Best 5-Star Hotels in Egypt (2026/2027) – Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & the Red Sea
The best 5-star hotels in Egypt for 2026 and 2027 are the Marriott Mena House, Four Seasons Nile Plaza and St. Regis in Cairo; the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa in Luxor; the Old Cataract and Mövenpick Resort in Aswan; and The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh and Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea. Two famous names need care right now: the Winter Palace in Luxor is closed for restoration until July 2027, and the Old Cataract in Aswan is open only in its historic Palace Wing while the Nile Wing is renovated.
Below you will find a summary table by city, a short guide to choosing, then each city in turn, with what every hotel is known for, who it suits, and which of our tours use it. We checked each hotel’s name and status against its official website or operator announcement in October 2026.
Best 5-star hotels in Egypt by city
| City | Hotel | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Marriott Mena House | Giza, beside the pyramids | First-time visitors, couples, pyramid views |
| Cairo | Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | Garden City, Nile Corniche | Families, a calm central base |
| Cairo | The St. Regis Cairo | Downtown, Nile Corniche | A modern tower with butler service |
| Cairo | Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah | Gezira island, Zamalek | Couples, evenings out |
| Cairo | Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo | Garden City | Couples who prefer a smaller hotel |
| Luxor | Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa | East bank, near Karnak | Families, spa lovers |
| Luxor | Steigenberger Resort Achti | East bank, riverside gardens | Relaxed stays between sightseeing |
| Luxor | Winter Palace | East bank, beside Luxor Temple | History lovers, from July 2027 (closed until then) |
| Aswan | Old Cataract | East bank, above the First Cataract | Couples, history lovers (Palace Wing open) |
| Aswan | Mövenpick Resort Aswan | Elephantine Island | Families, island setting |
| Aswan | Benben by Dhara | Hissa (Heissa) Island | Adults seeking quiet (18+) |
| Red Sea | The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh | Sahl Hasheesh, south of Hurghada | Honeymooners, long beach stays |
| Red Sea | Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay | Soma Bay, south of Hurghada | Couples and families wanting a resort bay |
| Red Sea | Steigenberger ALDAU Beach Hotel | Central Hurghada | Beach time close to town, diving |
| Red Sea | Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh | Sharm El Sheikh | Divers, families, couples |
| Red Sea | Rixos Premium Seagate | Nabq Bay, Sharm El Sheikh | Families who want everything on site |
Status in October 2026
- Winter Palace, Luxor: closed for a full restoration; Mandarin Oriental plans to reopen it as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, in July 2027.
- Old Cataract, Aswan: open in the historic Palace Wing; the Nile Wing is under renovation, with the full Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan, scheduled for July 2027.
- All other hotels in the table: operating and taking bookings on their official websites when we checked.
Statuses change. If a hotel is central to your plans, ask for written confirmation that it is open on your dates before you pay a deposit.
How to choose a 5-star hotel in Egypt
Choose your Cairo area by what you will visit most
Cairo traffic is heavy, so location matters more than brand. Giza suits pyramid and Grand Egyptian Museum days. The Corniche hotels in Garden City and downtown, and the Sofitel on Gezira island, suit Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir and evenings out. Many travelers split their nights between the two.
Decide on a Nile cruise before booking Luxor and Aswan
A ship can replace most hotel nights between Luxor and Aswan, and it moves you between temples while you sleep. If you cruise, you may only need one or two hotel nights, often in Aswan. If you prefer to stay on land, pick a resort with a pool for the hot afternoons after early temple visits.
On the Red Sea, pick your coast first
The main choice is between Hurghada-area resorts, which are easier to reach from Luxor by road, and Sharm El Sheikh, which is usually reached by air. Then choose by style: all-suite privacy, a family resort, or an all-inclusive with entertainment.
