Kempinski Hotel--Cairo
 

We are leaving for Cairo on December 15 unless things totally blow up. Right now reports are that outside of Tahrir Square there are not problems. We have reservations at the Kempinski which is a little more than a mile away from the square but have another reservation in Giza. Would prefer the Kempinski but just don't know. We can cancel both as late as the day before.

Casual Cairo or anyone else who is there--what our your thoughts? And..thanks for your insights.

The Kempinski is a nice hotel and far enough away from what is going on to be safe at the hotel. The problem with that hotel at any time is that the location isn't wonderful for getting out and wandering around - like going to other restaurants to eat or getting out to shop or whatever you might want to do within walking distance of your hotel.
The other issue with that hotel is that it is only approachable from the Cornishe headed south. That means that you have to go south as you leave the hotel and if you are wanting to come back to something like the Museum, you will probably have to go some distance out of your way to avoid Tahrir Sq.
No matter where you are you will have to go some distance in some round about routes to get where you are going perhaps, so maybe that isn't the biggest issue. For me the biggest would be the lack of places to walk to to eat outside my hotel or do things outside the hotel.
If you want the BEST hotel for location, I think the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek is placed better. It would be a step down from the Kempinski, but it is nice, and there must be 25 restaurants within an easy and safe walk from there to choose from.
Where are you thinking of in Giza? If you are thinking the Mena House or the Le Meridian, you run into the same issue with restaurants outside the hotel - few and far between.
If you are happy with staying in your hotel and paying hotel prices for all your meals, that is fine and I'm sure the restaurants there are lovely. :)

We were able to negotiate a good deal (I think) at the Kempinski--$265 (USD) for suite, 3 people, extra bed, breakfast, inclusive of all taxes and fees. I just tried the Marriott and the site says they have no rooms for 3 people--even 2 adults and a child. I will call Marriott tomorrow to see if talking to a real person will be different. Like the idea of having places to walk at night for dinner. I think though that with the Marriott giving prices in euro, they will end up being more expensive.

The Mena House quote was way out of line. The Meridian gave a pretty good price. We are really confused as to what to do. It is late to be revisiting decisions already made. We will originally at the Hilton but that was too close to Tahrir Square.

What about the Longchamps?

The Longchamps is perfect and a very good choice, but it is 3 stars, not 5 stars. If you want luxury, you might not feel as it the Longchamps is good enough. But, for my money it is the best value in Cairo. It's as close to a Bed and Breakfast as we have available at the price. Write to them at [email protected] and see if one of their triples is available for the nights you need.

I think the Kempinski would be fine...and I would guess that right now rates should be virtually negotiable with all the uncertainty. The fact that they have named a Mubarak "cronie" to be in charge certainly will not help the situation. As far as walking to restaurants that sort of depends on how long you are staying. A long stay yes nice to roam around for restaurant choices. Cabs are easy and frankly some of the best restaurants are in the hotels and after a full day of touring we are very happy to stay inside. At best walking in Cairo can be challenging and I would agree that Marriott Zamalek is the best for walking. Longchamps sounds charming however different from a B and B in Europe so make sure, if it is available that you are clear how different it is from Kempinski. Again it is in a very good location.

We were so exhausted at the end of our days in/around Cairo that the idea of going out for dinner, didn't appeal, so it was the hotel for us. Our first few days were at the Movenpick (down the road from Mena House) in Giza and at the end of our trip was at Zamalek, believe the Sheraton. However, if we had the wish to eat elsewhere, we knew a short taxi ride would be easy enough.

I did write Longchamps last night and it is appealing, particularly after your thoughts, Casual Cairo. The whole 3 nights would be just a few $'s more than one night at the Kempinski. We like luxury but are quite at home in BandB's and 3 star places. In fact, we often find them more interesting and appealing. Now to figure this all out and made a decision--thought I had this all taken care of weeks ago. A huge thank you to all who are helping with it.

I really really disliked the Cairo Marriott. The attitude of staff was atrocious.

Miss Green - I know you've said that before, but I find everyone there quite nice. Is there any reason you can think of that they might have been testy for some other reason. And was it really EVERYONE, or just some at the front desk or at a restaurant that you encountered? As many times as I've been in there, I've never seen them to be anything but quite decent - evem usually when I'm giving them a bad time. Did they give you a crappy room and wouldn't change it when you asked, or just what happened? :?

CC.. it was the whole feeling of the place and disinterest by 95% staff. I was just made to feel really uncomfortable in general. The surroundings were beautiful (except the pool could of been nicer). Actually CC now that you mention the front desk. The guy there was the only one from memory that was quite smooth and sweet he told me upon checking out that he hated it when beautiful people left!

Perhaps we were spoilt at other hotels by the attentiveness.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/eg/cair...casino.en.html

91% LOVE the Marriott.com including me get great

FREE suite food preferred guest upgrades...

Wise to join preferred guest program it is free

Their credit card is a great deal right now

60000 points with first use good for up to 6 free nights.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/eg/jw-m...-cairo.en.html

JW is super duper too in Heliopolis lots better

place to be currently...

I love both... especially the preferred guest upgrades.

We stayed at the Hotel Longchamps per Casual Cairo's suggestion two Christmases ago and absolutely LOVED it! We were so glad that we didn't stay at the Marriott or any of the other Western style hotels.The Marriott is overpriced;too big and impersonal and quite honestly made me feel as though it was a perfect place to target tourists .We went over there one night to check it out possibly for dinner and left because our family felt as though we were in the middle of a tour bus hotel.
The Longchamps hotel is in a wonderful neighborhood just a few blocks from the Marriott but it has the corner drugstore,great restaurants down the street,grocery stores,schools at the other corner,etc.The area is safe,clean and the people are very friendly and helpful.
The hotel is like an oasis after the noise and craziness of Cairo and touring.The rooms are wonderful(and I stay all around the world with my job with the airlines).There are places to sit and have a drink;balconies with plants to sit and chat;books for loan and travel books to reference;free internet and a great breakfast every morning. I cannot say enough about this wonderful hotel-the owner used to work for Lufthansa and she knows customer service and what is important to her guests.

Forgot to add,I would NOT call the Hotel Longchamps a B and B in any sense of the word.It is an Egyptian hotel with great service,rooms,cleanliness and price.
My perspective is(forgive me for saying this)-
If you want to stay with Bob and Ethel from Des Moines Iowa with their tour group OR Mr. and Mrs. Moneybags from Texas with their upgrade points paying $9/$12 USD for a beer then the Longchamps might not be your place? Just saying.....

Dutyfree - LOL and glad you liked the Longchamps.
When I say it is as close to a B&B as we have here, it's the "as we have here" that may be the key words. :)