Cairo Hotel Tips by TheWanderingCamel

Rather more comfortable than Mr L's first stay - it was the 6 Day War and he and the crew of his workboat were evacuated to Cairo from Suez and deposited on the top floor of the hotel for the duration. Well, we had to stay there for old times sake, didn't we?

It's still is a nice hotel - newer ones may be bigger and smarter, but the location is perfect, right next door to the National Museum and, being a Hilton, it has all the facilities you would expect from a hotel in this chain. The view from the rooftop terrace is wonderful, especially at sunset, you only have to step across the road to walk along the Corniche and the Ancient Egyptian panel in the lobby is the real thing.

leyle


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: Tahrir Square, Cairo
Directions: On the Corniche de Nil
Website: http://hilton.co.uk/nile

The combination of its location and history together with a truly fabulous Indian meal (I do like my curries)in a beautiful restaurant, acres of gorgeous, perfectly manicured gardens and wonderfully OTT decor made a stay at the Mena Palace very special. Sitting on the terrace with a long, cold drink, soaking up the atmosphere is quite an experience and walking in the garden in the cool, early morning is magical. The service is excellent. All in all, a great experience, especially if you make sure you book a room in the old building - which really was a palace - rather than the newer, blander garden rooms.

Unique Qualities: If your taste is for gleaming modern glass and marble -give the Mena Palace a miss. But if the Pyramids are the reason you've come to Egypt (and for a lot of people they are - though MrL swears they've been moved, he remembers them as being way, way out of the city when he first saw them), and atmosphere and charm count for more, then you really should book yourself one night at least in the Mena Palace Hotel. Even if it's beyond your budget, do stop by for a drink, or come out for a meal here. For nearly one hundred and fifty years now the hotel has been a Cairo institution, long may that continue.

leyle

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 20 2 383 32 22
Address: Pyramids Road Giza
Website: http://www.oberoimenahouse.com/index.asp?leftinfo=1&leftitem=1