posted
I am looking to gather information on venues to swim in Cairo. I want prices / breakdowns etc...
The ones I have info on so far are:
The Novotel at the airport is a minimum charge of 150le. 40le for the lounger and pool and 110le for food and drinks.
Sonesta Salah Salem. 130le minimum charge during the week, 60le for lounger and pool and 70le for food and drinks. During the weekend it is 150le with 60le for the lounger and 90le for food.
And the JW Marriott. You can only be signed in by a member and it is 75le for the lounger and pool with no minimum charge for food.
Anyone got any others?
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I don't know the exact details but last time I checked it out (2007!)
Hilton Dreamland was 90 or 100LE per day (no food) to use the pool and I think 350LE to get a room for the day.
Swiss Inn Dreamland - similar.
I have heard that the new Sheraton Dreamland is offering a gym membership for 550LE per month, though I don't know if that includes use of pool. I don't know what their day rate for the pool might be.
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Marriott Zamalek has a nice pool, although nowadays its the Arab season. Posts: 3219 | From: Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Dzosser: Marriott Zamalek has a nice pool, although nowadays its the Arab season.
Yup ... better to stay away at this time of the year.
The last time I went there the day use fee was something like 125 LE, but that's a few years ago. Food and drinks are not included; you can bring your own (although that is being frowned upon), but glass bottles are not allowed.
Posts: 2803 | Registered: Feb 2007
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I've heard there is a club in Heliopolis called EL GHABA SPORTING CLUB which you can use for 30LE, huge olympic size swimming pool. Not as posh as hotels but definitely swimmable and Egyptian Cairo prices for food etc. Not sure if need member's recommendation or no. Isn´t it half down to looks, or what, in Cairo? Meaning: you have to look western and then you can enjoy. Don't those expensive as hell Zamalek clubs have similar one-day offers?
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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I would never pay more to go to Marriott Zamalek than to go to JW Marriott. Zamalek has some nice features but JW Marriott is lush through and through.
No hookers in their bar for a start!
And it isn't down to looks in Cairo, it is down to who you know from personal experience. I have gotten in JWM free on 3 occasions now thanks to the influence of the members who take me there.
Anyone know where El Ghaba is?
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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What about this hotel: Pharaoh Egypt Hotel, 11 Ahmed Orabi Street, Cairo It seems to have a roof top pool. (Isn't it on 26th July or close it, on Giza side? Themselves they say: near Sphinx square) http://www.pharaoh-cairo.com/Pharaoh_Egypt_Hotel_Facilities.html
Novotel Cairo Sixth of October (tel: (02) 837-7200) If you don’t want to book a room, you can enjoy a day by the pool with lunch for LE 100.
Sofitel Le Sphinx (from June this year MERCURE Cairo le Sphinx, tel: (02) 383-7444) day use of a room and the pool costs LE 250, for up to four persons,
Le Meridien Pyramids (tel: (02) 383-0383) offers double rooms (maximum occupancy three persons) for about LE 300, or choose a cabin for LE 350,
M?venpick Resort Cairo-Pyramids (tel: (02) 385-2555) provides a day-use package for LE 250 per double room
M?venpick Media City (tel: (02) 855-5005/6/7) near Sixth of October City. The day-use rate is LE 263 for a double room from 11am to 7pm, and up to four people can share the same room
Day use of a double room at the Sofitel Hotel in Maadi (tel: (02) 526-0601) costs around LE 200, and guests can bring two children under 12 years of age along free of charge
At the Semiramis InterContinental (tel: (02) 795-7171): The day rate for a double room for Egyptians is in the LE 350 range BUT You can even enjoy a day at the health club, without booking a day use, for LE 85. (Maybe health club package also includes pool?)
Sheraton Royal Gardens (Now: Amarante Pyramids, Tel: +20 (02) 37 81 22 11 in Giza for LE 300, inclusive of tax and service charges, with a maximum of four people per room. Did not know it was Sheraton Royal Gardens before , explains the relatively lush environment: http://www.amarantepyramids.com/
Sonesta Cairo Hotel & Casino (tel: (02) 262-8111) where guests can enjoy day use services for LE 300. A room takes three persons and kids are welcome
Novotel Cairo Airport (tel: (02) 291-8520) charges LE 250 excluding service charges for a regular room that takes two adults and two children
I also just opened Hotels, Cairo in Tripadvisor and then checked to sort for hotels with pools only (44 such). Lots of hotels I had never even heard of.. Now if anyone would simply call them and inquire.
