LTI- Pyramisa Isis Island Resort And Spa Aswan

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone at The Pyramisa Isis Island for a fantastic holiday we have just returned from. Even though all the amenities were not open as promised we can honestly say that this did not spoil our holiday at all. A SPECIAL THANK YOU MUST GO OUT TO ALL OF YOUR STAFF WHICH EVER DEPARTMENT THEY WORKED FOR. They were always there to help when needed and had always got a smile for you when ever they saw you. The hotel was as usual up to the very high standard that we have come to expect from Pyramisa hotels and may I also thank you for the birthday cake that was made for my wife and myself. Our only regret is that we could not have stayed longer with you, but we hope to return in the not to distant future

Thank you once again

Lyndon & Maggie Bradbury







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hotel de bonne qualité, très bien situé sur une ile et bien desservi pour la traversée vers le centre ville.

Nous avions une chambre dans l'annexe et avons du nous baguarrer pour avoir un grand lit, pourtant bien spécifié sur notre voucher.

Nourriture sous forme de buffets assez variés, mais n'hésitez pas à traverser le nil et découvrir les nombreux petits restos, ne payants pas de mine, pas chers et excellents.

Comme dans de nombreux pays arabes, marchandez beuacoup et attention aux arnaques.

Essayez un coiffeur dans le vieux assouan, l'épilation sourcils gratuite faite avec 3 fils torsadés est assez surprenante...et inoubliable. Si vous atterissez à louxour, renseignez vous bien quant au transfert vers assouan, bien souvent (par faute de durée de contrôle douanier et d'heure d'arrivée de l'avion) vous serez obligés de loger à louxor à l'aller et au retour ( pour 7 jours de voyage, cela vous réduit votre séjour à assouan à 5 jrs sur place). En effet, à partir de 20 hrs, il n'est plus possible de prendre la route vers asouan par mesure de sécurité, le transfert se fait le matin vers 4 hrs, en convoi gardé par l'armée.

De même, si vous allez en excursion à abou simbel au départ d'assouan, privilégiez l'avion, plus cher, au taxi beaucoup moins cher mais très éprouvant physiquement.

Finalement, cet hotel est un bon compromis style européen à bon prix. Mais, suivant vos moyens, vous pouvez opter pour le old cataract ... très classe

This hotel is nice but definitely does not live up to either its rating or its reputation. The rooms are decent and the pools are indeed great but if you plan on spending any time in the city of Aswan, the boat ride back and forth is a huge detriment, particularly if you plan on making trips after 10 pm. We frequently had to stay waiting for the boat and though the ride was nice, the inconvenience definitely outweighs the beauty of an island oasis idea. So good choice if you are going for a resort feel (they have mini golf, a zoo, etc) bad choice if you actually want to experience Egypt. And keep in mind there is no where to buy food on the island so if you want snacks for kids or anything make sure you bring it before you get on the boat!

We stayed at the Pyramisa Hotel, Aswan in May 2006, the second of two Pyramisa hotels in our trip. It is my understanding now that these hotels were built many years ago and have maintained their 5* rating despite lack of upkeep and modernity. From the outside this hotel seems to be nice and inviting but once in the room it is quite obvious that they are outdated and in some cases dilapidated. We were extremely displeased with this hotel and would recommend that anyone intending to stay there consider other options in the Aswan area.

As a frequent (annual) visitor to Egypt, both as tour escort and individual traveler, I have sampled every type of resort and hotel, from 5-star deluxe to 2-star basic. My best stays have ALWAYS been at Pyramisa Isis Island Hotel and Resort....which I found, originally, almost by accident. We had been booking their Corniche Garden Hotel, opposite the main entance to the Native Souk. However in 1982 we were, surprisingly, taken to the BRAND NEW Isis Island property. I have been booking a three week stay, there, every year since., in either September or October.

Niether I, nor any of those who have accompanied me have EVER had any problems with the accomodations, the food, or the staff....all of whom are professional, friendly, and who will go out of their way to make your stay comfortable.

We always request, and receive a double room, with balcomy, that affords a splendid view of the pool, the Nile, and Aswan city. If you prefer a more solitary view, the rooms facing the desert are ideal....and great for catching the sunset over the dunes.

Not only is the room perfectly maintained, but anything we might need is provided, almost immediately.....AND with a smile. The housekeepers even vie with each other to see who can produce the most amazing animals from wrapped towels and flower petals!!!!

You might assume, I suppose, that we get special treatment as frequent guests...but I can honestly state that this is the sort of treatment we received from our very first stay with a group of friends and family members. ..from our first meeting with the Asst. Manager, to our 'family' coffee klatchs with the General Manager.....both of whom are professional to the core.

