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The Sofitel Winter Palace is one in every of Egypt’s most historic resorts and top-of-the-line locations to remain in Luxor. As quickly as I noticed it on Booking.com I knew I completely needed to guide a keep right here!
Located proper within the coronary heart of the town near Luxor Temple, this stunning 5-star resort first opened its doorways in 1907 and has welcomed many well-known company through the years, together with Agatha Christie, Jackie Kennedy, Jane Fonda, Al Gore, Henry Kissinger, Prince Charles and Lady Diana, and President Sarkozy. It was in-built 1886 by an Italian referred to as J.S.Crozzo and is extremely opulent each inside and outside.
Staying on the Sofitel Winter Palace is an expertise in itself, a lot in order that you may spend days right here and by no means truly go away the grounds! With plush purple carpets, glowing chandeliers, grandiose staircases and luxurious gardens, the resort is totally beautiful and looks like a real palace.
In this Sofitel Winter Palace overview I’ll offer you a sneak peek contained in the resort and inform you what I considered it!
How to Get to the Sofitel Winter Palace
My tour driver dropped me off on the resort, so I didn’t actually have to determine tips on how to get there. If you’re arriving in Luxor by yourself although one of the simplest ways to get there’s both by taxi or by reserving an airport pick-up with the resort.
There are taxis normally ready exterior arrivals at Luxor Airport and the speed ought to value about 90 Egyptian kilos. The Sofitel Winter Palace is a few 10-15 minute drive from the airport and only a quick stroll (5-minutes) from Luxor Temple. It’s very effectively located proper within the coronary heart of all the pieces so you may simply stroll alongside the corniche and round downtown Luxor on foot. If you wish to go to the Valley of the Kings/Queens and Karnak Temple, you may guide excursions on-line with GetYourGuide and Viator or hail a taxi to take you there.
Sofitel Winter Palace Review
Entrance & Lobby
I arrived on the Sofitel Winter Palace after an extended day of sightseeing and the constructing’s yellow facade was glowing orange because the solar set over Luxor. As I made my approach up the sweeping staircase lined with purple carpet, I knew I used to be in for a magical expertise.
The Winter Palace is simply as spectacular on the within as it’s from the surface. The foyer is sort of spectacular, with dazzling chandeliers, stunning tiled flooring, oriental rugs, vintage furnishings and luxurious purple couches.
Service
From the second I arrived on the resort the reception workers had been extraordinarily welcoming and I used to be fortunate sufficient to be given a room improve. They organized an early morning wake-up name for my sizzling air balloon experience and a late check-out since my flight again to Cairo wasn’t till the night. A feminine member of workers additionally walked me to my room and organized dinner for me within the resort’s 1886 restaurant.
As a girl touring solo in Egypt it meant quite a bit to really feel so welcomed and brought care of. The service was impeccable and actually added to all the expertise.
The Rooms
Each of the resort’s 86 rooms and 6 suites are embellished in an old school, colonial type. They’re not ultra-modern just like the rooms on the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, however they’re undoubtedly spectacular with very excessive ceilings, fantastic woods and stylish furnishings.
There are three main room sorts – Classic, Superior and Luxury. Some have backyard views whereas some have views of the nile and the corniche.
When I checked in I used to be upgraded to a Luxury Room with backyard view and my jaw dropped after I opened the door. My room was completely monumental with a lot ground house I might dance round in it.
The main spotlight for me although was opening the French doorways and discovering the large terrace. The terrace overlooks the gardens and is the proper spot for a morning cup of espresso or an aperitif.
Other perks of the room embrace satellite tv for pc TV, high-speed Internet entry, a mini bar and direct dial phone. After having such patchy Internet in different resorts all through Egypt, I used to be relieved to have such nice WiFi on this resort. My solely gripe concerning the room was not having sufficient plug sockets, nevertheless it’s an outdated resort so I perceive why.
In the lavatory I discovered bottled water, a hairdryer, bathrobes and facilities equipped by Acqua di Portofino. The rest room actually has all the pieces you want, together with a shower tub, bathe, shampoo, conditioner, bathe gel, toothbrush and shaving equipment.
Restaurants
The Sofitel Winter Palace boasts a number of eating places and bars all through the property. From open-air eating out within the tropical gardens to fantastic eating within the resort’s decadent French-style restaurant, there are quite a few choices relying on what you’re within the temper for.
