With a mix of fine Moorish arches and intricate carvings, Al Moudira looks like it has been standing in the desert for hundreds of years. Astonishingly, it was built just over a decade ago, creatively conceptualised by the owners who drew design inspiration out of their travels from Lebanon to Tuscany. Occupying a secluded spot on Luxor's west bank, the great tombs of the Valley of the Kings beckon from across the sands and the ancient desert begs to be explored on camelback. Every space at Al Moudira has a bygone feel, from the courtyards filled with vast urns of feathery florals, to the Turkish baths waiting for you after a day of exploring.
In flourishing, palm-filled gardens, life at Al Moudira revolves around the central courtyard. Bougainvillea winds its way up soaring pillars, making for a lovely atmosphere while you enjoy hearty breakfasts, three-course lunches (try the date tart!), and dinners, which are among the best you'll have in Egypt. Inside, there is a spacious lounge with emerald sofas, embroidered poufs, and heavy drapes to create private nooks while jazz plays quietly. After a few hours of discovering Luxor, return for a dip in the pool or massage.
The rooms go from a standard huge to humungous, offering an authentic, old-world feel and flamboyant, Moorish style. Topped with domed ceilings (found in some of the bathrooms as well!), you'll find a large bed draped in Egyptian linens, a sitting area in one corner, and plenty of cupboard space. The suites are especially lavish with tall white columns, private terraces (not all, though), and a raised central platform where plump cushions surround a trickling fountain. The rooms are accessed via a small courtyard, offering an added sense of privacy.
The west bank of Luxor has been a royal burial place since 2100 BC (the most famous of which is King Tutankhamun), and there's a lot of history to get wrapped up in. Leave at first light to see the splendid tombs in the Valley of the Kings before the crowds and heat arrive, and then move on to see the striking Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Karnak, one of the largest religious buildings in the world. As the sunset turns the water gold, sail down the Nile in a traditional felucca boat.
The design is truly exquisite and very bold with more than a few nods to Luxor's past.
All of the rooms are suitably large, so you won't lose out on space when saving on the price tag.
Al Moudira's address doesn't lend itself to quickly popping into town, which you'll have to do by taxi or ferry if you're heading across the Nile.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Al Moudira Hotel can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Egypt trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Egypt trips featuring Al Moudira Hotel or get advice and suggestions from one of our Egypt specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Al Moudira Hotel start from around $180, or US$180, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Soaring obelisks and hidden tombs in Egypt’s most extraordinary of sights.
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