The 28 Best Hotels in Cairo, Egypt

On most vacations to Egypt, the capitol city of Cairo will be your first stop. Booking with tour companies is fast and efficient, but you still have some choice in the matter of where you stay. For the indepedent traveler,
choosing your hotel is half the fun of the trip.

To begin with, Egyptian hotels fall under a different rating system than the U.S. A typical four-star in Cairo is not equivalent to the same rating in New York. To maintain American standards, especially in the dining rooms, generally you will need to choose a four or five star hotel in Egypt. Gaming is had inside some of the five stars, but they are typically small, with a roulette wheel, a few card tables and slots. You must surrender your passport at the door and all bets are placed with American currency.

Persons traveling with a guided tour will be met at the airport, assisted through customs and transported in a bus or minivan to your hotel. For the independent traveler, taxis are plentiful at Cairo International Airport's front door. You will be assisted into a cab (please remember to tip for this service) which will drive you to a police kiosk and state for the record your destination.

There are many hotel prices and styles in this great city, ranging from the $600 a night Four Seasons to under
$100 for a Nile view at the Shepheards Hotel. There are three main districts you will want to stay in that will keep you close to what matters most. Beginning north and moving southward they are: Heliopolis, or the airport area. Downtown, also called city center, and Giza ,where the pyramids and sphinx are located. Pyramid views are plentiful in Giza, but you may also have a panoramic pyramid view from central Cairo.

Beginning with Heliopolis, meaning "City of the Sun", this area is not famous for Nile view rooms, but it's in a quiet suburb away from the downtown traffic. The newly opened Citystars Complex has three hotels adjacent to the shopping mall. The Holiday Inn offers clean and tidy rooms, a 15 minute drive to the airport and the convenience of dining options inside the mall. You'll find many American restaurants such as Ruby Tuesdays, Starbucks, Fuddruckers, Johnny Rockets and more. For greater luxury and ancient Egyptian ambiance, there is the Intercontinental, and for apartment-style living, try the Staybridge Suites with a fully equipped kitchen.
www.citystars.com.eg
www.hotels.com/hotel_holiday-inn-cairo-city-stars_264752.html

The Le Meridien Heliopolis is in a comfortable and quiet location, with European styling and five star status. There are no monuments outside the windows, but rather leafy-green, tree-lined streets. This hotel is priced as a moderate in the low to mid $100's.
www.hotels.com/hotel_le-meridien-heliopolis_138666.html

The newly built Fairmont Towers is a nice place for an over-nighter, as it's only ten minutes from the airport
without traffic. The spacious lobby is mainly glass with a refreshing atrium and the rooms are first class. Next door is the Fairmont Hotel, formally the Heliopolis Sheraton. Revamped and gussied-up, the rooms are of good quality and there's a feeling of openness here. In addition to the main restaurants, the garden serves up BBQ's
and pizza, and there's a nice English pub inside.
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The JW Marriott, on the outskirts of Heliopolis, is located on a golf course with well manicured gardens and man-made lakes. A paradise for golfers and easy access to downtown, the word is tranquillity here. This hotel carries the highest standard you would expect from the Marriott name.
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Just a little south of Heliopolis is Nasr City, where the Sonesta Hotel is a good value for the money. Prices are moderate and comfort is high. This five star has an unassuming elegance and is a favorite with Egyptian weddings. Though there are no stunning views, the location is a bit nearer to city center. The Sonesta chain is found all over Egypt, and they operate several five star river cruisers. They are a good choice for one stop shopping with lodging in Cairo, Luxor, the Red Sea and a Nile cruise.
www.sonesta.com

