Five-star duo - Cairo and Luxor

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  Belle Epoque hotel, Cairo

Egypt is considered to be many things. Its antiquities are ravishing, the sun always shines, the locals can’t do enough for you and there is endless pampering on offer at its slew of Red Sea resorts; but rarely are the words ‘hip’ or ‘boutique’ applied to the destination.

But the arrival of two new hotels on Egypt’s hotel scene could pave the way for a new type of luxury experience in the destination, bringing discerning travellers with it.

While a couple of older properties in the city masquerade as such, Villa Belle Epoque is Cairo’s first true boutique hotel. Located in the leafy garden suburb of Maadi, 25 minutes from downtown, it offers a true, stylish oasis in the city.

Staying here is a bit like being a guest in a friend’s colonial home where nothing is out of bounds. Each of the rooms is unique in both décor and layout and all are spacious and light-flooded with generous lounging areas, balconies or conservatories. The ground-floor conservatory fronts onto the garden with its patios and poolside dining area shaded by fig, guava and peach trees and meals can be taken in the conservatory or alfresco.

For those who can bear to leave the hotel, the concierge can arrange afternoon tea at a Nile-side plant nursery, trips to the Cairo Opera House and Egyptian museum and walks around neighbourhood shops.

Head down the Nile

A natural next-stop would be heading to the Nile, where the well-heeled have been drawn for centuries, historically exploring on paddle steamers that stopped at hotels such as Luxor’s legendary Winter Palace and Aswan’s Old Cataract.

These days, you’re likely to experience it on board the sleek and luxurious Oberoi Zahra or one of a handful of other five-star boats that ply the famed river. And now, thanks to the city’s first true luxury hotel offering, there’s reason to linger in Luxor.

Re-vamped to the tune of $45 million, the Nile Hilton at Karnak, on the doorstep of Karnak temple and an eight-minute shuttle ride from the centre of Luxor, could be the Nile-side bolthole that cultural sybarites have been looking for.

The hotel’s chic Nayara Spa is housed in a separate wing where it features eight Nile-side spa bungalows and its own infinity pool - guestrooms in the hotel with their own private spa suites are also an option. Signature treatments include the Nefertari Ritual, said to bring out the queen within.

Elsewhere clean lines, cooling water features, tasteful Arabic fretwork and acres of white marble set the tone and designers have made excellent use of 170 metres of prime river frontage. With restaurants, infinity pools and alfresco bars spilling on to the waterfront, and a world-class spa to boot, things are definitely looking up in Luxor.

By Teresa Machan

Location: Cairo