Quick picks
| If you want | Consider |
|---|---|
| To wake up to the pyramids | Marriott Mena House |
| A central Cairo base with Nile views | Four Seasons Nile Plaza, St. Regis, Sofitel El Gezirah |
| Historic character in Aswan | Old Cataract (Palace Wing) |
| A resort with children in Luxor or Aswan | Hilton Luxor, Mövenpick Aswan |
| Privacy on the Red Sea | The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh |
| Diving from a five-star base | Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh |
| All-inclusive with entertainment | Rixos Premium Seagate |
Best hotels in Cairo and Giza
Marriott Mena House
Built in 1869 as a hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail and opened as a hotel in 1886, the Mena House sits in large gardens right beside the Giza pyramids. Some rooms and suites have balconies facing the pyramids, and the hotel opened Egypt’s first swimming pool in 1890. In December 1977 it hosted the Egyptian-Israeli talks that led to the Camp David Accords. Stay here for the view and the history, and for a short drive to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Central Cairo is further away, so plan for traffic. See our Marriott Mena House page and our guide to pyramid-view hotels in Cairo.
On our tours: the Hathor 8-day Cairo and Nile cruise, Sun Ray 10-day tour with Abu Simbel and Ptolemy 10-day tour with Alexandria.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
On the Corniche in Garden City, the Four Seasons faces the Nile from the east bank. It is known for consistent service, a spa, a pool and ten restaurants and bars, including Zitouni for Egyptian food. The hotel also runs a dedicated family program. It works well for families and for travelers who want a calm, central base. More on our Four Seasons Nile Plaza page.
On our tours: the Royal Egypt Tour, 14 days.
The St. Regis Cairo
Opened in January 2021 on the Nile Corniche downtown, the St. Regis is a 36-storey tower designed by Michael Graves. Every guest has access to the brand’s butler service, day or night. The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, the Iridium Spa and several restaurants. Choose it if you like a modern hotel with sweeping Nile views and are happy to drive to Giza.
Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah
Set on Gezira island in the Zamalek district, this tower has Nile views on most sides. It has a heated infinity pool facing the river, a spa, and several restaurants and bars, including Moroccan and Egyptian grill restaurants. Zamalek and downtown are close, which makes it practical for evenings out. More on our Sofitel El Gezirah page.
On our tours: the Timeless Egypt 11-day tour.
Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo
With 191 rooms, the Kempinski in Garden City feels smaller and quieter than the big Corniche towers. It has a rooftop pool and bar overlooking the Nile and the city skyline, and some suites have private balconies. It suits couples who prefer a more intimate hotel.
Looking ahead, the historic Shepheard hotel in central Cairo is due to reopen as the Mandarin Oriental Shepheard, Cairo, in 2027.
Best hotels in Luxor
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
On the east bank in New Karnak, about 1 km from Karnak Temple according to the hotel, the Hilton is one of the strongest resort choices open in Luxor right now. It has a Nile-view infinity pool at the spa, a separate outdoor pool, and restaurants including Olives (Mediterranean) and Silk Road (Asian). It is a good choice for families and for anyone who wants a resort atmosphere after early temple visits.
On our tours: the Timeless Egypt 11-day tour.
Steigenberger Resort Achti
Also on the east bank, the Achti sits in about eight acres of gardens with two heated outdoor pools, a children’s pool and its own felucca dock. It is a comfortable, relaxed option close to the center.
Winter Palace (closed until July 2027)
The Winter Palace opened in 1907 on the Corniche beside Luxor Temple. Lord Carnarvon often stayed there, and the hotel became the press base after Howard Carter found Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Mandarin Oriental took the hotel over in early 2026 and closed it for a complete restoration. It is scheduled to reopen as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, in July 2027. Until then, plan on another Luxor hotel.
On our tours: the TITI Dive 8-day tour lists the Winter Palace, and on the Tut Treasure 6-day tour the Luxor hotel is confirmed when you book. Ask us to confirm the Luxor hotel for your travel dates.
Many travelers also spend their Luxor nights on board a ship. A luxury Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan replaces several hotel nights and moves you between temples while you sleep. Mandarin Oriental has also announced its own Nile cruise ship, which was still in design development in early 2026. For more on where to stay, see our guide to luxury hotels in Luxor.
Luxury hotels in Aswan
Old Cataract
Opened in 1899 above the granite rocks of the First Cataract, the Old Cataract is the hotel where Agatha Christie stayed and which is linked with Death on the Nile. Its terrace over the river and Elephantine Island is famous for sunset tea. Mandarin Oriental took over management in May 2026. The historic Palace Wing remains open while the Nile Wing is renovated, and the full property is scheduled to relaunch as the Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan, in July 2027. If you stay before then, ask for a Palace Wing room and check what facilities are open. See our Old Cataract page.
