Actually the Winter Palace is a fairly split hotel.  A few of the rooms 
are in the old section and are pretty much from the 1950's.  Alongside 
and connecting there is a new Pavilion wing with far less character and 
far more luxury.  It's a neat place to stay.

Personally I would usually recommend seedy character over modern luxury. 
  However I'm the type who isn't sure where the Winter Palace pool is 
after staying there for 3 days a couple of years ago.  If they are going 
to give you a room with AC then stay there.  40 years ago I stayed there 
in August without AC & it was very difficult.

I have no idea how much they have upgraded the rooms in the old part.  I 
got some glimpses but they looked pretty original.

Nicola Earl wrote:

> I am booked to go to Egypt in June and was due to stay in Luxor for 4 days..
> 
> The hotel i am booked in is the Old Winter Palace and ive heard this is a
> really good hotel to stay in.. I have recently been informed by my tour
> operator that the pool is closed at this hotel  between May and July...We
> have been given the option to swap hotels..one of the options being the Le
> Meridian....or they will bus us to the Karnak Sofitel for the use of there
> pool.
> 
> Has anyone got any advice on weather we should stay put in the Old Winter
> palace or swap to the Le Meridian?.. Does anyone know how far the Sofitel
> is from the Winter Palace?
> 
> Thanks...
> 
>