A historic Mandarin Oriental on a granite cliff above the Nile in Aswan, facing Elephantine Island, where Death on the Nile was filmed in 1978. Nile Wing rooms all have river-view balconies, and an infinity pool sits above the water. Rooms are listed from US$650 a night.
Old Cataract, Aswan is a historic five-star hotel on Abtal El Tahrir Street in Aswan, southern Egypt, built on a pink granite cliff above the Nile and facing Elephantine Island. It opened in 1900 and is now run by Mandarin Oriental. Travellers who want Nile views, afternoon tea on the terrace and a hotel with a long literary history stay here.
Thomas Cook built the hotel in 1899 for European travellers, and it opened on 8 January 1900 as the Cataract Hotel. A third storey with 100 more rooms and a dining room by the architect Henri Favarger followed in 1902. A modern tower, the New Cataract, was added in 1961. Both buildings closed from 2008 to 2011 for restoration and reopened together in October 2011 as the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan.
Guests have included Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill, Howard Carter and Agatha Christie, and the 1978 film of Death on the Nile was shot here.
Mandarin Oriental took over management on 1 May 2026 and runs the hotel as Old Cataract, Aswan. It is due to become Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan in July 2027 once renovation is complete. While the Nile Wing tower is closed, guests stay in the historic Palace, where 35 rooms and suites (9 rooms and 26 suites) are open. They combine French-style furniture with Egyptian detail, high ceilings and marble bathrooms. Rooms start at about 45 m², and the Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie suites reach 138 m² and 175 m² with Nile views.
When the work is finished, Mandarin Oriental plans six dining venues and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. The hotel will also connect with the group's first Nile cruise, sailing three-, four- and seven-night routes between Aswan and Luxor from 2027, and with the Winter Palace in Luxor, which reopens the same year.
Saraya serves Levantine and Mediterranean dishes all day. The Terrace by the river offers light meals and the hotel's afternoon tea with views of Elephantine Island. Breakfast is a buffet from 6:30 to 10:30, about US$25 per adult when not included. A pool bar and in-room dining complete the choice, and the infinity pool sits above the Nile.
The Nubian Museum is about 380 m away and the Unfinished Obelisk about 900 m. Elephantine Island is about 1.1 km and Kitchener's Island, home to the Aswan Botanical Garden, about 1.5 km. Philae Temple is about 6.6 km. Aswan railway station is about 2.8 km, and Aswan International Airport (ASW) about 19 km by road. Check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM, and the main guest must be at least 18. Pets and service animals are not allowed.
Sources: Hospitality Net, Mandarin Oriental expands in Egypt, February 2026. Facts checked November 2026.
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Children of all ages are welcome.
Extra bed and cot rules depend on the room type; extra fees may apply for children using existing beds.
The minimum age for check-in is 18.
Pets and service animals are not allowed.
The Nile Wing tower is closed for renovation; all current stays are in the historic Palace.
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Stay & facilities
On a granite cliff above the Nile in Aswan, southern Egypt, facing Elephantine Island.
Yes, under Mandarin Oriental management, though stays are limited to the historic Palace until the tower renovation is finished.
Check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM. The main guest must be at least 18.
On 8 January 1900, as the Cataract Hotel built by Thomas Cook.
Booking
35 for now, 9 rooms and 26 suites. Before the renovation, the Palace Wing had 76 rooms and 45 suites and the Nile Wing 62 rooms.
Families & accessibility
No. Animals, assistance animals included, cannot stay at the hotel.
General
Saraya is the all-day restaurant, and the riverside Terrace serves the hotel's afternoon tea. Breakfast is a buffet from 6:30 to 10:30, about US$25 per adult when not included.
Yes. The 1978 film was shot at the hotel.
The Sir Winston Churchill suite is 138 m² and the Agatha Christie suite 175 m², both with Nile views.
Getting there
Aswan International Airport (ASW) is about 19 km by road, around 25 minutes by car depending on traffic. Aswan railway station is about 2.8 km.
About 380 m from the hotel.
Timing & weather
It is due to be renamed Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan in July 2027, once renovation is complete.
No. The Nile Wing is being renovated, and guests stay in the historic Palace until the full hotel reopens in July 2027.
Prices & payment
Rooms at Old Cataract, Aswan start from $650.00 (USD) per night (Palace Garden View Room). The price for your dates is shown when you check availability.
Cancellations & changes
The cancellation and prepayment terms of Old Cataract, Aswan are set out under House Rules on this page.
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