Thread: Hotels in Cairo

So give me your best hotel recommendaions in Cairo. I want something that is centrally located and affordable, but nice

I've stayed at Shepheards which is across the road from the Semaramis where Dina is dancing. Sure, Shepheards is 'past its use by date' but its secure, clean, the rooms are huge and the breakfast is good. There is a magnificent view of the Nile from the windows of the dining room, its hard to beat that view with your breakfast coffee.

I stayed at Hotel Luna on Talaat Harb Street (downtown).

They give discounts for paying in cash and for long stays. The rooms were clean. The staff were kind.

Home

For an Egyptian type hotel I'd recommendThe Grand Hotel 17-26th july Street ,Downtown Cairo,right at the top of Talaat Harb Street is clean and comfortable and the staff are very nice-not pushy i.e they don't see western women and go into the your very beautiful etc routine. Its within walking distance of the Cairo Museum.
For a slightly less Egyptian experience I'd recomend Pyramisa a five star hotel but a small one.So its got restaurants (They have a dancer on Thursday nights out of season and more often during the summer season,cafes,a bank and some shops.
Its worth going on some internet travel sites to see if you can get a good deal.last time I got a week at the Pyramisa including flight for less than it would have cost to just buy the flight.The Pyramisa is slightly off any main roads so it is quieter.People sound their car horns all night.Definately ear plugs are needed for the downtown hotels.Its about 2 minutes walk away from Eman Zakis Atelier and also the Sheraton Hotel where Soraya dances

ooh this is a great thread, thankyou katjia

<Preens herself> I stayed at the Mena House ( and got upgraded to the old Palace bit)but out at Giza isn't really for your dedicated dancer and shopper. I needed a bit of comfort/quiet for my 80 year old mum.
It has it's advantages the Cairo concerto is in the distance and to have breakfast with a Pyramid on your shoulder is awesome......

Originally Posted by lizajuk

and to have breakfast with a Pyramid on your shoulder is awesome......

Or as my friends and I kept saying to each other when we were staying out there, "Oh look, a Pyramid!"

I stayed at the Mena House for the first time this summer and it's lovely. I mean, when your laundry is brought back to you, it's a work of art! But it's so far out of town...

I'm very fond of the Victoria Hotel on Goumhoriyah Street in Ezbekia. Dancers have been staying there for ages, and I spent a whole summer there in 2000. It's quite reasonable, nice and cool in the summer (individual air conditioners that are very efficient) and the staff is super. There are yummy restaurants nearby -- not fancy, definitely more beledi, and you might be the only westerners eating there. And it's close to a metro stop. The hotel has an attached restaurant (breakfast is included with the room), an internet cafe, a full bar, a small bank, and a wonderful big lounge for meeting your friends.

Originally Posted by Aziza_UAE

I've stayed at Shepheards which is across the road from the Semaramis where Dina is dancing. Sure, Shepheards is 'past its use by date' but its secure, clean, the rooms are huge and the breakfast is good. There is a magnificent view of the Nile from the windows of the dining room, its hard to beat that view with your breakfast coffee.

I`ve stayed there last October.Very good for the price and location,and huge rooms

I`ve not stay there,but the Om Kalthoum looked good and in Zamalek area.

I stayed at the Sheraton, caddycorner from the Pyramisa. It was really more hotel than I needed, but I really enjoyed the occasional wedding zeffas in the lobby, the food was good, the staff were all delightful. And you can walk from there to Raqia Hassan's!!

Originally Posted by Sashy

I`ve not stay there,but the Om Kalthoum looked good and in Zamalek area.

I´ve oogled that one in also, just for the names sake

Originally Posted by bintbeled

I stayed at the Mena House for the first time this summer and it's lovely. I mean, when your laundry is brought back to you, it's a work of art! But it's so far out of town...

I'm very fond of the Victoria Hotel on Goumhoriyah Street in Ezbekia. Dancers have been staying there for ages, and I spent a whole summer there in 2000. It's quite reasonable, nice and cool in the summer (individual air conditioners that are very efficient) and the staff is super. There are yummy restaurants nearby -- not fancy, definitely more beledi, and you might be the only westerners eating there. And it's close to a metro stop. The hotel has an attached restaurant (breakfast is included with the room), an internet cafe, a full bar, a small bank, and a wonderful big lounge for meeting your friends.

Mena House is beautiful, but we stayed in Giza last time and the taxi rides to town could take for ever, so this time...no.

Originally Posted by beafarhana

Or as my friends and I kept saying to each other when we were staying out there, "Oh look, a Pyramid!"

Or at night saying to mum in the bar after my son had bought her a double Johnnie Walkers..."ooo, look mum now you see one, now you don't!"

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.

