The grande dame of Aswan hotels, the Old Cataract is a destination in itself and brings you back to the days of Agatha Christie, who is said to have written part of her novel Death on the Nile here (the hotel certainly featured in the movie). The splendid buildings and well-tended gardens command fantastic views of the Nile and the desert.
The original building of the Old Cataract hotel, now known as the Palace Wing, has 76 rooms, of which more than half are suites. But the biggest change has been brought to the 1960s annexe, the Garden Wing, where all rooms have stunning Nile views. The 1902 Restaurant serves some of the fanciest food on the Nile, while Kebabgy and Saraya serve simpler food in a more relaxed atmosphere. The large pool looks on to the river and the ruins of Elephantine Island, and the two-floor spa has a fitness centre, a hammam, a sauna and Thai therapists.