sfgiants13

I was upgraded as a gold and given access 2 years ago on a 3 night stay. I can't help you on the subway though since I never took it. Although walking from the hotel through that traffic is borderline suicidal. It's absolutely insane.

edvasquez

There is a science to walking across the street. One, you must make contact with the drivers eyes. If the two of you see each other, cross. If not, don't. Or take the chicken way out. Look for the oldest person crossing the street and stay beside them. They have lived long enough to learn how to cross busy streets. You will be fine. But yes, it is a cluster f...

Vlntn

Just completed a 2-night stay here as a HH Diamond. Good deal for 10K points, but the hotel clearly shows its age. I was able to score a 6AM (!) early-check in, which was greatly appreciated after a redeye and a 5:00AM arrival at CAI airport... Was upgraded from base room to executive room (which I don't really consider an upgrade apart from the higher floor), but didn't want to push further after the crazy early check-in that was granted. I even was offered breakfast in the main restaurant upon my arrival!

Room had a small balcony with great views of Tahrir square, the Egyptian museum the Cairo tower, the Nile and the pyramids in the distance.

Service in the lounge was friendly. Some hot dishes in the lounge during the evening could easily substitute a dinner (though the hotel has a couple of ok restaurants as well). Odd thing was that I had to sign a bill (which said 'complimentary') for every alcoholic beverage I ordered in the lounge during cocktail hour.

The hotel also has a casino on site. I decided to spend my last Egyptian Pounds there, but only US dollars (at a terrible exchange rate) were accepted. I had a walk around and the casino didn't really appeal to me so I left quite quickly...

The Opia lounge at the top floor is surprisingly nice with great views of the city, good cocktails and quite a hip/stylish vibe in the evening. Recommended to have a couple of drinks there!

BOStonTravels

Thanks for the update. Very curious, it was mentioned that top floors have been renovated. Were you in a renovated room? If not, why? If you were, was the renovated room in line with more modern Hilton's?

Vlntn

My room looked a bit outdated, so I guess it was not renovated yet. I was 1 or 2 floors below the executive lounge, so possibly they started with the top floor but haven't renovated all executive rooms yet?

grbflyer

Staying this weekend. Any tips on getting from CAI to hotel?

Valley_MUC

Any recent experiences with the hotel? Most rooms should be renovated by now, right? Also, any experience about the treatment of HH Golds?

Xyzzy

Any recent experiences at this hotel? D they typically upgrade Diamond members with two rooms booked -- or at least give both rooms lounge access?

KLflyerRalph

Had a three night stay here as Diamond. Booked two rooms, which were both upgraded prior to arrival as visible on the app. In prior contact with the hotel I was informed check-in is available in the Ramses Lounge between 07:00 and 23:00h.
The hotel is located on a busy intersection, close to the Egyptian Museum/Tahrir Square and one of the bridges crossing the Nile. As a result, traffic around the hotel is completely gridlocked. The lobby of the hotel is rather drab and cramped. The hotel is popular with tour groups so there can be long lines at the reception. I was happy to be able to check-in in the Ramses Lounge located on the 29th floor. We received renovated, non-smoking rooms on the same floor, as requested. One corner twin Deluxe with Nile View and a Deluxe king with Nile view on the 21st floor. The rooms were quite nice and even equipped with a small balcony. Nevertheless I was surprised the traffic noise was still very audible even on a high floor. It's a trade-off between nice views or noise! Be sure to get a renovated room here, though. Looking at pictures the standard rooms are way past their prime!
There are actually two lounges. The two-story Rames Lounge on the 29th floor (which is open to kids and also has the reception) and the Executive Lounge on the 26th floor. Happy hour starts at 17:30h. Offerings within both lounges is identical. We preferred the lounge on the 26th floor as it was much more quiet, had a nicer interior and layout. Offerings consist of a soup, breads, three hot dishes, some cold bites and small desserts. Not a dinner substitute but a nice snack. Softdrinks as well as local beer/wine are available. I couldn't help but notice that locals received much more attentive service (off menu items, served at the table). I'd attribute this to the language barrier. Whilst well-intentioned, the lounge attendant barely spoke English. Breakfast is also offered in the lounge, with a decent selection. The main restaurant has a much larger selection and made-to-order eggs, but can be very crowded. Especially during rush hour just before all the tour buses leave for their excursions. Quality was fine. Did not visit any other facilities/restaurants during my stay.
All in all for the Hilton Rames is nice option in Cairo. Definitely not a luxury hotel but for the right price and if you have a renovated room, perfectly fine. Diamond recognition is also good.

