The Winter Palace in Luxor, operated by
Sofitel, is not nearly as famous as its sister hotel, the Old
Cataract Hotel in Aswan. Yet it were the guests of this hotel, from
a posting on their bulletin board, who were first informed of Howard
Carter's great discovery of Tut's treasures. The great Egyptologists
was staying at the hotel upon his world awakening discovery, and
even though he had a residence built on the West Bank, he continued
frequenting the hotel up almost until his death. He was often seen
sitting in self imposed isolation in the hotel's gardens.
Built in 1886 to attract the nobility of Europe, the
Winter Palace is more continental English in atmosphere than the Old
Cataract in Aswan. One does not get the feeling of Egypt so much as
of an oasis of European flavor and Victorian charm.
In fact, the ultimate privilege is said to have had
one's own yacht moored along the quayside, opposite the Winter
Palace. Such notables as King Farouk stayed here and even had his
own apartment. French President George Clemenceau, as well as many
crown prices and princesses from European and Oriental Royal
families made it their preferred place of residence, as have such
celebrates as Jane Fonda.
It is said that the Winter Palace had once been
somewhat run down, but none of that is visible today, or even easy
to believe. All is in perfect order, with modern fixtures necessary
for comfort coexisting alongside antiques, fine wood and sand cast
glass.
Each guest room is different, with high ceilings,
beautiful fixtures, as well as all the modern amenities and
comforts. Along the hall, one will see boxed exhibitions of old
clothing and other turn of the century artifacts. The great lobby is
subdued, with its detailed ironworks and grand chandelier.
As with the Cataract Hotel in Aswan, the Winter
Palace also is home to one of the best known restaurants in Egypt,
the "1886", a place of elegant, and specifically formal dinning. So
if one plans on a stay, this is one reason to pack something that
few tourist to Egypt every do, a coat and tie.
The 1886 Restaurant
Also like the Cataract, there is a New Winter
Palace, and while comfortable, this is not the Old Winter Palace and
does not have the charm. However, it is where several of the
restaurants are located, along with the hotel Pool. Together, the
New and Old Winter Palaces offer five restaurants, five bars, the
swimming pool, two tennis counts, a health club and squash court.
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