| Built in 1886, the Old Winter Palace overlooks the Nile and is very much a little piece of England, in the heart of Egypt. It's grand sweeping staircase leads to an imposing entrance and a grand foyer. Quite simply, the Old Winter Palace is the most imposing and grand of hotels. Situated next door, the New Winter palace, built in a more modern, but luxurious style, shares the gardens and facilities of the Old Winter Palace. |
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| Old Winter Palace Luxor, Egypt |
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| The hotel's grounds ooze colonial grandure with dozens of palm trees overlooking the mature gardens with immaculately tendered lawns. |
| The New Winter Palace's restuarants range from okay to .... okay, although the staff are perfectly friendly, but the two retaurants in the Old Winter Palace are exquisite. The 1886 restaurant is strictly an evening wear affair although it's sister restaurant, La Corniche, also a la carte, has a slightly more relaxed dress code and equally fine food. |
| The hotels are situated next to the Temple of Luxor, but if visiting the area, a visit to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens is a must. One thing that is difficult to miss is the attention of the street traders, who's attention is unavoidable if you venture outside the hotel complex. They will ask if you are English - say yes and they will pounce. Say no, and thay will almost certainly be fluent in any language you can come up with on the spur of the moment. Impressive, but frustrating at times! |