Heissa Hostel
Location: Heissa island, Aswan, eg
Star Rating: 8.2 Stars
Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
About this Property
Welcome to Heissa Hostel, your perfect getaway in Aswan!
Evening Entertainment and Shared Kitchen: Enjoy your evenings with our exciting entertainment options and make use of our convenient shared kitchen to whip up delicious meals.
Sun Terrace: Relax and soak up the sun on our beautiful terrace, offering stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere.
Paid Airport Shuttle Service: Arriving and departing is a breeze with our paid airport shuttle service, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Book now to experience the charm and comfort of Heissa Hostel during your stay in Aswan!
Policies
Check-in: N/A - Anytime
Check-out: N/A
Amenities & Facilities
- Luggage storage
- Tour desk
- Ironing service
- Currency exchange
- Shuttle service (additional charge)
- Shared kitchen
- Evening entertainment
- Outdoor furniture
- Happy hour
- Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
- Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
- Housekeeping on request
- Accessible shuttle
- No accessible shuttle
- Accessible train station shuttle
- No accessible train station shuttle
Rooms Available
-
Male Dormitory Room
This air-conditioned dormitory room features a shared bathroom, an electric kettle, a barbecue as well as an outdoor dining area. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Air conditioning
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Electric kettle
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Linen
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
-
Female Dormitory Room
This air-conditioned dormitory room features a shared bathroom, an electric kettle, a barbecue as well as an outdoor dining area. The unit offers 5 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)
- Air conditioning
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Electric kettle
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Linen
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
-
Tent
The tent includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower and a bidet. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Toilet
- Bidet
- Toilet paper
- Body soap
-
Economy Double Room
This double room features a shared bathroom, an electric kettle, a barbecue as well as an outdoor dining area. The unit offers 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Electric kettle
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Linen
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
-
Triple Room With Lake View
The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
Guest Reviews
- Aya (1/5): Bad -
- Aya (1/5): Bad -
- Prem (1/5): Bad - We left before even staying there. There is a nice view to the water and a small stony beach to take a bath in the Nile. It's very quiet, but deserted. We didn't dare to stay, after 1,5 h of waiting for cleaning everything the bathroom was very disgusting, hairs everywhere and shit leftovers in the toilet. The beds didn't have prober blankets as it was 10 degree at night. A very small and dark room, very small window. Shared cooking area very dirty. We left, and filed a complain. And one needs to know only by private boat one can access the island. To a small boat deck below the hostel
- Maha (1/5): Worst experience ever—-scam - Worst place ever -filthy SCAM ALERT! Do not book this place
I booked this property based on the photos and description, but what I got was completely different. The place was dirty, poorly maintained, and nothing like the pictures. It was so bad that I had to check out on the same day.
To make matters worse, the owner refused to refund me anything, even though the property was clearly misrepresented. They are running a scam, using fake photos to trick people
I recently booked in heissa hostel on [feb 2025] through booking. The listing showed a clean and well-maintained property, but when I arrived, it was nothing like the photos. The place was dirty, unlivable, and completely misrepresented.
Due to these issues, I had no choice but to check out immediately. However, despite these valid concerns, I was denied a refund. This is unacceptable and goes against fair business practices.
I am requesting a full refund for this misleading booking. I have attached photos as proof of the false advertising and poor conditions.
- Mohamed (10/5): Exceptional - Amazing place to disconnect. Beautiful views and great host.
- Ahmed (4/5): Disappointing -
- Ian (1/5): It promots as Heisssa Camp, but it’s definitely not - the location is great
But this not Heissa Camp It promots as Heisssa Camp, but it’s definitely not.
- Mado (9/5): Superb - Om Youssef was supportive, I liked the view and location comfortable mattress.
They offered a fresh guava juice as a welcome drink and always asked if I need anything. I really like the place and the welcoming vibe. Needs to be cleaner.. The bedsheets were not clean but they kindly replaced it when I asked.. Also the kitchen.. On the other side, they worked on all comments mentioned and I enjoyed my stay.
