Review: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan

An iconic hotel, built on a granite cliff facing Elephantine Island in 1899. A three-year makeover by the Sofitel chain has reduced the number of rooms by half and increased the proportion of suites. The colonial-era palace has 76 rooms with gold and maroon interiors and sunset Nile views; the modern tower wing has 62 rooms, all with Nile-facing balconies, and a sumptuous new spa. Rooms have deep tubs or rain showers, all with Hermès toiletries. If you’ve ever been tempted to pack a vintage tuxedo or evening gown, this place provides the perfect backdrop. The restored 1902 restaurant, modeled after Cairo’s Ibn Tulun mosque, looks like a film set for Death on the Nile. Art Deco meets Mamluk glamour in the chandeliered palace, its halls adorned with photographs of royals, artists, and other luminaries who’ve stayed here. The tower’s contemporary decor echoes ancient Egyptian motifs.