Reviews of Houseboat Hotel and Nile Cruises Zainoba

First thing one must consider before judging anything is that you'll be staying in a boat, not a hotel, so expectations should be adjusted accordingly. If you're looking for spacious room and easy access then you should not look into Abdul's place. When you calibrate things accordingly though, you realize it is a good place to stay. Abdul (the host) was always very responsive, patient and attentive. For instance, we arrived very hungry and the island may be challenging to walk through. He then took us to a good restaurant *and* waited for us to have dinner in order to walk us back to the boat (when it was darker). He also woke up at 3am to take us to the dock where the car that would take us to the airport would be. Also, I told him I was worried about the heat (it got to 40c+ one day) and he made sure there was a portable AC in the room for us before we got there. Finally, spending the end of the day sitting on the deck, overlooking the sunset on the Nile, I realized that it was a worthwhile choice.

Once one has a shower, the bathroom becomes a mess, water all over. Nothing that a pair of flip-flops can't solve though. Walking about the island may be challenging, but, again, nothing that Google Maps cannot help.

Abdo took care of us like family. Arriving late, he waited to pick us up on his boat and we began a glittery quiet ride to the houseboat. The location was scenic with views from the boat to the botanical gardens. Egyptian nutritional breakfasts were served top-side. All excursions that the host arranged exceeded our expectations. One evening we floated down the Nile with him to the Nubian Village for a sunset view. Amazing.

The double bedroom had tight quarters with a small bath, but the owner is building a bigger one.

It was a very authentic experience, from the space on the boat to the activities around. Abdo is someone who is truly interested in sharing his experience and the best of the region. He also helped us find an excellent option for a Nile cruise on a Dahabiya and made my husband's birthday a truly special evening. Thank you for everything, and I hope that wonderful people like you continue to come to your houseboat.

Abdo is the best host ever! We had a great experience! Aswan is an amazing city, 1000% we will return. You can write Abdo in advance and ask for boat transfer to Botanical garden, Nubian village. And car transfer to Aswan dam and other places. To plan your comfortable stay. One night in Aswan is not enough, I recommend minimum 2 - 3. Best wishes Abdo! We hope to see you again❤️

Very unique experience, Abdo is amazing and we had the whole boat to ourselves. The view overlooking the Botanical Garden Island and the West Bank is mesmerising. Also, there was no noise from boats (as described in previous reviews).

The room was a bit small (especially for tall people) but this was clear from the outset. So nothing to complain about.

Stunning view. Very original accommodation. Manager very nice and helpful.

The location of the boat is nice. The view is also nice from the boat. Host is very helpful. He arranged Nubian village tour for us and also felluca ride. The food was really tasty.

Wash room is manageable since it is a lower deck of a boat. The experience is really ! You won’t get the hotel like comfort but beds are nice and cozy. From the pier to the boat is a 5-7 mins walk in with the village and if you have too many luggage it’s a struggle. While going back host arranged us a ferry to drop us directly to Aswan dock so that we don’t have to struggle with the luggage.

Abdu was an excellent host! He helped us visit all the sites we wanted to see and put us contact with great local operators. The houseboat is great, a nice calming location to enjoy the Nile after a day of exploring Aswan.

The boat is a really peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Aswan. Abdo is really friendly and helpful in getting anything you need!

Excellent location on the Nile river. A private boat perfect for a family. Had two rooms and two bathrooms on the lower deck. Upper deck had a relaxation area and breakfast. Excellent views.

Nothing

I had a fantastic time staying with abdul! The nile is the heart of aswan, and what could be a better way to experience the nile than staying on a boat that offers the most scenic view??!! I had very good sleep. The room and hot shower were great. i woke every day to the river view, had my morning dip, abdul was so nice to get breakfast sandwiches and make tea for me. He will take me to local families for lunch and sometimes we just order food and eat on his boat. I really enjoyed doing nothing just chilling on the boat:p Abdul is the best host and a really good friend to have fun and great conversation with. He knows everyone on the island. No matter what activities you want to do, he’s able to connect you with the right folks with very very fair price. I look forward to coming back!! Don’t hesitate! Book this place and you’ll have a memorable time❤️

Seriously nothing:)

We had an incredible experience staying here. Abdo, the owner, was unbelievably helpful, organizing everything and connecting us with reliable people. The boat was spacious, comfortable, with great facilities, and its quiet location right on the Nile made for a priceless, peaceful stay.

Comfortable, quiet location on the Nile, good service. Abdul is very friendly and helpful. The sunset tour is highly recommended, as well as the Aswan Museum on the island, which is an UNESCO archaeological site. Botanical gardens are also lovely and quiet. It's also possible to swim near the boat, which is great!

Very little not to like! It is a houseboat, which means the rooms are smaller than those in a house or hotel, but they are comfortable and have everything you need. It's also great to hang out in the shade on the upper deck.