The food in all venues: Ramses main dining room, Nefertiti alacart Restaurant, lobby coffee shop and poolside has always been plentiful and excellently prepaired.....the buffets sumptuous and a delight to both the eye and the palate. And in most cases the chef on duty is more than happy to attend to any 'special' needs.

The two swimming pools are scrupulously CLEAN and well maintained, though the new pool could use a few more lounges, and shaded areas. The GERMAN tourists , who rise at three a.m. to reserve the lounges

ARE a problem, but you simply have to beat them at their own game. We have also discussed with management the 'first come first served rule' be observed at BOTH pools and that NO pool areas should be reserved. We will see how well it is working on our return in September.

Aswan, unfortunatly, is mainly overlooked by two-week trippers to Egypt, who see it as a one night stop at the beginning or end of a Nile Cruise. And that is a geat shame, since it is probably the most beautiful part of Egypt....with the NILE at it's most splendid. It is a city where one can relax and feel prefectly at home with the locals. None of the aggresiveness that one finds in Luxor: none of the hordes of belligerant tourists one finds at the Red Sea resorts: none of the horrendous traffic that one encounters in Cairo.....in short, a REAL Oases of peace and quite in the middle of the Nile.... An Eden of sculpted gardens, flowe- bordered paths, unbelieveable sunsets, and the frendliest people in a country NOTED for its friendly and hospitable populace. Even taking the launch from the hotel to the city is a marvelous opportunity to interact with the locals. It is free and operates 24 hours a day.

In short, Aswan and the Pyramisa Isis Island Hotel should be high on the list of any traveler who wants a memorable and totally enjoyable experience. There is enough to see, and do, to satisfy any taste....from visits to archeological sites on Elepantine, to a leisurly afternoon sail around the islands in a native fellucca. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

Fabulous island location - the free private boat trips back and forth are priceless, as it glides

by ruins and feluccas and cartouches on jutting rocks on the NIle. 3 of us - 2 rooms - we preferred the Nile view with balcony (less expensive,too) because the terrace is so big it obstructs view! Rooms were immaculate, lots of amenities, fridge, toiletries,satellite TV, great service all around, good and inexpensive room service.One call brought us hair dryer, pillows, extra towels, with a smile. Island itself has gardens, paths, 2 pools, Nile view on both sides. Breakfast elegant and plentiful. For some reason manager sent us huge fruit basket on arrival. Staff exceedingly cordial, Local traditional instrumental music performed in lobby early eveninig. Loved everything about it, and we are very particular! Try Nubian House Restaurant near Basma - incredible views,unbelievable sunset views, and locals like it, too.P.S. Both sides have Nile views, but one side also has Aswan views, and other has West Bank mountains and rural view.

The first mistake we made was to book 2 rooms that don't actually exist, that being a nile view terrace room with a queen bed. These room were advertised by the hotel over the net. The hotel "upgraded" us (we found out later to cheaper rooms) one of which was next to the lifts and the Albert Hall sized reception area. At 11.45pm that night a 300 strong egyptian wedding party camped out in reception (with music). The following day we were moved to another room after complaining only this one's door didn't lock, the aircon didn't work and the light by the bed electrical wire was held together by a four way connector. Despite asking for the door and aircon to be fixed it never was.

In order to change our rooms, we had to call our Internet travel agent in the UK from the hotel, who then told the hotel in no uncertain terms to change our rooms. What staggered us is that the 7 - minute phone call cost GBP £16.50 (EGP165) and that the junior management of the hotel insisted we pay the bill, despite the fact that we had to make the phone call because of the hotel's erroneous advertising! After complaining to both the Reception manager and Guest Relations manager (who both said that the phone bill would be removed from our room bill and it wasn't) we had to approach the General Manager of the hotel who was finally able to make a decision. He had not been briefed of the situation by any of his staff. Even then, he could not admit it was the hotel's fault, but did remove the phone bill. It took a week for the hotel to sort the problem out and did nothing for our confidence in the problem solving ability of the hotel management.

The rooms are 3-star standard, with no tea/coffee making facilities or toiletries (Indeed, my soap had been used by a previous guest!). I came down with food poisoning from the buffet.

The grounds and swimming pools are good, but there were way too many flies that drove us to distraction. The food was average (just) and in our view there is no way that Isis Island warrants a 5-star rating.

I stayed at the Isis Island Resort Hotel for 1 week end Feb./beg. March 2006.....travelling with VJV. Aswan has yet to become a widely known destination for Brits. seeking some winter sunshine...long may THAT continue!....and the 'International Airport' has only been open for approx. 8 years...hence there are fairly few flights in or out....and therefore NO delays either way!(The airport is very smart & clean...but has as yet extremely limited 'Duty Free' facilities in which to while away the time whilst waiting to fly home!They have a captive audience so could scoop much more...! Although there is also a coffee-bar - with smokers' area - in the departure lounge)

Back to the Isis Island Hotel....I found it delightful! The staff were friendly, helpful, efficient

and spoke good 'English'!