- Ahmed (5/5): Passable - it wasn’t the property i thought i booked for
i was looking for heissa camp and i saw a comment that one of the stuff said it is heissa camp apparently it’s not and i lost my money
- Eya (10/5): It was just like a dream out of the city noise - Heissa Hostel was perfectly what we were looking for. A beautiful guesthouse on the Nile where we really felt like home. Om Youssef and Om Rayan, our hosts are absolutely the Highlight of our stay. Both are very kind and very helpful. They took care if the slightest details and made sure that we are having the best Experience. The food is so yummy, cooked with so much love ❤️ we can’t wait to come again ! We recommend it 100% Nothing.
- Kareem (1/5): This is not Heissa Camp They promote themselves as Heissa camp - This is not Heissa Camp
They promote themselves as Heissa camp
- Mo (1/5): Bad - They let us leave at 2 pm. It was so bad experience and they destoryed my plan for one day stay unfortunately.
It was agreed with the hostel about the food at Lunch and suddenly when I arrive, I was told me no food available so I had to waste my time searching to find place to have food. This happens at the sunset time which was impossible to miss it and waste my time to find place to eat at very diffcult time and the options was very limited and she recommended expensive place to have Lunch and far from Hostel. So I had to walk at the dark and hard way to reach the place.
The hostel was like house which has only one bathroom for 8 beds and one bathroom outside of the house which you had to go out in front of the people and it was bad thing for my two girlfriends to walk in front of people after having shower.
The other bad thing, The checkout was 10 am so it was supposed to have breakfast within the same time so unfortunately I had to go to other place to have breakfast and I can't imagine that the place has no drinks to have them at the morning.
The place is a little dirty especially the tent which I was planning to reserve it at the beginning.
The only good thing was that they let us leave from our rooms at 2 pm.
Last thing, Thank you hessia hostel for letting us paying too much expenses at other nearby places and destroyed my short plan for showing my friends which was their first time in Hessia.
I've been to Hessia Island three times before so please go to it because this island is super amazing and unbelievable but my recommendation is to stay at very good places nearby the hostel.
- Junho (10/5): Exceptional - Excellent hostel, beautiful view of the lake and amazing sunrise. The owner Biba is great. Food is delicious.
- Kazu (7/5): We can have a relaxing time at a low cost - It was a quiet place where I could relax.
They suggested a better sightseeing plan and arranged for me to go to Abu Simbel. It would have been better if I had known about the ship's system and costs before booking.
- Basma (5/5): You get what you pay for - I arrived late at night but the contact at the hostel arranged for transportation for me from the airport to the hostel, for a hefty commission of course. I was surprised to learn that the property was on an island and that I needed to take a boat to get there. I was more surprised to learn that I had to drag my luggage up a steep hill from the dock to the property. I stayed in a room that had a bunk bed and a twin bed and a separate, out-of-room bathroom, which did not have a proper shower.
- Ghufran (1/5): Bad -
- Farah (10/5): Exceptional -
- Suayip (7/5): See the local Nubian life and see the stars in a quiet village. - This village is great if you want to experience local life. The staff here are really nice and always ready to help with a smile.
It's very safe to walk around this island even at night. I felt comfortable with the Nubian people and trusted them completely.
For those seeking conformity, this hostel may not align. But if you want to relax and enjoy the peacefulness while looking at the stars, this is the place to be Hotel is not suitable for short trips because going to the port costs too much money and you can not find a boat every time. There is a restaurant on the island but it is better to carry your food with you.
Remember it is not a hotel, it is a small village house.
- Robert (10/5): Exceptional - This is a really unique place to stay. You are on heissa island in a small Nubian community. When you wake up all you can hear is the birds and the Nile lapping at the shore of the island. The host family are really charming and friendly and the area outside is always free to use and relax in the sun. You can swim in the Nile or walk around the island and go to some of the cafes there. We had a really peaceful couple of days. The guest house is quite basic but has everything you need including ac in the rooms. The journey over to the island is also beautiful past Philae temple.
- Choukri (8/5): Very good -
- Sandra-traveller (9/5): A peaceful place to contemplate Nile and immerse yourself in Nubian culture - Heissa Hostel is a hidden gem away from the hustle of Aswan, located on Philae Island. It's the perfect place to relax and immerse yourself in Nubian culture. To reach it, you'll need to take a boat, which can be shared or private.
The shared rooms are spacious and clean, offering breathtaking views of the Nile River. You can enjoy both the sunrise from outside the Hostel, and sunset from the oposite side of the island.