Originally Posted by katja

So give me your best hotel recommendaions in Cairo. I want something that is centrally located and affordable, but nice

Hello Katja,

Are you going to a festival or on your own? The Hotel Victoria is a meeting place for many dancers. It is clean, affordable and you could even walk to the souk if you like walking!!

Originally Posted by dujah

Hello Katja,

Are you going to a festival or on your own? The Hotel Victoria is a meeting place for many dancers. It is clean, affordable and you could even walk to the souk if you like walking!!

I´ll probably be going with some friends but not at festival times.

On Shira's recommendation, my husband and I stayed at the Victoria Hotel. We were very happy there -- it was affordable, clean, walking distance to the museum.... We would stay there again in a minute.

What about splitting your time between central and cheap, and further out/more luxurious....

Oum Kalthoum Hotel is a great choice...being that it is in Zamalek it is a bit quieter and (well, that's my neighborhood, I live just a few blocks down the street!) - it's a nice area, less hectic than downtown but still central :-)

~ Astryd Farah ~
Astryd Farah deMichele ~ International Middle Eastern Dance Artist

I'll be in Cairo next weekend staying at the Semaramis opposite Shepheards so I'll be able to give a report on that hotel next week. Is Dina still dancing at the Semaramis?

Originally Posted by Aziza_UAE

I'll be in Cairo next weekend staying at the Semaramis opposite Shepheards so I'll be able to give a report on that hotel next week. Is Dina still dancing at the Semaramis?

After you check in, call the nightclub around 6:00-7:00 pm. and ask if she's going to be there, which nights, "are you sure?". You can ask the concierge, but he/she may or may not know for sure. The concierge can also call other nightclubs for you to check on other dancers' performances - best if you have a list of places to check.

Originally Posted by Aziza_UAE

I'll be in Cairo next weekend staying at the Semaramis opposite Shepheards so I'll be able to give a report on that hotel next week. Is Dina still dancing at the Semaramis?

Yes, Thursday evenings . . . or would that be Friday early morning???

As for the hotels, I've stayed in both the Grand Hotel (where I will be in April again) and the Mena House . . . they both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is great to see the Pyramids every morning but it takes forever to get to downtown and Khan el Khallili. Grand Hotel is downtown and it is noisy but it is easy to walk around and quick to get to many things . . . except the Pyramids, lol. I walked to the Museum from there . . . biggest problem is crossing the streets, so be up for an adventure in traffic! And that traffic seems to be very active until 3 in the morning!!

If I manage to convince myself to go for any of the Nile Group festivities, I'll probably move over to the Pyramisa . . .which reminds me . . . I need to email the organizer about my options!!

Originally Posted by cbarros

As for the hotels, I've stayed in both the Grand Hotel (where I will be in April again) and the Mena House . . . they both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is great to see the Pyramids every morning but it takes forever to get to downtown and Khan el Khallili. Grand Hotel is downtown and it is noisy but it is easy to walk around and quick to get to many things . . . except the Pyramids, lol. I walked to the Museum from there . . . biggest problem is crossing the streets, so be up for an adventure in traffic! And that traffic seems to be very active until 3 in the morning!!

Ah the delights of crossing the streets... I usually try to use an Egyptian as a shield, since they know what they're doing. It can be nerve-wracking!! ..c::

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Ah the delights of crossing the streets... I usually try to use an Egyptian as a shield, since they know what they're doing. It can be nerve-wracking!! ..c::

LOL, I've done the same thing!!! If I am with Egyptian friends then they always make sure to hang on to me. If I am by myself, I stand on the street and watch the other pedestrians. Then when someone starts to cross, I cross too . . . with them between me and the cars, hehe . . . you usually don't have to wait too long since ppl area always running back and forth in the traffic.

I finally did get brave enough to go across by myself, but that depends entirely on the area too. Sometimes I think it might be easier to get in a taxi and have them drive you across, lol!!

Originally Posted by cbarros

LOL, I've done the same thing!!! If I am with Egyptian friends then they always make sure to hang on to me. If I am by myself, I stand on the street and watch the other pedestrians. Then when someone starts to cross, I cross too . . . with them between me and the cars, hehe . . . you usually don't have to wait too long since ppl area always running back and forth in the traffic.

I finally did get brave enough to go across by myself, but that depends entirely on the area too. Sometimes I think it might be easier to get in a taxi and have them drive you across, lol!!

When we were teaching my brother how to cross streets last summer, he said that if he had to cross a whole bunch of them, he would just get a cab! ..l;,

I am keeping notes on all this advice and hotels. I hope to be going to Egypt in Jan 09. I am leaning towards Shepheards, mainly due to historic value ( I have just finished reading "At The drop of a veil" by Marianne Alireza - she stayed there in the 40s & 50s - fab book by the way), maybe I will also consider a hotel closer to the pyramids 1/2 way through stay. I will also be going to Alexandria to stay with a friend then I hope on to Morrocco. Can't wait!