At its exceptional best

100   Recommended
January 15, 2018 by

 Map | 5 Reviews | 20% Recommended
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Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at First Residence
 Map | 5 Reviews | 20% Recommended

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Liked:
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Food
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We had two nights in Cairo at the beginning of our Egypt vacation and the fnal night. We chose to spilt them with the FS FR first and try the Nile Ritz Carlton on the last night.

Service

The service at this property is nothing short of exceptional. Tamer, the Chief Concierge organised all of our transfers for limos, trains and coordinated with the FS San Stefano. He even noted we had accidentally booked the wrong dates at their sister property and rectified for us.

Prior to check in I had tried to call the Beymen department store to see if they had a pair of Gucci sneakers in stock but they didn't understand me in English or Arabic. I asked Tamer if he could check sending him an image and the link to the product on Gucci's website. I was amazed that he went to the mall downstairs and personally photographed all of the Gucci sneakers available and had his Chief Concierge at the FS Nile Plaza do the same at Beymen. He even provided me the urls where I could purchase them as well. Never have I had a Concierge go so far above and beyond.

There was a slight mixup with the airport pickup as there were 2 sets of guests arriving, but we both booked the E Class and were obviously headed to the same destination so it didn't matter.

Check In

We were escorted from the limo to our preferred Diplomatic Suite for private in room check. On every occasion their cordless EFTPOS machine fails to connect and so the authorisations never work. We were slightly annoyed and when we commented they said not to worry as we are regular guests.
 

Room

I won't comment on the Diplomatic Suite as I have previously reviewed it. It is still stunning with the Great Pyramids of Giza view as well as the Nile and the Zoo.

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We had a separate superior room and when I went to the room it smelt of smoke. I opened the windows but during the night I couldn't sleep. I mentioned it the next day and they somehow have in my profile that I'm a smoker. They offered to pack my things and move my room, but as I had valuables in the safe I waited until I returned. This is when I learnt that floors 6-9 have been refurbed and are much, much more modern with new carpets and paint, new light fittings and switched, digital air con controls and international plus and 2 USB ports next to the bed.

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Location

The reality is the area is inconvenient. Other than the Pyramids it's far from everything, but that is also its positive. The clientle is of the highest calibre and on our last stay we met a Sheikha who we nodded and said hello to every morning at breakfast who ended up in the Ahlan Xclusive VIP lounge at the airport.

Many Gulf nationals stay here and they tend to keep to themselves.

The access to the First Mall is great, especially as I always visit Emporio Armani downstairs.

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I will also shamelessly admit that the Pizza Hut 20 secs from the entrance of the hotel is one of my highlights of any trip.

Dining

We had a very young man deliver the fruit plate to the room called Islam. Despite his age he was eager to serve and when he noticed we had drunk a lot of bottled water and Earl Grey tea he immediately went to fetch more without asking.

Farhana of Guest Services always greets us and because of Coptic Xmas she was on holidays but came to see us on our last day at breakfast.

She rightly predicted that we would try the Ritz and be back in no time, if not immediately!

They have also built glass cabanas by the pool for day and night use with their own TVs where you can order drinks, food and Sheesha. I giggled when I asked what Vodka they stocked and they kept referring to 42 Below as "Below." Sadly, they no longer have Grey Goose.

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The hotel has commisioned it's own Super Yacht that will have 3 new restaurants, banquet rooms as well as a rooftop pool. It looks lux!

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Overall

Having seen the rooms at the FS Nile Plaza and now stayed at the Ritz there is no comparison. Everything about this property is outstanding, especially the service.

The hotel is an oasis of calm, drenched in the most beautiful flowers and gorgeous common areas. We will never try another property (perhaps the StR when it opens but given the Qatari diplomatic situation I don't see it opening soon).

It's the people that make a hotel and they honestly make it feel like a home away from home.

The Ritz was double the price and even being upgraded to the Presidential Suite I will never return.

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