Rihab, the manager of the hostel, is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the area, ready to assist with any questions you may have.
Since there are no restaurants on the island, they provide Egyptian breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While the prices may seem high, the portions are generous and diverse.
Rihab, Intisar, and Salua were exceptionally welcoming, making me feel like part of the family. A heartfelt thank you to all you!
- Abdelrahman (10/5): Inevitable retreat - On the banks of the river Nile Every single moment was valuable at this property like a wonderland of simplicity and beauty. Nothing could be a relief for soul like it was. Waking up every single day to see such a sun rise pallet could completely suffice, but limitless joy and kindness of warmhearted hostesses take it much further to become an implicit pleasure and connection.
Thanks for “Rehab” the mayor😁 a name which means in English “the open arms welcoming person”, she truly was in all aspects. Limited time of boats availability to pick me up.
- Thea (8/5): Very good - Rehab was a very helpful host. The place had real family vibes, as she said "it's not a hotel but just a Nubian home". As we arrived near the end of the season we were nearly the only ones and truly felt like we were staying at someone's home, amidst the lovely cooking ladies and their kids Facilities were a bit old and could have been more clean, especially the beds were a bit dusty
- Mark (9/5): Lovely peaceful island retreat - The tranquility, amazing nature and friendly service.
- Jiayue (7/5): Suitable for people who don’t have a very busy schedule - great views and friendly staff I made a reservation to go to abu simble the next day and even though the boat was not working much the day before, they chose to use it the next day. So I was stuck on the Nile for almost an hour
- Ahmed (9/5): Superb - two wonderful days at a quiet place with wonderful view,
Rooms are clean, very good breakfast, all staff are helpful.
Many thanks to MRs Rehab the owner as she handeled all our requests to make our trip wonderful from A to Z.
She gave us good price with good quality.
Also she offered to us places to visit and it was excellent.
Overall it was a excellent place comparing the price, we refreshed our mood in a quite place, simple and wonderful view. Nothing
- Nevine (7/5): Good - Beautiful scenic location and very friendly and helpful staff.
- James (10/5): This hostel is just a true gem - wonderful tranquil position and generally fantastic! - This is a real gem of a hostel - the position outweighs everything else. Superb location and so lovely to be somewhere so beautiful and peaceful and to travel everywhere very cheaply by boat. The manager Rehab speaks fantastic English and is lovely and incredibly helpful. The other Nubian staff are also lovely. Don’t be put off by the basic shower - it’s hot with a great jet. Yousef the boat driver/helm is a cutie. Breakfast was good but no tea or coffee offered. Evening meal was simple and could be improved but it didn’t matter due to the location - the restaurant on the neighbouring island opposite the temple was great but try to avoid 8-9pm as that’s when the temple light show is on if you want a peaceful meal. Abu Simbel day trip was worth the drive. Visit Elephantine Island from Aswan and wander to the Green of the other side through the streets of the village - real rural Nubian life and well worth it. Also take a Felucca trip (about £5 or 200el per hour). Worth seeing the soul/market for the spice shops, real life and felafel making. Just a gem of a tranquil place to stay!
- Sergio (9/5): Superb - The location and views are just stunning. It's really a dream location. I wish I had more time to stay there. The staff is very helpful, they offered me a room instead of tent because it was empty and I had long day. The food was just delicious, home made by two very sweet Nubian ladies. I had a little gentleman picking me up on the boat, it's his hobby, no child explotation involved 😝 There is no Wi-Fi, which makes this location even better to fully disconnect and relax. The toilet is outside which isn't very comfortable if you need to wake up at night. The terrace and common area was beautiful, full Nubian style. I really loved chilling there. It's also very handy to visit Philae Temple, nearby. All in all, very special location that I'd totally recommend :)
- Elbahrawy (10/5): Exceptional -
- Hicham (10/5): Most relaxing experience ever - This place was so idyllic.
I just loved it. The view on the Nile is so mesmerizing and the kayaking experience is also worth it.
Rehab is one of the best organizers I’ve witnessed so far, she helps out with everything and finds a solution every time.
Thank y’all for this amazing experience.
