Our tour guide was Mohamed for the three days, as well as accompaniment with a driver–Mohamed explained there is typically a driver because many individuals do not want to drive in Egypt because of how hectic the streets are! (very true) The first day was filled with Karnak and Luxor temples–iconic sights which were largely empty. This was true for two reasons 1) it was the off season during summer, but 2) the tourism industry in Egypt has suffered greatly since 2011 and is still recovering. While this has to do with many individuals not feeling Egypt is safe to travel to, this is false. We did not feel unsafe during our time in Egypt; the people even went out of the way to ensure our safety, sometimes giving us accompanied police escorts. The second and third days were filled with seeing sights I have only read about–such as the Valley of the Kings/Queens and Abydos Temple.
Mohamed explained what we would see in detail within the tombs prior to us going in them because of tours could not be given within the tombs. I personally appreciated our guide’s tips throughout our time with how to respond when locals approach us and how to properly behave in a culturally sensitive way. Although seeing so many sights was at times exhausting, our time was paced in such as way that we never felt overwhelmed. Further, as the tour was essentially personalized one-on-one, we were able to make certain requests, ask questions, and not feel rushed. At many of the sights, a large tour group would arrive and leave in far less time than we were at a sight. I was happy for the time we could choose to do what we wanted without pressure to move on.
On our departure from Luxor to Cairo, Ahmed and Mara’s team truly went above and beyond to provide us with exceptional service. We had an extended layover in Cairo before moving on to our next destination, approximately 12 hours. Instead of having us sit in the airport, Ahmed arranged for us to be met by a driver and tour guide from the Mara team to show us around some of the sights in Cairo we had missed in our time there earlier. This service was a fraction of the cost I had been attempting to research for finding somewhere to store our bags so we could explore the city–and included taxing around. We also got to meet Fatima, Mara’s tour guide in Cairo–who was just was wonderful and knowledgeable as Mohamed in Luxor.
I cannot stress how amazing my time in Luxor was. If I ever go back to Egypt again, I certainly plan on doing the extended 10 day trip which covers Aswan, Cairo, and Luxor. I was hesitant to do all of Egypt this way because I consider it incredibly important to personalize travel and be able to learn about the true history and culture of a country. However, after such a wonderful time with Mara House and team, one which fulfills those goals I have for travel, I highly recommend using these services to make the most out of a beautiful experience!
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Aug 2017. Traveled with friends. Luxor Holidays 3 nights package