On my last trip to Egypt, I looked for some sort of guide that explains the differences between hotels regarding Egypt's "star" system. I didn't find one, but one thing I can say is that the Basma, a four star hotel in Aswan, is better then many of the five star hotels I have stayed in. In fact, most of the hotels I have stayed in that are operated by South Sinai Travel have been consistently good, but the Basma so far has been one of their best. The hotel was landscaped and decorated by two of Egypt's leading artists, and contains a rich collection of contemporary Egyptian artwork.

Several five star hotels we stayed in while in Egypt really had inadequate air-conditioning. But in Aswan, where the heat reached 116 degrees, we were nice and cool at the this hotel. A clean facility the hotel sports lush garden areas with a good view of Aswan from its pearch atop Aswan's highest hill.

The Basma has 179 rooms and suites with decent sized terraces, color satellite TVs, private baths and showers, mini-bars, direct dial telephones and individually controlled air conditioning. The rooms are all bright, modern and well kept.

Other facilities include a sparkling pool with a poolside bar, a shopping arcade, same day laundry service, 24 hour room service and a bus service to downtown Aswan.

There is a nice restaurant that also serves a buffet.  Again, all of the South Sinai operated hotels I have visited had good reasonable food, and the Basma was certainly no exception.  Just behind the restaurant in the same building is a pleasant bar with reasonably priced drinks and a pool table.

Notably, the hotel employees an ecology manager, Jennifer, an American, who works to keep the hotel ecologically friendly, but has also managed to make the facility a little more American friendly as well. It seems she had some say so on what satellite channels are available.