Sofitel Old Cataract, Aswan
Five-star hotel on Aswan’s east bank, with Nile-view rooms, an outdoor pool, spa, restaurants and a bar.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
- Board
- Bed & Breakfast
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sofitel Old Cataract is a one-day hotel stay in Aswan, with Nile-facing accommodation, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Luxury
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- Per night
- Travel style
- Five-Star Hotel Stay
- Accommodation
- Five-Star Hotel
- Destinations
- Aswan
- Includes
- Room per night, as booked · Buffet breakfast with Bed and Breakfast rates · Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas · Use of the pool · Use of the fitness centre · Concierge and front-desk assistance
- Best for
- Couples · History-minded travellers · Nile-view seekers · Independent explorers
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- We arrange room bookings at Sofitel Old Cataract.
- Airport transfers are arranged separately when requested.
- The hotel is five-star.
- The listed room-rate inclusions distinguish Bed and Breakfast rates from other rate plans.
02Overview
A first look
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract sits on Aswan's Nile corniche with views across to Elephantine Island. We commonly recommend it for short stays when guests arrive by day train or before Nile cruises.
Please note that the hotel is closed at present while it undergoes a complete renovation; no reopening date has been announced. We would be delighted to suggest comparable places to stay for your holiday dates.
Background
The facts
Sofitel Old Cataract is a five-star hotel in Aswan, on the east bank of the Nile. It provides rooms and suites within a historic hotel property, with a pool, fitness centre, spa and dining venues. Room rates vary by plan, including room-only, Bed and Breakfast and Half Board options.
The hotel faces the Nile and islands beyond. Philae Temple is reached by road to the departure dock, followed by a boat crossing. The Aswan High Dam lies south-east of the city; Aswan’s sightseeing sites are reached by road or local boat connections.
The property is historic. Its setting places it within Aswan, a city on the Nile in southern Egypt, near Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam.
For Bed and Breakfast bookings, the rate includes a breakfast buffet. Wi-Fi and use of the pool and fitness centre are included in the room rate. Spa treatments, excursions and airport transfers are separate unless booked or included in the selected rate. Check-in and check-out times depend on the confirmed booking.
Named in this entry
Sofitel Old Cataract·Aswan·Nile·Nile River·East Bank of the Nile·Philae Temple·Aswan High Dam·Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Sofitel Old Cataract suits couples, solo travellers and families with older children who want a five-star base in Aswan with Nile views and hotel services. It also suits travellers interested in historic surroundings, city sights and boat excursions arranged through the concierge.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different stay if you need large outdoor play areas or plan to rely on a pushchair for most outings. It is also less suited to travellers looking for an all-inclusive resort stay.
What lingers
- 01Riverside rooms with Nile views facing Elephantine Island; hotel sits on the Nile Corniche in Aswan.
- 02Short stroll to felucca berths on the Corniche, facilitating sunrise sails and Nile transfers.
- 03Approximately three-hour road transfer to Abu Simbel; popular choice for clients doing the overnight private transfer.
- 04Historic public rooms and riverside terraces – ideal for late-afternoon Nile light and private events.
- 05We often book Sofitel Old Cataract for one-night Aswan stays between Luxor and Abu Simbel road transfers.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- East-bank setting with views across the Nile
- Pool, spa and fitness facilities on site
- Concierge can arrange felucca rides and local excursions
- Short distance to Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam
- Buffet breakfast included with Bed and Breakfast rates
Things to Consider
- Breakfast is not included with every rate basis
- Airport transfers are extra unless booked
- Spa treatments and wellness services cost extra
- Limited outdoor play space for younger children
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many hotel stays are booked as a room rate alone, with extras selected separately. We arrange the room booking and can arrange airport transfers or excursions on request, rather than treating them as automatic inclusions.
Under renovation — temporarily closed
Room rates are not being shown for this property while it is closed. Contact us and we will suggest an alternative, or let you know when it reopens.
Dining
Where you'll eat
The information supplied does not name the hotel’s restaurants or bars, describe their menus or confirm which board basis is available. Dining venues and meal inclusions can vary by booking rate. Check the details attached to your chosen room rate before booking, particularly if you are comparing Bed & Breakfast with Half Board.
On property
What's here
- Spa
- Gym
- Wi-Fi
- Garden
- Concierge
- Business centre
- Bar
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Airport shuttle
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- One room per night, on the rate basis booked
- Buffet breakfast, included with Bed and Breakfast rates only
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas
- Use of the pool and fitness centre
- Concierge and front desk assistance
Not included
- City or tourism taxes, payable locally
- Spa treatments, massages and wellness treatments
- Minibar and room service charges, unless specified
- Optional excursions, guiding services and entrance fees
- Airport transfers, unless explicitly booked
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Check whether your chosen rate is room-only, Bed and Breakfast or Half Board before confirming.
- 02
Ask the concierge about boat access arrangements before setting out for Philae Temple.
- 03
Confirm any city or tourism tax payable locally with the hotel before arrival.
