Everything you mightwant to know.

Three ways:

• WhatsApp us at +20 112 933 1600 — fastest, most personal.
• Use the booking widget on our website (Beds24-powered) for live availability.
• Email us at info@heissa-artie.com.

For any of these, tell us your dates, the number of guests, and any preferences. We confirm within 30 minutes on most days.

No deposit. You pay the full amount at the hotel during your stay — at check-out. We don't pre-charge cards or hold deposits, because we trust the people who stay with us, and they trust us.

If you'd prefer to pay in advance (some travelers do), we accept bank transfer or card payment by request.

• 7+ days before arrival: Free cancellation, no charge.
• 3–6 days before: First night charged.
• 0–2 days before, or no-show: Full stay charged.

If you have a real emergency — illness, flight chaos, family issue — message us and we'll work something out. We're a family business, not an algorithm.

We accept:

• Cash in USD, EUR, or EGP at current rates
• Visa and Mastercard (no extra fee)
• Bank transfer (request 5+ days before arrival)

VAT and service charge are already included in the room rate. No surprise fees at check-out.

Yes — a generous Nubian breakfast is included for every guest, every morning between 7 AM and 10 AM. Fresh bread, fava beans, eggs, white cheese, fruit, hibiscus tea, and Turkish coffee. Lunch and dinner are à la carte (or available as half-board for an extra fee).

Yes — and we guarantee it. OTA platforms charge us 15–18% commission, and we keep our direct rate consistently below theirs. You also get a welcome drink, a small Nubian gift, and the flexibility to make changes without going through a third party.

If you find a lower rate elsewhere, send us a screenshot and we'll match it.

Three options:

• Fly: Direct flights from Cairo (1 hour) on EgyptAir or Air Cairo. Aswan Airport code is ASW.
• Train: Sleeper trains from Cairo (12 hours overnight) and Luxor (3 hours) to Aswan Railway Station.
• Cruise: Many Nile cruises end in Aswan — disembark and head to us.

Three steps:

• Our driver collects you from the airport, train station, or your Aswan hotel.
• 10-minute drive to the corniche dock.
• 10-minute motorboat ride across the Nile to our private dock at Heissa.

Just tell us your arrival time when you book, and we'll be there.

The motorboat crossing is always included. Airport pickup by car costs about 250 EGP (around $5 USD) — we organize it on your behalf and you settle it at check-out. Train station pickup is the same. Tell us in advance and we'll arrange it.

Yes. We have 24/7 reception and the boat captains can ferry you across at any hour. Late check-ins are routine — just tell us your expected boat time when you book so we can have someone waiting at both docks.

The crossing at night is actually one of the highlights — stars, water, silence.

No problem. Our motorboat handles luggage easily, and we'll help you load and unload. The walk from the Heissa dock to the guest house is about 2 minutes, on a small path. If you have very heavy bags or mobility issues, tell us and we'll arrange extra hands.

Yes. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole guest house — restaurant, courtyard, all 9 rooms. The signal is fine for browsing, email, social media, and standard video calls. For heavy uploads or 4K streaming, expect occasional slowdowns. The Egyptian mobile networks (Vodafone, Orange, WE, Etisalat) all have decent 4G coverage on the island as well.

The island has steady electricity through the year. We use rooftop solar for daytime hot water and supplement the grid. Brief outages happen 2–3 times a month and rarely last more than a few minutes — we have a backup generator that kicks in within seconds.

Outlets are European-style two-pin (Type C / F). Bring an adaptor if you're coming from the UK, US, or Australia.

There are some mosquitoes, especially in summer evenings, but it's not extreme. Every room has an electric mosquito repellent device (refilled daily) and screens on the windows. Aswan is not a malaria zone — Egypt was declared malaria-free by the WHO. Bring a mild repellent for evenings if you're sensitive, but most guests don't bother.

We don't recommend tap water for drinking. Every room comes with daily refilled bottled mineral water (small bottles, refreshed each morning), and there's filtered drinking water available in the restaurant 24/7. You can use tap water for brushing teeth.

