Tag: Great Sphinx

Hotels in Cairo offer cozy access to a destination nicknamed “The City of a Thousand Minarets”. So-named for its prevalent Islamic architecture, The City of a Thousand Minarets’ main draw undoubtedly is its ancient pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, was constructed in 2570 BC and stands 481 feet tall, which is nearly 1/3 the height of the Empire State Building. Khufu is estimated to have taken 20 years to build, with costs at around $5 billion in today’s terms. Keep in mind that tourists are allowed inside The Great Pyramid. Known also for its architecture, museums, bazaars, nightlife and education, Cairo is located along the Nile River in northern Egypt. Northward of Cairo, toward the port-city Alexandria, is lush, while southward radiates expansive desert. Eastward from Cairo, an artificial waterway, The Suez Gulf, connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Bordering Egypt is Israel to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. When traveling to Cairo, it’s best to drink purified water and stay hydrated, to tip in restaurants, to dress conservatively and to carry your own toilet paper! Keep in mind also that you may experience more security checks than with other destinations. Public displays of affection such as hugging, kissing and even holding hands are not advisable. Cairo’s currency is the the Egyptian pound, cars travel on the right side of the road (most times) and the drinking age is 21 years old. Al-Ahly SC, Egypt’s most successful football club, plays its games at Al Ahly WE – Al Salam stadium on the city’s north side. Hotels in Cairo offer some of the best experiences in all of Africa. Before we get to hotels in Cairo, let’s take a look at some background information on the area to help you along the way.

While the Pharaoh Khufu built The Great Pyramids of Giza in 2560 BC, the city of Cairo itself was founded in 969 AD. Egypt’s ancient capital was Memphis. Located due-south of present-day Cairo, Memphis operated during the Old Kingdom until the Ptolemaic period. In around 30 BC, the Babylon Fortress was constructed by the the Roman emperor Diocletian. Around 641 AD, by way of the Muslim conquest of Byzantine Egypt, Fustat became the first capital of Egypt under Muslim rule. Following the Abbasids’ overthrow of the Umayyad caliphate circa 750, the new provicial capital al-Askar replaced Fustat. A subsequent capital named al-Qata’i was established by former Turkic slave-soldier Ahmad ibn Tulun in 868. Fatimid General Jawhar Al Saqili founded a new fortified city in 969 that would become Cairo. The word “Cairo” originated from Caliph al-Mu’izz li Din Allah’s use of the phrase Qāhirat al-Mu’izz (“The Vanquisher of al-Mu’izz”) in 973. Initially, Cairo was exclusive to caliphs, who lived lavishly at The Great Palaces of the Fatmid Caliphs. Saladin, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty who famously defeated an immense Crusader army at the Battle of Hattin, was appointed vizier of Egypt in 1169. Saladin’s construction of Cairo Citadel effectively transitioned Cairo from an exclusive palace-city to a city that welcomed common Egyptians and foreign merchants, thus advancing commercial development. From 1250-1517, after the Seventh Crusade, the Mamluk Empire rose to power and was credited with repelling Mongol advances as well as eliminating the last Crusader states in the Levant. Soldiers and builders, The Mamluks had their own architectural style. In 1516, the Ottomans defeated Sultan al-Ghuri in the Battle of Marj Dabiq. Sultan Selim I, ruling from Constantinople, made Egypt a province and Cairo its capital. Cairo expanded from its nucleus around the Citadel farther south and west under Ottoman rule. The Middle East’s first printing press was established in Cairo circa 1557. Napolean arrived to take control of Egypt and thus Cairo in 1798. French occupation was short-lived, as British, Ottoman and Albanian forces recaptured Egypt in 1801. Albanian-Ottoman Muhammad Ali Pasha was made viceroy of Egypt in 1805. Isma’il Pasha, Muhammad Ali Pasha’s grandson, established a public works ministry, brought gas and lighting to the city and opened a theater and opera house. Though ambitious, Isma’il Pasha racked up considerable debt for the city, resulting in European control by way of a British invasion in 1882. British occupation was intended to be temporary, though lasted into the 20th century, leading to Egyptian nationalism. On February 28, 1922, the United Kingdom recognized Egypt as an independent state through the Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence. British troops, however, remained in the country, which led to the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 and a British departure. Cairo continued to expand rapidly, going from a population of nearly 3 million in 1947, to over 16 million in 2006.

