Al Moudira Hotel Luxor

At the gateway to Luxor and the horizon of the desert; the only palace on the west bank of the Nile, Al Moudira is just 4 kilometres away from the valley of Kings.

The ochre domes, the patios ornate with arabesques and the eight-hectare garden will provide the setting for your oriental dream. Zeinz Aboukheir wants to treat you to to these natural and historical surroundings, to help you discover and fully enjoy the magic of the Arabian Nights.

Drawing fromm deep in her childhood memories, Zeina designed the plans of the hotel with a skilled architect, Olivier Sedaoui. After which she supervised and directed the worksite herself for three years.

The labourers and workers on the site called her “al moudira”, meaning “the boss” in Arabic, thus naturally giving the hotel its name when it opened its doors in 2002. Through her many travels, Zeina, who speaks French, English, Arabic and Italian, has gathered together the cosmopolitan essence of this oriental hotel.

AL MOUDIRA’S SPIRIT
Al Moudira fits perfectly into the great tradition of Arabian palaces, and their perfect blend of pleasure and sophistication. The atmosphere of the Arabian nights will loom up as you step into one of the patios. The slightest detail contributes to this feeling.

You will constantly fall under the charm of the furniture, discovered amongst the antiquities in the souk, or on the walls in the hotel rooms, hand painted by a Lebanese artist.
Whilst strolling through the patios, you will discover the eastern spirit omnipresent in Al Moudira.

ARCHITECTURE
Al Moudira offers its visitors an architecture where domes and arches are woven together with columns, canopies ans arabesques. The corbelling, the cornices and the high ceilings give both majesty and serenity to the hotel.

The various patios surrounded by galleries host the 54 rooms of the hotel. Stone and ceramic fountains add a little refreshing touch to the peace and tranquility of the pavilions. The terraces and their arbours are

FURNITURE
Al Moudira has selected the treasures of Egyptian and eastern craft to crate a setting of exceptional elegance. In the entrance courtyard of the hotel a moucharabieh, an old wooden screen made up of wooden coils, filters the light.

A diwan, with its sofas and kilim rugs offers relaxation in front of a fountain-pond. One-hundred year old sculpted wood pieces, coming from weathly neighbouring houses, have been saved from oblivion. From now on, they have found their place in the reception area and in the hotel rooms. Large 18th century Syrian frames with Italo-Ottoman

COLORS
The hotel’s colours are a delight for its guests. the walls are tinted with natural pigments mixing shades of ochres, reds and blues, formerly used in Egyptian homes and temples. The large pond and the swimming pool splash emerald shades across the garden’s greens, yellows, pinks and browns.

GARDENS
Al Moudira is an oasis of greenery surrounded by the desert. The eight-hectare garden mixes a variety of fruit trees: lemon, orange, mandarin, mango and guava. Palm trees, flamboyants hibiscus and eucalyptus line the brick paths.

The air of the patios and terraces is fragrant with perfume of jasmine and henna. In the middle of this garden is a pool, an oasis of freshness perfectly integrated in the natural setting.

THE OWNER
Zeina Aboukheir has always dreamt of receiving her guests in a baroque dwelling. Photographer and jewellery designer, Zeina is the soul of the place. She grew up in Lebanon, lived in Tuscany for many years and travelled the world. She finally fell in love width Luxor’s west bank and decided to settle there and build her dream hotel.

ACCESS
A 40 minute drive from Luxor’s international airport and the Royal Valley Golf Club, Al Moudira’s noble silhouette stands between the ancient river and the Theban mountains.

You can get to the hotel from Luxor by taxi, as well as by ferry down the Nile or in multicoloured shuttle boats, which cross the river at all times of day and night. Once the Nile stands between you and the rush and excitement of the town, you will be able to roam through the Egyptian.

LUXURY SUITE
The luxury suites all possess the charms and splendour of an Ottoman palace. A marble fountain surrounded by embroidered cushions seperates the room from the lounge, opening onto a private terrace, completely hidden behind a wooden moucharabieh.

The hotel decoration is revealed once again in the rooms, with chandeliers and lights of glass and copper, antique carpets, small wrought iron couches, which have been collected throughout Egypt. A large canopy bed made in the Ottoman tradition will welcome your nights and a hammam style bathroom will welcome your awakenings.

JUNIOR SUITE
The Middle Eastern furniture will impress on you the spirit of the East which pervades the hotel. And then, as you get tired, you will slide into the large canopy bed end you will fall asleep watching the hand painted frescoes covering the walls and cellings.

All the suites have air conditioning, telephone, satellite television and mini bar. The windows have mosquito nets and inner wooden shutters.

FAMILY SUITE
Spacious two connected bedrooms suitable for parents with small children. Master bedroom with king size bed, sitting area and full bath. Second bedroom with 2 twin beds and separate bathroom with shower.