As a 'singleton' this is one of several hotels in Egypt that do not charge a 'single supplement'! I paid the extra £30 supplement to have a west-facing/Nile view...and was not disappointed......(others on this trip did not and in fact had rooms which looked out onto the sub-structure of an elevated walkway.....effectively facing Aswan town to the East....and did experience some noise disturbance at the w/e) I could not fault my room...I had the most perfect view of sunset from my balcony...(certainly as good as that from the hotel's 'Sunset Terrace').....The weather WAS freakily hot during my week....97F when it should have been more like 85F max.!!....and unexpectedly (this was my 5th visit to various parts of Egypt..) I got bitten by bugs big-time

....haven't been so on previous trips.( to Sharm el-Sheikh/Luxor/Nile cruise)..After a few days I decided that I really HAD to deprive myself of the joys of the evening noises from bull-frogs & bats from my balcony and sensibly get comfortable via the air-con.with the patio-door shut!!

There are many trips to take if you feel so inclined...otherwise the hotel is great to 'chill-out' in and around...Beware the Germans!!...as ever - goodness knows what time they get down to the pool to bag them sun-loungers!!Shade is all-important! I went down to the heated pool one day at 8.10am....the pool attendant is available from 8am....and as usual all of the 'best places' had been bagged....by folk who didn't turn up until the afternoon! (How selfish!)

Yes, Useful to note here that the hotel does provide pool-side towels....saves precious space in the 20Kg baggage allowance!

The heated pool was busier (yet not overly so) ....with a beautiful fountain....also an elevated cafe terrace with excellant views across the Nile to Aswan town...NB a slightly wider menu here than in the Lobby Bar at lunchtime!

There was also an un-heated pool ....much less populated hereabouts....yet only 'transient thermal shock' to get in to! If the hotel was ever to be much busier they would need to invest in much more poolside furniture & shading....(current furniture does by European standards need a 'lick of paint'!) The unheated pool overlooks both the Nile and the hotel mini-zoo...I spent a most entertaining afternoon here one day when the two monkeys escaped from their pen!.....They had a whale of a time scampering across their roof/ through the nearbye trees etc.! It took the gardeners 2 1/2 hours to re-capture them! 'GO the monkeys!' I say!!

I was booked as B&B....which suits me fine...since I don't necessarily want 3 courses to plod through in the evening...The breakfast buffet was excellant! (my favourite meal!) ....everything you could have asked for .......The dining-room seemed never to be overly busy....despite Saga etc 'reserved' tables.....Tourists to Egypt depart v.early am on various trips to escape the midday heat!

There was a conference going on for some days in the hotel....yet those delegates didn't seem to be around....

There were other eating options....The Lobby bar was open 24 hrs a day for snackettes/the a la carte Nefertari restaurant....enjoyed a lovely 'Chinese' meal here last evening.....but that restaurant VERY under-used!....and of course as a singleton utilised the 24-hr room service menu! (but happily only once on this trip!) Very swift service....and in fact the food was hotter than served in the dining room!

Those worried about being 'isolated' on an island need not be concerned since there seemed 'always' to be a ferry-taxi waiting at the hotel jetty....every 15 minutes at all times day or night.....just a 10 minute trip.....

There may be some readers who like me have a fascination for the'Old Catarct' Hotel! Yes! I COULD have stayed there!....but 'twould have cost me more than double what I paid to stay at the Isis Island!....

or triple to get a Nile view!....and then not even have a balcony (v. important for me!).....There the residents and staff are very 'precious' over who trips in and out!You can 'bribe' the guard on the gate to go in have a look-see....as I did ( LE10 = £1)....I fancy that the residents are rather 'pretentious'!!....and in fact I was very happy to be staying at the Isis Island Resort!

We were originally booked to stay one night at the Old Cataract Hotel but due to a conference, our travel agent booked us at Isis Island. We arrived from Cairo at 11:45 PM and were kept waiting 30 minutes before they could give us our room. They kept saying "We're making a room ready" but would not explain what that meant. The staff were arrogant, the room in great need of repair. Never again.

My wife and I stayed at this hotel on Sep 28 and 29, 2005 and were very disappointed. Our room was very shabby: the carpet was quite dirty, paint was peeling off the woodwork, the closet doors were difficult to open, the veneer on the dresser and table was peeling off and there was no hot water, the food was only so so. Definitely not worth the money.