Moving southward to city center, here's where you will find the Nile view rooms and much of the action in Cairo.
The downside is the traffic noise 24/7. Honking horns and screeching tires are just something you'll have to get used to. The Nile Hotel, formally the Nile Hilton, is adjacent to the Egyptian Museum and is the only hotel you may safely walk from. Although The Ritz-Carlton has bought this gracious landmark, it's doors remain open to guests during renovations and the prices are still moderate in the mid $100's. Try the outdoor cafe, Abu Ali for light snacks and shisha pipe (flavored tobacco). You may even run into a few famous faces like internationally acclaimed archaologist and Egyptian Antiquities Director Dr. Zahi Hawas.
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Across the street is the old Ramses Hilton. It may be a relic, but it has everything you need for a wonderful stay in Cairo. Sweeping Nile views, wide variety of restaurants, a billiard room, waterfront dining if you wish, and Misr Travel company in the lobby for all your sightseeing needs. You will see this word "Misr" all over the country; it means "Egypt" in Arabic. For some low cost Italian dining, try Grazie or for continental fare, the British-style Sherlock Holmes Pub. Finer dining, with linen tablecloths, can be had on the 36th floor at Windows on the World. Outside the hotel, just a block down the street, is a mall with many fast-food options including Mc Donalds. With all Ramses Hilton's amenities, it is still priced in a moderate category.
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Next is the beautiful Semiramis Intercontinental. This European-styled high-rise is centrally located to everything and offers an overall first-class experience. For hummus lovers, the buffet room has the best I've ever tasted, with it's special recipe seasonings and a snap of lemon. For American travelers who may wish to visit the American Embassy, it's conveniently located behind the hotel. Also, there is a pharmacy outside the Semiramis, two doors down.
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Across the street from Semiramis is the Egyptian-owned Helnan Shepheard's Hotel. Here, Nile view rooms are cheaper than most others in the vicinity, and suites are available for what you would pay for a king room
elsewhere. Some of the rooms are split-level, lending a sense of space to the accommodation. Lower level exteriors are lined with white Arabic arches, giving the Shepheard's Hotel a real middle Eastern feel.
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Next we have the Sheraton Towers and Casino. This is an older hotel, but has been refurbished into a first-class act. Guestrooms are situated in the two towers, The Nefertiti and The Cleopatra, with dining and shopping galore on the lower levels. An added convenience is the Egypt Air office on the first floor. They are very good about
booking last minute domestic flights and changing existing ones. Perhaps you'll decide to fly down to Abu Simbel for the day; Egypt Air is there to assist you. Even if you do not stay at Sheraton Towers, remember your airline booking arrangements are hassle-free and closer than taking a taxi to the airport. There are many restaurants in the Sheraton Towers, but for a grand night out, try the Lebanese Restaurant and a floor show.
www.hotels.com/hotel_sheraton-cairo-hotel-towers-casino_233718_photos.html

Southward, toward the 6th of October Bridge, is the Conrad Hotel. Nile view rooms are available, but the other rooms may not be as pleasing, as Conrad is in a commercial building area. But, all the amenities expected from a Hilton are here. Within walking distance is the Arkadia Mall with moderately priced stores and good value dining. Eating a few meals there will save you a lot of money at the end of the week.
www.hotels.com/hotel_conrad-cairo_136497.html

Across the river, you'll find a brilliant waterspout gushing out of the Nile. There lies the Sofitel El Gezirah Hotel.
The riverfront rooms have wonderful views, but the backside overlooks apartments and washing on the clotheslines. But, over all, it's a nice place to stay and popular with tour companies.
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The Grand Hyatt is everything you'd expect from a Hyatt from the sumptuous decor to it's efficient services.
International cuisine is offered in it's many restaurants, but alcohol is prohibited. This Hyatt is Saudi-owned and does not serve liquor on the premises. You can't even get a beer at The Hard Rock Cafe, located on the first floor.
Fine dining is had in The Revolving Restaurant located on the 41st floor, there's a Japanese menu at Okashi, tandoori cooked Indian food at Chingari, quick-stop eateries at the Galleria Food Court, Arabic and Mediterranean dishes at Nubian Village. The Grand Hyatt also operates a Nile dinner cruiser called the Marquise.
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The Cairo Marriott and Omar Khayyam Casino in Zamalek, once a palace for Princess Eugenie, has some of the best architecture in the city. Tall archways and intricate design make this hotel a pleasure for lodging or just lunch. The prices are reasonable in the mid $100's and the location is set back a bit from the noisey bussle of Cairo's main highway, Corniche El Nil. For serious carnivores, don't miss the JW Steakhouse. It's without a doubt, the best steak place in Cairo. But, be prepared for a hefty bill. The dinners start around $50, not including drinks.
www.hotels.com/hotel_cairo-marriott-hotel-omar-khayyam-casino_106150_photos.html

Nearby, also in Zamalek, is the family-owned Longchamps Hotel. Certainly in the budget category, but never lacking in service and smiles. This hotel dates back decades and is popular with European travelers. The rooms are simple and small, but the nightly rates drop well below $100, making Longchamps the best budget deal in city center. Assistance with arranging tours and laundry service is also available.
www.hotellongchamps.com

