Tucked along the West Bank of Luxor, where ancient tombs rest beneath golden sands, Al Moudira Hotel has long enchanted travelers with its poetic beauty and deep sense of place. Now, this Relais & Châteaux gem has made history as the first Egyptian hotel to win the Prix Versailles, officially recognized as one of The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels 2025.
Announced annually at UNESCO, the Prix Versailles celebrates spaces that harmonize heritage, innovation, and sustainability. Al Moudira stood out among 16 global winners not just for its architecture—but for its living, breathing vision.
The hotel is the brainchild of Lebanese hotelier Zeina Aboukheir and architect Olivier Sednaoui, brought to life with Levantine flair and Luxor’s sun-washed spirit. Think mashrabiya woodwork, vaulted ceilings, hand-painted tiles, and Damascene textiles—woven into a serene, courtyard-filled haven. But its beauty goes beyond design:
Al Moudira’s own farm supplies up to 80% of its seasonal kitchen produce, while its community outreach programs empower local artisans, restore village homes, and offer language classes to children.
In the words of the Prix Versailles, the award honors places that are “at once grounded and visionary”—and Al Moudira, ever-rooted in Luxor’s legacy while sowing seeds for a better future, is a radiant embodiment of both.
