IC Semiramis Cairo Master Thread [merged]
May 22, 2005, 7:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Citizen of the world
Programs: QF Plat./OW Emerald + Life Gold, IC Plat. Royal Ambassador, etc.
Posts: 2,891
IC Semiramis Cairo Master Thread [merged]
Does anyone know whether the IC in Cairo (SEMIRAMIS IC CAIRO) do an airport Meet and Greet service ? There is nothing on the website about it from what I can see. (And its an important thing in Cairo I'm told ! Gets ya through immigration fast, which is a big thing there !).
Any other info on the property / ICs in Cairo area much appreciated.
Any other info on the property / ICs in Cairo area much appreciated.
May 22, 2005, 10:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: LH SEN, HH Dia
Posts: 535
Yes, they have. I had sent them an email, but I had heard nothing back so I called them just before departure from the airport to hear that everything was arranged and I would be picked up. Arriving in Cairo I was greeted by a sign with my name before the immigration, everything went smoothly; the car was a slightly dated Mercedes. IIRC, it showed up as about 20USD on the hotel bill.
The hotel is fine, not as nice as the Four Season First Residence and the Hyatt (in which I have stayed before), but it is also cheaper than those two.
The hotel is fine, not as nice as the Four Season First Residence and the Hyatt (in which I have stayed before), but it is also cheaper than those two.
May 23, 2005, 10:03 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Programs: QF Plat./OW Emerald + Life Gold, IC Plat. Royal Ambassador, etc.
Posts: 2,891
Originally Posted by demiurg
Yes, they have. I had sent them an email, but I had heard nothing back so I called them just before departure from the airport to hear that everything was arranged and I would be picked up. Arriving in Cairo I was greeted by a sign with my name before the immigration, everything went smoothly; the car was a slightly dated Mercedes. IIRC, it showed up as about 20USD on the hotel bill.
The hotel is fine, not as nice as the Four Season First Residence and the Hyatt (in which I have stayed before), but it is also cheaper than those two.
The hotel is fine, not as nice as the Four Season First Residence and the Hyatt (in which I have stayed before), but it is also cheaper than those two.
Jul 14, 2005, 6:07 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Just got this from the Semiramis IC - implies that it is gonna cost $40, $20 for the car but an extra $20 for the Meet and Assist. Seeing as I already have a visa and am in F (so will be one of first off plane), is there any point me paying extra for this service ?
Dear ASH
Good day from Cairo
Glad to confirm transportation from Cairo Airport to the hotel at the
cost of 20$ per car per way arriving on XXXX.
Meet and assist inside the Airport can be arranged at the cost of 20$
per person, please advise if this service is needed.
Looking forward to welcoming you to the Semiramis INTERCONTINENTAL.
Best Regards
Mr XXXXX
Reservation Agent.
Dear ASH
Good day from Cairo
Glad to confirm transportation from Cairo Airport to the hotel at the
cost of 20$ per car per way arriving on XXXX.
Meet and assist inside the Airport can be arranged at the cost of 20$
per person, please advise if this service is needed.
Looking forward to welcoming you to the Semiramis INTERCONTINENTAL.
Best Regards
Mr XXXXX
Reservation Agent.
Jul 14, 2005, 9:38 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
You really don't need to be met pre-immigration. That works well if you are new to CAI and need to get a visa-on-arrival. Odd IC is charging extra for that though.
The Semiramis car service to the airport was about EGP70 (USD12 ??)
Being met avoids the need to negotiate for a limo (regular taxis are unlikely to be a/c, and could have an erratic approach to road safety).
IC Pyramids is an OK hotel in an awful position by a flyover, so you get views of apartment blocks and heavy lorries, not pyramids. If it's pyramids you want there are far better choices.
The other IC is in Heliopolis. It is smart, part of a swanky new shopping complex.
Have fun.
The Semiramis car service to the airport was about EGP70 (USD12 ??)
Being met avoids the need to negotiate for a limo (regular taxis are unlikely to be a/c, and could have an erratic approach to road safety).
IC Pyramids is an OK hotel in an awful position by a flyover, so you get views of apartment blocks and heavy lorries, not pyramids. If it's pyramids you want there are far better choices.
The other IC is in Heliopolis. It is smart, part of a swanky new shopping complex.
Have fun.
Jul 14, 2005, 11:17 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
When you arrive try to get out of the plane fast.
