Grand Hotel

I decided to watch this on Netflix after watching and enjoying the original Spanish production, "Gran Hotel," which was extraordinarily well done. This Egyptian version is a slight alteration of that original.

I am enjoying the story, despite the lack of authentic costuming, etc. In each scene I am distracted by the hair, clothing and accessories which are more reminiscent of 1980s to early 2000-era traditional styles, and quite unlike 1950s-era fashion and grooming. Perhaps they did not have access to a budget for authentic vintage clothing or costume design and production. I find the sets to be very limited as well.

Aside from the visual limitations, the story is quite compelling due to the talented actors. I recommend it to those who enjoyed the original Spanish series.

This show is just a taste of what Egypt has to offer!!

I have never enjoyed any performance more than the wonderful heart warming performance of Mohamed Mamdouh who plays Amin in Secret of the Nile. A true pleasure to watch. The whole cast is also Great and a wonderful story. My first time seeing Egyptian actors and want to see more - thanks Netflix for showing this.

The first thing one notices are the stylistic similarities to the justly popular Downton Abbey, but "Grand Hotel", or "The Secret of the Nile" as it has been renamed, is quite a different flavor while being equally delicious. Visually perfect in every detail, it offers an engrossing story full of interesting characters played by a magnificent group of actors, none of whom I had ever seen before, all of whom I look forward to seeing again. The thirtieth episode will bring this tale to a satisfying denouement, and leave you with that elation and longing one feels when finishing a really good book. I have had very little contact with the Arabic language (I watched with English subtitles) but I enjoyed this chance to listen to it over an extended period of time. I found it interesting how the upper class characters, particularly the older women, peppered their speech with French words like "merci" and "d'accord", and am guessing that this was a linguistic affectation of a certain class, time and place. If this is an example of what Egyptian television is offering its viewers, please, give us more, more, more!

The Spanish series "Gran Hotel" (2011-2013) was such an extraordinary success worldwide that it yielded another 7 remakes in different countries. Well-written plot, with surprising twists, and touch of humor, romance and mostly mystery. The original (Spanish) version features incredible whimsy with costume and hairstyles. Those series that you can't stop watching. "Secret of the Nile" is its Egyptian version. Unlike the original version, set in the early 1900s, "Secret of the Nile" recreates the plot during the 1950s.