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Best hotels in Aswan
Two Nile cruise ships form this shortlist of Aswan stays: a 5-star Mövenpick sailing from the Aswan Nile Cruise Port and a 3-star Travcotels departing from the Embarkation Port Aswan. It suits travellers who want the river, the temples and Abu Simbel excursions built into where they sleep.
Staying in Aswan
Aswan is Egypt's southernmost city on the Nile, and visitors come for Elephantine Island, Philae Temple, the High Dam and Nubian villages such as Gharb Soheil on the west bank. Granite boulders stand in the river, feluccas sail past, and trips to Abu Simbel leave from here. The Corniche on the east bank keeps you near the station and the ferry; Elephantine Island is quieter but boat-dependent; Gharb Soheil places you in a Nubian village, further from the centre.
Both hotels on this shortlist are cruise ships, and both are boarded at the water: the Mövenpick at the Aswan Nile Cruise Port, the Travcotels at the Embarkation Port Aswan. That puts the river itself, rather than a street, at the centre of the stay. It suits couples and short-break travellers who want sightseeing and excursions arranged around sailing, and business travellers are served by 24-hour front desks and wifi on both ships. Families should note the pools: the Mövenpick and the Travcotels each list an outdoor pool and a spa.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Nasser Cruise Every Monday Four Nights From Aswan Every Friday Three nights From Abu Simbel Including Excursions and Sightseeing
Aswan Nile Cruise Port
Best for: Pool and spa · Breakfast
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Breakfast
Why stay hereA 5-star Nile cruise that sails between Aswan and Abu Simbel, with excursions and sightseeing built into the itinerary. On board, the outdoor pool and spa give you somewhere to unwind after a day of temples, and the restaurant, bar and snack bar cover meals and drinks. Concierge, a 24-hour front desk and free wifi keep the practical side easy. Suits travellers who want the Nile and its monuments without arranging each stop themselves.
See Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Nasser Cruise Every Monday Four Nights From Aswan Every Friday Three nights From Abu Simbel Including Excursions and SightseeingTravcotels Cruise Aswan
Embarkation Port Aswan
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Parking
Why stay hereA 3-star cruise ship that sets off from Embarkation Port Aswan, handy if you want your stay and your Nile sailing in one place. Days on board revolve around the outdoor pool and the spa, with a restaurant and bar for the evenings and shops on site for the hours in between. A 24-hour front desk, dry cleaning and wifi take care of the practical side.
See Travcotels Cruise Aswan
How to choose
For the top class
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas is the only 5-star ship on this shortlist, boarded at the Aswan Nile Cruise Port and sailing four nights from Aswan every Monday and three nights from Abu Simbel every Friday, with excursions and sightseeing included.
For a lower class
Travcotels Cruise Aswan is the 3-star option, embarking at the Embarkation Port Aswan, with a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, spa and wifi on board.
For on-board dining
Both ships list a restaurant and a bar, so meals and drinks are on board. The Mövenpick adds a snack bar or café and a breakfast buffet, alongside dry cleaning and shops on site.
Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Nasser Cruise Every Monday Four Nights From Aswan Every Friday Three nights From Abu Simbel Including Excursions and Sightseeing · Travcotels Cruise Aswan
For accessibility and services
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas lists wheelchair access, a 24-hour front desk, a concierge and porter service, free wifi, dry cleaning and shops on site, which the Travcotels does not list.
Where to stay in Aswan
Aswan Nile Cruise Port
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas sails from the Aswan Nile Cruise Port, so boarding and disembarking happen on the river rather than in a city street. From here the ship runs four nights from Aswan every Monday and three nights from Abu Simbel every Friday, with excursions and sightseeing included in the sailing.
Embarkation Port Aswan
Travcotels Cruise Aswan embarks at the Embarkation Port Aswan. The ship carries a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, spa, wifi and parking, and its port location keeps the Nile and the city's riverfront within reach between sailings.
Our picks here: Travcotels Cruise Aswan
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Aswan International Airport lies southwest of the city, so allow time for the transfer on arrival. By road, the airport and the main sights connect to the Corniche and the west bank, but the river splits the city, and island or west bank stays depend on boats to come and go. Ferries serve Elephantine Island. Trips to Abu Simbel leave from Aswan and usually start early, so book ahead. Hours and departure times change seasonally: ask your hotel for your date.
When to go
October to April is the best time to visit Aswan, when conditions are milder. Summer is extremely hot, so if you travel then, plan for high temperatures and arrange your days around the heat. Both ships on this shortlist sail on fixed weekly schedules, the Mövenpick leaving Aswan every Monday and Abu Simbel every Friday, so line your dates up with the departure that suits you.
Things to do near Aswan
Questions, answered
Which of these ships is closest to the centre of Aswan?
Neither is a city hotel: the Mövenpick Prince Abbas is boarded at the Aswan Nile Cruise Port and Travcotels Cruise Aswan at the Embarkation Port Aswan, so both sit on the water rather than in a district. Ask your ship about transfers to the Corniche, the station and the ferry.
Do the ships have parking?
Travcotels Cruise Aswan lists parking among its facilities. The Mövenpick Prince Abbas does not list parking, so if you are driving to the Aswan Nile Cruise Port, check with the ship before you travel.
Which ship has a pool or spa?
Both do. The Mövenpick Prince Abbas and Travcotels Cruise Aswan each list an outdoor pool and a spa, alongside a restaurant and a bar.
Which is the best pick for families?
Both ships list an outdoor pool, which suits children, and both have a restaurant on board. The Mövenpick Prince Abbas adds a buffet, a snack bar or café, wheelchair access and shops on site, while Travcotels Cruise Aswan lists parking.
Is breakfast included?
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas lists breakfast and a buffet among its facilities. Travcotels Cruise Aswan lists a restaurant and a bar but does not list breakfast, so confirm meal arrangements when you book.
Which ship is best for a short break?
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas sails four nights from Aswan every Monday and three nights from Abu Simbel every Friday, with excursions and sightseeing included, which fits a short break built around the river and the temples.
Can I get to Abu Simbel from these ships?
Trips to Abu Simbel leave from Aswan and usually start early, so book ahead. The Mövenpick Prince Abbas also runs three-night sailings from Abu Simbel every Friday, with excursions and sightseeing included.
How do I reach Aswan and get around once there?
Aswan International Airport lies southwest of the city, so allow time for the transfer on arrival. The river splits the city, and island or west bank stays depend on boats; ferries serve Elephantine Island. Hours and departure times change seasonally, so ask your hotel for your date.