Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor Review: Is It Still the Best Place to Stay in Luxor?
This is my review based on my three nights staying at the Luxor Winter Palace. People have complained that the hotel is getting old and decrepit. Find out if it is true and if the Luxor Winter Palace is still the best place to stay in Luxor.
Sofitel Winter Palace at a Glance
| My rating | 5 / 5 — historic grandeur done right; this review records the hotel as I experienced it |
| Status | Closed for restoration since early 2026 — reopening in July 2027 as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor |
| Location | On Luxor’s Corniche overlooking the Nile, steps from Luxor Temple and the souk |
| The history | A grand palace hotel opened in 1905, built by British explorers and tied to the golden age of Nile travel |
Why Trust This Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor Review?
I stayed at the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor myself, and everything in this review comes from that stay — the photos included, shot on my own camera. I’ve traveled to 135 countries, from Tuscany to Fiji, and I only review the places I’ve actually stayed — this is one of them. After a career of near-weekly hotel stays as a management consultant, and more than 30 liveaboard trips as a diver, I judge hotels on what actually matters — beds, breakfasts, service recovery and value — and I publish the cons alongside the pros. More on how I review on my author page.
Update, July 2026: The Sofitel Winter Palace closed in early 2026 for a complete restoration and will reopen in July 2027 as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, under new management by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. The review below reflects my three-night stay under Sofitel, before the closure and rebrand — I’ll publish a fresh review once it reopens in 2027.
How to Get to the Sofitel Winter Palace
The airport is Luxor airport, which is 15 minutes away from the hotel. Taxis wait outside the airport, and the price of a taxi from Luxor airport should be around ninety Egyptian pounds.
The Winter Palace Hotel is located on the banks of the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt. It is a very convenient location, as it is in the middle of Luxor town and has access to local shops and restaurants.
It is also a 5-minute walk from the Luxor temple and a pleasant 15-minute walk to the Luxor museum on the newly renovated Corniche.
History of the Winter Palace Luxor
The Sofitel Winter Palace is also known as the Old Winter Hotel Palace. British explorers built this magnificent hotel with superb colonial design and the halo of ancient Egypt. It was established by Upper Egypt Hotel Corporation and opened its doors in 1905.
The hotel’s luxury charm is embalmed in a historic building. Walking through the lobby is like being transported back in time.
The princely red carpets, tarboosh hanging near the drawing room, gleaming chandeliers, and typical furniture are still present in the hotel. None has changed a bit in years!
The hotel lobby has many pictures and portraits of the inauguration ceremony and the famous residents who stayed there. You will be in good company! The luxury hotel Luxor gives a royal feeling when you walk around! The Winter Palace at night is effulged with bright, mesmerizing lights.
Review of the Room at the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
I stayed in the luxury Nile view room number 238.
The Nile View room allowed a fantastic view of the Nile and across the ancient hills of the Nile Valley. It has a nice terrace, with two chairs and a table, where I enjoyed spending time, especially during sunset. It was an unforgettable experience. The brilliantly red and orange, tranquil and gorgeous sunset over the Nile each evening from my balcony always perfected my mood.
The room is large, with a high ceiling and panoramic windows over the Nile. The main colors were orange and red. The center of the room is occupied by a comfortable king-size bed, where I slept very well.
A large TV is present in the room, but most of the channels are in Arabic.
The main drawback of the Nile-facing room is the noise coming from the street. It seems that young Luxor inhabitants have taken a habit of hanging outside, with loud music and horns blaring. The noise would often continue until quite late into the night.
TIP: If you are a light sleeper and need a quiet room to sleep in, don’t choose a Nile view room. Rooms at the back of the hotel facing the gardens are quieter.
The bathroom has been recently renovated and has a comfortable bathtub. Shampoo, conditioner, and even body lotions are provided. Plenty of oversized hangs off the rack.
Review of the Winter Palace Pool Area and garden
The Sofitel Winter Palace garden is spectacular and worth the wander. It is encumbered with palm trees, flowers, and fountains, capturing one’s mind and heart.
TIP: lookout for birds. I saw a few beautiful exotic birds that I hadn’t seen before.
After spending a long hot day exploring the top sights of Luxor, the Winter Palace pool appears like an oasis in the desert.
The swimming pool area at Winter Palace Luxor is huge and inviting. It looks a bit old but is a great and quiet place to hang out. You will never guess that you are right in the middle of the city. The Winter Palace pool has enough space for sunbathing. Annoyingly, the umbrellas are made of wood that doesn’t totally overlap, and it was, therefore, impossible to get full shade while at the pool. I enjoyed a few drinks from the poolside while reading my favorite books on a lounge chair.
The pool area is surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers.
Is the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor still open?
No. The hotel closed in early 2026 for a full restoration and reopens in July 2027 as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, under new management by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in partnership with Talaat Moustafa Group.
Is it worth staying at the Winter Palace Luxor?
The Sofitel Winter Palace is the perfect hotel for visitors who are fond of history. The majestic staircase, the high ceilings, and the grand bar area will impress you.
The hotel is an absolute gem, with a great location right in the center of Luxor.
Yes, it is true that in some areas, the painting is chirped, especially in the shops near the entrance. The pool looks old, and you can see that the window frames and doors have been repainted many times, or the glasses are single-glass and not soundproof. However, it gives the hotel charm and character. The people complaining about it probably also complain about some of Luxor’s temples being broken.
I had a very comfortable stay in this historical estate. Everything was functioning as it should, and even the internet in my room was relatively fast for Egypt.
The management and staff working there are worth praising. The price of the Winter Palace is currently in the range of 100 – 150 euros per night and represents superb value for money.
With its perfect Nile view and grand interior, the Winter Palace Luxor has a lot to offer. Yes, a few things could be improved, but Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor is a unique place to stay during your holiday, and I would definitely stay there again.
For more information about traveling to Egypt, see my article about visiting the pyramids, visiting Luxor, the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh, and diving in the Red Sea on liveaboards Blueforce 3 and the Aggressor Red Sea 3.
Winter Palace Luxor: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Winter Palace Luxor famous?
Opened in 1905 and built by British explorers, the Winter Palace hosted the aristocracy and archaeology of Egyptian travel’s golden age — Agatha Christie famously stayed here while working on Death on the Nile, and the hotel’s history is entwined with the announcement of Tutankhamun’s tomb discovery. Sleeping here has always been as much a heritage experience as a hotel stay.
Where should you stay in Luxor while the Winter Palace is closed?
Luxor’s east-bank Corniche hotels put you closest to the temples while the Winter Palace is restored — and once the Mandarin Oriental reopens in July 2027, the grande dame will again be the address to book.
