Khan el-Khalili Market, Visiting Egypt

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Nile Ritz-Carlton
In the heart of one of Africa’s most populous cities, a bustling and chaotic metropolis, lies a stretch of luxurious properties that harken back to a time of old world glam-meets-adventurer. The Nile Ritz-Carlton, formerly the famous Nile Hilton, sits on the Corniche el Nil overlooking the Nile River.  Offering Nile River views and an oasis of serenity, it’s a perfect escape after a day of taking in Egypt’s sensory experiences. 

DESTINATION: CAIRO ??

Those that have visited Cairo will remark on the chaotic quality of the city. With over 20 million inhabitants in the Greater Cairo area, chaos, traffic and grittiness are truly inevitable. Yet Cairo is also blessed with a range of sites that celebrate Ancient Egypt: the Pyramids at Giza and the Egyptian Museum, which will wow history buffs the world over. A splurge on one of the comfortable hotels in the area feels worthwhile; a perfect little oasis within the city for moments to escape the hustle and bustle and to relax with unparalleled Nile views.

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Hotel Bristol, Vienna

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Nile Ritz-Carlton

The Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo was formerly the famous Nile Hilton until it was rebranded after its acquisition by Ritz-Carlton. We booked an entry-level room and were upgraded to a Nile view room with our SPG/Marriott status. The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed and the hotel, situated on Corniche el Nil, offers spectacular Nile River views from the bar and many common spaces. The property can feel a bit dated in places as compared with newer five-star properties nearby but it carries with it a bit of history and has the Ritz-Carlton service touches that makes it a special experience. With a late night flight were were graciously offered a late check out (6PM!) and the customer service manager handcrafted a booklet for us detailing options for Luxor and Aswan, our forthcoming stops.

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Hotel Bristol, Vienna

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Nile Ritz-Carlton

In our experience, dining was not a highlight anywhere in Egypt with the exception of our Nile River cruise aboard Nour el Nil. For breakfast, the buffet didn’t appeal to us (500 EGP per person) but the lobby offers the option of dining a la carte, which better suited our needs. For dinner, there are a variety of options and we enjoyed our experience at Bab Al-Sharq, the Middle Eastern option serving up wonderful mezes at a reasonable price. Bar’Oro offers lovely Nile views for a drink outside with plenty of mocktail options for those looking for a refreshing sip.

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Hotel Bristol, Vienna

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Nile Ritz-Carlton

Planning your getaway to Cairo? Here’s some inspiration for your trip:

THE WANDERLUST EFFECT: HOTEL INSIDER

Number of Rooms: 331 rooms and suites
Cost Per Night: From $185 – $500 for rooms and suites
Must-Try Eats & Drinks: Food isn’t the star here, but breakfast in the lobby allows for a la carte nibbles.
Hotel Highlights: Beautiful Nile views from the second-floor bar, and exceptional service.
Worth the Investment? Likely, yes. A comfortable stay in Cairo is a nice splurge as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Many wonderful 4 and 5-star properties exist but the Ritz is especially great for Marriott/SPG points collectors.
Points Perks: Collect and use SPG/Marriott points here; Gold members may benefit from an upgrade to a suite!

 

〰️ Find more inspiration in my Hotel Insider series 〰️

More about Shannon Kircher

Shannon Kircher is the founder and editor of The Wanderlust Effect. Founded in 2009, she has continued to document her international escapes as an expat in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shannon is the founder of Compass & Vine, a luxury boutique travel design firm, and is the Director of Marketing for the Frangipani Beach Resort. Shannon holds an MSc in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is a current candidate for WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits.