Where to Stay in Luxor 2026: Best Hotels for Exploring Ancient Egypt
Most luxury hotels in Luxor stand on the East Bank Corniche, within a short drive of Luxor and Karnak temples, and that is the easiest base for a first visit. The West Bank is quieter, closer to the Valley of the Kings and better suited to small, characterful hotels. One major change for 2026: the historic Winter Palace is closed for restoration until 2027, so plan around the hotels below.
Where to stay in Luxor: East Bank or West Bank
The Nile divides Luxor in two. The East Bank is the modern city, with Luxor Temple, Karnak, the museums, the train station, the airport and most restaurants. The West Bank holds the ancient necropolis: the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut’s temple, Medinet Habu and the villages around them.
| Factor | East Bank | West Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | City streets, the Corniche promenade, busy evenings | Farmland, villages and desert cliffs; quiet at night |
| Nearest sites | Luxor Temple, Karnak, Luxor Museum | Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Medinet Habu |
| Hotel type | Large five-star and four-star hotels with pools and Nile views | Small boutique hotels and guesthouses |
| Restaurants | Wide choice inside and outside hotels | Mostly hotel dining and a few local places |
| View | Sunsets over the Theban hills on the West Bank | Sunrise over the river and the city |
| Best for | First visits, short stays, families, travelers who want full hotel facilities | Longer stays, return visits, travelers who want peace and early access to the tombs |
For a two- or three-night stay, the East Bank is usually the better choice. Sightseeing on the West Bank starts with a short crossing by bridge or boat, and your guide or driver handles this as part of the day. If you have four nights or more, a split stay with one or two nights on the West Bank works well.
Luxury hotels in Luxor compared
| Hotel | Bank and location | Style | Nile views | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa | East Bank, on the river near Karnak, north of the center | Five-star resort with a large spa | More than half of the 236 rooms; infinity pool over the Nile | Couples, spa lovers, a resort feel |
| Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor | East Bank Corniche, about 2 km from Luxor Temple | Classic five-star, marble and chandeliers | Front Nile View rooms face the river and West Bank sunsets | First-time visitors, couples who want a central base |
| Steigenberger Nile Palace | East Bank, about five minutes by car from Luxor Temple | Large five-star with Egyptian design touches | Several Nile-view categories; pools overlook the river | Families and groups |
| Iberotel Luxor | East Bank Corniche, about 10 minutes on foot from Luxor Temple | Four-star, simple and well kept | About 100 of its 185 rooms; floating pool on the river | Value with a central location |
| Winter Palace (closed until 2027) | East Bank, just south of Luxor Temple | Historic 1907 palace hotel | River-facing grounds | History lovers, once it reopens |
| Al Moudira | West Bank, in the countryside near the Theban necropolis | Boutique, Relais and Châteaux member | Garden and countryside setting rather than river views | Quiet stays and food lovers |
| Marsam Hotel | West Bank, beside the excavations at the Temple of Amenhotep III | Simple mud-brick house built in the 1920s for archaeologists | Views over fields and excavations | Travelers interested in archaeology, on a modest budget |
East Bank hotels in detail
Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa
The Hilton sits on the river north of the town center, near Karnak Temple. It feels more like a resort than a city hotel: two pools including an infinity pool above the Nile, a spa with 12 treatment rooms and an outdoor thermal garden, and eight restaurants and bars. More than half of the rooms look over the river. The trade-off is distance from Luxor Temple and the Corniche restaurants, which you will reach by car. Delta Tours Egypt uses the Hilton on Timeless Egypt, Treasures of the Pharaohs and Jewels of Egypt.
Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor
A traditional five-star on the Corniche in the center of town, with 322 rooms, two outdoor pools (one heated), eight places to eat and a spa. Luxor Temple is about 2 km away, a flat walk along the river or a few minutes by taxi, and Karnak is roughly 15 minutes by road. Book a Front Nile View room if you want the sunset over the West Bank from your window. The Sonesta St. George is the Luxor hotel on our King Treasure 6-day Cairo and Luxor tour.
Steigenberger Nile Palace
A large five-star on the East Bank with about 300 rooms over six floors, two outdoor pools and a children’s pool beside the Nile. It is a short drive from Luxor Temple. Guests often mention the breakfast and the riverside pool area, and the size of the property works well for families. It features on our Sun and Sea 8-day Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada tour.
Iberotel Luxor
A four-star hotel on the Corniche, about ten minutes on foot from Luxor Temple. Its best-known feature is a floating pool moored on the Nile, heated in winter. About 100 of the 185 rooms have Nile views with balconies facing the Theban hills. It is comfortable rather than lavish, and its location is hard to beat for the price. We use it on the Anubis 6-day tour and the ISIS Dive 8-day tour.
