This is the great colonial-era hotel in Cairo and it began life in the mid-19th century as a hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail, the Egyptian ruler. Since becoming a hotel, it has hosted almost every politician, celebrity, and member of royalty to visit Egypt. There have been a number of expansions over the years (many of them unsuccessful), but the core of the hotel remains the Moorish fantasy lodge of old. Of course, it is the view of the pyramids, so close you can almost touch them, that will leave you gasping—rooms with a view are in such demand that there is a $15 per-person charge just to guarantee one, plus the premium for the room. Also, the old section is a thousandfold more atmospheric than the new garden wing. If you're contemplating a splurge on a suite, this is the place to do it, because the suites here are the only rooms with period furniture. The downside is that the Mena House is at least 45 minutes from downtown, so you might consider a one-night stay for the day you visit the pyramids. There is a clear hierarchy of rooms here and the best of them go fast, so book six months or more in advance.
Posted by Rhardy5554 from Seattle area on 2/2/09
This is a superb property - literally next door to the pyramids (which means, incidentally, as far from the airport as you can get). Service is wonderful, the grounds are lovely, and the on-site Indian restaurant is wonderful. We were there on a tour, so I can't comment on value.
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