The location and the views over the Nile and Philae temple The spacious rooms and the jacuzzi on the terrace The hotel decoration, Nubian style The staff sympathy, especially Mirna and Brassem (I hope these are their correct names)

It's a minor issue because everything went well in the end but on the last day, despite having booked the boat in the reception for 7AM (for we had a plane to take), we had to wait until 7h20 or so because the person who was operating the boat refused to depart as he was waiting for a group of 6 people who were enjoying breakfast in complete relaxation mode. We and another passenger stressed out a bit with this as we had a taxi waiting for us at the pier and didn't know what would expect us at the airport

The staff are very kind and helpful. Views from the room were spectacular and we had a great massage / spa experience. Also one of the best cappuccinos outside Cairo.

You can feel there’s a heavy hand from management. If you’re looking forward to the jacuzzi, call them ahead of time—they keep them turned off until you check in and it takes 12+ hours to come up to temperature. The restaurant menu is similar in that it overpromises. They would be better off focusing on a more limited selection of dishes the kitchen can really excel at.

The details... they take good care of all the details. We stayed at Benben for three days, and it was an unforgettable experience! The place exudes Egyptian Santorini vibes, offering a perfect retreat for those seeking disconnection. The staff truly made our stay exceptional—especially Nirvana, who went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcomed and comfortable. All staff members were polite, genuine, and incredibly helpful, always ready to assist sincerely. The property is beautifully maintained (a rarity in Egypt), and the food was consistently delicious. The multi-level design adds charm to the place, but it’s worth noting there are some steps or ramps to navigate. It wasn’t an issue for us, but it might be challenging for those with mobility concerns. That said, they have a small tok-tok available to help with luggage or transport around the property. The boat service to the island was seamless and well-organized. We only had to give them a 10-15 minute heads-up, and the boat was always ready—free of charge 24/7. Upon our arrival, the boat was waiting for us at the marina, and the staff ensured everything was set for a smooth check-in. Overall, Benben By Dhara is a rare gem, perfect for couples. We can’t wait to visit again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serene getaway.

The whole place is beautiful and peaceful. The food was delicious. The spa was beautiful, well set up, and I received a good treatment. The bed was very comfortable. The staff were friendly and considerate in checking in and in the restaurant.

The staff were slow or unresponsive when we called for things from our room. On one occasion they said they would come in five minutes and we waited more than half an hour. On another occasion they didn't come at all. There were no chairs in the room, so it was difficult to find a cool (air-conditioned) place to sit in the summer. The only option was to sit in the restaurant.

Location is very secluded and beautiful. Restaurant is fantastic, and spa is amazing. Decor is really beautiful, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.

We were initially given a room that looked out on a major construction site (to expand the hotel it seems) - we weren't really expecting this, and it was disappointing. We asked if there was anything that could be done, and the hotel staff were able to move us to another room the next day. This room was spectacular, and we were very appreciative. I think it would be better if the hotel were to let you know at the time of booking that your room will be looking at the construction site, and potentially offer those rooms at a reduced rate compared to the rooms facing the other direction. Aside from this, overall our stay and experience were excellent.

The staff are amazing, very welcoming, friendly and attentive and accommodating - you feel like you’re part of a family and this is what made us feel comfortable as if we’re at home. The hotel grounds are pretty, give you the summer island holiday feel with lovely Nubian art and decoration. The Jacuzzi is big enough to fit 3 people comfortably. Service was very efficient, we requested boats to go to Philae Temple twice and both times the boats were prepared on time or earlier than requested. The shuttle boat that brings you to Aswan is free of charge and 24h available. We went to Abu Simbel one day and left around 4am, the hotel gave us breakfast boxes, the boxes were huge with a lot of sandwiches, fruits, baked goods, water, juice - so much that actually a box would suffice for 2 people instead of one. The location of the hotel is nice because it is secluded so it is therefore very peaceful, you’re in the middle of the nile with nice views to enjoy. Since are not really interested in the city of Aswan itself and were only there to visit Philae and Abu Simbel - both of which are quite far away anyway - the location was perfect for us because we did not need the city center, so this is a point to keep in mind.

I wouldn’t say I didnt like anything, but the location is something to keep in mind depending on your preference and why you’re visiting Aswan (see my comment on location under things i liked)

I loved the idyllic location, the beautifully designed architecture and decor, and the closeness to nature (birdsong), the private balcony and "jacuzzi", and the boat ride to and from the hotel. Our bed was really cozy and comfortable. The hotel's small size enhances its charm. All the staff are extremely kind and helpful. In general, the meals were good.

There are only a few things that I think could be improved upon. We would have preferred an enclosed shower (rather than a very wet bathroom all over). We would have liked better privacy between our balcony and the next one; we were reluctant to use the balcony when our neighbors were on theirs. The "jacuzzi" looked like it needed cleaning, and it would have been nice if the water could be heated (usually the case with jacuzzis) in order to be able to use it at night under the stars.

Staff were all round absolutely fantastic. Food was absolutely delicious. Would be really hard pressed to comment anything negative about the facilities or experience itself! Facilities were spotless, food well priced, mini bar well stocked and super cheap! (But no alcohol as they mention this in advance anyway - but would be a nice addition!)

Being far away, it does of course come with complications and a bit of admin when going on excursions or needing to leave the island. Depending on how busy you are and how long you stay you can quickly rack up taxi bills - around 25-30 USD each trip, every day. So 50 a day if you go out once and come back. But this is expected staying on an island. It also requires some kind of SIM or data to be able to contact the taxi driver etc to coordinate things! The hot tub was also not especially hot! But it was warm! But would be a big stretch to really complain as it’s large and nicely positioned ! Would recommend a room facing the dam/nile as there is quite a bit of construction in the surrounds- noise is not a problem but it is a bit of an eye sore!

What a beautiful hotel! Stunning property, stunning views and such great attention to detail everywhere you look! The staff are really friendly and were eager to help us during our entire stay with any needs we had. And they were not expecting tips like in the rest of Aswan, they were doing it because they genuinely wanted to help which was very much appreciated! Our room was beautiful, spacious, and we were so pleased to see that we had a jacuzzi on our balcony, with a beautiful view of the Nile - wow! The location is remote which is so relaxing and away from the bustle of Aswan but still within easy distance to get there, and the staff can book you a boat to get to the other side as long as you give them 30 mins notice and it is a free service. The breakfast was also good!

As it is a new property they do not have a main pool yet but they are building one, this is the only thing missing at the moment from the property. Also, would have liked some sun beds on our balcony but for our room type they were not included and they did not have extra for us.

The design of the room and the property is spectacular. The views from the room are so beautiful - you can see Philae temple. The staff are lovely. Also, I am gluten free, and the restaurant was very accommodating and understanding. Finally they brought breakfast to our room each day and it was amazing.

The location is accessed by boat, so it takes some time to leave (even when you book in advance) because they like to wait for other guests. The bed is really firm so we didn't sleep great. The pool / Jacuzzi could be cleaned a bit better and maybe heated a bit (was too cold to go in at night)