I recently stayed at Sonesta St. George Hotel in Luxor, and while the experience had its high points, there were several areas that left much to be desired. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Positives:
Exceptionally Friendly Staff: One of the highlights of this hotel is undoubtedly the staff. From the moment we arrived, everyone was warm, welcoming, and always ready to assist. Whether it was a request for information or help with minor issues, their eagerness to listen and help truly stood out.
Central Location: The hotel is well-situated, close to many of Luxor’s main attractions. It’s convenient for exploring the city, with easy access to the Nile, temples, and other historical sites.
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Negatives:
Outdated and Poorly Maintained Facilities: The hotel building and rooms feel very old and in need of serious renovation. Our room, in particular, had a smelly and uninviting jacuzzi bath that we avoided using. The décor and general state of the room did not justify the high price we paid.
Food Experience – Below Expectations: We faced issues during lunch – the burger was dry and flavorless, and the salad served was clearly old and not fresh. When we raised our concern, the staff insisted the salad was fine and pressured us to pay for it despite our request to return it. This left a bad taste, both literally and figuratively.
Internet Connectivity: The Wi-Fi was extremely slow and unreliable, making it frustrating to do even basic online tasks. For a hotel of this standard, better connectivity should be expected.
Fitness & Wellness Facilities – Disappointing: The gym is poorly maintained, with several machines broken and the area itself not very clean. The sauna was out of service, and even if it had been working, there was an unexpected $20 extra charge per session, even for hotel guests – quite excessive.
Overpriced for What It Offers: Given the condition of the facilities and the overall experience, the hotel feels severely overpriced. It carries the name and branding of a premium hotel, but delivers more of a budget-level experience in terms of infrastructure and amenities.
Unpleasant Experience Outside the Hotel: While not directly the hotel’s fault, it’s worth noting that as soon as you step outside, you’re aggressively approached by horse cart sellers. They can be very pushy and intrusive, often following you down the street and invading personal space. Some hotel guests might find this extremely uncomfortable and stressful.
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Final Thoughts:
While the staff and location are definite strong points, the aged infrastructure, disappointing food, poor gym facilities, and overpriced rates make it hard to justify a higher rating. With some much-needed renovations and improved guest experience, this hotel could live up to its potential. But as it stands, I would rate it a 3 out of 5 stars – average, with room for significant...
Read moreA Stay Beyond Perfection – This Hotel Deserves 7 Stars!
I recently had the pleasure of staying at this incredible hotel, and I must say, the experience exceeded every expectation I had. From the moment we arrived, the warm smiles and welcoming nature of the staff made us feel immediately at home. Every single person we encountered during our stay was friendly, attentive, and always eager to help, ensuring that we had the best possible experience.
First and foremost, I have to give special thanks to Mr. Malak, who went above and beyond to make our stay truly extraordinary. His professionalism and genuine care for guests were evident from the start. He took the time to check in with us regularly, making sure we had everything we needed, and even made us feel like we were the hotel’s top priority. His dedication to providing an exceptional guest experience is unparalleled.
Mr. Walid also deserves special recognition. He was incredibly helpful and always had a smile on his face, willing to assist with anything we needed. His positive attitude and proactive approach added an extra layer of comfort to our stay. Whether it was helping with local recommendations or arranging services with great attention to detail, Mr. Walid and the entire staff worked tirelessly to ensure our experience was flawless.
One of the highlights of our stay was the extremely generous late checkout that was offered to us. This thoughtful gesture made our departure so much more relaxed, allowing us to savor our last few hours in the luxurious surroundings. The hotel really goes the extra mile to accommodate guests, showing a level of hospitality that is rarely found elsewhere.
The junior suite with nile view was exceptional, totally recommended !!
The facilities themselves were immaculate, from the beautifully designed rooms to the spotless common areas. Every aspect of the hotel was perfect: the food, the ambiance, and the exceptional service from all the staff members. Every detail, no matter how small, was taken care of, and it was clear that the staff takes great pride in providing top-tier service.
What truly sets this hotel apart, though, is the generosity and kindness of the entire team. It’s one thing to stay at a beautiful hotel, but it’s the people who work there who make it an unforgettable experience. The team here is exceptional in every way, always going the extra mile, and I am so grateful for the outstanding service we received.
This hotel truly deserves to be rated 7 stars for its exceptional quality and unmatched service. I cannot recommend it highly enough and will definitely be returning in the future. To Mr. Malak, Mr. Walid, and the entire staff – thank you for making our stay a perfect one. You have set a new standard for hospitality, and we will be talking about this experience for...
Read moreUpon arrival, there was a large crowd at the lobby/front desk and we were waiting to check in and it was a mess and very disorganized. One of the hotel staff personnel asked us for our passports and to take a seat so that we would not have to wait in line and that she would “promise” not to forget us. We reluctantly handed it over only to watch her get distracted with other guests and issues and finally hand it to a gentleman behind the service desk. She disappeared for a bit and so I got back up and stood in line by the front desk to try and keep eyes on our passports. The man behind the desk finally got to our passports but had no idea who they belonged to as he looked around for the lady who disappeared. I quickly jumped in and advised him that they were ours. During this time, I noticed that several guests who had arrived after us (who had stood in line as we originally had) were already at this point taken care of and checked in while we were still being “helped.”
After this a staff member, Catherine, introduced herself and asked us to reach out if we needed anything…she seemed very helpful and we checked in to our room after.
Last night we were informed that our outbound flight was pushed back several hours. We ran into Catherine in the lobby on the way back from an outing, and kindly asked if there was any chance that we might be able to have a late check out the following day given that our flight was pushed back. She explained that the hotel is fully booked and that she is not sure it would be possible but that she would check with a manager and get back with us.
We never heard back from Catherine, and the next morning went down to the lobby to follow up and was advised by a different staff member and the manager that this would not be possible.
We did not expect to be given a later check out time given that the policy states 12pm (especially during peak travel season) but rather were upset that the hotel and staff are not adequately equipped to handle the service portion of the hotel experience.
Otherwise, the rooms and location are nice - just be advised that if service is an important part of your hotel stay, this hotel may not be...
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