Egypt’s capital city, Cairo has a population of around 10 million people today. One of Africa’s biggest cities, The City of a Thousand Minarets is the 6th-most populated metropolitan area on Earth. Cairo is home to the Arab world’s largest and oldest film and music industries, and is a top-ranking Middle Eastern city in terms of economy. It has long been a center for politics and culture, with the second-oldest higher education institution in the world, Al-Azhar University. Defined by a hot desert climate, Cairo has average high temperatures ranging from 95 degrees Fahrenheit in July to 66 degrees in January. Major points of interest include Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx of Giza, the Nile, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Muizz Street, Talaat Harb Square, Azhar Park, Baron Empain Palace, Cairo Citadel, Egyptian Museum, Gezira Island, Cairo University, Cairo International Stadium, Historic Cairo, Cairo Opera House, Tahrir Square, Coptic Cairo, and Al Hakim Mosque.  Cairo foods include falafel, shawarma, hummus, pita bread, simit (a type of circular bread), hawawshi (a pita stuffed with minced meat, vegetables and spices) and Koshary (Eqypt’s national dish consisting of lentils, rice, tomato sauce, cayenne pepper, pasta and onions). Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited, though beer, liquor and wine are most common in bars and hotels. Equipped with some background information on the city, it’s time for hotels in Cairo that will help make for a memorable experience.

 

 

 

Crown Hotel

16 Gawad Housny

Koshari Abu Tarek

Offering free WiFi, a shared lounge, a bar, a casino, express check-in and check-out, room service, a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen, currency exchange, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, hair dryers, electric tea pots, a continental breakfast, meeting and banquet facilities, a business center, a fax machine and photocopier and an ATM machine, Crown Hotel sits close to Arabia Coffee, Underground Store (shopping mall), Paris Cafee, Sindbad (cafe), Halawany El-Neel – Ahmed Attia (confectionery) and more.

Within feet:

• • • Pomodoro Restaurant Downtown
    • Koshari Abu Tarek
    • Central Bank of Egypt
    • The Egyptian Museum

Within 1.1 miles:

• • • Muizz Street

Within 1.8 miles: 

• • • Cairo Citadel

Within 3.1 miles:

• • • Coptic Museum

Within 6 miles:

• • • Baron’s Palace

Within 8 miles:

• • • Giza Pyramids
    • Great Sphinx

Crown Hotel is 10.2 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (family room): $57

Cost per person (four people): $15

 

 

 

Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel

5 Hadayek Alahram

Giza Pyramids

Featuring a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, a shared lounge, an ATM, free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, room service, currency exchange, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, fridges, electric tea pots, bidets, hairdryers, balconies and a sun terrace, Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel is found close to Golden Bird (antique store), Royal Pyramids Restaurant, Church of the Great Martyr Saint George, Masjed El Salhen (mosque), Cleopatra Egypt Tours (travel agency), Gold’s Gym Pyramids, The View (patisserie) and more.

Within feet:

• • • Giza Pyramids
    • Great Sphinx

Within 4.4 miles:

• • • IBM – Egypt

Within 4.6 miles: 

• • • El Giza Train Station
    • KPMG Egypt

Within 4.7 miles:

• • • Dream Park

Within 4.9 miles:

• • • Cairo University

Within 5.6 miles:

• • • Dreamland Golf Resort

Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel is 17.1 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (family suite): $161

Cost per person (six people): $27

 

 

 

Jana Pyramids View Inn

Giza

Great Sphinx

Jana Pyramids View Inn provides free WiFi, air conditioning, a shared lounge, barbecue facilities, balconies, fully-equipped kitchenettes, fireplaces, seating areas, flat-screen TVs, washing machines, hot tubs, continental or à la carte breakfast, a sun terrace, bicycle rental service and car rental service. Gallopers Club Tours & Safaris (tourist attraction), Bedouin Palace Oils & Perfumes (perfume store), Tree Lounge Pyramids Branch (restaurant) and more are within range.

Within feet:

• • • Great Sphinx
    • Giza Pyramids

Within 2.2 miles:

• • • Cataract Pyramids Resort

Within 6 miles: 

• • • Coptic Museum

Within 8 miles:

• • • The Egyptian Museum
    • Abdeen Palace
    • Cairo Citadel
    • Islamic Art Museum

Jana Pyramids View Inn is 19 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night: $17

 

 

 

Seven Pyramids Inn

Giza

Great Sphinx

With garden views, a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, a bar, a garden, a terrace, free WiFi, air conditioning, patios, balconies, seating areas, continental or halal breakfast and a shared louge, Seven Pyramids Inn is found near LUCKY BAZAAR (souvenir store), UpperAttract (restaurant), Nino Sandwich Shop, Rokna (coffee shop), Restaurant Pyramids (barbecue restaurant), Sira Restaurant & Cafe (family restaurant), AIRBUS TOURS (tour agency) and more.

