In our modern day and age, hotels have become massive futuristic skyscrapers with big bright lights and cut-throat modern architecture.

That's why it's refreshing to see that there are still hotels that have retained their classic beauty and have lived on to tell their amazing stories.

These 6 iconic structures are among the oldest and most historic hotels in Egypt, they should not only be considered as great places to stay, but as historical sites in their own right.

1. The Winter Palace Hotel - Luxor

Built in 1886 and now owned by Sofitel, the luxury 5-star hotel was built by British travelers blending Victorian and ancient Egyptian designs.

The Palace was the winter lodging of the Egyptian royal family. Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter were also regular guests. In addition, it is at the Palace that Agatha Christie wrote her highly acclaimed novel "Death on the Nile".

2. The Mena House - Cairo

Originally a hunting lodge built next to the Giza Pyramids in 1869 for King Isma'il Pasha, the hotel was officially opened to the public in 1886 and named after Mena, who unified upper and lower Egypt and founded the first Egyptian dynasty.

The hotel was occupied by Australian troops during World War I and it was the place where in December 1977 Egypt and Israel agreed on the peace settlement that led to the Camp David Agreement.

In addition, the hotel has seen many prominent guests such as Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

3. The Legend Old Cataract - Aswan

Opened in 1889 and now owned by Sofitel, the beautiful Victorian palace was built on a pink granite outcrop in front of Elephantine Island to offer views of the Nile that are as its name suggests, legendary.

The hotel was fittingly named after the first cataract of the Nile, which is created when the Nile River meets the pink granite barrier. It has retained its classic elegance to this day.

4. Cecil Hotel - Alexandria

Built in 1929 by the French-Egyptian Metzger family in French architectural design, it was intended to be a romantic getaway in the heart of the Mediterranean's jewel and is now owned by Steigenberger .

It was Lawrence Durrell's favorite place in the city and so it became a main figure in his novel "The Alexandria Quartet", and it was also featured in Naguib Mahfouz's "Miramar". Other prominent guests included Al Capone and Somerset Maugham.

5. The Auberge - Fayoum

Originally built as a hunting lodge overlooking Fayoum's Qaroun Lake for King Farouk, it became a favorite retreat and banquet venue for Egyptian royalty and heads of state due to its location only an hour away from Cairo.

The hotel, owned by Helnan, was also popular with Egyptian film stars and it appeared in many of Egypt's golden cinema age films.

6. The Palestine Hotel - Alexandria

The hotel, owned by Helnan, was originally built in 1964 as the accommodation for the Arab kings and heads of states who attended the Second Arab Summit in Alexandria.

Late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel-Nasser chose to build it inside the Montaza Gardens right next to King Farouk's former summer getaway, the Montaza Palace, and overlooking the Mediterranean. It has hosted several Arab and international royal families and heads of states over the years.