- Mathias (9/5): Superb - Wonderfull little place to deconnect and just watch the view and chill. Beutifull trip out to the island and nice food served on site. nothing
- Ahmed (8/5): Very good - The place is very beautiful as it is located directly on the Nile and near the Temple of Philae, away from the noise of the city. You can enjoy the stars at night and the sunrise as well. The service was also excellent, and the price was very reasonable for the value.
Note: There are almost no supermarkets or fruit shops on the island, so you can bring them with you from Aswan :)
- Tiago (9/5): A piece of paradise in the middle of Nilo river - Specially loved the support I got from the manager and the whole staff in how to get there and recommendations for places to eat and activities to do on Heissa Island. I loved the fact that the place is run by women and the food was amazing. Also made nice connections with other travelers. Definitely would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable, yet comfortable and easy-going stay in Heissa and escape the chaotic Aswan city. Views from the hostel are incredible. Apparently wifi was not working, but might have changed meanwhile.
- Sofana (7/5): Good with some comments - - The island is very calm and serene.
- The view is superb.
- The location is very unique.
- The food and drinks are exceptional, very tasty and delicious. Much better than other places we tried in the area.
- Staff is mostly helpful.
- The room and bed sheets are very clean and neat. - The staff were often helpful but not very quick in responding to accessibility issues. For example, it's difficult to get up to the hostel with luggage and also down upon check out. No preparations were made in that matter, and the response to the issue was relatively slow and hesitant, especially upon check out although we had already reported the issue upon check in.
- Staff need to be more welcoming and generous to match the authentic homie nature of the place.
- Meals are really good but price does not include any drinks/water.
- The place is very simple, which is a good thing, but the kitchen and utensils weren't very clean. The place in general needs more continuous care in terms of cleaning.
- The bed mattress isn't comfy. The sitting area outside as well can be made more cozy and comfy with more comfy pillows and plants.
- Sebastian (10/5): Special place - Heissa is a special place and you should come here when you are interested in the nubian culture and in simple places. Don't expect to much. It is a homestay and you are a guest. It is not a hotel.
But when you dive into it you can have wonderful relaxing days with a lot of very beautiful people around you.
There are not many things you can visit specifically on the island. But you can make good trips to philitempel or Abu sembel. And you can sit with many people on the island, you can enjoy the magic of the place and the nature.
Get a kayak and see the sunset.
The women who work there are very sweet and nice and the food was really nice too.
I travelled a lot ant this is one of this special places I always look for. It is kind of difficult to go to aswan, but possible. I like fruits and on the island is just a very little shop where you can get some water, cookies and basic stuff. So it is good to bring fresh things with you.
- Sylvain (9/5): Superb - There are no other places like this.
Just arriving there and disconnect from the world, discovering the nubian culture, and relaxing with the purity of the place..
- Handa (10/5): Exceptional - Perfect location is located in the heart of the Nile and near Philae temple.. the hostel offer you a Nubian food and lovely trips to Abu semple with a shared car,
Recommended if you search for a local life in Aswan with a real Nubian people
- Aaron (10/5): One of the best places have ever been - Near airport, good stuff, great local and Nubian experience.. taste food .. there's a lovely feeling there like home
Above: try to change money from the hostel they gave me a great rate..Shukran Rehab highly recommend
- Anonymous (9/5): Superb - The view is amazing and om Yousef was a great help with arranging everything also her cooking is really nice.
Rehab the host is a nice and welcoming person, I really enjoyed my time there and will be back soon.
- Viola (10/5): PARADISE FOUND - A special local experience there, the first thing i liked most was the Nile way from the port to the hostel by boat .. when you book , Rehab ( the owner of the hostel ) send you
to handle everything about the transportation with you ..
She also can help you to visit any places in Aswan .. I booked with her Abu simple trip by shared car was great and the next day she recommended to me more places to visit in Aswan ..
Also if you interested in the local food and life .. this is the best place for you.