Within feet:

• • • Great Sphinx
    • Giza Pyramids

Within 4 miles:

• • • City View Park

Within 6 miles: 

• • • Orman Botanical Garden
    • Coptic Museum

Within 8 miles:

• • • AUC Tahrir Square
    • The Egyptian Museum
    • Cairo Citadel

Within 12 miles:

• • • The 6th of October War Panorama

Seven Pyramids Inn is 12 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night: $78

 

 

Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo

Kasr El Nile

The Egyptian Museum Cairo

Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo features an outdoor pool, a sauna, an on-site restaurant, free WiFi, private parking, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, a gift shop and car hire. You may find Egypt Tours (sightseeing tour agency), Carol (bar and restaurant), Om Dahab (restaurant), Upper Deck Lounge, The Egyptian Museum Cairo, The Royal Mummies Hall, Tomb of Mariette (cemetary), Crockfords Cairo (casino) and more within range.

Within feet:

• • • Tahrir Square
    • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    • The Egyptian Museum Cairo
    • Ramses Hilton Hotel Shopping Mall
    • Pomodoro Restaurant Downtown
    • Cairo Tower

Within 1.5 miles:

• • • Mosque of Ibn Tulun

Within 2 miles: 

• • • Cairo Citadel

Within 7.6 miles:

• • • Giza Pyramids

Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo is 10.6 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (suite): $381

 

 

 

Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence

35 Giza Street

Orman Botanical Garden

Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence offers impressive skyline views, a full-service, top-floor spa, a sauna, a hot tub, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, stylish colonial decor, flat-screen TVs, BOSE entertainment systems, DVD players, an on-site casino, room service, car rental services, airport limousine services and multiple food and beverage options. Nearby you’ll find Fibers Club (gym), The Pharaohs (cruising restaurants), Hayda Lebanese Restaurant, Sunset (coffee shop), Keji (restaurant), Eat & Barrel (restaurant), Asmak Restaurant, Fareh Boat (restaurant), Dahabia (restaurant), Ibis Snods Elneil (restaurant), Nile Dragon Boat (club), La Poire (bakery) and more.

Within feet:

• • • The First Mall
    • Cairo University
    • Orman Botanical Garden

Within 1.2 miles:

• • • El Giza Train Station

Within 1.3 miles: 

• • • Museum of Egyptian Modern Arts

Within 1.4 miles:

• • • Didos Al Dente
    • Al-Ahly Sports Club
    • Mar Girgis Metro Station
    • Cairo Opera House
    • Coptic Museum

Within 1.5 miles:

• • • Qasr el-Nil Bridge

Within 5.8 miles:

• • • Giza Pyramids
    • Great Sphinx

Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence is 12.3 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (royal suite): $19,344

Cost per person (nine people): $2,149

 

 

 

Castle Hotel

53 53- Noubar st., Abdeen

AUC Tahrir Square

Offering a shared lounge, a garden, a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, a terrace, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, a grill and car rental service, Castle Hotel is near Fish & Chips (seafood restaurant), Fire Gym and more.

Within feet:

• • • AUC Tahrir Square
    • Abdeen Palace
    • The Egyptian Museum
    • Islamic Art Museum
    • The Andalus Park

Within 1.1 miles:

• • • Cairo Tower
    • Museum of Egyptian Modern Arts

Within 1.5 miles: 

• • • The Azhar Park

Within 2.1 miles:

• • • Fustat Park

Within 6 miles:

• • • Baron’s Palace

Within 8 miles:

• • • Giza Pyramids
    • Great Sphinx

Castle Hotel is 12 miles from Cairo International Airport.

Approximate cost per night: $25

 

 

 

 

 

Midtown Penthouse

AUC Avenue, New Cairo City

El Zohour Club

Midtown Penthouse has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, free WiFi, air conditioning, a restaurant, garden access with a year-round outdoor pool, free private parking, a 24-hour front desk, a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen, a patio with lake views, a sun terrace and car rental service.  Spinneys Pearl Des Rois (grocery store), Smart market New Cairo (grocery store), Fedda Mall (shopping mall), Katameya Dunes Golf & Social club (golf course), Dunes Bar & Restaurant and more are in the vicinity.

Within feet:

• • • El Zohour Club
    • El Zohour Club Park

Within 3.5 miles:

• • • Petrosport Club

Within 6 miles: 

• • • SMASH KATTAMIA CLUB
    • Zahraa Madinet Nasr Military Officers Club

Within 9 miles:

• • • Wadi Degla Club

Midtown Penthouse is 9 miles from Cairo International Airport.