This was the designated hotel for our group. Upon arrival we had to wait for 2 hours to get our room keys. hence we decided to eat in the hotel restaurant. As many hotels in that area, they offer a buffet style meal, but this particular hotel offered ONLY a buffet lunch. The food was far from being at least OK. Moreover the price was really, really high. Very disappointingly experience, although after eating these buffet style meals at several other restaurants, I can say that this particular restaurant was not worse than others.

Now the good things: the rooms were very nice, clean, with comfortable beds. Actually the beds may be a bit hard for some folks, but I slept like a baby. Very nice bathroom, although I believe it took a while for the warm water to come down the pipe.

Our room had a large balcony with plenty of blooming plants, balcony which overlooked the pool. We wished we were there for longer time, and that we didn't have to leave at 6 AM.

The staff was MUCH friendlier than in any other Egyptian hotel we stay at during this trip. I would give it two thumbs up for this: I didn't see that attitude that they (the staff) make us a favor for bringing the food or whatever.

The internet was a little bit more expensive than in Luxor, but at least it was fast speed. Also, there were more computers available, so we didn't have to wait in line for checking our e-mail.

Should I ever get back to that city, I would stay there again.

Our travel agent booked us here. We arrived and our tour guide told us it was one of the nicest hotels in Aswan. I don't believe it. Try the Old Cataract, Isis Island, or Movenpick first. From the outside these hotels looked much nicer. Our room was spacious and cool, but the sheets were rough, the bathroom had horrible lighting, and our view was over a cemetery. You have to walk a while to get into town, maybe 10 minutes. It's okay - as in clean and standard but if you want 5 star do not stay here.

This was a very confortable hotel with a large room.

We had the hotel buffet one evening and the price was absolutely shocking - over 10 times the amount we'd paid at the restaurants in town. Yes, we were silly not to clarify the price of the buffet before eating before i still thought the cost was outrageous. The food wasn't particularly great.

I decided to celebrate my fortieth birthday in Egypt and split my time between Luxor and Aswan. The Basma is a small seventies style hotel opposite the Nubian museum. We asked for a "special" room on arrival and were rewarded with rooms 559 and 560 which have huge sun terraces as well as a balcony, The views over Aswan are fantastic. The rooms are clean and functional, but dated.(no hairdryers or tea and coffeee facilities) The hotel seems more suited to older tourists as the bars shut early some nights as they were empty . We found it more productive to have our bottle of duty free on our terrace. The service in the restaurant was exrtremely slow unless a manager was there ,and then it speeded up by a fraction. The lunch menu is limited and the bread always rock hard, so dont order a sandwich. Breakfast is good with a huge selection of cakes and pastries. Very limited choice of fruit which was strange.
Much better idea to head out at night and go to El Maasri , the oldest restaurant in Aswan where you can eat a fab three course menu for about £5 per head. We also ate at the Nubian resaturant which you access by a free ferry (5 mins). No alcohol served in either of these but good food and fresh juices.We drank "Kerkedeh" the local Hisbicus flower drink which kept us ll healthy.
We were forced to report the pool attendant at the Basma for aggressively demanding tips from everyone around the pool.The pool is a nice one though and much needed, temps were 42 degrees.
If you are expecting Aswan to live up to the guide books description of being a laid back , sleepy resort, you will be disappointed, we found it similar to the hussle and bustle of Luxor and the for all the ladies out there, even if you attempt to cover every inch of skin,you will be constantly and persistantly leered at and your personal space will be invaded by the Egyptian men.(Even if your fella is with you!!!) The Caleche drivers in Aswan will hound you whenever they see you and I urge you not to get into their carriages as their poor horses are on their last legs. The taxis are the most broken down you will experience and hard bargaing is required each time. I suggest you shut your eyes when you get in.
Three days is enough in Aswan but it is an ideal stopover before heading off to Abu Simnel.Of course if you are accompanied by our mates Steff and Tom then you will have many belly laughs!