handmaiden

Hello fellow Fodorites! I am now looking for a hotel while I am in Cairo. I need to know what neighborhood I should stay in if I want to be close to the "action." I enjoy wandering around and don't want to be out in the hinterlands of Cairo. What neighborhood would be best for me?

Thank you for your help.

Handmaiden of Th--

Jean_Valjean

Most hotels are in three areas, either in Central Cairo, Heliopolis or around the pyramids. We stayed one night in the Le Meridien in Heliopolis, and that sucked. There's very little around to see. We stayed for three nights at the Mena House Oberoi, and it was a much better experience. I don't think I would like staying in Central Cairo, but then again that may be the way to go if you want to be in the middle of things.

Grcxx3

What kind of "action" are you talking about.......nightlife, sights, shopping?

As for sights and shopping - central Cairo or Giza would be best. Giza has the majic of the pyramids, but it is a 20-30+ minute cab (depending on traffic) away from the Khan el Khalili, the Egyptian Museum, and other central city sights.

Jean is right - don't stay in Heliopolis - there isn't anything there.

handmaiden

Yes, I want to stay in central Cairo. Is Garden City considered central Cairo? What about the island (begins with a "z&quot in the Nile? Just what is considered central Cairo?

I don't think I want to stay in Giza. I will hire a guide to take me to see the Sphinx and the pyramids.

Thanks for your help.

Toshi

I think you're referring to Zamelek, which We've stayed there several times at the Marriott. The Marriott is nice because it is large, has a nice pool, lovely grounds, and many restaurants including an outdoor cafe/shisha bar that is good for people watching.

It's right on the Nile and you can walk half mile or so down the river to go to some restaurants that are located on boats on the Nile.

handmaiden

Thanks for the replies. I have sent an email to Hotel Longchamp in Zemelek to book a room for a week. Can I walk to the Antiquities Museum from this neighborhood? I can easily walk three miles.

Handmaiden

Sabrosa

Hi

Was in Cairo for a week a while ago and stayed at the Garden City house hotel (www.gardencityhouse.com), sort of a rambling old fashioned boarding house, lots of archaeologists staying there, just around the corner from the Cairo museum. Didn't take us long to get anywhere; it's in the diplomatic section of the city. It's a budget option, but the rooms are big and clean and inexpensive, with really friendly staff. Easy to arrange trips to the pyramids too, Los Amigos budget tours were great and arranged a great trip if you're short on time. www.losamigos.plus.com

Just don't eat at the hotel. The food was terrible.

thit_cho

I have been to Cairo three times, and I have stayed on Zemalek once (at the Marriott), but I prefer the location of the Nile Hilton and the Intercontinental, from where you could easily walk to the Museum -- in fact, the museum is practically in the parking lot of the Nile Hilton.

But, you should keep in mind that taxis are plentiful and very inexpensive -- I would not recommend Heliopolis, which is more convenient for early morning departures from the airport, or staying near the pyramids for more than a night or two. I did stay at Mena House for two nights, and it was very convenient to the pyramids and sites near Gize (like Memphis and Saqara), but its about 30+ minutes from the city center.

Cairo is amazing -- I have been three times and I can't wait to return.

Michael