- Elmasry (10/5): A piece of heaven A piece of heaven - Quiet, privacy, and adequate lighting. The treatment of the staff in the place is wonderful The view of the place is very excellent, the breakfast, and the cleanliness of the place
- Elnajar (10/5): Exceptional - The video is excellent, the service is excellent, and the place is wonderful. I enjoyed it very much and had a nice time nothing
- Rewan (10/5): Exceptional - Rehab's place is one of the best places ever. It is indescribably comfortable. I visited all of the island, or for example 5 places. Specifically, but the place that had the most purity and comfort was Hessa Hostel. The sweetest and best friends I made are currently friends of my life. They were a Sudanese group, but the best things I got from Hessa Hostel, and in a very nice feature, the food they have is very, very nice. They make Nubian food, fish tagines, and royal breakfast. A charcoal grilled dinner is very sweet and we can do it ourselves, and it will be like a BBQ party with friends. I tried it for the first time in my life, a beautiful experience. I am a person who is afraid, but the first time I tried it was in the place of Hisa Hostel, which is a kayak experience on the Nile. It is very nice, no matter how you describe the stages of fear. You would not believe the one I removed from me. It was really very beautiful and all the services were available. I stayed there for a week and I will go again to try and get to know new people as well. I love getting to know people very much. Also, Rehab, the owner of the hostel, took us to a place at the highest peak on a mountain on the island of Hisa as well. A very beautiful, true experience that is lived and not told
🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎 I liked everything very much
- Gabriele (10/5): Exceptional - Heissa hostel is one of the most authentic and unique place to stay in heissa island. Rehab provides you everything you need making you feel comfortable and at the same time experience the local life there. 100% recommended. Nothing.
- Estelle (9/5): Superb - The hostel is beautiful, a really peaceful place to escape the hustle, and enjoy the river and beautiful sunrises. Om Youssef was so lovely! The food was good and the scenery was great!
Since I was the only person there it was super chill and quiet too
- Nacer (8/5): Very good - One of the most wholesome booking I've stayed at. Extremely welcoming hosts that made me feel at home.
It is located close to the nile river and is in an area that gives one a strong sense of community and an experience of how a normal day in Aswan would look like
Would love to return one day, definitely recommend this beautiful peaceful place to anyone
- Francesca (10/5): Exceptional - Lovely place to be. The location is amazing and peaceful. The staff is friendly and welcoming, feels like home. The owner took care of us and showed us the local life. I will be back :)
- Karim (6/5): Pleasant -
- Marc (8/5): Again - this is not a luxury destination, but rather an authentic Nubian experience. - This place is not for the faint hearted. It screams "authentic." You are actually staying in a Nubian lady's home - who actually turns out to be a very good cook. It's extremely quiet because it is quite isolated. If you want a serene spot overlooking water, this is the place for you. However, it is not fancy - not the bog common hotel experience. I think that's why so many people love it. I sat on the sand floored terrace working on my novel - totally relaxed and kicked back.
- Elisa (9/5): Perfect place to stay and chill - Diner was really good ! I really appreciate talking to Rehab in Portuguese 😃 very nice place and clean & peaceful ! mosquito Lol
- Regina (10/5): wow view, wow food,wow people in place - I was in travel with sister. We enjoyed a lot our views from hotel))
And what surprise us, that you can order food, and it’s fantastic 😍🥰
So nice and friendly owner in the place,☀️
Rehab help us in all details. In all transfer) we enjoyed a lot )
- Marco (10/5): Exceptional - Truly amazing stay in Heissa island, the property is simply beautiful and perfect for a lovely escape from the city. Wonderful dinner and breakfast, super friendly staff, really recommended.
- Mohamed (9/5): Superb - It was a comfortable and amazing stay. The place is beautiful and different. It helps to relax. They have an amazing view of the Nile. The people have very good feelings. Thank you Rehab, and thank you to the hostel and all the people of Hiessa Island.
- Muhammad (8/5): A view to reset your mind - _Great location with great view.
_Helpful staff. _The cost of transportation to and from the island.
_The dormitory is narrow if it is completely occupied.
- Saaed (10/5): Enjoyed a lot there - Complete calm and wonderful stuff who care a lot about satisfying the customer and helping him with anything inside or outside the place .. you can trust them when asking for advice .
They work hard on the cleanliness of the place in a great way.. of course, the place is close to tourist places and far from others but I enjoyed the view and everything in this place
- Moneim (1/5): Bad - the view the place is full of rats
- Krzysztof (9/5): Superb - Wonderful view on the Nile, very helpful staff and tasty food. We felt like at home ;) It's a bit difficult to get there from the airport or the city centre, at least for the 1st time.
