HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo
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.
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.
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.
Planning your getaway to Cairo? Here’s some inspiration for your trip:
- Visiting the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur
- First Impressions of Cairo
- Food Tour through Cairo with Bellies En-Route
- Exploring Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo
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!
