It could just be the contrast between the glorious Old Cataract next door, but for a hotel claiming to be 5* this was something of a disappointment.

Yes, the view was great, as was the pool.

But it's nothing like 5*, even by Egyptian standards - call it a good 3* in the UK and Europe.

The room size and cleanliness were fine, but service was generaly slow and the prospect of using cash to pay a restaurant bill was greeted with horror and the food offer was very limited.

Still, it was relatively cheap. Would I go back? Perhaps. But I'd more likely steal myself to stay next door at the Old Cataract.

There is nothing new about this place! It's dirty and the outside of the hotel needed to be painted 10 years ago! I will never stay at another Sofitel hotel again. Do not eat here if you have any kind of love for good food. I tried to eat there late one night and my girlfriend and I literaly took one bite of our dinner and left the rest. I know this is Africa but there is no excuse for having some decent food at a hotel owned by a large French company.

Very Bad!
The name 'new' is misleading. It is an old dumpy place. Rundown property for the price they charge.

Spent two nights at the New Cataract Hotel, and did not enjoy the experience. It had the overall ambience of a Soviet era apartment block.

My room was shabby, with stains on the carpet, mismatched curtains, chipped french polish on the cabinetry. I think the room decor has not been updated since about 1972! However, the bathroom has had a make-over and was reasonably presentable. My window and balcony had a "town view", ie a slum, rather than a Nile view.

The door of the mini bar fridge fell off when I opened it. When I complained, the staff were prompt to organise a replacement, but it should not have happened in the first place.

The reception staff were not particularly helpful, and the bistro staff were positively unco-operative. The food was quite good, but the service was slow and sullen.

I would not choose to revisit the New Cataract Hotel even if it were free of charge. Such a shame, because Aswan is a charming small city and we had a great time touring around there.