One more in Zamalek is the Golden Tulip Flamenco Hotel. Nile view rooms are spacious and typically less money here. However, smokers beware that this is a smoke-free property and you will be ushered to the street if you light up, making this accommodation your last resort in Cairo. Other than that, it's a clean and well-respected hotel.
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The Hilton World Trade Center Hotel is a good choice for a group traveling together that doesn't wish to split up in the rooms. They offer suites at a room cost, rather than per person, and the accommodation is spacious.The Royal City Suite is over 2100 square feet with two bedrooms and two baths. Bigger three bedroom suites will sleep six and are over 2400 square feet. Price varies by the view, with the Nile rooms coming out to about $100 more than city views. The Hilton WTC has two dining options with room service and the Lounge Restaurant. Self -service kitchens are provided in all suites and additional economical dining is within walking distance at the Arkadia Mall.
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Finally, completing the list in city center, is the expensive Four Season's Nile Plaza. The rooms start at over $450 a night, but the environment and service is exquisite. Shelling out this kind of money for lodging may be easy for some, but, in a busy place like Cairo, where there is so little time spent in your hotel, the added expense seems a waste.
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The final section of Cairo hotels lie in the pyramid city of Giza. Traffic is often congested, so be sure to leave for the airport extra early. Most of these hotels offer a pyramid view and the average costs range from $100 to over $300.

For the budget traveler, Husa is a modestly furnished, no frills hotel, but offers million dollar pyramid views. There are only two restaurants and a coffee shop, but a short walk will take you to a gas station and convenience store for light snacks. You will also find an ATM there. Try Husa's reasonably priced Rooftop Restaurant, where you'll dine to a backdrop of the three Giza pyramids. Rooms are comfortable and come with a fridge. Prices are below $100.
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The Sofitel Le Sphinx is another budget cruncher, costing just a little more than Husa, and is popular with tour companies. This sprawling low rise hotel has two adequate restaurants and is walking distance to better dining at the Le Meridien Hotel. Located on a busy traffic circle, you may want to request a room on the back side to keep things quiet at night. For entertainment, they offer live Arabic music and there's a billiard table and swimming pool. Great location at Le Sphinx, where the Giza Plateau is at your fingertips. Walk to pyramids and sphinx.
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For a truly five star experience at the foot of the pyramids, the Le Meridien has the best price. The rooms are plush and the restaurants are excellent. Try the Nubian Village for Arabic/Mediterranean fare and a little shisha after dinner. Another outstanding one is Laredo, which offers authentic Tex-Mex ,and the 24 hour buffet is the best in the area. For a light snack, there's the Harris Cafe in the lobby where you'll find sweet treats and cappuccino.
www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1807

Nearby is the famous Mena House for the ultimate in luxury. Once an Arabian palace, it still fits the bill today.
The garden rooms are the cheapest, and some have pyramid views at no extra cost. An upgrade would be to the palace wing, which have better pyramid views, but some palace rooms do not have balconies. For the utmost in accommodation, there are the Churchill and Montgumery Suites. Winston Churchill was a frequent guest here and his English-style room remains opened today. There are three main restaurants from buffet to fine dining, and light snacks are served at the pool. For outstanding Indian food, try the Mogul Room. It's a bit pricey, but worth
every penny. Mena House has only one small gift shop, located at the end of the hallway from the lobby.However, next door at Le Meridien, there are plenty of shops for last minute bargains. Security level is high at this hotel. Not only is Mena House surrounded by a wall, but armed guards are at every corner ensuring your peace and safety. This accommodation is popular with high-end tour companies, so booking on your own will have to be done well in advance. If you can get into Mena House, you've booked yourself an adventure with the Arabian Nights.
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Moving away from the pyramid base, yet keeping them in sight, is the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort. This is an older hotel, but in great shape and ready to accommodate the golfer in you. The rooms and restaurants have golf course views and it's very close to the entertainment center Dreamland Park. This area has less traffic and noise to deal with, yet is handy to everything you want to visit. Prices are low to moderate.
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Nextdoor, is the newly built Sheraton Dreamland, which offers similar fairway views as the Hilton. But, the prices are exceptionally low for this sparkling new five star, starting about $80 a night. Walking distance from the front door is Dreamland theme park, where you'll find additional shopping, roller coasters, bumper boats, and economical meals.
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www.dreamparkegypt.com

Finally, the last noteworthy accommodation in Cairo is the Oasis Hotel, located a bit further away from the others on Alex Desert Road. But, not to worry, they operate a free shuttle bus that will take you to downtown Cairo, with the pick up point at the Egyptian Museum. The Oasis Hotel is a good choice for sports enthusiasts, as they have tennis and basketball courts in addition to the standard gym and swimming pool. The restaurants are quality and the casual Thirsty Camel Lounge is a great place to kick back after a long day of sightseeing. The Oasis Hotel is moderately priced and a nice quiet place to relax.
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