We stayed at Nour el-Gurna for one night while I was visiting Luxor. This place isn't like anything else I've ever stayed at. Made from mudbrick, it's a one of kind for the average tourist. The place itself couldn't be in a better location for checking out the Valley of the Kings and Al-Deir Al-Bahari Temple - which are on the same side of the Nile.

The hotel is tiny. Only a handful of well-maintained rooms. Considering the fact that the place is constructed out of dirt, it's very clean and hugely endearing. The rooms have bug nets, mine had an new AC unit (which was a funny sight to see on the side of a mud wall, beneath a thatch ceiling), a clean bathroom with fresh towels, soap and toilet paper (a perk in Egypt). The bed was firm, but comfortable. There were many windows to open for a hot breeze of desert air, and there was also a balcony equipped with two chairs and view of the surrounding area.

We loved this place. We've stayed in a variety of places and have enjoyed many of them, but this one was particularly memorable. The guy who managed the place while we were there was so bashful and shy - but proud of his hotel, of the EXCELLENT homemade food it serves, and of his work. He prepared a dinner for us at the time we set, arranged for a driver to pick us up at the airport and take us to the docks later that night to go to the other side of the Nile's bank in Luxor. He was such a great guy and really made our stay at this place perfect. If you will be travelling in the area and don't want to stay at some obscenely expensive place (and you don't mind the mudbrick situation of course), this place is a must. Very, very cool.