My husband and I stayed here overnight whilst on an excursion from Soma Bay, Hurghada.

Obviously we didn't expect The Ritz, but we also didn't expect a dark, small, dirty room in the corner that overlooked a building site! You think that sounds bad, our first room had a huge noisey generator outside that looked like it was on its last legs. We managed to be moved to the former room without much fuss, however after a few minutes we discovered our room safe didn't work! I placed a maintainence call to reception but nobody came, so I had to go and see the receptionist and log the problem again. Eventually some chap turned up and allegedly fixed it, however when we tried to open it ourselves, it remained locked! Our valuables were then stored in our pockets!

The buffet style food was very tasteless, boring and there wasn't much on offer at all. We settled for boiled liver and we had to pay for our drinks with our meal too. There was only our tour party and another couple in the restaurant and it was a very solemn atmosphere.

We can't rate the pool or the services offered during the day as we had arrived early evening as the sun was setting and yes, this was beautiful watching it from the foot of the pool terrace, although the constant smell of diesel fumes was quite nauseating :o)

On returning from our light show at Karnak Temple we retired to bed. The toilet decided not to flush as no water was filling the cisturn but to be honest we were too tired to care. Despite the really dirty rug that had definately seen better days and the lack of anything on the TV we slept pretty well. Our 6am wake up call was 15mins late too, so make sure you request a little earlier than anticipated.

stayed at the LOTUS hotel once again 04/01/12 until 25/01/12.what a setting right on the banks of the NILE..service to die for all the staff from top to bottom carried out there duties with a smile .resturant or room service.no problem
If eating out cheap meals (prices reduced) 7-days-7-ways about 10 mins slow walk up towards Sheraton Hotel..Or DEANS Bistro 50yds down street right opposite Hotel enjoy..

I stayed @ this hotel for the second time ! Still a very nice place to stay good staff nice pool and a excellent new year gala dinner. But i noticed that there is a lot of older english women with egypton young men and if it goes on they will stop english couples visiting it as it will get a bad name and it is a shame cause me & my husband had a great time & met some lovely people so dont let it get spoilet as it will !! Betboo 1

Hotel.
Lotus is a perfectly good three star hotel - many elements of it are worth a 4 star but the food lets it down. Breakfast is fairly mundane. You get the same selection every day. Only freshly cooked item is your choice of egg. Everything else will be pre-cooked and kept in warmers. Same goes for the lunch and dinner buffet. Most other aspects of the hotel are a lot better. We stayed in a suite that was very comfortable and had masses of room including two balconies. There were no coffee making facilities though. All rooms have a mini fridge and are cleaned daily by staff who seem to specialise in towel art. Beds were perfectly comfortable. Common areas were very clean. Pool has an adjoining bar/kitchen. There is plenty of seating around. Staff throughout the hotel were courteous and helpful. If you are after a bit of entertainment for adults or children then forget it; because there is none. Overall, Lotus Hotel is good if you are looking for a good, comfortable and clean base to explore Luxor or to spend the day by the pool. If you expect to spend most of your days there then it is best avoided as the food is poor and nothing by the way of entertainment is available - even the TV has just terrestrial channels plus BBC world and Al Jazeera.

Luxor
If you think England, France or India have old buildings to look at then think again. Nothing compares to Luxor. Temples and tombs built 4 or 5 thousand years ago just litter the place. Some of it is jaw droppingly amazing. The people are very courteous....if you manage to get past the traders, taxi drivers and calleshe drivers who ambush you the minute you step out of your hotel. Having said that, they are not threatening at all and the thought that I might be pick-pocketed or robbed never crossed the mind. They are out to earn money that's all. If you are out with a child then you get royal treatment wherever you go. We had a 5 year-old daughter and there was not one shop that we went into that didn't give her a small present - even if we didn't buy anything. Everyone in Luxor seems to adore children and welcome them with open arms.

Taxis/Calleshes
Both are cheap but you have to bargain. Tell them a price and stick to it (be reasonable). I always looked out for a healthy looking horse if hiring a calleshe. Make sure you agree a price for the whole party in Egyptian Pounds; and don't let them take you to a 'special market', 'good shop' etc etc which you didn't ask for. They get huge commissions from these premises for every customer they bring in - you just end up paying a lot more for the goods.

Trips
Travel agents who arrange package holidays are the most expensive as we found to our cost after the first outing. Shop around at the numerous agents dotted around Luxor. We eventually used Larose tours (it's a 100 metres or so on the left on street opposite Sonesta St George Hotel). It goes without saying you need to bargain as anywhere else in Egypt. The service was excellent and they always turned up on time and gave you what you wanted. Even had the courtesy to come and say goodbye and thank you to us in the reception of the hotel when we left Luxor.

Food
Good Indian - Taste of India
Good Italian - A Roma
Good English/Egyptian King Htut