Most visitors treat Abu Simbel as a box to tick — a long drive or short flight from Aswan, an hour at the temples, then straight back out. We did the opposite: two nights at the Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort, 1.5km from the temples, with a full day built in to do nothing but sit by Lake Nasser. After three weeks of moving through Egypt at a pace, it turned out to be exactly the stop we needed.
Views of Lake Nasser
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Book your accommodation in advance at the Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort here
See our YouTube video of our stay at the Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort
Read more here: How to Spend 2 Days in Abu Simbel
Getting There
The resort sits just 1.5km from the Abu Simbel Temple Complex, and 2km from Abu Simbel Airport — close enough that neither the temples nor arrival logistics dictate your day.
We travelled by private car from Aswan, 288.7km away, with a toilet stop halfway, breaking up the roughly 3.5-hour drive. Our transport was arranged through Egyptian Edu Travel, who we used for tours throughout Egypt and were impressed enough with to partner with.
Reader discount: quote TTT2024 with Egyptian Edu Travel for 5% off. Contact: [email protected]
If you’d rather fly, Aswan to Abu Simbel takes 48 minutes, or Cairo to Abu Simbel direct takes 1.5 hours. Check current flight times and deals here.
Check-In: An Unexpected Upgrade
Accommodation at Seti Abu Simbel
Check-in was quick and easy, and we got lucky — cancellations linked to the conflict in the Middle East meant we were upgraded to the two-room, two-bathroom Presidential Suite. We won’t pretend that’s what everyone should expect, but it did mean we got to see the resort at its very best.
Lounge and dining room in the Presidential Suite at Seti Abu Simbel
The suite had a terrace looking straight out over the lake, a separate living room with its own dining area, a flat-screen satellite TV, a minibar, and two full ensuite bathrooms, each with a hairdryer and shower.
Bedroom in the Presidential Suite at the Seti Abu Simbel
The king-size bed was genuinely comfortable, with good-quality linen, and the whole suite was decorated in colourful, Egyptian-inspired furnishings that felt distinct rather than generic five-star. Tea and coffee-making facilities were topped up daily, along with a fresh plate of biscuits — a small touch, but one we noticed and appreciated both nights.
View from the Presidential Suite Terrace over Lake Nasser
Sitting on that terrace with the lake stretching out in front of us, after three weeks of early starts and full itineraries, is one of the moments from this trip we still talk about.
Dining
Breakfast was included, and it was substantial — a genuine mix of Western and Egyptian hot dishes, yoghurts, fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, and juices. No complaints here; it set us up well for lazy pool days.
The Pool Bar at the Seti Abu Simbel
The Pool Bar served cocktails, mocktails, and beer, and became our regular afternoon stop.
Dining al fresco at the Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort
In the evenings, we ordered from the main restaurant and ate alfresco. We skipped the local Egyptian wine both nights in favour of Sakkara, the local beer we’d come to genuinely enjoy across our time in Egypt.
Facilities: The Day We Needed
Pool at Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort
We deliberately booked two nights, so we’d have a full second day to do nothing but sit by the pool, with private cabanas available if you want your own shaded spot. After three fast-moving weeks travelling through Egypt, a day spent poolside with a cocktail in hand was exactly what we needed to recharge before the next leg of our trip, on to Bangkok.
If you want to be a bit more active, table tennis and billiards are both available for a small fee.
Sunset at Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort
Sunset over Lake Nasser from the resort grounds was, without exaggeration, one of the best we saw anywhere in Egypt — worth timing your pool day so you’re still out there as the light changes.
Would We Stay Again?
Without hesitation. Most visitors rush Abu Simbel in and out on a day trip from Aswan, temples ticked off, straight back out. Staying here gave us something different: proper time with the temples without the crush of day-trippers, and a genuine rest day built into a trip that hadn’t had many of them. If you can build the extra night into your Egypt itinerary, we’d tell you to do it.
Book your accommodation in advance at the Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort here
FAQ: Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort
How far is the resort from the Abu Simbel temples? Just 1.5km — an easy trip whether you’re walking, getting a lift, or joining an organised tour.
Is it worth staying overnight in Abu Simbel rather than day-tripping from Aswan? For us, yes. It meant we could see the temples without being tied to a day-trip schedule, and gave us a genuine rest day on the lake that a rushed visit wouldn’t have allowed.
Is breakfast included? Yes — a substantial buffet with both Western and Egyptian options.
How do you get to Abu Simbel? By private car from Aswan (around 3.5 hours), by flight from Aswan (48 minutes) or Cairo (1.5 hours), or as part of an organised tour.
Are upgrades like the Presidential Suite common? Ours came down to cancellations at the time, so we wouldn’t count on it — but it’s worth asking at check-in regardless, since availability shifts.
Is two nights enough time here? For us it was ideal: one day for the temples, one day entirely free to enjoy the resort and the lake.
Travel Insurance
Travel is full of unforgettable moments — but sometimes the unexpected happens too. That’s why we always recommend travelling with insurance. Ekta Travel Insurance offers flexible coverage options to help protect your trip, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure ahead.
Visa for Egypt
Depending on your passport, you may be able to get a visa on arrival at certain Egyptian airports. If you’d rather arrange one in advance, check the visa checker here.
Travelling in Egypt? More Reading
- 3 Days in Cairo
- 2 Days in Alexandria
- 4 Days in Luxor
- Aswan in 2 Days: Feluccas, Temples, and Nubian Villages
- How to Spend 2 Days in Abu Simbel
- Hotel Review: Steigenberger El Tahrir, Cairo
- Hotel Review: Marriott Mena House, Giza
- Hotel Review: Paradise Inn Le Metropole, Alexandria
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).
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Travelling in Egypt check out more of our articles here:
Hotel review Steigenberger El Tahrir Cairo
Hotel review Paradise Inn Le Metropole Alexandria
Hotel Review Marriott Mena House Giza
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Hotel review Old Cataract Aswan
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