Firstly I want to let everyone know that from Luxor to Aswan it is totally safe, before choosing this hotel I read the reviews as always, the majority being good we booked all inclusive from the 5th December to the 12th, we have been to Luxor 3 times all on nile cruises, but this time I wanted to relax due to ill health. This I was able to do the grounds of this hotel are nice and relaxing, the service from the staff was wonderful, is this hotel perfect NO but please do not be to critical with your reviews, the wi-fi is free everyday for 1 hour my wife used this daily, please remember you are in a muslem country and they call there people to prayer everyday at 4.30am the prayer last for 30 minitues, I sat with a coffee and dream'nt that I was in the arabian nights, the stars were shining bright through the palm tree's this was very romantic, please if you have a problem mention it and it will be sorted, from the hotel manager to the cleaners they are all there to please you, I could mention several staff that went out of there way to please but they all deserve high praise, please support this hotel you will not be disappionted, General Manager Gamal keep up the good work, perhaps the staff could be helped with regular training from there respective managers to give them that little extra help, you are wonderful people offering good value for money, everyone please go to the hotels egyptian night every Friday and stay to watch all the acts provided for you, wonderful night you will not forget, please remember you are on holiday relax and enjoy, the love these people have for there country and for you if you will let them, the food and service was exellent if your not happy say so to them, and dont be so critical, cant wait to go back.

I was really looking forward to this hotel but there were several issues that overall made it a disappointment. To be completely fair I shall also identify the good points.
You will not sleep through the 'Call to Prayer' at 4.30 am which for some reason can go on for 30 minutes or more on some days - it is very loud. With a ground floor garden view room there were always a number of fast crawling insects outside our front door. At 4.00 pm the Hotel had someone go along the perimiter road spraying a smoke like compound which I could never find out what this was. The smell permeated into the room each day. Fumigation? Do not know. Trying to ask or explain things to the Reception proved very difficult as their english was extremely limited - several days there were trainees on the desk who could not understand anything. The restaurant for the evening meals was not that appetising and you were required to open variuous Tourines ( 6) and scoop out whatever there was there. We upgraded on arrival to Half Board but wished we had not. The breakfasts were either Cheese or Beans or chips but you could request an omlette. The bathroom was well due for a makeover with grubby tiles and a shower which was angled from the wall and made showering difficult. The toilet seat never stays up and the bath plug never closed. We did catch the tummy bug on the last day but the hotel were able to provide a doctor at a cost and after a second call to reception. Or bathroom light went out and it took two days and three calls before any replacement.
The good things - the pool areas and gardens are magnificent with the backdrop of the Nile. There are some nice shops within the hotel and pleasant people to deal with. The janitors and all other staff around the hotel were cheerful. The hotel is a peaceful retreat apart from the call to prayer and perhaps, what we found to be poor, others as the reviews show are happy.
The site of the hotel is superb.

Maybe not a Western 5 stars but really good value. The hotel is about 2-3km from Luxor center (Luxor Temple/Winter Palace) . The rooms are spacious and the gardens and views over the Nile are a particular highlight. The hotel puts on a shuttle bus and boat in the morning and afternoon, dropping off just outside the Winter Palace and will drop off along the way if needed for attractions like Karnak or the Museum. The recently completed corniche along the East bank is a nice way to get between Luxor and Karnak or follow the currently being excavated row of sphinxes if you're feelling a bit more adventurous (Opet festival route). Taxis are cheap and plentiful if boat or bus pick up times don't suit and walking back to the hotel is a good way to build up an appetite for the buffet dinner.
This is the 3rd time I have stayed at the Sofitel Karnak and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good Hotel in Luxor area.

There are always positives and negatives with any hotel, I will get the negatives out of the way first.

The 5.30am call to prayer is difficult to sleep through, it is actually quite a therapeutic sound, but it does wake you up. Also the grounds staff were quite noisy in the morning, shouting to each other from 7am. But I am a light sleeper so no doubt others can sleep through it. Also, the flies! They just don't leave you alone but of course that is not the fault of the hotel.

Our room was a good size and very clean. fridge stocked with soft drinks every day and a very creative housekeeper left us towel sculptures every day, some of which frightened the living daylights out of us as we walked in! Bed quite firm which is how I like it, and very comfortable.

The complex in general is lovely. Right on the east bank of the Nile. You have a choice of sitting around the pool or relaxing in a garden area (where we went to get out daily hit of sunshine) which has fantastic views across the Nile to the Valley of the Kings (give or take a few pylons). there is a poolside bar, a couple of restaurants and the Sundowner bar where you can sit and watch the sunset. I know some people spent the week more or less within the footprint of the hotel and grounds, you could do that, but I would recommend taking some time to explore.

Location is just outside Luxor Centre, a 20 minute boat ride or a 15 minute taxi (taxi cost is about £3). It is very relaxing in it's settings, but Karnak is quite poor, the streets around the hotel are authentically Egyptian which I think is great to see.

The food was good. There is a lunch restaurant which we ate ae a few times for convenience, the menu was varied enough, with a nice Greek salad and a tasty steak sandwich. We chose to go into Luxor centre and Karnak to eat (Try The Lantern Restaurant in Luxor for a good mix of English & Egyptian food at great prices).

The staff were all helpful and friendly, really want to help and will do what they can.

Some tips:

1. Remember smoking is allowed indoors in Egypt, so people are walking around the communal areas smoking.

2. Get lots of change, you need as many 10 and 20 Egyptian Pound notes as you can get (worth £1 and £2 each) for tips and to pay for taxis. You will often hear people say they have no change of bigger notes such as 100 Egyptian Pounds and then won't hand you your note back.

3. Agree prices for taxis/trips/carriage rides BEFORE you get in it.

4. The Wifi is very expensive, about £14 for 24 hours. You get one hour free, but that’s one hour for your whole stay, not one hour a day.

5. Egypt is struggling with economic and political crisis. People have very little money. Luxor is famed for the hassle you get from vendors, taxi drivers etc. Be firm, say "No thank you" (or "La Shukran") until they get them message. It has been a very quiet year or two and they really push hard, sometimes it is easy to get frustrated with them. Remember though they are desperate and don't let their pushiness spoil your holiday or alter your view of the good people of Egypt.

6. Hire a taxi for the day at about 150 Egyptian Pounds total (£14 ish compared with an organised tour from travel company at about £60 each!) who will take you to the West Bank to the Valley of the Kings, Habu Temple etc. It is a must see. When else will you get a chance to say you have been in the Tomb of Tutankhamen?

7. Karnak Temple is much more impresive than Luxor Temple! Habu temple on the Westbank is more impressive than both!

8. Spend a morning walking around Luxor, the back streets not the tourist shops.

9. Have coffee or a beer at The Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor, lots of history at this Victorian mansion.

We would return to Luxor, and certainly return to the Sofitel Karnak.