Where to stay in Cairo

The question of where to stay in Cairo is enough to cause cautious travelers to be utterly overwhelmed by the unknown.

Certainly, there’s an abundance of upscale, classy hotels in downtown Cairo.  These can bring comfort to those who are concerned about potential safety or cleanliness issues. 

There’s a Hilton, there’s a Marriott, there’s even a Four Seasons.  You know what you’ll be getting, and it can remove a lot of the stress that comes along with visiting a country you aren’t entirely sure about.

But there’s also a problem here, assuming you’re in Cairo to see the ancient sites (and let’s be honest, that’s why you should be there). The Pyramids aren’t exactly close to all these Cairo hotels, which tend to be clustered around Tahrir Square.

To me, the answer is simple: If you want to see the Pyramids, think about staying by the Pyramids.  If you’re searching for a Cairo hotel, consider changing your search and look in Giza.

Where to stay in Cairo?  Maybe you shouldn’t.

Yeah, I know — it’s not exactly the most beautiful photo you’ve ever seen in your life.  Cut me some slack, okay?  I’m just trying to give you a sense of what the view from a hotel in Giza is like.  There’s an entire street of hotels just like this one, and many more behind it. 

You’re looking down at what’s commonly referred to as the “Sphinx entrance,” where people enter for the Pyramids Sound & Light Show at night. 

The Sphinx itself is behind the tree in the center.  You can see everything more clearly from the rooftop, shown in the photo up at the top of this page.

Everything you need is right here.  Access to the Pyramid complex couldn’t be easier.  You’re closer to the sites at Saqqara and Dashur.  There’s plenty of places to eat, even the infamous Pyramid Pizza Hut. 

At night, you can watch the Sound & Light Show from the roof.  In the morning, you can watch the locals pulling carts of alfalfa to feed their horses while watching the rising sun light up some of the most spectacular monuments on the planet.

But there’s probably something you’re concerned about, so let’s just cut to the chase here: You’re wondering, “Is Giza safe?” 

Is Giza Safe?

We’re 2/2 on the basic-looking photos, aren’t we?  This is just a quick shot I took with my phone to show you the general area where the hotels are. 

Now, the issue of safety is one I come back to time and time again, and it all boils down to this: Looks can be deceiving.  I mean, Paris looks nice, but there’s definitely a non-zero chance that you’ll get pickpocketed there if you aren’t keeping your wits about you.

I think the best way to explain this is to relate a story.  While this area is very close to the “Sphinx entrance,” it’s a bit of a walk to the main entrance by the Great Pyramid.  I was having some GPS issues with my phone (don’t get me started), and ended up mildly lost through a maze of homes. 

I actually enjoy aimless wandering through foreign countries — they can often lead to the most unexpected and memorable moments of a trip — and the people walking about were kind and friendly.

But eventually you have to call it quits, and figure out some way to actually get over to where you’re going.  A teenager driving a Tuk-Tuk was more than happy to drive me over there. 

Typically you’d want to negotiate a price beforehand, but I knew it was close and didn’t bother.  About five minutes later, he tried to refuse any payment. Yes, I forced him to take money…but it wasn’t just him trying to negotiate or guilt me into something.  He genuinely didn’t want anything for his trouble.

You can click below to see a very short video of the very short ride.

The point I’m getting at is that parts of Giza can look rather “rough.”  It’s far from being the nicest spot you’ll ever visit, but again: Looks can be deceiving.  Just be smart about where you’re going and stick to where people are. And remember: Just because someone’s trying to sell you something doesn’t automatically make them dangerous.

Where to stay in Giza

I figured I may as well just make this entire page about less than stellar photos.  Having a theme is important, right?  I wish I had a good picture of the hotel room, but alas, this will have to do — a picture taken from down the street, inside the infamous Pyramid Pizza Hut.  I guess it’s about as relevant as posting an image of a Cairo hotel here.

As I said before, you’ve got two main options to choose from.  For the best view, you’ve got the hotels near the “Sphinx entrance.”  The one I have experience with is called the Great Pyramid Inn.

It’s…well, it’s fine.  I’d probably stick in the two-star range, and I imagine most hotels nearby are similar.  It’s nothing fancy, but it’s clean and there’s a decent rooftop restaurant.

The rooms have refrigerators and they give you free bottled water, which is nice considering you’re not going to be drinking from the tap.

You’re not drinking from the tap, are you?  Don’t do that.

You’ll find some substandard paint jobs and some little nail holes in the walls here and there.  But like I always say, you shouldn’t go on vacation to sit in a hotel room.

You should be prepared for a sales pitch on arrival, as they’ll try to get you to sign up for tours with their affiliated company.  This can be a bit of a hassle — but hey, it’s Egypt.  I think that’s just part of the culture there.  The cost for a room probably going to run in the $35-$50 a night range.  I’ve seen some on the streets behind this one going for as low as $10.

Now, for the more discerning travelers, the Mena House is probably where you’re going to want to stay.  It dates back to the 1800’s and is currently owned by Marriott.  It’s rather pricey for Egypt, generally around $150-$200 a night.  

One benefit of this hotel is that it’s very close to the main entrance to the Pyramid complex — the front gate is literally right across the street. 

But for me, the biggest drawback is that you can’t see all three main Pyramids from here.  Additionally, the proximity to the entrance can also mean you won’t be forced to wander about, which isn’t necessarily a good thing from where I sit.

That should do it for this topic — let’s move on, shall we?

Note: Everything I say here is my own personal opinion, and may not work best for everyone. I’m far from an expert, so please just do whatever is best for you, and be sure to visit the TripAdvisor Forums to ask questions and do some more research!