Heissa Artie is a small, family-run Nubian guest house. We don't have a thick rule book — we just ask that you treat the house, the staff, and the village with the same care you'd want for your own home. Below is the short list of things worth being clear about.
01Check-in & check-out
- Standard check-in: from 2 PM
- Standard check-out: by 11 AM
- Early arrival or late departure: usually fine if the room is available — just ask. We'll hold luggage for free either way.
- Late-night arrival: always welcome. Reception is staffed 24/7. Tell us your boat arrival time so someone meets you at the dock.
A valid passport (foreign guests) or national ID (Egyptian guests) is required at check-in for every adult guest. We're required to register guests with local authorities.
02Children & family rooms
Children of all ages are welcome at Heissa Artie. We have several family rooms (rooms 104, 105, 106) configured to sleep three.
- Children under 6 years old stay free in their parents' room when the bed configuration allows.
- We don't have cribs as a standard amenity but can usually source one with 3+ days' notice.
- The island has uneven sandy paths, low walls along the river, and a few stone steps — children should be supervised in the village and on the docks.
03Smoking
- No smoking inside any room. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, and shisha.
- Smoking is allowed in outdoor areas — the courtyard, rooftop terrace, restaurant terrace, and outside the building. Ashtrays are provided.
- We charge a cleaning fee of 1,500 EGP if smoking is detected in a room.
04Alcohol
Heissa Island is a Muslim Nubian village. We don't sell or serve alcohol at the guest house, in the restaurant, or on the felucca.
- Several Aswan-side restaurants serve beer and wine. We can arrange transport across the river if you'd like to go for a drink.
- You're welcome to bring your own to consume privately in your room.
- Please don't drink visibly in public spaces of the guest house or in the village.
05Pets & animals
We don't currently accommodate pets. We're a small house and the rooms aren't equipped for it.
Service animals (guide dogs, assistance animals) are welcomed. Please let us know in advance so we can prepare appropriately.
06Quiet hours
Quiet hours are from 10:30 PM to 7:30 AM. The village wakes early and most other guests do too.
This means: no loud music in your room, no parties on the rooftop, conversational voices in the courtyard. The night sounds of the river and the breeze are part of why people come — let's keep them.
07Outside visitors
- Visitors who are not registered guests are welcome in the courtyard, restaurant, and shared areas during the day.
- Please do not bring outside visitors into your room.
- Visitors are not allowed after 10 PM.
08Damage & lost items
Accidents happen. A broken cup or torn sheet is normal wear and we don't charge for small things. For genuine damage to the room or its furniture, we'll discuss the cost with you directly before adding anything to your bill.
- Lost room key: 200 EGP replacement
- Significant damage: billed at repair cost (we show the invoice)
- Lost belongings: we hold any forgotten items for 30 days. Tell us and we'll return them — you cover the postage.
09Cultural respect
Heissa is a real, working Nubian village — not a tourist set. Most of these are common sense, but worth saying out loud:
- Photographing people: always ask permission first. Especially children.
- Dress in the village: shoulders and knees covered. Inside the guest house and on the felucca, dress as you like.
- The mosque: visitors welcome outside prayer times — shoes off, modest dress, no photos inside.
- Drone use: only with our permission — some villagers prefer not to be filmed from above.
- Public behavior: no public displays of intoxication, no loud confrontations, no removing clothing in village public spaces.
10Talk to us
If anything in your stay isn't right, tell us during your stay — not afterward. We can almost always fix it on the spot. WhatsApp us at +20 112 933 1600, find us at reception, or just say something to whoever is around.
For booking-specific terms (deposits, cancellations, payment), see our cancellation policy and terms of stay.