Djorff Palace in Luxor

Djorff Palace is a new and unique hotel in Luxor, set on private grounds quite far from the city centre. It’s isolated, hard to find, and getting there can feel like trekking through reeds and local housing. The hotel itself looks good – clearly a lot of money has been invested to make it feel luxurious.

Check-in was a strange experience, taking well over 10 minutes and the owner greeting us but didn’t introduce herself until quite late in the conversation. The room we were shown was just around the corner, but the lights weren’t even working. The room itself was fine, but nothing special.

The main issues lie with the overall atmosphere and service. The hotel has an eerie, almost unsettling feel: you rarely see other guests, and the staff who were local, while attentive, seem overly trained to follow English customs, which can come off as very fake and pretentious.

Food is a major disappointment. Meals were overly oily and unappetizing, and the buffet breakfast is poorly thought out – served near the water, surrounded by insects, and the muesli even had ants in it. The menu changes daily, but the quality doesn’t improve. The hotel’s free boat shuttle to the west bank is a genuine plus, and you’ll want to use it to dine at the Steigenberger across the Nile, which is absolutely unbelievable in comparison.

The hotel is conveniently located near historic sites like the Valley of the Kings, and while private taxis are available, local ride services are much cheaper.

Overall, Djorff Palace is a well-meaning hotel and looks lovely, but it is poorly executed and leaves guests with a sense of discomfort. For a genuinely enjoyable stay, I would strongly recommend the Steigenberger or another established hotel across the river.

Rating: 3/10