I was told by a tourist from Ireland never to stay in a 3 star hotel in Egypt because there a 5 star hotel would be equivalent to 3 star hotel in Ireland.
I read some high recc. for Museum View and City View hotels both in downtown Cairo.
any opinions?

I don't know about those hotels in particular, but there are some 5-star hotels in Egypt that would be considered 5 stars anywhere (Four Seasons Cairo, Mena House), but mostly I'd say the 5-star hotels would be what you might consider 4 stars in the US (i.e. what they call 5 stars would generally equate to a typical US Marriott, Westin and the like).

Now, my family (not me) did stay overnight on their return to Cairo from Sharm at a 3-star hotel, and they basically told me I "would not have been happy"

There are better hotels for less money than the City View, but it's OK. If it's got room and you want to be downtown, it has beds and some food in the AM that they call breakfast.

The Longchamps is by FAR the best value for a 3 star hotel, but getting a room there is difficult because it is the best.

<<...it has....some food in the AM that they call breakfast.>>

LOL! I'm sorry......that's just funny!!!!

Yeh, too funny Debbie......
Have to wonder if they're listed as a B&B?

Five stars for Longchamps. It's a wonderful experience in a great neighborhood.
And breakfast, while not Marriott standard, is quite good.