An Egyptian vacation brings up images of the River Nile, the Valley of the Kings, and the thronging buzzing crowds, the heat, and the dust. The challenge is that with so many hotels to choose from, where do you stay.

This difficult choice has been settled once and for all since the Al Moudira rose out of the desert about five years ago, and has rapidly developed such a great reputation that it is now the place to stay when you pass through Luxor. It is a real luxury boutique hotel, without any equal in the whole of Egypt.

You should forget about the modern palaces you may have experienced before in Egypt, because at the Al Moudira you are going to feel you have taken a step back in time. The Al Moudira is like a cross between an old Beiruit Palace, and a Turkish Harem. 

Al Moudira is situated on the West Bank of the River Nile, and is an all suite property, with 54 suites within this quite unique property. The suites are each of them unique, with the styles of French Moroccan or Egyptian.

 Here we have courtyards with cooling splashing fountains, gardens smelling of the perfume of jasmine, it really gives the impression of having stood on this spot for centuries. In fact the design has used bits and pieces saved from old Egyptian buildings, and it is full of artifacts from souks, antique shops, and bazaars. There are old pictures, handicrafts, and the effect is totally to make you believe you have stepped back into the Arabian Nights

The bedrooms are delightfully old fashioned with huge four poster beds and arched ceilings, and when you look out at nights there seem to be candles everywhere creating a fantastically romantic atmosphere. Every bathroom is a personal Hamman

Even journeying to the Al Moudira is like going back in time as pass old fashioned villages, donkey drawn carts, and life appearing much as it must have been centuries ago.

The key thing here is the coolness, and the peace and tranquillity after a days sightseeing. It’s almost like you can’t wait to get back to wash of the dust, and bathe in the beautiful swimming pool surrounded by jasmine and bougainvillea, or just unwind in the hamman and the Turkish Bath.

You will be overwhelmed by faultless service, and not forgetting the stunning cuisine. It is great at both the pool outside area café, and the main dining area, where the service is exceptionally good, and the dinner menu changes every night.

The food ranks as possibly the best in Egypt, and this starts with the breakfast which isn’t a buffet, but a mountain fresh fruit, yoghurt, breads, pastries, and cooked for you eggs and omelettes.

If you can be here at Christmas then they even do a nativity scene with real donkeys and goats and the three wise men arrive on camels. For children and adults alike this is a heart stopping experience.

An outstanding feature of the hotel is the help you get with your site seeing requirements and they had fixed rates for local taxis to the sites and the town, which saves a great deal of hassle.

The Al Moudira is a unique hotel, and the perfect luxury boutique hotel experience to complement your luxury Egyptian holiday, especially if you want to avoid the bustle of Luxor