Al

What can you tell us about this place? Location? Amenities? Noise? We are heading for Cairo in October on a tour and wonder if our tour operator has made a good move. Originally, our group was scheduled to go to the Cairo Marriott.

cb

We stayed at the Mena house when we went to Cairo March, 1998. It is very close to the pyramids, in fact you can walk to it from the hotel. The original section has great views of the pyramids, but we had the cheaper newer room. It was quite clean, but another couple in our tour complained about theirs. We had no problem with noise. We were too busy seeing Cairo sights and experiencing Egypt to take note of ameneties. It has a swimming pool but was closed the time we were there due to sand storms.

Paula

The Cairo Marriott is in Cairo - right in the center of the city in a converted palace. <BR> <BR>The Mena House is a 5* hotel a stone's throw from the Pyramids - you can practically touch the Pyramid. It is a converted rest house that was built for the opening of the Suez Canal. Churchill stayed there as did Montgomery during WWII - it is rich in history. It is in Giza about 45 - 60 minutes out of Cairo on a good day. The service is excellent as is the food. It is in its own complex so there is no noise factor. <BR>They have a nightclub and casino although not earthshaking. There is a garden section which is newer and the main building which dates to the Suez canal building. There is international phone, TV, fridges, etc. There is a large swimming pool and they are across from the riding stables for horses and camels. They own the only golf course in Cairo which is down the street a bit.

cyndi

We stayed at the Mena House in November 1996. It's public rooms are absolutely gorgeous. Oberoi Hotels is an Indian Hotel chain, and as such, the hotel is decorated in a mix of moorish/indian architecture and design. The rooms associated with tours aren't the greatest but they are far better than the Cairo Marriott (we stayed there at the beginning of our tour - YUK!). <BR> <BR>The Mena House is just down the hill from Cheops pyramid. We had a wonderful view of the sun rising over the pyramids from our garden patio. The restaurants are quite good as well and no one from the tour became sick from the food (this was not true everywhere). As usual don't eat anything that hasn't been cooked - I do mean anything - no fruit, no veggies, no salads - and brush your teeth with bottled water! <BR> <BR>Anyway back to the Mena House- since it is by the pyramids, it is on the outskirts of Cairo and not centrally located for access to the souks/ museum. <BR>However, the Mena House has a FREE shuttle into central Cairo and back. Just inquire at the front desk as to when it leaves. Do NOT let the door man flag you a cab. The cabs permitted on the hotel grounds are considered limosine service and will cost about $40 .If you want to get a cab into Cairo,walk outside of the hotel complex, there's a zillion cabs on the main drag that'll take you into town for a few bucks. <BR> <BR>Since the hotel is located on the outskirts, the noise level is minimal. You'll notice how much noisier it is in central Cairo than by the hotel. The hotel has all standard amenities you'd expect from a hotel at the 5 star level. <BR>Pool, room fridges, exceptional room service, concierge, bars, restaurants, night club etc. <BR>

michele

The Mena House was just named one of the top five hotels in the Middle East by GOURMET magazine's readers. (MAY 99). <BR> <BR>Their recommendations have never let me down..have fun. Which tour are you taking?

Martin Conneely

I would agree about the public rooms being extremely attractive but they couldn't provide me with a cup of coffee in the bar at 9.30 pm. Restaurants very good too. French wine was about 8 pounds sterling a _glass_! I found the tip seeking by the porters and greeters a bit overpowering, though.

Al

Michele: we are going with Overseas Adventure Travel. Thanks to everyone for your help. Sounds as if we have a winner -- if we avoid the wine-by-the-glass!

suisse

I just returned from a 5 day stay at Mena House and I highly recommend it. The breakfast (which begings at 3am!) was very good, as was the food in the various hotel restaurants, and no one in my party of four had any trouble with the food. The view is wonderful, as is proximity to the Pyramids. The pool is currently open and a wonderful place to relax after a hectic day in Cairo. Although originally booked in the garden (cheaper) section, we were all able to upgrade our rooms to the elegant Palace section at no additional charge.