Old Cataract Hotel

The Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan is a traditional luxury hotel in oriental Colonial is known for its views of the former rapids of the Nile and its famous guests, including Agatha Christie, Winston Churchill, Francois Mitterrand.

History

The hotel is on the eastern bank of the Nile, at the southern end of the promenade Corniche el-Nil was launched before the turn of the century. On December 11, 1899 was published in The Egyptian Gazette a first indication that advertised the modern comforts, the library and the billiard room of the hotel. Especially the terrace with the view of Elephantine Island became the meeting place of European luxury tourists. Agatha Christie's novel Death on the Nile (1937 ) is located in this milieu. It was filmed in 1978 by John Guillermin to the original locations.

Until the 1950s took the original heyday of the hotel. Aga Khan III. and King Farouk of Egypt were here several times as a guest. Then began a slow decline that a museum of his made ​​the house itself. Advice from the late 20th century speak of a relic of a bygone era.

In recent years, that was under preservation, owned by the Egyptian state and the long term from the French group Sofitel hotel but a thorough Hotel renovated in managed. The re-opening after about three years of renovation took place in September 2011. Restaurant " 1902 ", a mosque -like dome and the famous terrace with views of the Nile was obtained, as far as possible.

Even before the renovation was named the most beautiful hotel in the region, the Old Cataract in 2005 by Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List.