Four Seasons Nile Plaza

100   Recommended
October 20, 2014 by EXPERT

 Map | 2 Reviews | 50% Recommended
Share
Save
Liked:
Location
 
Service
 
Food
 
Amenities
 
Room
 

{{ oRightNav.heading }}

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo Nile Plaza
 Map | 2 Reviews | 50% Recommended

Save

Share
Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats

With over 300 rooms, there’s some truth to the complaints most commonly leveled against this hotel for being “impersonal,” “soulless,” and “lacking in local color/atmosphere.” But I found those complaints to be far outweighed by the typical pleasures of staying at a well-run FS property. DavidO had negotiated in advance for a confirmed upgrade to deluxe Nile-view rooms for our party of 4, and we also enjoyed the other Virtuoso amenities (spa credit, breakfast, etc.).

Room

The hotel interiors were consistently fresh and polished, not showing signs of age or wear and tear (the hotel’s been open since late 2004, according to their Website). No surprises in the room for those who have stayed at other FS city properties—rectangular in layout, spacious bathrooms, comfortable beds and linens. Very nice, although lacking in design or features that would contradict critics who say that you could just as well be in Dallas as Cairo.

Pool

The outdoor pool area is a significant disappointment, looking far more dated than the rest of the property. Given that the area is situated on the east side of the high rise, it’s completely in the shade for the afternoon, and is somewhat cramped and awkward in layout.

Spa

The spa interior, though, was excellent, with relaxation rooms containing large daybeds situated in front of full-wall views out over the Nile, separate wet areas for men and women (sauna, Jacuzzi, cold plunge pool, steam room in each). Treatment rooms also have full wall views out over the Nile, so I’d recommend a treatment near sunset that doesn’t involve having your head down on massage table—perhaps reflexology or a pedicure—so that you can gaze out over the river and the competing calls to prayer during your treatment. Most of the therapists were from Asian FS resorts (in fact, virtually all therapists at all the properties we visited were Asian, brought in by the properties since, as one put it, “North Africa is not a culture of touch.” Each of us received a treatment (my traveling companions, in particular, are spa aficionados), and had universally positive feedback about them.

Dining

Food was underwhelming on site . . . numerous restaurants, but the ones we tried were expensive and just average in quality. The breakfast buffet is large and fine, if a bit boring after several days.

Concierge

Superb concierge service. My friend forgot her pool flip-flops, and when the FS shop didn’t have any, one of the concierge staff went out and bought a pair for her once stores opened later at night post fast (we were there during Ramadan). We arranged full-day tours through the concierge. They have a list of typical itineraries that combine a variety of sites, and when none of them covered quite the array we wanted, they had no problem redesigning the itinerary to include the elements we wanted. (Perhaps more detail that you want, but rather than the pre-fab itinerary to Giza, Memphis, and Sakkara, we wanted to see all the great pyramids in one circuit– going from Giza to Dahshur to Sakkara, substituting Dahshur for Memphis, which I’d consistently read was less impressive than other sites.) The guide, driver, and vehicle were just as you’d expect from the Four Seasons, providing us with very good excursions.

Overall

All-in-all, a very nice stay, providing a comfortable and elegant escape from the frustrations and discomfort of Cairo.

0 Comments

This review lives in the Four Seasons Nile Plaza thread.
0 comments and Y review
Comment In Thread

Hotels you may also be interested in