IC Semiramis Cairo Master Thread [merged]
Apr 12, 2018, 2:37 am
#121
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR
Programs: CX GO, BA Gold, OZ*G, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 316
It's a grande dame of Cairo hotels smack bang between Tahrir Square and Garden City, fronting on the Corniche. Proximity to the US (and UK) embassies, the Arab League and various government offices means security is tight on the streets around the hotel. It's something of a destination hotel, with a couple of top notch restaurants and a casino, an attractive pool and a revamped spa/gym.
The lounge is an attractive, somewhat formal looking space divided into a smaller area with sofas and more private nooks, leading to the dining area set out with tables and chairs. Sadly it looks out onto the Mogamma rather than Nile. Drinks are served by the waiters, food in the evening is quite substantial, served as a buffet, though in true Egyptian style the waiters are happy to serve you...
Upgrades are a bit fluid. Certainly a high floor Nile view room, probably a two-room suite if you are RA: or maybe not. The rooms are opulent in dated way: the bathrooms especially need renovating.
The lounge is an attractive, somewhat formal looking space divided into a smaller area with sofas and more private nooks, leading to the dining area set out with tables and chairs. Sadly it looks out onto the Mogamma rather than Nile. Drinks are served by the waiters, food in the evening is quite substantial, served as a buffet, though in true Egyptian style the waiters are happy to serve you...
Upgrades are a bit fluid. Certainly a high floor Nile view room, probably a two-room suite if you are RA: or maybe not. The rooms are opulent in dated way: the bathrooms especially need renovating.
Apr 12, 2018, 3:01 am
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Uber works well in Cairo; Careem is OK.
Jun 7, 2018, 10:17 am
#123
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
I'm looking to book a reward night for next April, but they're only bookable until 9th March (cash rooms bookable on later dates). All other IHG Cairo properties are bookable on points throughout April. Anyone know why the IC Semiramis is not bookable to the same timelime as the others? Is it leaving the IHG group?
Jun 7, 2018, 4:13 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I'm looking to book a reward night for next April, but they're only bookable until 9th March (cash rooms bookable on later dates). All other IHG Cairo properties are bookable on points throughout April. Anyone know why the IC Semiramis is not bookable to the same timelime as the others? Is it leaving the IHG group?
It's not a hotel i'd expect any problem with booking reward nights much closer than nine month ahead - unless there's an Arab League-type meeting, or other mega event planned. Cash room are generally not expensive, though they are boosted around 25% by taxes.
As a precaution I'd suggest booking refundable rooms, then re-assess the situation in six moths time and consider switching to points, advanced booking - or cancel. Or try booking a points stay now, via the call centre.
Jun 13, 2018, 9:59 am
#125
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
So I got given the reservations e-mail address of the hotel. They couldn't tell me why reward rooms are not available next April or when they would become available. They told me to call the general IHG reservations phone number (as @IAN-UK suggested) as they would be able to book for me. I called the general reservation line and they couldn't book it, couldn't tell me why and couldn't tell me when the reward nights for April will become available!
Jun 14, 2018, 3:57 am
#126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
So I got given the reservations e-mail address of the hotel. They couldn't tell me why reward rooms are not available next April or when they would become available. They told me to call the general IHG reservations phone number (as @IAN-UK suggested) as they would be able to book for me. I called the general reservation line and they couldn't book it, couldn't tell me why and couldn't tell me when the reward nights for April will become available!
Rooms won't sell out: it's a BIG hotel. The buzz is about the room refurbishment programme, soI guess that (in theory) might take a whole floor of rooms out of service. The rooms need the love, most bathrooms are shower-over-the-bath with a clammy shower curtain.
Jun 14, 2018, 4:08 am
#127
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
PS: Have you tried IC Citystars? It's a much nicer hotel in most ways. The downside is that it's on the way from the airport to downtown: it's an upmarket area (Nasr City/Heliopolis) but not much of interest nearby except a very smart mega-mall/cinema/restaurant complex (Citystars) next-door. An Uber downtown should be comfortably less than $10, a bit more to Giza.
The unique, and only, advantage of the Semiramis is its location, overlooking the Nile in the very centre of the city.
Citystars is always a bit more a expensive than Semiramis, in cash or in points (5K more).
The unique, and only, advantage of the Semiramis is its location, overlooking the Nile in the very centre of the city.
Citystars is always a bit more a expensive than Semiramis, in cash or in points (5K more).
Jun 14, 2018, 10:34 am
#128
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
PS: Have you tried IC Citystars? It's a much nicer hotel in most ways. The downside is that it's on the way from the airport to downtown: it's an upmarket area (Nasr City/Heliopolis) but not much of interest nearby except a very smart mega-mall/cinema/restaurant complex (Citystars) next-door. An Uber downtown should be comfortably less than $10, a bit more to Giza.
The unique, and only, advantage of the Semiramis is its location, overlooking the Nile in the very centre of the city.
Citystars is always a bit more a expensive than Semiramis, in cash or in points (5K more).
The unique, and only, advantage of the Semiramis is its location, overlooking the Nile in the very centre of the city.
Citystars is always a bit more a expensive than Semiramis, in cash or in points (5K more).
Aug 8, 2018, 6:37 am
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
For me, the Semiramis is much, much better located. And although its getting a bit long in the tooth, upgrades make up for deficiencies. There's a new gym facility (if that's your thing).
Aug 9, 2018, 11:47 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
It's perfectly good hotel, a step down from the other two mentioned. But it's in a great position, even if it is somewhat marooned for pedestrian access by the heavy traffic around it. But to some extent that's a problem in most Cairo locations
Feb 5, 2020, 4:28 pm
#134
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,164
Hi I will be in Cairo in a couple of weeks. are considering either IC Semiramis or Ramses Hilton. I am ambassador plt with IHG and gold with Hilton. Which hotel is better for my status level? Price is similar. I was considering paying $135 plus tax for a city view club room at the IC. Is there a possibility of up grade to a river view room? Ramses river view room is $125 plus tax. We won't have club access but will have free breakfast.
Feb 7, 2020, 4:16 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Hi I will be in Cairo in a couple of weeks. are considering either IC Semiramis or Ramses Hilton. I am ambassador plt with IHG and gold with Hilton. Which hotel is better for my status level? Price is similar. I was considering paying $135 plus tax for a city view club room at the IC. Is there a possibility of up grade to a river view room? Ramses river view room is $125 plus tax. We won't have club access but will have free breakfast.
I'd expect them to give you an upgrade to a river view: it's the least they can do for an Ambassador.