View of the Mosques of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifai in Cairo - Egypt
Egypt's capital city and one of the largest cities in Africa is unlike any other destination in the Middle East. Situated at the southern tip of the Nile Delta there's a thriving economy centered around the river, but that economy is harmoniously with a massive tourism industry and the infrastructure built around running the country's government and financial sectors.
Because of the dynamic nature of Cairo's economy and the booming tourism scene, travelers won't have a problem finding a good place to stay when visiting the city. On top of that, a relatively strong dollar makes many of the typical five star hotels more affordable (and the hostels criminally cheap). Bear in mind though that Egypt's economy runs largely on the service sector and the tips that pass along the margins — so if a hotel or activity sounds cheap, it's probably because there's some baksheesh expected on the side.
Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Marriott's hotel and casino on Gezira Island is less of a hotel and more of a palace with a hotel attached to it. The main building features a sprawling pool, entertainment area and multiple dining options while two towers overlooking the river play home to most of the hotel's guests. There's also a modest Casino attached to the main building, though it's far from the Las Vegas standards that many westerners expect.
Perhaps the best part about the Cairo Marriott is the sprawling garden and cafe inside of the main hotel walls. Here it's possible to get an early morning brunch or late night beer in the relative peace and quiet outside of Cairo's bustling streets — a break well earned after a day out in the city.
Fairmont Nile City
The Fairmont Nile City
A more modern take on the city's five star hotels lies in the Fairmont Nile City. Situated on the northern edge of the city's tourism zone, the Fairmont features modern and updated rooms and designs that pay tribute to the brand's luxury roots. And though the hotel is somewhat north of the main tourism strip, it sill features great access to the city and the river while avoiding some of the downtown noise.
The Fairmont Nile City is also one of the biggest properties in the city. With two massive towers and a sprawling main building, there are 542 guest rooms at this property plus a world class spa and a rooftop pool.
Kempinski Nile Hotel
Kempinksi Hotel
Just outside of the British and United States Embassies and across the river from the southern tip of Gezira Island, the Kempinski Nile Hotel is a stone's throw away from the Egyptian Museum and the historic Tahrir Square. If that's too much activity for you though, one wouldn't blame you for staying back at the hotel and taking advantage of the fantastic views and service at the rooftop pool and cafe.
Unlike some of the larger five star chains on the banks of the Nile, the Kempinski Nile Hotel has more of a boutique feel. All told it has 137 room and 57 suites, so those looking for more of a personalized experience with many of the amenities of a larger chain may want to choose this spot.
Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza
Four Seasons Cairo
The banks of the Nile in Cairo have no shortage of five star hotels, and among the contenders, the Four Seasons may be one of the most well-respected. Just south of the Kempinski Nile Hotel on the eastern banks of the Nile, the Four Seasons Cairo is still walkable to a handful of embassies and tourist attractions and it's right across the street from the Garden City ferry terminal (think: Nile tours).
As far as luxury appointments, the Four Seasons Cairo leaves little to the imagination. Beyond its lavish rooms, the hotel offers a half dozen distinct restaurants as well as multiple other enclaves for grabbing a bite or in-room dining service. There are also a host of local excursions available for booking such as Dinner with the Sphinx available for adventurous travelers.
Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah
Sofitel Cairo
Those looking to balance high quality with reasonable costs in Cairo may want to consider the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah. With room rates regularly in the low $100s, the Sofitel is a five star hotel without the five star price. It's got a beautiful pool overlooking the Nile, nearly five hundred rooms and a half dozen bars and restaurants to keep travelers busy long into the night.
The only downside for some may be the hotel's location. The Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah is on the southernmost tip of Gezira island, which can push some tourist spots outside of walking distance. But if taxis are an option and views are at a premium, the Sofitel can't be beat.
Osiris Hotel
Osiris Hotel
The relative strength of the dollar over the Egyptian pound should make even luxury properties affordable for western tourists in Cairo, but for those on a tighter budget there are tons of options. Among the properties that balance value with high customer reviews, the Osiris Hotel just east of Tahrir Square is the most popular.
It gets the job done. Visitors to the Osiris hotel in Cairo get air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and friendly, hospitable service. Sure, the thread count on the sheets may be lower than 1,000, but for $30 a night, many will find the Osiris Hotel to be a steal.
Dahab Hostel
Dahab Hostel
And then there are the hostels. In a city in which $45 hotel rooms are common, hostel rooms are similarly cheap — but it's not always easy to figure out the best options. Among TripAdvisor reviews, Dahab Hostel is ranked the highest (in fact it's the 16th highest value in the entire city across all properties).
What's the draw to Dahab? Part of it is location. Like many hostels in the city, Dahab is located just north east of Tahrir square and not much more than a block away from many of the city's tourist attractions like the Egyptian Museum. It's got Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and plenty of community — plus for the price of $14 per night for a shared room the price is hard to beat. Just don't expect a concierge.
