Originally Posted by
IAN-UK
The Zamalek property isn't getting much love here. It's a smart hotel in lovely area of Cairo, on Gezira island with views over the river towards the Conrad. There's no lounge, but it would be a shame to let that put anyone off the place. Zamalek is about as geographically central to Cairo as it gets, and is very much the cultural focus of modern Cairo - art galleries and museums, trendy shops, cafes and restaurants on leafy streets, and the opera house complex at the southern end of the island.
Heliopolis offers much the same affluent atmosphere, and is not without charms, but for a first time visitor intent on seeing Cairo rather than simply stay in a nice hotel close to the airport it's probably not the best choice. Something like staying in Richmond rather than Knightsbridge on a first visit to London.
I have soft spot for the Rameses, though its super-central location is daunting in terms of the traffic flows around it. The Egyptian museum is only stone's throw away, but it could take some time to negotiate the traffic to get there: and i will take even longer to reach the museum when it moves out to Giza
. It is suggested that will be before the end of the year, but who knows ….
I was in cairo a couple of weeks back, but didn't stay at any Hiltons. But I did note that hotel prices have gone crazy: I hope they won't be able to maintain these levels as pent-up demand for travel levels off!
Thank you for bringing up Zamalek! An excellent location for a lot of reasons... but it really depends on the individual's interest in modern Cairo (as opposed to P
haraonic and/or Islamic). Zamalek also has the benefit of being (relatively) quiet, leafy, and interesting with, as you say, art galleries, upscale restaurants and - mercifully - tourist-free. The only reason we didn't pick it is that I was angling for a major suite upgrade that I was unlikely to get in Zamalek, but it's definitely worth considering.
PS A shoutout to my favorite Zamalek venue, the
El Sawy Culture Wheel. I wish it were a little easier to access, but it's worth the effort to visit!
Originally Posted by
Zurich
Thank you all for your thoughts!
I will stay four weeks in Egypt and 5 nights or so in Cairo. My travel plans are still evolving and I must confess that I haven't looked at Cairo details yet. So I cannot already answer precisely what I want to see or not. Since most of you are experienced travelers to Cairo I appreciate your inputs vey much. And with any place my four weeks in Egypt and 5 nights in Cairo will never be enough to see and enjoy it all. But your inputs help.
Thank you!
I would just recommend this for now: First, the
Pharaonic stuff is of course amazing, but the mosques of Islamic Cairo are virtually unparalleled in the Arab world and really should not be missed. They're all different, and the history, architecture and artwork is amazing. I can make specific recommendations if you want. Second, apropos the discussion above, modern Cairo has a lot to offer. It's the largest city in the Arab word, the largest city in Africa, and IMHO the "NNY of the Middle East." Art galleries, boutique stores, concerts, theater, amazing restaurants...there's so much to do and see that is overlooked by most tourists who visit Cairo only to see the Pyramids, Egypt Museum then head south. Don't be like them!