The Winter Palace: closed for restoration
The Winter Palace opened in January 1907 just south of Luxor Temple and became famous when Howard Carter used its noticeboard to post news of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1920s. In 2026 management passed from Accor to Mandarin Oriental, and the hotel closed for a full restoration. Mandarin Oriental has announced a reopening as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, in July 2027. Our TITI Dive tour lists the Winter Palace, and on Tut Treasure the Luxor hotel is confirmed when you book, so ask us which Luxor hotel applies to your dates until it reopens.
West Bank hotels in detail
Al Moudira
A boutique hotel in the West Bank countryside, near the Theban necropolis and a member of Relais and Châteaux. Its restaurant cooks with produce from the hotel’s own farm, and the hotel can arrange private dinners at archaeological sites. It is a place to slow down between early tomb visits, not a base for nightlife.
Marsam Hotel
Built in the 1920s as a house for University of Chicago archaeologists, the Marsam has been run as a hotel by the same local family for decades. Rooms keep the plain mud-brick style; some have private bathrooms and air conditioning while others have fans only, so check before booking. Breakfast is served in a courtyard overlooking the excavations at the Temple of Amenhotep III. It is busiest during the excavation season from October to March.
Staying on a Nile cruise instead of a hotel
Many travelers do not stay in a Luxor hotel at all. Cruises between Luxor and Aswan start or finish in Luxor, and the sightseeing on both banks is built into the program. Choosing between the two depends on how you want to travel.
| Question | Luxor hotel | Nile cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Time in Luxor | As long as you like; easy to add the balloon flight, Dendera or Abydos | Usually a fixed day or two of sightseeing |
| Rest of the Nile Valley | Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan need separate transport | Included on the way to Aswan, with no repacking |
| Space and facilities | Larger rooms, big pools, spas | Cabins and a sun deck; more modest space |
| Flexibility | Full control over pace and timing | Fixed schedule |
A common approach is to combine both: a three- or four-night cruise, then an extra night or two in a Luxor hotel to see what the cruise schedule left out. Delta’s deluxe Nile cruises start from $860 per person for 3 nights, our luxury Nile cruises run from about $1,700 to $3,000 per person for 3 nights, and our dahabiya cruises sail between Esna and Aswan over 5 nights from $3,500 per person. Compare all options on our Nile river cruises page.
Tips for choosing a Luxor hotel
- Ask for a Nile-view room on the East Bank. The sun sets behind the Theban hills across the river, and this view is the main reason to pay more.
- Check the pool temperature in winter. From December to February, Luxor mornings can be cold, with average lows of about 7 to 9°C (45 to 48°F). Heated pools, like those at the Sonesta and Iberotel, make a difference.
- Avoid the middle of the day in summer. Average highs reach about 41°C (106°F) in June and July, so a hotel with shade and a good pool matters more than in winter.
- Think about early starts. If you plan a hot air balloon flight or want to reach the Valley of the Kings at opening, a West Bank stay or a hotel with quick river access saves time.
- Match the hotel to your days. Two nights is enough for Karnak, Luxor Temple and the main West Bank sites. Add a third night for Medinet Habu, the Valley of the Queens and Deir el-Medina at a slower pace, or a day trip to Dendera and Abydos.
For complete packages that include these hotels, see our luxury, classic and budget Egypt tours. For sightseeing ideas, read our Luxor travel guide or browse our Luxor tours and excursions.
FAQ
Is it better to stay on the East Bank or West Bank of Luxor?
The East Bank suits most first-time visitors because it has the larger hotels, restaurants and easy access to Karnak and Luxor Temple. The West Bank suits travelers who want quiet surroundings and are happy with smaller hotels.
Is the Winter Palace in Luxor open?
No. It closed in 2026 for a full restoration under Mandarin Oriental, with reopening announced for July 2027.
Which Luxor hotels have the best Nile views?
The East Bank hotels along the river, such as the Hilton Luxor, Sonesta St. George, Steigenberger Nile Palace and Iberotel Luxor, all sell Nile-view rooms that face the West Bank sunset.
How many nights should I spend in Luxor?
Two nights covers the main temples and the Valley of the Kings. Three or four nights allows a slower pace and extras such as a balloon flight or Dendera and Abydos.
Should I choose a Nile cruise or a Luxor hotel?
A cruise is easier if you also want Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. A hotel gives more space and flexibility. Many travelers combine a cruise with an extra hotel night or two in Luxor.
Can I walk from my hotel to Luxor Temple?
From the Iberotel it takes about ten minutes, and from the Sonesta St. George about 25 minutes along the Corniche. From the Hilton you will need a car.
If you would like Luxor built into a wider Egypt trip with private guides and the hotel style you prefer, send us your dates through our tailor-made tours page.