DELUXE ROOM
Deluxe room decoration and its furniture from second hand or antique shops in Middle Eastern souks. Marquetry desks, Persian carpets, Turkish sofas will surround you during your stay at Al Moudira hotel.

You can also laze around in your canopy bed listening to the birds in the garden and to the water splashing from the fountain. All the suites have air conditioning, telephone, satellite television and mini bar. The windows have mosquito nets and inner wooden shutters.

RESTAURANTS
In the morning, breakfast is served on a terrace flooded by the rays of the early morning sun, or in a room bathed by orange sunlight. Coffee, tea and fresh orange juice are served with eastern and European bread, home made jams from the garden fruits (for instance guava and mango), honey, cheese and eggs.

For lunch you should enjoy the freshness of the water whilst having a light meal in the Pavilion, the restaurant located between the gardens and the swimming pool. And to end the day, the Chef prepares a different menu for every evening. The dishes are a product of his inspiration, mixing Mediterranean, Eastern and European flavours.

You will enjoy this in the great dining room where the chandeliers and the Ottoman decoration will give a special feet to your dinner. Two bars welcome you to guide you through your Eastern nights from beginning to end.

THE GREAT ROOM
Dinner is served in the great dining room, with its brick domes and hanging crystal chandeliers, Ottoman style. You can enjoy dishes mixing Mediterranean and Eastern flavours, fruit of the chef’s constantly changing inspiration.

THE MAIN COURT
At the evening, enjoy the freshness of the Main Court to savor fine meals. The moucharabieh and the foutain will take care of your diner.

SWIMMING POOL PAVILLON
During the day, drinks and light snacks are offered round the pavilion of Al Moudira’s swimming pool, shaded by immaculate sunshades. You can enjoy the swimming pool whilst having your snack of salads, pizzas, grills and mezzes.

THE EASTERN BAR
The eastern bar welcomes you in an Arabian Night atmosphere. Step into the Eastern dream. You will at first be surrounded by the sweet perfume of narghiles. Then, once comfortably seated, sipping mint tea, mysterious and bewitching voices will fill you ears.

And as you turn your head, the slow procession of Egyptian dancers will hypnotise you for what’s left of the night. And you will return night after night as in an Eastern Tale.

WELLNESS
In order to relax after a long day in Luxor you can enjoy the Al Moudira installations and facilities. Massages, Turkish bath, solarium and swimming pool are the ideal break between your active day and quiet evenings in Al Moudira.

SWIMMING POOL
The 200 sqm swimming pool is in the garden. Its columns and fountains help it integrate perfectly into the garden’s greenery. In the pavilion, by the pool, there is a bar, changing rooms, a massage room and Turkish bath.

SOLARIUM
Enjoy the solarium by the swimming pool to relax. You will let the gentle breeze caress you as it plays with the hibiscus leaves and carries the perfumes of henna and jasmine. The solarium has sunshine all day long, and as it is close to the pavilion and to the pool, it is easy to get drinks or a snack there.

TURKISH BATH
Wrapped in soft and perfumed steam, sandalwood and orange flowers, you will discover the charms of typically Eastern relaxation in one of Al Moudira’s two turkish bath. Entirely lined in white marble, by the swimming pool, this place is an invitation to indolence.

MASSAGES
Come and enjoy being taken care of by our expert masseurs. The massage room, by the swimming pool in eastern bath setting, is the ideal place to release the day’s tension.

ENJOY YOUR STAY
Our team is always available to help you prepare or improve your stay at Al Moudira, to fulfil all your needs and wishes. You can find within the hotel an art gallery and a shop, and all necessary facilities to organise seminars and events. Feel free to dowload our brochures and price list available on the web site.

ART GALLERY
The Al Moudira art gallery welcomes temporary exhibitions. You can appreciate a variety of paintings, sculpture and ceramics in a vast and luminous room, Eastern style.

Al Moudira hosts various artists’ exhibits, which come from all around the world. It’s an opportunity for Al Moudira’s guests to meet the artists and discuss their works in a friendly atmosphere.

SHOP
The Al Moudira shop displays some of the most beautiful pieces of Egyptian arts and craft. You can also find unusual objects that Zeina Aboukheir has picked up in Middle Eastern souks during her numerous travels.

EVENTS
Take advantage of Al Moudira’s magnificient location to organise a special event. We will assist you to fulfil your dreams and wishes.

SEMINARS
Various rooms are available within the hotel to welcome your meetings or seminars. You can also arrange business dinners in the great dining room. Furthermore, the space round the swimming pool can be arranged for outdoor business lunches or dinners.

NILE CRUISE
Propelled by the gentle winds, you will discover the many archaeological treasures, magnificent deserts and breathtaking vistas Egypt has to offer. You will walk in villages and through orchards, meeting Egyptians as they go about their daily lives.

Rooms: 54

Price: from 169 EUR per night

Source: www.moudira.com