Very safe. The island is a small Nubian community where everyone knows everyone. Crime is essentially non-existent. Aswan generally is one of the safer Egyptian cities — quieter than Cairo, with low tourist hustle. Solo travelers (including women) report feeling completely at ease. We're happy to brief you on local customs at check-in.

Standard check-in is from 2 PM. Standard check-out is by 11 AM. Early check-in or late check-out is usually fine if the room is available — just ask. We have 24/7 reception, so any arrival time works.

Absolutely. Several rooms accommodate families (104, 105, 106 — all sleep three). Kids under 6 stay free in their parents' room when bed configuration allows. We don't have cribs as standard, but can usually source one with a few days' notice. The island, the boats, and the experiences are all kid-friendly.

Yes. Our kitchen is small enough to adapt. We routinely serve:

• Vegetarian and vegan meals (half our menu is naturally veg)
• Gluten-free options (most Nubian cooking is naturally GF)
• Halal meat (all our meat is halal-sourced)
• Allergy-conscious cooking (nuts, dairy, etc.)

Tell us your needs at booking, and we'll plan around them.

Smoking is not allowed in the rooms. It's allowed in outdoor areas — the courtyard, the rooftop terrace, the restaurant terrace, and outside the building. We'll provide ashtrays. If you smoke in your room, we charge a deep-cleaning fee.

Honestly, partially. The island has uneven paths and stone steps, and our building has multiple levels with stairs. We don't currently have a ground-floor room with a roll-in shower. If you have specific mobility needs, please contact us before booking — we'll be straightforward about whether we're a good fit, and we'll happily recommend Aswan-side hotels with full accessibility if not.

You can book everything in advance through us, or wait until you arrive — both work. Most guests browse the experiences page before they come, then confirm specifics at check-in based on weather and energy.

One exception: Abu Simbel and Philae Temple tours benefit from 1–2 days of notice so we can confirm transport and entrance tickets.

You pay at check-out, alongside your room bill. No deposits, no upfront fees. Cancel up to 24 hours before with no charge.

Yes. Our guides for Philae, Abu Simbel, and the Aswan city tours speak good English. For the felucca rides, Nubian village walks, and cooking class, the hosts speak basic English (and they're very patient with translation apps). If you'd prefer a guide in French, German, or Italian, tell us 48 hours in advance and we'll arrange it for an extra fee.

Aswan is sunny year-round — we get maybe 5 cloudy days a year. The main weather considerations are:

• March–April: Khamsin winds can make felucca sailing rough. We'll postpone the sail and offer a refund or reschedule.
• July–August: Very hot afternoons. We'll move outdoor experiences to early morning or evening.

If we cancel an experience due to weather, no charge.

Inside the guest house and on the felucca, dress as you like — shorts, swimwear (by the courtyard), beachy comfort. Inside the village or at the mosque, both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. Light, loose clothing is the most comfortable in the heat anyway.

Women aren't required to cover their hair anywhere except inside a mosque (we'll provide a scarf if you visit one).

Photos of architecture, landscapes, the river, and shops are fine. For people — always ask first. A simple smile and gesture toward your camera is universally understood. Most Nubian villagers are happy to be photographed; some prefer not to be. Children especially should not be photographed without their parents' consent.

Inside the mosque, no photos.

Tipping (called baksheesh) is a normal part of Egyptian culture. Suggested ranges:

• Felucca captain: 50–100 EGP if you enjoyed it
• Tour guides: 100–200 EGP per day per group
• Driver: 50 EGP per trip
• Cooking class host: 100 EGP if you'd like
• Hotel staff: Optional 5–10% at check-out, distributed by us

None of these are required. We'll never pressure you.

No. Heissa Island is a Muslim Nubian village and we don't sell or serve alcohol at the guest house, in the restaurant, or on the felucca. If you'd like a drink, several Aswan-side restaurants serve beer and wine — we can arrange transport for you. Bringing your own to the island and consuming it discreetly in your room is acceptable, but we ask that you respect the village by not drinking visibly in public spaces.