Egypt is a truly unique destination. Alongside sun-soaked shores, vibrant coral reefs, and year-round warmth, it offers some of the world’s most awe-inspiring ancient ruins.
Yet for all its allure, luxury travel has remained relatively under the radar here. Take booking platform Mr & Mrs Smith for example, their curated hotel collection includes just four properties in Egypt compared to 48 in Morocco (even though both countries welcomed around 15 million foreign visitors in 2023).
But things are changing, making now the ideal time to visit. In El Gouna, heavy investment has transformed a coastal village into a sophisticated resort town with beachfront villas, a yacht-filled marina, and new boutique hotels, including openings from The Chedi and laid-back luxury experts Casa Cook.
And in 2023, hotel standards rose further when Relais & Chateaux welcomed Al Moudira (Luxor) as its first Egypt property, shortly followed by La Maison Bleue (El Gouna) as its second. This winter, we visited both properties, travelling from El Gouna and its kaleidoscopic Red Sea reefs, to Luxor to explore its ancient temples and ornate burial chambers. Here’s how to do it.
El Gouna
Where To Stay
For all the nouveau hotels in El Gouna, the grande dame is undeniably La Maison Bleue, whose baby blue hue and contrasting white shutters have been a local landmark for over a decade. Franco-Egyptian architect Oliver Sednaoui headed up the distinguished design, which includes mosaic columns, ornate painted ceilings and a private guest jetty. The design might be grand, but the atmosphere is refreshingly informal. On arrival, we were ushered past the reception desk and guided to the living room, where we checked in surrounded by tasselled velvet sofas, chandeliers and antique furniture. And each morning we enjoyed the hotel’s ‘breakfast anywhere, anytime’ mantra, by eating in private on our sunny terrace rather than at the restaurant.
The hotel has just 13 elegantly designed suites, with Beachfront Suites offering direct access to the hotel’s private lagoon and Super Premium Suites overlooking the glimmering Red Sea. Or treat yourself to The Tower Suite, which has its own spiral staircase, private rooftop terrace and panoramic views from sea to mountains. Most guests spend their days flitting between the pool and the beach. At the pool bar, talented mixologist Mustafa keeps guests imbibed day and night (try the Femme Fatale cocktail with vodka, lemongrass and a kick of spice).
Where To Eat
Set within an opulent art deco dining room, Le Maison Bleue’s Le Restaurant offers French inspired cuisine with ingredients plucked straight from their gardens. Order the crab and shrimp bisque, it’s outstanding. Further afield, Abu Tig Marina offers multiple restaurants including Indian cuisine at Tandoor and casual Italian dining at Don Bisho.
What To Do
When it comes to activities, the Red Sea steals the show. Spend a day or two getting acquainted with its abundant marine life with Blue Brothers Diving, who offer snorkelling and diving trips. The diving here is world-class, so if becoming certified is on your bucketlist, then this is the place to do it. Above the water, kitesurfing dominates the shoreline thanks to the shallow waters and near constant windy conditions. Give it a try at KBC Kite School. For something more sedate head to the spa at La Maison Bleue which features plunge pools and a hammam.
Luxor
Where To Stay
©Mark Anthony Fox
The most luxurious hotel in Luxor is undeniably Al Moudira on the West Bank of the Nile. The hotel is the vision of Italian-Lebanese founder Zeina Aboukheir, who, alongside architect Oliver Sednaoui and local artisans, has transformed a dusty piece of farmland into a pocket of green. Guest rooms converge around light-bathed courtyards with trickling fountains and pink puffs of bougainvillea. Choose from a suite or, if you’re travelling with a group, an exclusive villa (the largest has five bedrooms and some include a private butler). Interiors are an eclectic mix of antiques and oddities, collected by the founder on her world travels, and in all rooms, you’ll find hand-embroidered Egyptian cotton linens and lofty vaulted ceilings with painted frescos. Follow the brick paths through the botanical gardens and discover the pool area, a sanctuary of relaxation enveloped by palm trees. Lean into zen with a daily yoga class (at 3pm) with resident Yogi Lavkush, hydrate with a signature juice from the pool bar, then top off a celestial afternoon with an Egyptian massage at the spa.
Where To Eat
©Mark Anthony Fox
Khan al Moudira is an Egyptian café, with coloured glass windows and antiques gathered from Cairo’s 20th century coffeehouses. Order a selection of mezze and make sure to try the Sambousak (crispy pastry pockets filled with beef) and Baladi (a tomato and cucumber salad topped with crunchy pitta). For international fare, head to the grand Ottoman Hall. The beef fillet with beetroot cous cous pairs perfectly with a drop of their silky smooth ‘Bobal’ Egyptian house wine. Both restaurants can be found within the Al Moudira hotel.
What To Do
Luxor is often referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum due to its sheer number of ancient artefacts. A guide is essential to truly appreciate the history, so book a private day trip with Luxor local, Nasser. Nasser’s tour covers must-see sights, including the Karnak Temple, the mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (the first female pharaoh) and The Valley of the Kings, home to Tutankhamun’s burial chamber. Note: entrance tickets to the main sites are paid in addition to any tour fees.
Lead image credit: Al Moudira by Mark Anthony Fox
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