Accommodations and Food

The two low-budget alternatives in town are passable, if nothing more. The Waha Hotel (tel. 90 03 93) dominates the intersection of An-Nasser and An-Nabawy St. The floors and walls bear many reminders of erstwhile clients, but the linen and bathrooms are clean. Splurge on a room with bath for the luxury of a ceiling fan. (Singles LE5, with bath LE10.50. Doubles LE8, with bath LE14.) New Valley Tourist Homes, 23 July St. (tel. 90 07 28), is next to a large church, 200m west of An-Nasser St. The turn-off from An-Nasser St.

is midway between the tourist office and a mosque; look for the sign facing north on An-Nasser St. Known only as “Metalco” to locals, this hotel’s 14 bungalows, surrounded by giant sunflowers, resemble barracks for migrant workers. (Simple rooms with semi-private baths. No water 1 lpm-5am. LE3.65 per person.) Both the Hamadulla Hotel (tel. 90 06 38), 300m south of An-Nasser St., about lkm east of the tourist office, and the Kharga Hotel (tel. 90 15 00), at the northern end of An-Nasser St., cater mainly to groups and offer over-priced beds and food.