Egypt Trip
Nov 23, 2009, 12:43 pm
#16
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Nov 28, 2009, 2:57 am
#17
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If going just for a weekend to see the Cairo Museum and hang out in the city, is the FS First Residence the best choice of hotels?
I haven't been to Cairo since last century when I stayed at the Nile Hilton which was well located.
I haven't been to Cairo since last century when I stayed at the Nile Hilton which was well located.
Nov 28, 2009, 5:35 am
#18
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No, the best option in every way is FS Nile Plaza. You can walk to the Egyptian Museum from here and the hotel has the best Nile views, best service, best food, most comfortable rooms etc etc.
Nov 28, 2009, 7:31 am
#20
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I'm on a Centurion FHR rate which includes free night, etc. I was surprised to get that rate since I thought it expires before my stay. I'll see if I can get it switched or not.
Last edited by stimpy; Nov 28, 2009 at 7:43 am
Nov 28, 2009, 7:40 am
#21
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I'll actually be there for one night ,the week after next..if it's the one thats just a year and a bit old and near the airport that you are asking about? So I'll comment when we are back.
http://www.fairmont.com/towersheliopolis
We're using it as an airport hotel for the night but on return at the end of the week it will be a couple of nights at the four seasons nile plaza.
http://www.fairmont.com/towersheliopolis
We're using it as an airport hotel for the night but on return at the end of the week it will be a couple of nights at the four seasons nile plaza.
Nov 28, 2009, 7:47 am
#22
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FS nile plaza is closer to 3 museums
FS first residence is closer to museum of solar boat
egyptian museum 2 miles 10 min drive / 3 miles 15 min drive
coptic museum 3 miles 20 min drive / 6 miles 30 min drive
museum of islamic art 4.4 miles 30 min drive / 6 miles 30 min drive
museum of solar boat 19 miles 45 min drive / 16 miles 45 min drive
new fairmont = http://www.fairmont.com/nilecity
FS first residence is closer to museum of solar boat
egyptian museum 2 miles 10 min drive / 3 miles 15 min drive
coptic museum 3 miles 20 min drive / 6 miles 30 min drive
museum of islamic art 4.4 miles 30 min drive / 6 miles 30 min drive
museum of solar boat 19 miles 45 min drive / 16 miles 45 min drive
new fairmont = http://www.fairmont.com/nilecity
I am looking forward to seeing the new Fairmont Nile City property. Word within Fairmont is that this proprty will be at a much higher level than traditionial Fairmonts. The only reason it will not be branded a Raffles is that it has too many rooms. The Gold Floor should be spectacular.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 28, 2009 at 7:54 am
Nov 28, 2009, 8:00 am
#24
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report would be good, think this is only thing in lux hotels so far >
sofitel >
Another interesting option in Cairo is the newly renovated Sofitel Gezirah, which has the best Nile views in Cairo, as it's on an island in the middle of the Nile. I would normally never stay in a Sofitel, but this one is surprisingly good, although service can be patchy, as Sofitel inherited many of the old Sheraton staff.
The suites here are superb and the food is very good, too, especially in the El Kebabgy restaurant, which serves the best Egyptian food in Cairo, and still has its own outdoor bread oven, so everything is incredibly fresh.
There is also a floating restaurant and bar called 'Le Deck', which is unique, and the very sexy Buddha Bar, which has Asian food and a real attitude.
The suites here are superb and the food is very good, too, especially in the El Kebabgy restaurant, which serves the best Egyptian food in Cairo, and still has its own outdoor bread oven, so everything is incredibly fresh.
There is also a floating restaurant and bar called 'Le Deck', which is unique, and the very sexy Buddha Bar, which has Asian food and a real attitude.
Take The Gezirah Sofitel in Cairo. When they took this hotel over from Sheraton, they brought in Pierre Yves Rochon for the makeover. He did a very good job indeed. Unfortunately Sofitel inherited most of the Sheraton staff, so service is just as bad as it always was. Sofitel appear to be willing to spend money on refurbishments but not as much money as Four Seasons, and this shows. They have a Hyatt attitude to furniture - i.e. it looks impressive initially, but it soon gets scratched and tired.
Nov 29, 2009, 5:20 am
#25
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Nov 29, 2009, 8:15 am
#26
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Since the FS 1st Res wasn't really want I wanted, and it turned out I couldn't get the deal I wanted at the FS Nile, and there are no other FHR properties in Cairo, and I saw all this talk about the Sofitel Gezirah, and I have a Sofitel Platinum card, I decided to book a Club room at the Sofitel to see for myself what its like.
Nov 29, 2009, 1:43 pm
#27
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If there is one country that is Sofitel territory, it is Egypt:
Sofitel The Cecil Alexandria (very Grande Dame, but maybe alternative to FS)
Sofitel Gezirah Cairo (potentially current nr. 1 in Cairo)
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor (Grande Dame legend)
Sofitel Old Cataract Assuan (Sarkozy/Bruni just stayed there; currently closed for renovation)
Sofitel Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh don't beat the local competition
I think I need to burn my Sofitel points in Egypt too, stimpy.
Sofitel The Cecil Alexandria (very Grande Dame, but maybe alternative to FS)
Sofitel Gezirah Cairo (potentially current nr. 1 in Cairo)
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor (Grande Dame legend)
Sofitel Old Cataract Assuan (Sarkozy/Bruni just stayed there; currently closed for renovation)
Sofitel Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh don't beat the local competition
I think I need to burn my Sofitel points in Egypt too, stimpy.
Nov 30, 2009, 6:45 am
#28
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Sofitel El Gezirah, Cairo
Watch out for the bathrooms here, Stimpy. There was a lot of cost cutting in this area, so even the Royal Suite bathrooms are quite small and the finish is very poor (leaking glass shower stalls).
It is well worth booking one of the 50 suites. On-line, these can work out amazingly cheap. There are 35 Junior Suites which are really nice, and 10 Panoramic Suites which have more space and their own kitchens (more traditionally designed, too). Not too impressed with the rooms.
Last edited by vuittonsofstyle; Nov 30, 2009 at 6:47 am Reason: addition
Nov 30, 2009, 8:53 am
#29
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I'm going to be an optimist and expect that things have improved at the Sofitel since you were there. Most hotels spruce things up for the high season. Plus I have a secret weapon for getting good service at Sofitels. In the hotel I speak only French and must be waited on by French speaking staff. This always results in great service IME. 
Nov 30, 2009, 11:51 am
#30
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I'm going to be an optimist and expect that things have improved at the Sofitel since you were there. Most hotels spruce things up for the high season. Plus I have a secret weapon for getting good service at Sofitels. In the hotel I speak only French and must be waited on by French speaking staff. This always results in great service IME.