Valley of Kings reopens after police protest

[BENNU]

The bus and boat do not run that often when there are so few tourists. When you get off, know that there will be touts and opportunists waiting for you, knowing the schedule and that you come from a five star resort! There is nothing to be afraid of, but when you come from the serenity of Sofitel the contrast can be overwhelming and irritating, so know where you want to go, be very determined and ignore everyone at least until you have walked away, keeping the peace inside you that you will have built up in the beautiful surroundings.

[Winged Isis]

Free water taxi RS,which drops off at The Winter Palace,their sister hotel I believe,and where a good old fashioned afternoon tea can be had.Anyone tried it?

Yes! Delish! :cuppa:

[Kaiserbernese]

As of last week the WP is charging an entrance fee of 50LE each, which can be redeemed against any refreshments.

[Zooropa]

50LE LOL!


A very good money making tactic when there are tourists falling over themselves to get in and there are not enough eateries for the swarms of visitors thronging the heaving streets.

Not so good when there are Ameba on Saturn that see more tourists than Luxor is at the present time.

Perhaps when the fuel subsidy is withdrawn the government will be handing out brain cells to some of the local businesses by way of compensation?

[Dusak]

Why charge it in the first place if they are going to give it back when you have a drink or something to eat. What other motive would people need to visit in the first place if not to enjoy the ambiance of the place while having a cup of char and a very expensive sarnie. Unless they think that it will keep out the riff raff of Luxor, but we haven't got any have we?

[HEPZIBAH]

Why charge it in the first place if they are going to give it back when you have a drink or something to eat. What other motive would people need to visit in the first place if not to enjoy the ambiance of the place while having a cup of char and a very expensive sarnie. Unless they think that it will keep out the riff raff of Luxor, but we haven't got any have we?

It's a Toilet Tax!
It means that we ladies - and some gentlemen - don't just pop in to use the loo (because the ones on the Corniche are so awful) and have a nosey around at how the other half live at the same time!

[Winged Isis]

Outrageous; I've never heard of such a thing anywhere else in the world!

[BENNU]

As a former guest at Lotus Hotel, but no longer recognised, I was not even allowed to use the ATM there last month! I have been using it because Meridien usually runs out of cash before I get out of bed. When I lived in the area, I would sail to and from Meridien and they would be wise enough to treat me as a potential costumer, which payed off. Most visitors I have brought to Winter Palace to show them the garden, have lunch or just powder our noses, have returned as paying guests and some would even come back to Luxor from Cairo just to spend some nights there.

Entrance tickets may not be a good idea, but they are not that unusual, even at hotels. I have seen it in Italy, Copenhagen and some other places. I would rather pay such a deposit and know that I have the right to be there than be suspected of anything. I have known many places in Cairo with a minimum charge, never as low as EGP 50, though.

[dsaxelby]

We did not enjoy tea at the WP but we loved the gardens very tranquil. Not paying though

[Bearded Brian]

Actually on my last visit I was caught short on the cornice and had to use the loos and they were far better than expected - they may not have been up to the standard of some hotels but there was no whiff or rubbish etc - perhaps I was lucky and used them just after they had been cleaned.

[Dusak]

So its a prestige thing, I've peed in the Winter Palace.com What if you stick your 'ed under the running tap while your in there? Refundable?

[HEPZIBAH]

Actually on my last visit I was caught short on the cornice and had to use the loos and they were far better than expected - they may not have been up to the standard of some hotels but there was no whiff or rubbish etc - perhaps I was lucky and used them just after they had been cleaned.

Guessing you used the ones at Kabagy then and not the ones at the bottom of the steps near the Metropolitan - the ladies there leaves much to be desired and you can usually tell you approaching the gents because of the smell!

[Bearded Brian]

Actually on my last visit I was caught short on the cornice and had to use the loos and they were far better than expected - they may not have been up to the standard of some hotels but there was no whiff or rubbish etc - perhaps I was lucky and used them just after they had been cleaned.

Guessing you used the ones at Kabagy then and not the ones at the bottom of the steps near the Metropolitan - the ladies there leaves much to be desired and you can usually tell you approaching the gents because of the smell!

These were the public ones not associated with Kabagy - as I said I was probably lucky to use them when they were 'clean'.