Have 15 US Dollars for the Visa Stamps ready.
Before immigration there are several bank counters.
Just go to any, give them 15 dollars, rush to the next immigration line,
glue the stamps into your passport where there so some free space.
Hopefully no other flight is arriving at the same time, then you will be thru in less than 5 min. Change money after immigration, otherwise you will have all the other passengers in front of you.
Outside customs there are several taxi booth. Book a Taxi there. Cost should be around 70 EGP or so.
Btw: The Heliopolis IC - new name Citystairs is much nicer than the Semiramis, situated between the airport and the city.
Have 15 US Dollars for the Visa Stamps ready.
Before immigration there are several bank counters.
Just go to any, give them 15 dollars, rush to the next immigration line,
glue the stamps into your passport where there so some free space.
Hopefully no other flight is arriving at the same time, then you will be thru in less than 5 min. Change money after immigration, otherwise you will have all the other passengers in front of you.
Outside customs there are several taxi booth. Book a Taxi there. Cost should be around 70 EGP or so.
Btw: The Heliopolis IC - new name Citystairs is much nicer than the Semiramis, situated between the airport and the city.
Jul 14, 2005, 12:29 pm
#8
Original Poster
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Originally Posted by Unterwegs
When you arrive try to get out of the plane fast.
Have 15 US Dollars for the Visa Stamps ready.
Before immigration there are several bank counters.
Just go to any, give them 15 dollars, rush to the next immigration line,
glue the stamps into your passport where there so some free space.
Hopefully no other flight is arriving at the same time, then you will be thru in less than 5 min. .
Have 15 US Dollars for the Visa Stamps ready.
Before immigration there are several bank counters.
Just go to any, give them 15 dollars, rush to the next immigration line,
glue the stamps into your passport where there so some free space.
Hopefully no other flight is arriving at the same time, then you will be thru in less than 5 min. .
Originally Posted by Unterwegs
Change money after immigration, otherwise you will have all the other passengers in front of you
Jul 15, 2005, 3:42 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
If you have a visa and paid for it you dont need the stamps.
Otherwise buying the stamps is much easier than getting a visa beforehand.
You will need EGP for smaller items. Otherwise Credit Cards, US$ and Euro are widely accepted.
Otherwise buying the stamps is much easier than getting a visa beforehand.
You will need EGP for smaller items. Otherwise Credit Cards, US$ and Euro are widely accepted.
Dec 7, 2005, 6:31 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, EK, LH, IC
Posts: 2,411
Is the IC Semiramis (Egypt) a decent property???
I'm spending a couple of nights in Cairo and was wondering if the IC Semiramis is the best option.
Would it be better to stay at the newer Citystars IC or possibly a different hotel chain (Hyatt or Four Seasons???)
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Would it be better to stay at the newer Citystars IC or possibly a different hotel chain (Hyatt or Four Seasons???)
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Dec 7, 2005, 6:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: LH SEN, HH Dia
Posts: 535
I have stayed at the Four Seasons First Residence, Hyatt and IC Semiramis (2-3 nights each). Of those, the Four Seasons is the nicest property by far (no surprise) and the Hyatt is better than the IC Semiramis. Still, the IC is a decent property and it usually is also the cheapest option of the three. If you have specifc questions, just ask.
Dec 7, 2005, 10:42 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
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Posts: 7,739
FS First Residence comes highly recommended but also pricey. Not sure if this is company travel or private trip and what the budget is but I stayed at the IC Citystars (near the airport back then called IC Heliopolis) and this place is very new and very nice. Got an excellent suite upgrade as RA and the "Meet & Greet" service was well worth the 20+ USD. Might be too far out for you if you want to be in the city center, but I found it very pleasant at a decent rate.
Cheers ...
Cheers ...
Last edited by demue; Dec 7, 2005 at 10:47 pm
Dec 8, 2005, 4:51 am
#15
Original Poster
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IC Semiramis is OK, and (as demue states) the IC Citystars is great, really enjoyed my stay there.
Best hotel I stayed at in Cairo was the Conrad - great, and surprisingly cheap when I stayed there. Hilton VIP Gold got me a Club access etc rooom, everything about the hotel was very impressive.
Best hotel I stayed at in Cairo was the Conrad - great, and surprisingly cheap when I stayed there. Hilton VIP Gold got me a Club access etc rooom, everything about the hotel was very impressive.