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Hello everyone, I know you guys have been great with information about Cairo in the past and I know you can help me out with this request as well. ~ First I'm trying to decide between two Hotels in Cairo to stay at, the Semiramis Intercontinental and Sheraton Towers and Casino.. I liked the Sheraton because of its central location and its rooms overlooking the Nile, but I read on the Internet that it's going through Major renovations, could the folks in Cairo confirm this for me?? because I really don't want to be going through scaffolding and ladders at my hotel. What about the InterContinental? has anyone stayed there? Any info on these hotels or any same level hotel in downtown Cairo would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. J.
Posts: 19 | From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by jamesbget: Hello everyone, I know you guys have been great with information about Cairo in the past and I know you can help me out with this request as well. ~ First I'm trying to decide between two Hotels in Cairo to stay at, the Semiramis Intercontinental and Sheraton Towers and Casino.. I liked the Sheraton because of its central location and its rooms overlooking the Nile, but I read on the Internet that it's going through Major renovations, could the folks in Cairo confirm this for me?? because I really don't want to be going through scaffolding and ladders at my hotel. What about the InterContinental? has anyone stayed there? Any info on these hotels or any same level hotel in downtown Cairo would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. J.
I didn't stay at the Intercontinental but ate at one of its restaurants with some friends. It's absolutely gorgeous! The location is great too, with a wonderful view of the Nile.
I also hung out at the Sheraton in Heliopolis, although that's not a very central location. The hotel was great, though.
Good luck and have a blast in Cairo. :-)
Posts: 8794 | From: 01-20-09 The End of an Error | Registered: Dec 2004
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The Semiramis Intercontinental is as central as the Cairo Sheraton, probably more central. Restaurants are excellent,"Ritmo" is a cool bar too. I am not aware of any reconstruction at the Sheraton, but do go for the Semiramis Intercontinental but make sure you get the Semiramis and not the Pyramids Intercontinental.
Posts: 1516 | From: Cairo | Registered: Oct 2001
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Don't do Sheraton - the round one - because of the taxi situation. You're on a little island and kind of "stuck" there. You have to hike out a good 10 minute walk and then flag down a taxi off the street.
Last time I tried to get a taxi from there the drivers said the lowest they would to is LE20 (typical fare should have been 4-5). And that was with an egyptian asking them in arabic, so I can't imagine what kind of prices they'd quote tourists.
quote:Originally posted by jamesbget: Hello everyone, I know you guys have been great with information about Cairo in the past and I know you can help me out with this request as well. ~ First I'm trying to decide between two Hotels in Cairo to stay at, the Semiramis Intercontinental and Sheraton Towers and Casino.. I liked the Sheraton because of its central location and its rooms overlooking the Nile, but I read on the Internet that it's going through Major renovations, could the folks in Cairo confirm this for me?? because I really don't want to be going through scaffolding and ladders at my hotel. What about the InterContinental? has anyone stayed there? Any info on these hotels or any same level hotel in downtown Cairo would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. J.
Hi,
If you want a central hotel, why not try the Ramsis Hilton? Its near the Sheraton but much nicer (I've stayed in both) Plus the Ramsis has its own shopping centre across the street, and its got a beautiful restaurant at the top "Windows of the World" Its not cheap, but the foods good and the views are fabulous
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wow, great info! thanks a lot guys, I think I'll go with Semiramis InterContinental! I did't like the Taxi situation someone mentioned at the Sheraton... thanks again. J.
Posts: 19 | From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2005
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Of the two you mentioned the Intercontinental is the better of them in my estimation as well. The Sheratons need a renovation, so let's hope you are right about that. Expat - The Gizera Sheraton is no longer a Sheraton. It was sold off several months ago. It's now El Gizirah Hotel, managed by ACCOR hotels. It's not going to get any better with this management probably, but the prices might come down a little. The walk out to Tahrir Street isn't 10 minutes (if you walk the Giza direction - not toward Cairo) and taxi's should pick you up there for less than LE20, but the ones sitting waiting for hotel customers definately won't bother with you for less than LE20. I'm not a fan of this hotel, but I do like that if you walk out to the main street you are only minutes away from the Metro station and can take that over to the Museum or down to Coptic Cairo or to the train station easily.
As far as my favorite hotel of 5* classification for location and ammenities, I always recommend the Zamalek Marriott. It is located in the area of Cairo known as Zamalek which is the - BAR NONE - best area for tourists to feel comfortable walking around in, has the best restaurants, is the cultural center of Cairo, and isn't a bad little hotel in itself. The rooms are not as big as the rooms at the Nile Hilton (biggest rooms in Cairo away from the 4 Seasons), but the other benefits of Zamalek make it my choice.
And, as long as I'm rambling.... the Ramsis Hilton is ok but has one of the WORST locations of any hotel in Cairo. The Conrad may have a slightly worse location. The Ramsis Hilton is captured on two sides by heavy traffic. On other side is a poor neighborhood that has little or nothing you want as a tourist, and the final side is a mall. The mall can be fairly interesting if you come to Egypt to shop for mall things...but that is about it. You are captured there and only able to leave if you take your life in your hands crossing the streets, take a hotel taxi, or have a tour bus rescue you.
i was just wondering if you and i can be friends. i just want to make egyptian friends since i will be coming to egypt in jan insha'allah. this is not based on you being a guy or a girl. i don't care. i have some egyptian friends here in canada but they aren't going to egypt the same time i am.
if you care to know, i am a lady living in Canada right now. hope to hear from you soon.
for everyone else, thanks for all that information, very useful.
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