Just wanted to thank all the staff for our amazing stay in beautiful Sofitel, especially Sayed who looked after us so well and made sure we had everything we wanted and more- cannot wait to go back again!
The food was superb- really amazing quality and variation, always something new and lots of opportunities to taste Egyptian dishes. We loved the house wine with meals and drinks in between the meals! The resort was very well maintained and cleaned all the time. Rooms were spacious and cleaned daily. The weather was stunning. Perfect holidays.

Just had a seven day holiday to Luxor, starting on the 6th February 2013, staying at the Sofitel Karnak hotel. Had an absolutely brilliant time. The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful. As you might imagine, outside of the hotel was pretty much third world but we had no problems, except the usual pestering for money but it was no real problem. We did all of the usual sites and some more, breathtaking in the scale of the temples and tombs. Must recommend the hot air balloon ride, the company we "ballooned" with were Viking, very professional.
We are already thinking about going again next year.

The hotel could be a real Jewel of the Nile if they just got the basics right. The buffet food was some of the worst I have had, poor selection, not well presented and tasteless. I always eat salads on holiday if the hot food is not to my liking but there was so little salad I struggled. We went to the a la carte O,Nile [one visit per stay], Cesar Salad, with bones. Steak with AlphaBites, we declined Desert. The Catering Manager could not understand our laughter. The staff try but even when they are trying to help the Managers are constantly on their backs. A big thanks to Terry and Hesham, waiters in the Snack Bar. Nubly also provided us with a Menu for All Inclusive guests in the Pool Bar on the day we checked out. The Chefs insisted we try the buffet every day, even though we prefer not to eat Fish soup and Calamarie at lunch times. The people we met on this holiday made it so a big HELLO to Bob, Adam, Louie and Pam. Luxor town itself was hassle from the moment we left our boat, I love browsing but we ended up getting a taxi back to hotel as Calesh driver stalked us for over a mile.We went to Luxor to see the Temples and Valley of Kings, sadly unless they find something spectacular we will not be back.

We picked the hotel based on so many great reviews and really are an easy going 20&30 something couple well experienced travellers on any budget. Sadly found this one of the most frustrating holidays. Perhaps we were unlucky and laughed for most of the holiday but at the end I just wanted to fly home early. With so many points we feel drained and very cheated that management has failed to action past problems after all the business is a hotel for guests to relax!! In low season they struggled with so few guests to offer basic service or help guests relax.

Very simply here is the GOOD, BAD and our TIPS....

The Good
Location -
SImply lovely pool area and sun set over the nile.

Squash & Gym -
Very nice facilities (court 2 is waxed and needs sanding)

Showers -
Very very hot water and great pressure

Themed Buffet -
Deserts and breads presentation excellent, local themed night is great.

Staff -
The low key staff such as cleaners, gym and a few waiters were great and good tips left for being so helpful.


THE BAD
Reception -
Oh my god every request was NO,NO,NO. Can we change money into smaller notes NO! Can we have a double bed NO! Can we have some extra Milk NO! Can we remove our all inclusive bands on check out NO! Can you smile NO! Is your Steak Restaurant open....Not Sure....NO!

Noise Pollution -
After our first night on the first floor was very comfortable, we moved to a double room on the ground floor. You can hear every footstep above and conversations or key tapping in the adjoining rooms. For some unknown reason phones went off in various rooms until midnight. In the end we pulled our phone out of the wall. If your a heavy sleeper no problem but take ear plugs.

Food
In a couple of words BAD SCHOOL DINNERS, We went all inclusive, breakfast tea is mostly luke warm and not brewed, pool food for lunch is tasteless and very seasoned with pepper. I had sickness twice in the visit perhaps just unlucky. The evening buffet foods is mostly luke warm and absolutely nil service on drinks. At lunch you would see bread and other food items sitting in the open with birds pecking or flies. We suggested to the supervisor to cover the food stuffs and they simply laughed off the suggestion....I lived on a truck in Africa with better food care.

Drink Service
The staff have no interest to bring you drinks unless you tip them and serve drinks in anything that is available. Mostly small beakers for a beer after complaining we received an ice cream sunday glass. You also have to sign a docket for everything even to get more tea bags you have to sign for it! Take a pen to dinner.

Flies
The grounds are great but sadly many flies, more than my time in Africa or Asia slums, they do spray some smoke twice a day but you can't relax due to so many constantly landing on you.

Tips