Cairo Hotels and Accommodation

(Cairo, Egypt)




Photo of the Sakkara PyramidsHotels can be found all over Cairo, including several close to the pyramids, and where you stay is often determined by your available budget. Most rates for all types of accommodation in Cairo are only used as a general estimate and are often negotiable. If you possess good bargaining skills, it is often possible to get rather surprising discounts, although most hotel receptionists will know if you are trying your luck. Alternatively, you can simply pay the suggested price.

On arrival in Cairo, do be on your guard for hotel touts, who will try all kinds of tricks to get you to change hotel and earn them a little commission. These include taxi drivers telling you that your hotel is actually now closed, or next to a brothel, or simply just very poor accommodation. Under no circumstances should you be dissuaded from visiting and entering your actual hotel. Also, if your hotel expects you to pay for your accommodation upfront, this is a clear indication that there may be a problem with the room itself and refunds are virtually impossible once you have paid.


Picture of Cairo city centre, showing the Egyptian Museum

Where to Stay

If you are looking for budget accommodation in Cairo, many of the best options lie around the downtown district. These come in the shape of cheap hotels and relatively inexpensive, basic hotels, many of which are centred around the Sharia Talaat Harb area and can often be found on the top floors of old apartment blocks. Whilst it is true to say the accommodation here really is in the very heart of Cairo, this tends to be a fairly lively area, with busy and somewhat noisy streets, although many cheap restaurants and top sights are not far away.

One of the best places to stay in the city is the leafy neighbourhood of Zamalek, which lies on the northern side of Gezira Island and is home to many superb dining venues, bars and cafes. Hotels here have the advantage of a fairly peaceful setting and are just a short distance from many of Cairo's main sightseeing opportunities. A number of mid-range hotels exist in this part of Cairo, although most are towards the top end.

Some of the most luxurious hotels in Cairo reside along the banks of the River Nile in the Bulaq area, the Garden City district, close to the pyramids of Giza, around Gezira and also in the Zamalek neighbourhood. Many of the top hotel brands have a strong presence in the city of Cairo, such as Hilton, Intercontinental, Marriott and Four Seasons, all of which offer a high standard of accommodation and excellent amenities.