On our tours: the Royal Egypt Tour, 14 days.
Mövenpick Resort Aswan
On Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile, the Mövenpick is reached by boat from the Aswan side. The Panorama Restaurant & Bar sits at the highest point in the city, with 360-degree views over the river. The resort has two swimming pools, which makes it a good family choice.
On our tours: the Timeless Egypt 11-day tour.
Benben by Dhara
This adults-only hotel (minimum check-in age 18) stands on Hissa Island, also spelled Heissa, south of the city and reached by boat. It has a spa with massages, a hammam, a sauna and a steam room. Choose it for quiet, not for nightlife. The Aswan travel guide explains how the islands fit into a visit.
Luxury hotels on the Red Sea
Hurghada area: Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay and Hurghada
The best luxury hotels in Hurghada are mostly just outside the city. The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh is an all-suite resort about 17 km from Hurghada International Airport, according to the hotel. Its Grand Suites with Private Pool have their own pools, and the main pool has an adults-only area alongside a splash pool for children. It is the calmest choice on this coast.
On our tours: the TITI Dive 8-day tour and the Nile Dream 10-day tour.
Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay sits on Soma Bay, a resort bay south of Hurghada, and suits couples and families who want a self-contained resort. In Hurghada itself, the Steigenberger ALDAU Beach Hotel is directly on the sea, with a large outdoor pool landscape and its own water sports and diving center.
Luxury hotels in Sharm El Sheikh
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh has a kilometer of private beachfront, four outdoor pools and a kids’ club for ages 4 to 12. Its on-site dive center helps guests plan dives, and the resort offers access to a protected marine reserve. It is the obvious pick for divers who want five-star comfort.
On our tours: the Hatshepsut Dive 10-day tour.
Rixos Premium Seagate in Nabq Bay runs on an all-inclusive basis with around 20 restaurants and bars, seven pools, a kids’ club, a teens’ club and the Rixos Aquaventure water park next door. It suits families who want everything on site.
For beaches and diving along the coast, see our Red Sea Egypt travel guide.
Our tours that use these hotels
Delta Tours Egypt is a family-run operator based in Cairo, arranging travel in Egypt since 1974. Our luxury Egypt tours combine several of the hotels above with private guided sightseeing:
- Marriott Mena House: Hathor, Sun Ray, Ptolemy
- Four Seasons Nile Plaza and Old Cataract: Royal Egypt Tour
- Winter Palace: TITI Dive (confirm the Luxor hotel while it is closed)
- The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh: Nile Dream, TITI Dive
- Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh: Hatshepsut Dive
- Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah, Hilton Luxor Resort and Mövenpick Aswan: Timeless Egypt
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most famous luxury hotel in Egypt?
The Marriott Mena House in Giza and the Old Cataract in Aswan are the best known, both for their history and their views. The Winter Palace in Luxor is equally famous but is closed for restoration until July 2027.
Is the Winter Palace in Luxor open?
No. It closed in early 2026 for a full restoration under Mandarin Oriental and is scheduled to reopen in July 2027 as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor.
Can I still stay at the Old Cataract in Aswan?
Yes. The historic Palace Wing stays open while the Nile Wing is renovated. The hotel is due to relaunch fully as the Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan, in July 2027.
What are the best 5-star hotels in Cairo?
For pyramid views, the Marriott Mena House is the classic choice. For a central Nile-side base, look at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, the St. Regis Cairo, the Sofitel El Gezirah or the smaller Kempinski Nile Hotel.
What are the luxury hotels in Sharm El Sheikh?
The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is the leading choice for privacy and diving, while Rixos Premium Seagate suits families who want an all-inclusive resort.
Should I choose a Nile cruise or hotels in Luxor and Aswan?
A cruise moves you between temples with less driving and is often better value. Hotels give you more space and flexibility. Many travelers combine three or four cruise nights with one or two hotel nights in Aswan.
If you would like these hotels built into one itinerary with private guides and transfers, send us your dates and we will prepare a tailor-made luxury Egypt tour quote.
