Planning your trip to Siwa in advance and wondering where to stay? I stayed at a hotel in Siwa called Taghaghien Island Resort when I went earlier this year for my first Travel With Curls en Route trip. I’ll be sharing with you my two cents about the resort just in case you’re considering it.
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Is Taghaghien Island Resort your go-to hotel in Siwa?
In this detailed review, I’ll be covering the most important aspects of your stay that you’ll be concerned with, honestly mentioning both pros and cons.
Location
Taghaghien Island Resort is situated around 13 km away from the center of Siwa. This may seem like it’s far away, but given that most sites are scattered around the oasis anyway, the location isn’t really an inconvenience. In fact, the resort is basically a secluded island in the middle of Lake Siwa, which guarantees tranquility and epic views.
The Rooms
We were accommodated in round bungalows that are perfectly spacious for 1 or 2 people. Each has its ensuite bathroom and is decorated the traditional Siwan way. The material from which the rooms were built, called kershef, helped me adapt to the weather. It cooled the room during the hot days, and in the cold evenings, it preserved the heat.
The only downside of the rooms was the bathrooms though – I personally didn’t have any trouble with my bathroom, but some of the group members did. Each room has its own heater that’s turned on in the evening; however, some of them are too small that they provide enough hot water for a single shower. One of the rooms had a plumbing issue as well, but that was resolved.
The Food
The stay was on bed & breakfast basis because we spent most of our day, and hence, most meals, outside of the resort. So, I was left with breakfast only to review, which I honestly did not like at all! There was no variety – they only had boiled eggs, fava beans, taa’meya (Egyptian falafel), bread, and maybe 1 or 2 types of cheese. That’s it! I personally can’t eat many types of cheeses and fava beans because my stomach can’t handle them, so you can tell I was struggling. What really bothered me is that when I asked for alternatives in advance, it wasn’t an option, even though a lot of accommodations usually don’t mind.
Service
Generally, the staff was super friendly – they made me feel welcomed and at home. Service was slow, but I honestly felt it was more of a lifestyle in Siwa rather than poor service.
The staff once did a really nice gesture when they learned it was one of our group members’ birthday. They called us to join (more like hijack) someone else’s birthday that was taking place at the reception, and they even gave us cake. It was so sweet of them and the other birthday girl.
Facilities and Amenities
So, what does this hotel in Siwa has to offer for you?
- Salt lakes where you can go for a swim and rent a kayak or boat.
- Cafeteria and restaurant where you can order drinks and snacks.
- Lots of seating areas, including a rooftop and an outdoor fireplace.
Pricing
Prices are always subject to change, depending on the season and demand, of course, so you can check out the updated prices here. Overall, Taghaghien isn’t an expensive hotel in Siwa. I believe the value for money was pretty reasonable given that it’s an ecolodge that offers a generally comfortable experience. The main downside for me was the food
Things to Know About This Hotel in Siwa
- Siwa is an oasis and Taghaghien Island Resort is an ecolodge. That being said, you should know in advance that things like electricity are luxuries. There’s no electricity throughout the day, but in the evening, it’s back on. You can enjoy electricity from 6 PM to 6 AM – that’s when you get to charge your electronics. So, it’s very important that you’d have a power bank just in case you need to charge your phone during the day. The administration office has electricity all day long though, so if you desperately need to charge anything, you can tell any of the staff members and they’d be happy to help.
- There’s no WiFi but the mobile coverage, in general, is really good at the resort. I barely had decent coverage in the town itself, especially mobile data, but not back in Taghaghien.
- This hotel in Siwa is actually pet-friendly. You just need to let them know in advance and there will be an extra charge.
How to Book?
Decided to book this hotel in Siwa? Book here!
My Rating: 8/10
I enjoyed my stay at Taghaghien Island Resort overall in spite of the few downsides I mentioned before. So, I would definitely recommend it as long as it fits your criteria – if you’re looking for tranquility and beautiful scenery.
Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Agoda.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Viator or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo or Jetpac.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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- Siwa Oasis, Egypt: A Paradise in the Western Desert
- Dayra Camp: An Astonishing Paradise by the Red Sea
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
