7 Best Luxury Hotels in Cairo, Egypt

If we're all being honest here, who among us doesn't truly appreciate a 5-star luxury hotel? Very few of us, we imagine. And if you're planning a trip to Cairo, then you're in luck because Cairo has a plethora of 5-star luxury hotels, which are not only a great experience in and of themselves, but also a very welcome calm oasis from the hustle and bustle and chaos of Cairo's streets.

And there's more good news: compared to the US and Europe, these high-end hotels in Cairo are definitely more affordable.

So if you’ve always wanted to have the 5-star hotel experience but found it just too damn expensive (we hear you) then Cairo just might be the place where you can indulge cheaper than you would anywhere else.

We compiled a list of our 7 favorite luxury hotels in Cairo based on which places produce the most bang for your buck, whether it comes to experience, location, view, restaurants, etc. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Sofitel Gezirah

Location: Zamalek

Sofitel Gezirah is one of our favorite hotels in Cairo for several reasons. First off, it’s an actual tower smack on the tip of the island of Zamalek in the middle of the Nile, so there’s no such thing as a bad view there. No looking out at the side of a brick building for you.

Secondly, most of their restaurants are literally on the water -- all you need to do is reach down from your dinner table and stick your hand in the river (not sure if you would want to, though). Thirdly, because Zamalek is considered central Cairo, it's not too far from anywhere you would want to go in Cairo.

Amenities:

• Indoor/outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Nile

• Fitness center

• Spa

  
  

Dining:

• Kebabgy Oriental Grill (Egyptian BBQ)

• La Palmeraie (Moroccan)

• Le Sud (international)

• La Madeleine (French patisserie)

• Window on the Nile (lounge)

• Sunny Bar (pool bar)

• Star Area (international)

• Aqua Rooftop Lounge

Local tip: La Palmeraie and Kebabgy have nightly live Egyptian music (and sometimes a belly dancer!), so it's a fun addition alongside your dinner, shisha or drink by the Nile.

What we love: how everything is on the water, including their infinity pool, plus their location (close to Zamalek nightlife and the Cairo Museum simultaneously).

2. Four Seasons Nile Plaza

Location: Garden City

We don’t know about you, but whenever we think of Four Seasons, we feel all fancy.

Four Seasons Nile Plaza is everything you’d expect of 5-star hotel -- great restaurants, shopping (they have a department store called Beymen), Nile views, awesome service, etc.

If you always wanted to have the Four Seasons experience, Cairo is a good place to start.

Amenities:

• Outdoor pool

• Indoor heated pool

• Spa

• Fitness center

• Health club

• Shopping

Dining:

• Riviera (Italian)

• Byblos (Lebanese)

• 8 (Chinese)

• Zitouni (Egyptian)

• Bullona (Mediterranean fusion)

• Le Galerie (international)

• Upper Deck Lounge (Asian-Latin fusion)

• The Bar (sushi & small bites)

• The Pool (pool bar)

• Beymen Cafe

Local tip: there’s also another Four Seasons in Cairo called the Four Seasons First Residence (in Giza), but Four Seasons Nile Plaza is the clear winner in our eyes.

What we love: their restaurants are all worth their salt.

For more info and reservations: Four Seasons Nile Plaza website

3. Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis

Location: Heliopolis

If you're looking for world-class luxury close to Cairo Airport (or just near the East Cairo/New Cairo suburbs in general), then the Waldorf Astoria Heliopolis is for you. Because it's only 10 minutes away from Cairo Airport, but further from the touristic sights than the other hotels on this list, it's an ideal choice for someone traveling to Cairo for business.

Amenities:

• Outdoor pool

• Spa

• Personal concierge

Dining:

• Brasserie Ayda (Mediterranean)

• Peacock Lounge (a tribute to the famous Peacock Alley in the Waldorf Astoria New York)

• Le Jardin (pool bar)

• Bar Raa (jazz bar)

What we love: their beautiful atrium!

4. Marriott Mena House

Location: Pyramids

You guys real talk, this hotel has *the* best view of the Giza pyramids of all hotels in the area. We also aren’t big fans of the other hotels in the Pyramids area but that’s a different story for a different day. It's also very close to the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Who wouldn’t want to swim with an ancient wonder of the world in the background? We’ll wait.

Amenities:

• Outdoor pool (heated in the winter)

• Spa

• Fitness center

  
  

Dining:

• 139 Pavilion (international)

• Moghul Room (Indian)

• Alfredo (Italian)

• Pool Bar

• Lobby Lounge

• M Club Lounge

What we love: the Mena House started out as a royal lodge for the Khedive Ismail for when he or his guests wanted to rest after hunting in the desert or spending time at the Pyramids. It was then sold to a British couple in 1869 and turned into a hotel in 1887.

It also has a lot of modern history: it was the setting for peace conferences between then-presidents Sadat, Jimmy Carter and Prime Minister Begin. You can’t pay for that kind of history, folks! (Or actually, yes you can).

5. Kempinski Nile Hotel

Location: Garden City

Kempinski, while not an actual boutique hotel, has a cute boutique-y feel to it compared to the other heavy-hitters on this list. It's located close to where all the action is, but still feels like you're above it all.

It too is situated right on the river Nile in Garden City, close to Tahrir Square and the Cairo Museum.

Amenities:

• Rooftop pool overlooking the Nile

• Fitness center

• Concierge services

Dining:

• Osmanly (Turkish)

• Blue (Italian & Mediterranean)

• Jazz Bar

• The Rooftop

• Chocolate Lounge

What we love: their rooftop pool, while small, has an awesome view. Their Turkish restaurant Osmanly is also a crowd favorite.

6. Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino

Location: Zamalek

A former palace, this now-hotel has the most stunning interiors and original architecture of any hotel in the city.

Quick history run-through, because this hotel has a lot of it: the Cairo Marriott used to be the Palace el Gezirah, built by Khedive Ismail in 1869 (yup, same year he built his royal lodge, the now Marriott Mena House). This palace was a “guest palace” for the Suez Canal inauguration celebrations, and later on housed names you might recognize like Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

For a deeper look at the hotel’s history, check out 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt that You Can Still Stay At.

Amenities:

• Omar El Khayyam casino

• Outdoor pool

• Fitness center

• Spa

Dining:

• JW Steakhouse (international)

• Saraya Gallery (French)

• Ristorante Tuscany (Italian)

• Roy's Smokehouse (American)

• Torii (Japanese)

• Egyptian Nights (Egyptian/Middle Eastern)

• Garden Promenade Cafe (international)

• Omar Khayyam Restaurant (international)

• Billiard Bar

• Lobby Bar

• The Bakery

  
  

What we love: besides the architecture and history, the Marriott’s gardens are a great place to kick back with a drink and people-watch.

7. St. Regis Cairo

Location: Corniche El Nil

Recently opened in the past few years, St. Regis is a great option if you like your luxury hotels shiny and new. The St. Regis is right on the Nile and about a five minute drive from the Cairo Museum at Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo; it's also a close drive to Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili bazaar.

Amenities:

• Outdoor pool

• Indoor pool

• Kids' pool

• Spa

• St. Regis athletic club

• Kids' club

• Astor Library

• Butler service

• Private dining

  
  

Dining:

• J&G Steakhouse (international)

• La Zisa (Italian)

• Tianma (Singaporean)

• Sirocco (Mediterranean)

• St. Regis Bar & Water Garden

What we love: besides the spectacular Nile view, it's truly 5 star luxury and service across the board at the St Regis Cairo.

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