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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Wikipedia says: Heliopolis suburb is full of recreational places, as it was initially established to offer its residents and visitors rest and relaxation. Heliopolis club is one of the most luxurious sporting clubs in Egypt. /.../
Other sporting clubs include El Shams Club (biggest in size and no. of members), Heliolido club, El-Ghaba club, El-Tayaran club and others.
Probably look for phones/addresses on Yellow Pages or sim???
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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Clubs are too much nuisance, generally you have to go with a member and then there are restrictions, I went to the Wadi Degla Club once, it was a farce. As for HSC... I am still waiting for a reply from them re: my badminton enquiry!!! Useless!
I think I will stick to looking at hotels as they are much more accommodating. And easier to access without relying on others to sign you in.
I don't want to call and enquire lol... I wanted to see if anyone had any personal info.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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I know and they are also generally empty during the day or what, in difference from clubs. But this question has been up so many times already that I do not think anyone has much info .
My friends have only used Semiramis and Hilton and first is a bit exp though nice they liked it and second is now under renovation or what? It did have a nice package before, i think 250LE and 4 pers allowed.
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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The swimming pool in Nabila Hotel in Mohandessen is a personal favorite. It is calm, clean and private. The pool is usually visited by foreigners living in Cairo and a handful of the hotel's residents. The entrance fee is LE40 and the place offers food and drinks at reasonable prices as well. What makes Nabila Hotel swimming pool very special, however, is the relaxed vibe. The workers are nice, the atmosphere is easy-going and calm, and your privacy is ensured. The best part is, no loud house music. The worst part is that the swimming pool might be a bit too small. But if you just want to sunbathe and take a dip, this is the place for you.
In the past I usually went to the Safir Hotel (which is also mentioned in the above article) but prices were way more reasonable of course - a meager 30 LE which included lunch.
What about the pool at the Atlas Zamalek Hotel in Mohandseen?? I remember I used it too for a decent fee.
I also went numerous times to the Sakkara Country Club there to the pool for day use. Has anyone been there before???
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by nevermind: My friends have only used Semiramis and Hilton and first is a bit exp though nice they liked it and second is now under renovation or what?
It's becoming a Ritz-Carlton.
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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I know, but do they keep it running and then do they let you use the pool? R-C in Sharm is really let down, wonder if they will simply let it go once they set up business in Cairo. Or they simply have a period of not caring, same applies to the Four Seasons in SSH, of course. Maybe their clientelle simply does not need resorts at Red Sea.
Tiger, you work for a news clipping service, or what? Because from where this amazing ability to dig out anything comes??? (In way of serious admiration, here )
Sakkara... saw an article somewhere isn't this place quite Egyptian dominated? In way I mean that you cannot really walk around in swim clothes there?
But Semiramis 6 mths pass is interesting, if I were in Cairo...
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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It's a disease; there is no cure for it. It's my SECRET cross to bear..... shhhhhh. Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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Sakkara, yeah it was mostly Egyptians there but I remember some cool pool parties at night at Sakkara Palm Club with dancing, beer etc..... I think once my friend who was at the time visiting me and I were the only foreign girls there hehe..... good times. Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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What about the aqua park on ismalia desert road,on the way to 10th Ramadan. Its not so busy during the day and its includes food, around 50 egp I think. Or if you want, any day except friday/saturday(no guests allowed) and you want to rehab pool.. lovely, its 20 for a non member beingsigned in by a member and 20 egp to access the resort pool, total 40egp, let me know and I'll sign you in.. Food is served, burgers pizza's etc around 15 egp with soft drinks.. only downfall is women have to wear a swim cap... (ya look a stunnner let me tell ya!) you can buy these on site at the ladies changing room for 15 le or I have loads. I can drop you there with friends and leave you to it.
