Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan

AWESOME- no other word can describe this place! The mix of history and fabulous service with lovely people is rare to find- but this place is magnificent.

Truly wonderful relaxing 3 nights of excellent food- the restaurant staff were all so professional, Mr Hussain in the 1902 was exceptional. The luxury rooms in the old hotel were huge and serviced perfectly by Ossama. Sunset by the pool or on the terrace was breathtaking. A real escape in a historic gem.

Impressive hotel with its historic legacy and a newer building with stunning rooms, overlooking the harbour area of Aswan. We had room in the new building on the 7th floor, with a larger terrace, including a seating area and a separate area with deck-chairs. It was just a joy sitting there, watching all the action on the harbour. The pool area was empty, as most people are on excursion during the day. Hence, take a day extra to just enjoy the hotel. The restaurants are very good, however, the French one is only indoor and requires a formal dress code. Nevertheless, the Arab restaurant is excellent and not as crowded as the main restaurant. Because this terrace is the most famous one, it is also attraction a lot of selfie-making tourists, taking hours for the perfect picture instead of enjoying the view…(a general problem one encounters traveling these days…)

Located centrally on the water, this hotel is truly majestic in its looks and in service. As we checked in, we were greeted by Nour. She showed us the property and escorted us to beautiful rooms, very very spacious, with a separate sitting area and a huge walking closet. View was amazon. Hotel had many services like spa etc. Restaurants need attention. Terrace restaurant, with the most beautiful view of the sunset has a great menu. But the kitchen is far away and food was always cold, by the time it arrived at the table. VERY SURPRISED FOR A LARGE RESTAURANT LIKE 60 people, only one server. Server was amazing, but he could not serve so many people Hotel needs to help him

Truly appalling service. We visited for cocktails and sunset at 5pm. You have to buy a voucher at the reception for approx £25 per person which is knocked off whatever you spend. There is no explanation of this and we spent 15 mins trying to even do that with long queue of people we thought were checking in. We then got access to the hotel grounds and went to the bar to be told we couldn’t use the bar as we were outsiders - charming. We had to use a different outside terrace or lower level terrace. We went to the first terrace and was told there were no tables as they were all booked for afternoon tea. We went to the lower terrace to be told the tables were all reserved. All empty I might add. But apparently all reserved. Why sell tickets for cocktails at sunset if you cannot seat people or take orders - it feels like a scam just to charge entrance. Everyone that also had tickets was confused and angry and the staff all looked bemused and disinterested at how busy it suddenly was. We eventually persuaded the waiter to let us sit at one table because my parents in their 80s were getting frustrated. He took orders for four drinks and didn’t return for 20 mins. We then went to complain to someone but a table came available on the upper terrace - we asked if we could sit and were told there are no reservations so yes we could sit . We then had another woman come over to tell us we couldn’t sit down as there was a waiting list. We argued and just sat down to later see NOBODY on any wait list. At the same time the lower level terrace we were told was all reserved was completely empty. Another waiter came over after 15 mins and we explained we ordered cocktails (at this point) 40 mins ago and he said they clearly were not coming so we reordered. Now we had a table we decided to eat - having missed the sunset due to the walking around to find a table or a waiter. Drinks came. Food did not. After almost 45 mins the waiter came over and sheepishly said ‘can you repeat your order’. He hadn’t ordered it. This was really clear but wouldn’t admit it. We eventually got starters at 7:15pm having arrived at 5pm The food wasn’t even hot. We complained and were simply told it was a busy time at sunset and there were a lot of Chinese visitors. We said that’s no excuse and if you don’t want outsiders to visit then don’t charge them to come in and just refuse. Or just get more staff. He agreed and said everyone was tired because of Ramadan. This just is not a valid excuse. It’s Egypt. It’s Ramadan. It’s Chinese new year. This must be one of the most visited hotels at sunset - how can they not know that and staff The entire entrance and drinks and food came to over £350 - no apology - not even a free drink as a sorry. Honestly appalling. And as we left the outside restaurant for guests had three tables eating, the inside bar and inside restaurant not a soul - maybe you should be kinder to people from outside who are not guests prepared to spend more money in your hotel than the actual guests. Sort yourself out Sofitel.