- Khadiga (10/5): It sure won't be the last time - The atmosphere is great and the location is perfect actually you can enjoy there away from all the noise and clear your mind, meditate and even do some yoga. The food also was very delicious, they have signature traditional food Nothing
- Abd (10/5): Exceptional - The food is amazing and thnx to the kitchen staff
Also, the view of the place is peaceful and charming
It suits most people who are in love with nature.
It was a lovely experience 😍🙏
- Rania (9/5): Superb -
- Menna (8/5): Very good -
- Ola (10/5): rehab was so helpful we felt like home - comfortable, peaceful, cheerful and amazing view
- Sara (10/5): Big love for Heissa Hostel - I liked everything there
Thanks Rehab for help us to go to Abu Semple and thank Om Yousef for the food
The view is incredible
- Jlenia (8/5): Heissa island - Rehab and Om yousef are fantastic and very helpful.
Lovely place with wonderful terrace. A quiet place where to stay. Heissa is far away from the downtown. Transportations are too expensive and mosquitos are too much.
Be clear about breakfast.
- Sam (10/5): had an amazing time there thanks to Heista crew Um Yousef the hostess and Rehab the coordinator - When there, you tend to let go of it all! What surprised me about this place is that it's very close to main sites across the city including the philae temple, the docks. Nubians are amazing !
- Maha (8/5): Very good - The place is too calm, not touristy, you feel like living a normal day with nubiean family. The host family was so nice they have 2 kids often available the whole day and they leave by evening. The place and location amazing in the middle of nature i felt safe
the location, the place and fantastic view is unique and not comparable with any other place in Aswan..... if you are looking for sharing a normal simple life with nubiean family and not moving so much to the city that would be your place 😊 😀 The island is far from the city center and it is accessible only by boats price range to cross the Nile varies depends on time.
I also felt it is a little bit expensive comparing to otherplaces outside the island. I felt it is higher than the average when u compare little details
- Mahi (8/5): Very good -
- Eslam (7/5): Good -
- Ida (6/5): Pleasant -
- Ahmed (10/5): Exceptional - Very quiet place with a wonderful view,I felt like I was at home، thanks a lot for om yousef
- Jorge (8/5): Heissa Hostel. - The views are really nice. It is a quiet place and you see the Philae Temple in the way to the hostel. Also the staff is kind. You have to pay an extra cost of 450 EGP pounds to get there by boat (go-return) so what you save in hotel expend in transport.
- Ahmed (10/5): Great place and great view - Great place enough that Rehab (the owner of this hostel) organized a wonderful trip to Abu Simbel for us. The food in this beautiful place is made with love from real Nubian hands. Thank you for helping us all the time
- Ahmed (10/5): Highly recommended and definitely coming back - The location was exceptional and also the staff were very helpful and kind. true reflection of original inhabitants No internet wifi
cleaning could have been better
- Chathura (8/5): Wonderful hostel on hesa island with lovely staff - Really lovely place to stay near Aswan. The hostel is overlooking the lake and has a great view. The place is clean and they offer food if you need. The owner and the lady that works there are lovely.
I recommend waking up to watch the sunrise over the lake. While the location is nice it is costly to stay here while sightseeing Aswan.
A private boat will cost you 150 then you need to organize a taxi to get to where you need to go. You will need a private boat to get back also costing you another 150.
If you use the public boat on the other side of the island it will cost you 30-50 and then you can take a minibus or a taxi to aswan. Unfortunately taking the public boat takes a lot of time because you don't know when it will come and the minibuses were mostly full so I found it impossible to get one to Aswan. If you take this option I recommend you get an indrive taxi or negotiate with the tuk tuks nearby.
It will either cost you money or take up your time but if you decide to stay here I'm sure you will enjoy the peacefulness and scenery.
There is also no wifi and the hot water didn't work when I was there but the hot water tank was installed.