Posts: 129 | From: In the land of plenty | Registered: Mar 2008
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Oh no! I could never not wear a bikini and I certainly would never wear a swimming cap! I like my hair to lighten in the sun, it makes me look more tanned
By the looks of what folk have noted I seem to have found the 2 ideal most ideal pools for myself really.
I mean I like the Sonesta, I had to ask them to turn Shakira off as she was ruining my day (changed for Celine which was worse, thank God for ipods)... and it is walkable so I guess that is the one for me.
And I love the Novotel, there are more Egyptians than Westerners there which I don't mind as they are all pretty damn cool and accept us 'tourists' being there The pool is nice and swimable there... It is just a nightmare getting a taxi where the meter isn't fixed or a b&w that won't triple the actual fee! One guy last week asked me just to get in his normal car and pay him. Yeah right!
Mrs Hassan, I will take you up on your offer as that is an ace bargain.
I used to go to Le Passage and Meridian but it seems day use has been cancelled, shame, as La Passage was my old haunt! The Meridien pool is not too good though, it is not ground level and on a windy day it can be quite hurricane like up there.... again though... walkable.
Shame the Oasis hasn't got a pool!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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With Cairo traffic, and you sharing a car w friends, wouldn't it be easier then to simply drive to Ain Sokhna?
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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What do you mean Oasis hasn't got a pool, a pool is sprayed all over its website and tripadvisor reviews...
Otherwise, with Cairo traffic, and you sharing a car w friends, wouldn't it be easier then to simply drive to Ain Sokhna and use a beach there?
Or, if are a keen pool user, then re-shuffle all those expenses and move into a pooled compound instead?
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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Yes - swimming hats. Dreamclub occasionally has a clamp down on those, but the speedo caps are like trying to pull a condom over your head and rip your hair out in the event you can actually get it on without looking like the Alien invaded your skull.
Last time I was in the UK I ordered a couple of bubble caps (http://www.swimstop.co.uk/bubble_hats.html) which actually go on easily - got you one Mrs H if you want it. Plus I stole one of your speedo caps - gotta give it back!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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Oasis Heliopolis has no pool. Sorry, I didn't stipulate which Oasis. That is the closest hotel to my pad.
Ain sokhna is more a day trip than a quick dip, we plan Ain Sokhna with a mini bus and a driver so we can all have a few beers and chill out. We tend to go if there is a golf tournament or a special occasion. I am not overly keen on swimming in the sea... I am not a fan of sand and water mixed together either! But we do use some lovely hotel pools there included with the cost of the hotel room.
I think moving apartment for a pool through the summer is a bit drastic lol.
We go to Alex to the Villa there now and then and use the beach up there too... I am not short of places to go, I just wondered if there were any more places I could try that weren't over-priced.
SQ... I remember as a kid having to wear a hat... I used to load it with talc first so when I took it off my hair was as grey as Shergars!!!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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Hah, CF, got you! So which hotel pools in Sokhna are the nicest? visually or by service attitude or wehatever but I need a nice beach, too! not too small and not too crowded.
= move apartment for a pool all the year round. Why not.
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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I have been in Egypt way too long to go in the water before June... and I never go in after October! WAY too cold for me.
We go to the Golf Hotel that has a pool with a view of the course and you get an access pass to a private beach as well... I cannot recall prices as it is complicated to work out, depending if you play golf, have lunch inc and if you use the spa!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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It is Stella then. Thanks! A bit too elegant this time, for running all wet after two sandy kids . I´ll be elegant later in year, when we plan a Sharm holiday, but for now I was hoping for some run-down old watering place where we can sit down on the beach and do the poking in sand in all peace, with as few people immediately around as possible . Guess it will have to be Palmera then, still.
Though Stella Grand actually looks pretty inviting, too, now that I looked into it. But hugely popular and crowded, I am afraid.
Posts: 1051 | From: Menoufeya | Registered: Feb 2005
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Even on day trips to the seaside we only go to Stella. We have nailed how to get in the Stella Hotel pool for free as well. From Cairo to AS you can hire a minibus for 15 people and it will cost 600le between you for 12hrs including the driver.
In all the years I have been going there I have never seen it overly busy. Not compared to Alex which was the worst experience of my life one August.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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