Your personally guided tour of the "Best Holiday Apartment in Luxor"

Whilst King Tut's Mummy, and the mosquitoes of the West Bank, are great to visit for a couple of hours; we chose the relative civilisation of the East Bank for "Our Luxor"! We like to be around everyday folk in what passes for a 'normal' environment here in Egypt.
Just take a few minutes to come along with me and enjoy this personally guided tour of our beautiful and exclusive apartment, where we might be persuaded to let you stay as a part of your fabulous Egyptian adventure! We'll start out in the main street, look up to the left to see the name plaque; "Haret Osman". (If you click on any of the pictures, you can see them all together, and bigger!)

Our street sign is of the old fashioned type, it was rescued by one of our neighbours when they changed them to the more modern design. The street is named after his grandfather, Ahmed Adam Mohamed Osman; Haret Osman translates to Osman Alley.

While our alley is typical of the 'old style' Luxor, being very narrow and inhabited mainly by different branches of the same family, the mud-brick house at the end is a relic of the original architecture, the rest of the buildings are now of the more modern, reinforced concrete, construction. We still have the odd small earthquake here now and then, lol.

After climbing the stairs, past the clinics of a local surgeon and dentist, we come to the privacy and comfort of the third floor, which is exclusive to our guests and ourselves. Here we find the extraordinary oasis known as "Our Luxor"!

Peering through the open entrance doors; we catch our first glimpse of unmistakable Arabian style! The ablaq Moorish arch is emblematic of Egyptian architecture from the Mamluk period, and the meshrabiya screen is redolent of a faintly remembered, bygone age of the mysterious harem with its seductive ambience! The hallway is otherwise sparsely furnished, with antiques set on a handmade woollen rug.

As we turn towards the large livingroom, we pass through another piece of meshrabiya work as we behold a room fit for a Pasha! Some of the sumptuous soft furnishings in this 'salamlic' (traditionally, the room where the Master's guests would be entertained) have been traded around the world before finishing up gracing the specially designed and commissioned handmade furniture of "Our Luxor". Antique desert prints, from the hand of a French artist, adorn one of the walls.

In addition to the A/C and TV etc, a major feature which departs from tradition is the large balcony windows. We Westerners like the natural light, but seeing as light equates to heat; Egyptians prefer the gloom created by the pitiful light seeping through their small windows, which are usually fully shuttered! 

The exquisite hand knotted carpet and heavy fabrics are yet more reminders of the opulence enjoyed by the fabulously turbaned Turkish Pashas of old. (Those who once ruled over the downtrodden descendants of Egypt's all-conquering ancient civilisation.)

Temporarily leaving the gorgeous sights and textures of the One Thousand and One Nights, we can have a quick look into the kitchen; here there are all the usual (boring) kitchen things! 

If you really do need to cook while you are on holiday; then the kitchen at "Our Luxor" has all that you will require: Pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, an electric oven with two hobs on the top. There is a fridge and a stainless steel sink and drainer.                                          
Why are we even in here? There's an adequate restaurant on almost every street corner, and food is very cheap, but what's more: if you're staying with us you will be on holiday! Who wants to slave over a hot stove when the sun is shining and you're in a very foreign and exciting place? 

On the way into the bedroom, there is the en-suite with shower, handwash basin and WC. Not terrifically exciting, but worth a quick look!

 

The bedroom is usually set with a kingsize bed, although twins can be arranged if required. The bed is as comfortable as it is welcoming, with European style mattresses and a decorative mozzie net. (Being on the East side of the river; this is just for effect and is not required as protection!) We commissioned an English artist to provide us with the lovely stylised lotus flower. 

Like the livingroom, this room is also air conditioned, so it can be cooled during the sultry summer nights, and warmed against the mild chill of our short winter. Again, the furniture was designed specifically for "Our Luxor", and handcrafted by local artisans.

Well, other than the balcony (off the livingroom) which is reserved for smokers, and a separate WC and handwash basin; that's about it for the actual accommodation! All that really remains to be seen is the roof terrace, on the next floor, where our B&B guests are fortunate enough to be served their famous "Our Luxor" breakfasts. We are great believers in the 'ample breakfast' philosophy, and our six courses come with copious amounts of tea and coffee in order to set our guests up for the day!

The terrace has various seating styles, and rugs and cushions can also be provided. While there is a large shaded area in which to hide from the sun, there is also ample room for the sun worshippers to acquire their daily 'fix'! 

Under the canopy; are the doors to our small rooftop flat.You can see that we are very nearby if required! 

The view to the West Bank is particularly impressive in the evening.

Now that you've seen it, what do you think? Search as you may; you'll only find inferior copies of this classic style anywhere else in Luxor, and not one of them in the prime position of the actual town centre! While you are here with us; you will have the complimentary use of a local cellphone and Internet access.

If you're interested in joining us as guests, you can email us directly at "Our Luxor" The basic cost for the accommodation and breakfast (for two people) is currently 360EGP per night, or 2420EGP per week. We realise, of course, that not all tourists come as couples. We can accommodate extra guests, and we also offer a self-catering deal.

Just email us (on the link above) with your requirements or questions, we're only too happy to answer, as our purpose in being here is to make our guests' holiday the true 'experience of a lifetime'!

All that guiding has given me a thirst, so I'm off for some tea! Bye for now.