- 04
Request airport transfers when booking if you want transport arranged in advance.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose the available room rate basis, including Bed and Breakfast where offered. We can arrange airport transfers and optional excursions or guiding services on request; spa treatments and other wellness services can be booked separately.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Use the Sofitel Old Cataract as an Aswan base before or after a Nile cruise, with time for Philae Temple and the Nubian Museum. It works well as a city hotel, rather than an all-inclusive resort.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Sofitel Old Cataract is a historic property, and its period layout can make movement difficult in places. Some public areas and rooms have steps, uneven stone surfaces or narrow corridors. Lifts serve the main floors, but steps may restrict access to some terraces and parts of the historic wing. Pool access is by steps, and there is no pool hoist. Nearby streets are paved, though kerbs may be raised. We can arrange an accessible vehicle for transfers on request. Please tell us about step-free access, an accessible room or mobility assistance when booking so we can check availability and plan ahead.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children of all ages are welcome. Cots for infants under two can be requested in advance. Extra beds for children and older children are subject to availability and may incur a nightly charge, which we will confirm when you book. Strollers can be used in many public areas but may be awkward in the historic wing because of steps. High chairs are available in dining areas on request. Tell us the children’s ages and any access needs before booking.
Indicative rates only – pricing and rooms fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Location
The setting
Sofitel Old Cataract is a five-star hotel in Aswan. The information supplied does not identify its neighbourhood, nearby landmarks or transport links, so these details are not described here. Check the hotel’s current location information when planning journeys around Aswan.
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Aswan Museum7 min walk
- Nubian Museum17 min walk
- Unfinished Obelisk2 km
- Philae Temple12 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Choose Bed and Breakfast or another available rate basis
02
Add an airport transfer only if you need one
03
Use Aswan as a base for Philae Temple visits
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We can arrange transfers in air-conditioned cars or minibuses with seatbelts; an accessible minibus can be requested where needed. The hotel information provided describes a linen-reuse programme and some produce sourced from Aswan markets and registered suppliers. It also reports measures to reduce single-use plastic and low-water options for some spa and laundry services. We can book local felucca crews and excursion providers on request, directing those bookings to suppliers in Aswan. These measures do not remove the environmental impact of travel or hotel operations. Ask us before booking if you need details about a particular service or supplier.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
·In summary
Sofitel Old Cataract is a five-star hotel on Aswan’s east bank of the Nile, facing the river and nearby islands. Philae Temple visits involve road travel to a dock and a boat crossing. Breakfast is a buffet with Bed and Breakfast rates; airport transfers are not included unless booked.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Where is the Sofitel Old Cataract located in Aswan?
Sofitel Old Cataract sits on the Nile bank in central Aswan, near the Old Cataract and the city centre. The hotel occupies a late‑19th/early‑20th‑century building and famously hosted guests such as Agatha Christie; the main boat piers and Aswan souq are a short walk. We can organise private transfers or on‑site services when you book with us.02How far is Sofitel Old Cataract from Aswan International Airport?
By car, transfers between Aswan International Airport and Sofitel Old Cataract typically take 20–30 minutes. Times vary with traffic and flight schedules; we arrange private airport pickup with meet-and-greet. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we include vehicles and local drivers in our transfer quotes.03Do rooms at the Sofitel Old Cataract have Nile views?
Many rooms face the Nile, while other categories overlook hotel gardens or the city, so views vary by room type. If a Nile view matters, request it at booking and consider a confirmed upgrade; we record preferences but cannot guarantee allocation on arrival. Balconies and sightlines differ between the hotel’s older and renovated wings.04Could you arrange trips from Sofitel Old Cataract to Philae and Abu Simbel?
Yes — we can organise private trips from the hotel to Philae, Abu Simbel and other places in and around Aswan. The drive to Abu Simbel takes roughly 3 hours each way; we can also provide a quote for domestic flights. We don’t operate large-group coach tours: every excursion is private, and our itineraries specify whether an Egyptologist, driver-guide, entrance fees or flights are included.05Is Sofitel Old Cataract suitable for mobility-impaired guests?
The hotel contains historic areas and steps; please discuss mobility needs with us before booking. Historic floors can be uneven and some public rooms have stairs; accessible rooms and lifts exist but availability varies. We will request accessible rooms, arrange private vehicles with low steps where possible, and confirm the hotel’s actual facilities on your behalf.06What should I pack and wear for a stay at Sofitel Old Cataract?
Bring strong sun protection, comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces, lightweight daytime clothing and modest clothes for temple or mosque visits. Also pack a sun hat, SPF50+ sunscreen, a light layer for cooler Nile evenings, swimwear for pools and a smart outfit for hotel restaurants. During Ramadan, restaurant opening hours may change; we will advise closer to travel.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- 75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday
- 15–30 days
- 50% back, or 75% kept as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% back, or 50% kept as credit
- 2–6 days
- Nothing back; 25% kept as credit
- Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up
- No refund and no credit
Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: HTL-ASW-083197
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