ElevatorEnthusiast

The Ramses Hilton was an interesting experience for my first night in Cairo, Egypt, and Africa - frankly, it was about what I expected - an older hotel with somewhat questionable hard product and very friendly soft product. What's especially confusing is that I can't for the life of me figure out if my room was renovated or not. Regardless, it was not a bad stay for 122 USD all-in. Here are my pros, cons, and photos:

Pros:

• Upgraded to an Executive Nile View Non-Smoking King on the same floor (29) as the Ramses Lounge (which was convenient) - I did not push for or ask about suites since, you know, Hilton...
• The room was honestly well-designed from a space perspective with effective desk with comfortable office chair and plenty of storage space
• View towards the Nile was very nice - definitely a good view for a first-timer to Egypt and Zamalek is relatively pretty
• Bed was fine - I slept well - covers are plush for Egypt (as in not thin but not too hot), pillows were plush, but mattress was very firm (like really firm, but didn't affect my sleep)
• Shower pressure was good and temperature was consistent
• Towels were quite large and nice (one was very plush and obviously new)
• Left a welcome gift of fruit and baklava (as well as a card with my name)
• Wi-Fi worked well
• AC worked well (though never seemed to get to 20 on the thermostat) - regardless, I stayed cool, and the high fan speed option was very loud to drown out outdoor traffic noise
• Ramses Lounge (29th and 30th floors) was a nice offering
  • Friendly staff - especially the breakfast servers and manager who greeted everyone and would not let me get my own coffee refill, insisting they order it for me :-)
  • Evening service had some tasty desserts and massive water bottles (they were some entree choices, but I didn't partake)
  • Breakfast in the lounge was pretty good and calm - nice croissants, and there is a chef for made-to-order eggs (he even had a chef's hat) - my sausage and cheese omelet was quite good
  • Check-in and check-out are in the lounge - I was sent there from the lobby Reception at check-in
  • The 26th floor Executive Lounge does exist for drinks but is not offering food during Ramadan - per the guidance from staff
  • Per the sheet, it appears that restaurant breakfast is an option, but I didn't try it as the lounge was sufficient and presumably more personable
• I ordered a takeaway from Namaste Indian Restaurant on the floor above the lobby, which was quite good - nice butter chicken and garlic naan (and only 13 USD)
• Working 110 V outlet in the bathroom for toothbrushes
• USD to EGP exchange rate used was fair (in fact, it was right to the exact cent)

Cons:

• Elevators were slow and jolty with doors that slammed shut loudly - noticed that half of them were walled off for obvious modernization efforts
• Cleanliness did not seem to be a high priority with plenty of stray hairs around - nothing huge, but annoying - it does not seem to be a given in Egypt as my suite at the Cairo Marriott has not had these issues
• I didn't ask for late checkout, but still, even though I planned to leave before Noon and had the privacy light on, the housekeepers were knocking at 10:30 AM and at 11 AM while I was in the bathroom
• Balconies definitely have a mosquito issue, and I killed a few (and a spider) in the room (that I probably let in when just opening and closing the door quickly) - I think this is an Egypt issue, though
• Furniture seemed to have a lot of wear-and-tear, especially the desk and bathroom features - which is why I'm unsure if my room was renovated (the 26th floor hallway seemed a lot more modern than the 29th floor hallway, but both seemed more modern than the 10th floor hallway I saw when another guest got on the elevator)
• No washcloths

Overall, I don't think this is a bad property, but it definitely could be better.

Photos:

freedom2020

I am debating between this one and IHG Citystars.

The main tiebreaker is that we have a 9:30AM flight to catch (Egypt air at terminal 3 to Abu Dahbi). Do you think if we will have time to enjoy breakfast at Ramses? I don't have free breakfast in IHG and I doubt we can get anything edible in the "first class" lounge at T3 EGY.

abaheti

We ate in the restaurant and the lounge depending on our morning timing, preferred the restaurant for options, so you have options for what's open when you need it. The restaurant also had full Chinese breakfast if that appeals to you but otherwise usual American fare, fresh egg dishes, pancakes, etc. The restaurant opens at like 6am downstairs, not sure about the lounge. When we showed up they had a list and crossed our room number off. The airport lounge is, ahem, less than ideal. We were Diamond if that matters. Given the strong service there even if you are supposed to now eat in the lounge I suspect you can just ask for the restaurant.

freedom2020

Thank you! Both of us are HH diamond as well. So you mean 9:30AM flight time is not an issue given the traffic condition? It will be a Saturday.

abaheti

Been a while for me, so I can't comment on traffic, but if I needed to be at the airport by 8am, leave hotel by 6:45-7:00am....? I am a super paranoid arrive early and sit at airport kind of guy, you'll need to assess your own risk, maybe see what the hotel car service says for departure time? We used the hotel car both directions and liked it. They might even do a to go box breakfast for you. The concierge desk was really accommodating when we were there.

Maybe someone who has been there more recently or a local can comment on drive times?

ElevatorEnthusiast

It's a 9:30 AM flight in Cairo - have y'all seen the traffic there? I would leave my hotel by 5 AM at the latest or just stay on airport property.