About Old Cataract, Aswan

The hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile, on granite terraces above the river and Elephantine Island.

Thomas Cook built the Old Cataract in 1899 for travellers arriving by Nile steamer and the Cairo to Aswan railway, on the granite rocks at the First Cataract. Winston Churchill, Tsar Nicholas II and Agatha Christie stayed here; Christie drew on it for Death on the Nile.

Mandarin Oriental has managed the hotel since May 2026. The modern Nile Wing is being renovated until July 2027, while the historic Palace Wing welcomes guests in 35 rooms and suites, with high ceilings and balconies over the gardens or the Nile. Once the work is complete the hotel will take the name Mandarin Oriental Old Cataract.

Accommodation

Rooms, suites and villas

Palace Garden View Room 45 m² Up to 2 guests In the historic Palace Wing: high ceilings, hand-painted walls and a private balcony over the tropical gardens. Details

Palace Deluxe Garden View 53 m² Up to 3 guests A larger Palace Wing room with a king bed, classic furnishings and a balcony over the gardens. Details

Palace Nile View Junior Suite 62 m² Up to 3 guests A suite with high ceilings, a separate sitting area, handcrafted furniture and a private balcony over the Nile. Details

Palace Cataract Nile View Suite 90 m² Up to 3 guests A suite with a separate living room and a wide terrace, with historic detailing and soaring ceilings. Details

Agatha Christie Suite Nile View 175 m² Up to 3 guests The suite linked to Agatha Christie's stay, with a separate lounge and dining room and a balcony over the Nile. Details

Dining

At the table

Al Saraya for Levantine and Mediterranean cooking, and The Terrace above the Nile for all-day dining and afternoon tea, with halal and vegetarian menus.

Al SarayaLevantine and Mediterranean cooking with local touches, from handmade pasta to Nile fish, under Moorish arches or on a terrace above the river. The TerraceA Nile-side terrace for all-day dining and the signature afternoon tea, facing Elephantine Island, with halal and vegetarian menus.

Wellness

Rest and renewal

An infinity pool above the Nile and quiet gardens to rest in through the day.

Infinity pool

A quiet infinity pool above the Nile for rest through the day.

Gallery

Old Cataract, Aswan

Location

Aswan

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Journeys

Journeys that include this stay

Egypt · 9 days

Cairo and the Nile, from the pyramids to Abu Simbel

8 nights between Giza, Aswan and Luxor, with a luxury Nile cruise

Three nights facing the pyramids at Mena House, two at the Old Cataract in Aswan, and three on a fine Nile ship sailing to Luxor.

Price On request View the package

Egypt

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Old Cataract, Aswan

About Old Cataract, Aswan

Infinity pool

Cairo and the Nile, from the pyramids to Abu Simbel

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