We arrived in the early morning after an overnight bus trip from Cairo. We were immediately shown our room and practically ordered us to rest. We ordered a double and they provided an extra bed for our 3 year old daughter. The room is typical of Siwa construction: beams and ceilings from date palm trunks, salt block light fixtures giving a warm glow, salt and clay walls, traditional handmade rugs, and off white wool blankets covering the beds. The room itself is very simply done, but very comfortable. There was even a TV in the room but only gave programs in Arabic. They also give you a fan, but in October is unnecessary.
They also run a restaurant upstairs with a gorgeous view of the old, surreal Shali town (which is practically attached to the hotel). We awoke around 10:30am and was served the best breakfast in Egypt. They ask you how you want your eggs but it comes with hot pita, fresh farmer's cheese, falafel, fresh lemon juice, homemade fig preserves and the best olive jam.
Without pressure, they offer reasonably priced desert excursions and town tours, both of which we took. We took a donkey trip around the town sites for 6 hours and paid LE80. The excursion into the Great Sand Sea included some archeological sites, evidence of the sea millions of years ago (lovely sand dollars and shells in the middle of the desert), lunch and swimming at a beautiful salt lake, descending (and ascending) the dunes in a 4x4, sand boarding, swimming at a sulfur hot spring, and tea at sunset.
Siwans are typically very relaxed and laid back. Staff at the hotel were very accommodating and professional. They even allowed a very late check-out since we were taking the 8PM bus back to Cairo and wanted our daughter to nap in the afternoon.
Hotel is located centrally, easy to walk around town and very close to the bus station. Also, free WI-FI internet.
When we return to Siwa, we hope this hotel is still around and hopefully still at a reasonable price. Would definitely recommend this place to others and stay here again!

My stay at Albabenshal was an amazing experience.
As I was to arrive early in the morning, bussing overnight from Cairo, I enquired in advance about leaving my bags at the hotel until normal check in time. No problem at all, I was most welcome to check in as early as I arrived and they would arrange to have my room ready.
7.00am. I was welcomed at the door by guest attendant Hemaed Mohamed, who showed me to my room and left me to rest and shower. “Come down when you are ready and we will talk about what you are going to do in Siwa.”
The hotel is lovely, set at the foot of Old Shali fortress, built of traditional materials in sympathy with its surroundings. The sculptured clay structure seems to embrace you when you enter and has a warmth and feel that is peaceful and relaxing. It still has all the modern amenities (including WiFi), except for air conditioning, which you don’t miss (and would seem out of place) as the building has good natural thermal qualities, and ceiling fans if you need them.
The Siwans are a courteous and friendly people, and quite laid back. Their favourite saying seems to be “don’t worry”. I heard this often from Hemaed, who went to extreme lengths to ensure that I enjoyed the best possible experiences during my short stay. He was my frequent guide and companion, and good company – a great ambassador for the hotel and for Siwa.
Salama’s Café, part of the hotel, serves delicious food that is also inexpensive. I didn’t eat anywhere else.
The hotel staff looked after me so well, I found it hard to leave. Even when the bus on which I intended to return to Marsa Matrouh was cancelled, arrangements were quickly made for a car and driver to take me. Again I was in good hands. Driver, Essam Mohamed not only took me to Marsa Matrouh, but the next day to Saloum and the Libyan border, and the following day back to Cairo. As a somewhat nervous first time traveller in Egypt, I quickly realised the benefits of having a personal driver who is also a “local” and speaks Arabic. I went to places and learned things I would not have otherwise. Essam was another good companion and an excellent driver. I thoroughly recommend him.
So thank you everyone at Albabenshal: Salama, Hemaed, Mohamed, Gabriela, Abdullah (and anyone I have missed), and Essam. You gave me the experience of a lifetime.
I hope to return one day and stay longer, and also take a longer trip into the desert... Insha'Allah.

Amazing, relaxing experience.
The hotel is very nice and suits the environment all around. Friendly and helpfull staff that make you feel home! Amazing places..hope to be soon back!

Staying at Albabenshal was a wonderful experience. We showed up in the early morning after the overnight bus to Siwa and they got us straight into a room and served up a wonderful breakfast. We didn't even go through the formalities of signing in until the next day! We had reservations to stay for two nights but ended up staying for 11! So many things made this hotel special.

First of all the rooms are very unique. They are made of traditional materials. That said, they are also very comfortable and the bathrooms are modern. There is free wi-fi in the restaurant.

Breakfast was the best we had in Egypt. The homemade jams were amazing! There was also cheese, falafel, eggs and fruit salad every day. We didn't need to have lunch because the breakfast was so filling. Also, the views from the rooftop restaurant were wonderful, especially at sunset.

The best part, however, was definately the staff. They were friendly and also took good care of us. Nothing we asked for was too much trouble. We left feeling like we were leaving family.