- Mark (10/5): Great accommodation at Heissa Hostel - Great place .. thanks Rehab for help and for your lovely hostel and for the Egyptian food
Sunrise from Heissa Hostel is like part of heaven
- Muhammad (9/5): Superb - The place is very quiet the people are very friendly and nice
You will have the most delicious welcome drink 🍸
Rehab and Om yussef are very nice and had a lovely conversation with them One thing that the place is far away from the centre but they offer many typer of transportation
Nothing to do after sunrise
- Jawed (10/5): Simple moments that impact your spirit - The spirit of this place is unique. Simple with a very beautiful style, confortable beds and very kind stuff especially the owner who share a piece of her heart in the place and she is always looking for her guests from assistance until you arrive in place to advices about places to visit.
- Lynne (10/5): Exceptional - This place is super special. The owner, Rehab, is a wonderful young woman who will welcome you warmly and help you with whatever you need. The hostel is very cute and beautifully painted. The outdoor area is a gorgeous view of the Nile in a Nubian style setting. It's quiet, peaceful and relaxing. Enjoy it!
The private room is very comfortable. The shared bathroom was always clean. The room/bathroom are basic, but everything you need. The hospitality is anything but basic - feels like home!
Rehab will help you plan your days (she even got on the phone with me a couple of times while I was out to help me), and her friend Om Youssef will cook you some amazing Egyptian meals if you wish. I was also able to get laundry done here.
I absolutely recommend this place! I liked everything, just note you should be a bit adventurous to stay here. You need to arrange a boat to take you to/from (easy to do - Rehab will help you) - it costs 150 EGY for a private boat or about 70 EGY for public boat + tuktuk. The road to the jetty is a simple dirt road, a little adventure, but all very safe and fine.
There are mosquitoes outside at night so bring long sleeves and/or repellent.
Because of the island location, I suggest making your plans a day ahead so that you can filly benefit from each day and not lose time arranging transportation.
A little sense of adventure and trust in Rehab, and this is an experience you won't regret.
- Albert (10/5): Recommend Heissa hostel for any one - The View is incredible very cool and quiet i liked my stay at heissa hostel
The owner called Rehab she is very helpful and nice ( i discovered that she is very famous in Aswan )
She help you to know the right ways, prices and places
You need to try their Egyptian and Nubian food at the hostel
The Sun rise from the hostel is awesome try to see it when you go
- Ali (10/5): Exceptional -
- Wagner (10/5): thanks Heissa hostel for everything.. Rehab let you feel that you are
part of this hostel. - thank you Rehab for everything.. small business woman can arrange to you everything at everywhere ( she helped as to discover Aswan and Abu Simple )
Heissa hostel has a nubian women called om yousef can prepare to you amazing Egyptian food and awesome nile fish
thanks Heissa hostel for everything.. Rehab let you feel that you are a part of this hostel.
we need to come back again to our hostel
- Khaled (10/5): A sister friend in Cairo and another brother in Luxor spoke to me on two consecutive days. "You Must go to Heiss -
- Tan (9/5): Nice place to escape hassles and noise from city - The island and the hostel
Queit and non touristy place A costly boat fees to get in or out from island
- Saaed (10/5): Perfect time at Heissa hostel - A very nice place. When we arrived we asked the place to send us a taxi and then a boat until we get to the island and it was.. cool reception from the owner of the place on arrival, a great view of the Nile and a beautiful calm. You can't hear anything, just the sound of birds and boats collide in the Nile.
Rehab helped us a lot to get to know public transportation and tourist places. Thank you
- Yageen (10/5): Exceptional - Everything was PERFECT
The owner was so helpful and kind
- Amy (9/5): Relaxing, perfect view - A lovely welcoming stay and the most amazing view for sunrise. Hessia Island is beautiful and I felt very relaxed here. Nothing! I recommend to tale some snacks with you (no supermarkets on hessia)
- رحاب (10/5): Excellent experience at Heissa Hostel - This place is great, I didn't expect it to be like this, and I was afraid of booking without any Reviews , but I was happy to book it. The place is directly on the Nile, very close to the temple of Philei and its owner a nice girl who always seeks to help us.
- Gabriella (10/5): Authentic Egyptian experience with a great view - Heissa hostel is beyond any expectation you can have, as someone who dreamt of visiting Egypt for a long time and wanted an authentic experience this hostel was the best choice ever.
The staff is amazing and super friendly and always ready to take you to the best spots in aswan
The Nile view is something that will stay with you in your memory for the rest of your life
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