The Winter Palace in Luxor and the Old Cataract in Aswan, Egypt, become Mandarin Oriental palaces in 2027

On the banks of the Nile, two of Egypt’s legendary palaces are changing hands. The Winter Palace in Luxor and the Old Cataract in Aswan will be reborn in 2027 as Mandarin Oriental hotels, after an in-depth restoration, and a cruise will link the two.

☰Contents

1. Two Nile palaces under one banner
2. The Winter Palace, where Tutankhamun was revealed
3. When will the Winter Palace in Luxor reopen?
4. The Old Cataract, the hotel of Death on the Nile
5. 35 rooms open throughout the works
6. Six venues and a spa facing Elephantine Island
7. A Nile cruise of three to seven nights

Two Nile palaces under one banner

The announcement came on 11 February 2026: Mandarin Oriental is taking over the management of the two most famous addresses in the Nile Valley. Both hotels, until now operated under the Sofitel Legend banner, are being renovated with the Egyptian developer Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) Holding. Details in the official Mandarin Oriental press release.

Laurent Kleitman, the group’s chief executive, promises an end-to-end journey through Egypt, together with the future Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo. An expansion that stretches from Upper Egypt to Florida, where the group is building the Mandarin Oriental, Miami.

The Winter Palace, where Tutankhamun was revealed

Built in 1886 in the Victorian style, the Winter Palace in Luxor was a winter retreat for royalty and the aristocracy. Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill stayed here, and the archaeologist Howard Carter announced the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb within its walls.

Closed in early 2026 for a complete restoration, it will reopen as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor, with 6 restaurants and bars, lounges and a spa set in its gardens, facing the Nile.

When will the Winter Palace in Luxor reopen?

In February 2026, Mandarin Oriental announced a reopening in July 2027. As of 18 October 2026, the official Winter Palace page now gives winter 2027: this is the most recent date, and the one we are using. Bookings are not yet open and the number of rooms has not been disclosed.

The Old Cataract, the hotel of Death on the Nile

In Aswan, the Old Cataract was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook for travellers arriving on Nile cruises and on the train from Cairo. Its name recalls the river’s granite rapids, once the southern frontier of ancient Egypt.

Churchill, Tsar Nicholas II and Agatha Christie all passed through; the novelist drew on it to write Death on the Nile. Another journey from a bygone era returns in 2027: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Monte Carlo.

35 rooms open throughout the works

Unlike the Winter Palace, the Old Cataract remains open. Managed by Mandarin Oriental since May 2026, it welcomes guests in the Palace, the historic building: 9 rooms and 26 suites, some with a terrace overlooking the Nile. The Nile Wing, the more recent wing, is being fully renovated.

The whole property is due to be completed in July 2027 and will then take the name Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract, Aswan.

Six venues and a spa facing Elephantine Island

Today, the hotel serves Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine at the Saraya restaurant, beneath its Moorish arches, and an open-air afternoon tea facing Elephantine Island. An infinity pool overlooks the river.

Once the works are complete, the hotel perched opposite the Temple of Khnum will have 6 restaurants and bars and a Mandarin Oriental spa.

A Nile cruise of three to seven nights

Sailing between the two palaces will be Mandarin Oriental, Nile Cruise, the group’s first river cruise: 3, 4 or 7 nights between Luxor and Aswan, aboard a vessel still being designed and owned by the Egyptian group Garranah.

On board: spacious suites, three restaurants, a wellness area, talks and guided excursions. Neither the launch date nor the fares are known.