[Monica]

I liked the Windsor Hotel. Centrally located downtown, but on a quiet back street. Nice staff, clean rooms (there are a variety of options for size, internal bath, etc.). Good prices, and they will negotiate rates if you are sticking around a while. Bonus: They have a bar inside, so if you are gal who likes a beer in the evening you can get one without leaving your hotel (which can be swell if you need a break from Cairo!). It was some old English officer's club back in the day. They also have an okay restaurant, nothing to write home about, though. You can also easily walk to some clubs to see dancing and hear music (not fancy clubs), to a subway station, and there are little shisha cafes right there, too (though not really open for/welcoming to women).

I don't recommend the Sun Hotel unless you are really broke (it is cheap, I think I paid 10 or 15 Egyptian pounds in 2000, it was crazy cheap) and/or just need something last minute for a night or two.

My info is dated as I have stayed with friends on more recent trips to Cairo. But I did stay at both those hotels alone (as well as with other people), and felt safe at both.