In our modern day and age, hotels have become immensely futuristic skyscrapers with cosmic bright lights and cut-throat modern architecture. When you visit a destination, it is convenient to choose the chain you are familiar with, or a modern day hotel. You already know that the room will have all the necessities you probably need.
However, it is unconventional to stay at a heritage hotel that still retains their old classic beauty and have lived to tell amazing stories. It offers you to have a well-appointed area that is also bustling with character. Additionally, it permits you to touch yourself at its past.
Dawn of Vintage Hotels in Egypt
The boost in tourism of Egypt came into notice after the origin of hotels surrounded by Nile that entertained Victorian-era travelers.
Europeans were the main owners of these elegant hotels – hotels with similar French environment for French visitors, English environment for English visitors and so on. They were planned critically – beside the River Nile, on the Mediterranean seafront, near the pyramids or ancient temples. This strategy encouraged a lot of Victorian -era travelers to visit Egypt.
Unfortunately, many of Egypt’s grand hotels were shattered after World War II when the Suez Crisis and the Arab-Israeli wars caused a drop-off in Middle East tourism. But many survived!
So, if you are looking for vintage hotels in Egypt, then there is no better place than these Egyptian Vintage hotels with dreamy views.
Set in the forty acres of luxurious greenery and less than half a mile from the Pyramids of Giza, Mena House is truly a 150 year-old gem from a bygone era.
No other hotel in Egypt can match up to its extraordinary location and classic old beauty. It sets right beside the Pyramids offering majestic views you will never forget!
#fact: Originally, it was built as a royal hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail of Egypt. Later, it was transformed into a hotel by an English couple and named the hotel after the founding pharaoh of the First Dynasty (Menes).
Another fascinating fact is that Mena House has hosted numerous British royals and celebrities over the years, from Sherlock Holmes to Arthur Conan Doyle to Charlie Chaplin and Frank Sinatra.
So if you wish to be treated like a royalty, this is the place for you!
Situated on the east banks of the Nile River in the heart of Luxor, the Winter Palace is considered an architectural treasure. Its convenient location is the perfect point that lies within easy walking distance to Temple of Luxor and the Luxor Museum. Moreover, it provides a great base for visiting the Temple of Karnak and Valley of the Kings.
Winter Palace is designed and decorated to imitate a French or Italian palace of early 20th century. The hotel hangs on to its classic aura which can be seen in its grand hallways and airy sitting rooms, lush tropical gardens, and restaurants serving French gourmet.
Did you know? The Winter Palace is famed as the spot where Agatha Christie wrote “Death on the Nile” in the late 1930s. In addition to the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb that was disclosed to the world in 1922.
The Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan
From Princess Diana to Queen Noor of Jordan, our modern day royalties have stayed at the Egypt’s most romantic hotel.
Located on the edge of Nubian Village above the Nile, Old Cataract is a fascinating blend of architectural and artistic styles. It combines French, Moorish, Persian and British colonial into a wonderfully warm taste of luxury in Aswan.
The palace has an indoor pool and spa that must have delighted many but mainly an Egyptian Queen of old times. Abu Simbel, Philae Temple or tour down the Nile to Luxor are easily accessible from the Old Cataract Hotel.
Built in 1929 by the French-Egyptian Jewish Metzger family, the colonial style Cecil Hotel stands in the heart of Alexandria City with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Cecil Hotel was built as a romantic hotel favored by many celebrities over the years. In addition, high profile guests stayed at this hotel which included authors like Agatha Christie and Somerset Maugham, singers Om Kalthoum and Josephine Baker, Henry Moore, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Montgomery and Al Capone.
Did you know? During World War II, Cecil hotel was the location of the British Intelligence Headquarters.
Revolution Aftermath
After the revolution in 1952, Egyptian government seized Cecil Hotel and the Metzger family was expelled from the country five years later.
In 2007, after an extended court battle, legal ownership of the hotel was given back to the Metzger family, who afterwards sold it to the Egyptian government. This gorgeous looking Cecil Hotel is now run by Sofitel and offers 85 rooms.
Villa Belle Epoque, Cairo
This hotel with a fancy name is richly decorated with an ancient feel, and embellished with contemporary Egyptian art, Villa Belle Époque allows visitors to relive the comfort of a bygone era while enjoying every modern amenity.
Villa Belle Époque was built in the 1920s, and was recently renovated to reflect its colonial origins. It offers swimming pool, sundecks and patios surrounded by lemon, mango, olive and guava trees, mixed with hundred year-old palms.
Guests can enjoy high-tea by the Nile, winter bonfires, visits to opera house in Cairo, museums, art galleries and craft workshops, walking-tours of historic homes and gardens in Maadi and so on.
Windsor Palace, Alexandria
Dating back to the early 20th century, this vintage hotel is right on Alexandria’s waterfront where luxury breakfast can be enjoyed on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views.
The aesthetically pleasing rooms of Windsor Palace offer hand-decorated high ceilings which take you back in time. You can enjoy shisha and a la carte cuisine at Blue Harbor café & restaurant, and spend spectacular DJ nights at Skyroof Club Lounge. Also, Windsor Palace Hotel has many street cafés, shopping boutiques, and seaside promenades nearby.
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