1886
Since I solely had one evening on the Sofitel Winter Palace I made a decision to guide a desk at 1886, which is the resort’s most opulent restaurant. Reservations are required and the gown code is sensible, with jacket and tie for males. The interiors ooze Parisian-style glamor with chandeliers, purple velvet chairs and candlelit tables. On the menu you’ll discover numerous French fish and meat dishes together with grilled langoustines, baked purple mullet, grilled beef fillet and veal medallions.
I ordered the pan fried duck with orange sauce and seasonal greens, adopted by the chocolate pudding. While the dessert was nice, I’ve to say that the duck wasn’t as much as the usual I’d count on from a 5-star institution. I did learn quite a few critiques on Booking.com saying that the meals isn’t that nice on the Winter Palace and I’m inclined to agree. Everything else was distinctive however I discovered the veggies to be soggy and the duck a bit dry.
Breakfast at La Corniche
Breakfast is served in La Corniche restaurant, which boasts massive sun-lit home windows, wood flooring, pastel inexperienced chairs and crimson-gold particulars. The buffet breakfast consists of an array of recent pastries, fruits, cheeses, nuts and chilly cuts, plus omelets made to order.
Royal Bar
For a pre/put up dinner drink you may head to the Royal Bar, which boasts deep purple partitions, damask materials, and wealthy wooden paneling. A classical pianist performs right here each evening so it’s the proper spot to unwind and revel in a nightcap after dinner.
While I solely dined on the above eating places and bars, there are lots of extra on-site food and drinks choices, together with:
Shisha Corner – This open air bar is situated within the resort’s tropical backyard oasis close to the swimming pool. Here you may take pleasure in a puff of shisha (hookah) in a relaxed ambiance.
Central Park/Open Air Bar – Dine beneath the celebs at Central Park Bar, which is about on the garden of the resort, reverse the Shisha Corner. This is the proper spot for a romantic dinner for 2.
Victorian Lounge – Enjoy afternoon tea with macarons and scones within the opulent Victorian Lounge, which is embellished with a crystal chandelier and plush, pink oriental carpets. King Farouk, the final King of Egypt, used to take pleasure in afternoon tea right here.
Pool and Gardens
Covering an space of 40,000 sq. meters, the unique backyard supplies a tranquil oasis the place company can escape the hustle and bustle of Luxor. Relaxing right here I felt 1,000,000 miles away from the chaos of the town and it supplied a welcome retreat after a busy 7 days in Egypt.
The backyard incorporates greater than 50 various kinds of timber, a few of that are over 100 years outdated. Each of the timber within the backyard has been logged and tagged with the particular 12 months that it was planted. The gardens are maintained by a workforce of 12 gardeners and have a big array of unique flowers, which are a magnet for many species of birds.
Eagles could be seen within the late afternoon hours whereas Hoopoes birds (recognizable by the feather crowns on their heads) could be discovered digging the backyard with their lengthy beaks. Strutting round the primary garden you’ll additionally see stunning pink flamingos, which make for a superb photograph alternative!
The resort’s massive out of doors pool is about amongst shady palm timber on the sting of the tropical gardens. You’ll discover loads of cozy solar loungers with umbrellas for shade and there’s a swim up bar must you wish to order a cocktail when you’re swimming! If not, then there are additionally waiters who come round frequently taking orders for food and drinks.
Next to the pool is a restaurant referred to as El Nakhel, which gives sit down eating at lunch time. The eclectic menu options soups, salads, mezze, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, fish, steaks and Egyptian dishes. Bathrooms and altering areas can be found subsequent to the restaurant, so that you don’t need to go too far to alter in/out of your swimsuit.
Is it Worth Staying at The Winter Palace, Luxor?
I hope you discovered this Sofitel Winter Palace overview useful! Staying at this resort is an expertise in itself and undoubtedly one to cross off your bucket record.
When I used to be reserving my keep in Luxor I used to be a bit torn between staying on the Hilton Luxor and the Sofitel Winter Palace. While the Hilton is far more up to date and trendy with higher meals (so I hear from critiques), the Sofitel Winter Palace is situated slap bang within the coronary heart of Luxor so you may actually stumble out of the entrance doorways and into Luxor Temple.
It oozes old-world glamor and staying at this resort makes you’re feeling like a king or queen. so I’d extremely advocate staying right here. You can keep at trendy resorts anyplace on this planet however the Winter Palace is one thing fairly particular and distinctive.
Address: 17 Corniche el Nile road Beside LUXOR Temple، 11432, Egypt
Phone: +20 95 2380422
Check-in from 03:00 PM – Check out as much as 12:00 PM
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