Abdulah was an amazing host. He picked us up direct from the pier and drove us to the houseboat. We drank a tea together and he showed us around the island a bit. I had a 4am tour to Abu Simbal the next day and Abdulah helped to organize the pickup for me to make the tour on time. On the second day, Abdulah took us and the other guests on a boat ride to a Nubian Village, to the botanical gardens across from the boat, and to a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset. Abdulah was always available for us and whatever we needed. Thanks for everything Abdulah! We had an amazing time!

Owner of the property Abdulah was very friendly and helpfull. He helped to explore the city, organised the driver and teke us with his boat to places on right nak of the river.

The noise loud music coming from some boats in the night and in the mornings.But that is not the respnsibillity of the owner and is the same for most propertis on Elefantine island.

Staying on a boat was a I’ve experience. The boat has a lot of character. It’s nice chilling on the deck at sunset! Overall was a nice experience. Nice to do for a few days but I was glad I was staying in a hotel after that.

The boat could be a bit more tidy and the sink area could be newer and cleaner as well the kettle. While it was lovely chilling on the deck there was offer a smell of sewage coming from the river. Not sure whether this was from the actual boat or from nearby boat. This is something which would probably need to be resolved.

Everything. Front wheel beginning you feel like a guest and he is an incredibly kind host. There 2 rooms on the boat. Staying on the Nile on a quiet island with regular ferry (every 10min from 6am to midnight). Abdul is always around to help you with anything and makes your trip easy: last minute kayak booking, late arrival, early booking, felucca booking, airport pickup with kind driver, regular use of his smaller motorboat, breakfast at the time you choose. He is always on WhatsApp. You get all the convenience you want and more at the most reasonable cost you can imagine. My friend and I travelled the world for work and leisure and this is the first property I take time to review.

It makes all the places I stayed at less good, including some fancy ones

The stay at Abdu’s houseboat was nothing but mind blowing. I stayed in the houseboat for 5 days with my mother. Abdu did not help us arrange everything in terms of tours (to Filae, Abu Simbel, a Nubian village, the botanical garden and more) and activities (Falluca sailing, Zaraha sand meditation, bird watching trip, exploring the Souk, swimming in the Nile, transfer to Luxor via Edfu and Kom Ombo and more), he also helped us with his second smaller boat to get everywhere, assimilate to the local culture by clothing and customs, cooked for us (he also made sure all food was well washed), helped us donate goods and clothes to the local school, and assisted us in getting tickets for the night train from Luxor to Caïro and simcards). His houseboat has everything you need for an authentic stay. Our cabin was spacious enough for the two of us and had an amazing view over the Elephantine Island. The terraces was facing the beautiful botanical garden on Kitchener Island. Due to the placement of the boat you have some shade in the morning and you can enjoy the sunset in the evening. If you look for a real experience and want to dive in the culture and day to day livestyle on the Nile, the boat is definitely something for you. We are truly great full for our experience and can definitely recommend a stay on this lovely houseboat!

The boat is amazing and Abdel is the nicest host! He took us birdwatching in the morning and explained everything to us. You can also do cruises with him and go to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna. His small boat will bring you to all the nice places in Aswan. Really recommend and a authentic experience. Go for a walk with him on Elephantine Island to see more of the daily live in Aswan. Don’t hesitate and just book, you won’t regret it!

The boat is clean and cosy , perfect if you are looking for a quieter experience away from the noise . Abd is very welcoming and helpful and he also makes a great breakfast . We stayed at 8 other locations during our stay in Egypt and the stay on the boat is by far our favourite.

While initially searching for a Nile cruise, I was hesitant about the big cruise boats due to numerous reviews pointing out issues with hygiene and the overall experience. This led me to explore other options, where I discovered Houseboat Hotel and Nile Cruises Zainoba. Immediately after booking, I received a message from Abdul. He asked me to contact him on WhatsApp, where we discussed various cruise options. Originally, we planned a three-day journey from Aswan to Luxor, but given the time constraints, it wasn't feasible. Abdul skillfully proposed an alternative plan to disembark at Edfu, arranging a car to Luxor from there. Upon check-out at our Aswan hotel, Abdul and his crew were ready at the docks. Their friendliness was outstanding, assisting us with our luggage and providing a detailed tour of the boat along with our travel itinerary. To our delight, they even arranged wine for each dinner on board! The cruise itself was relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. The crew frequently engaged with us, sharing laughs and conversations, enhancing the experience. We were treated to three delicious local meals daily, and they always ensured we had everything we needed. The rooms were surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Each night, the boat would anchor at small islands along the Nile, resuming its journey post-breakfast. I am extremely pleased that we chose Abdul's boat over the larger commercial cruise ships. It was an unforgettable experience that I highly recommend to anyone seeking a unique and personal Nile cruise!