Cairo is one of the greatest cities on earth – a cacophony of car horns, calls to prayer and chatter from its nearly 10 million residents. Filled with wondrous ancient sites and antiquities, some of the world’s best museums and fantastic nightlife, visits to the city can be fast-paced, so it’s even more important to have a stylish, serene and trusted place to bed down – your own city centre oasis. Largely clustered around the mighty Nile river, Cairo has a handful of truly great hotels, from elite global brands offering opulent luxury to some design hotels taking you back to Egypt’s golden age of tourism. Here are the best hotels in Cairo for 2024.

The best hotels in Cairo for 2024

Marriott Mena House

For views of Cairo’s most famous site – the great Giza pyramid complex – there’s nowhere better than Marriott Mena House. The hotel first opened in 1886 and is one of the best hotels in Cairo to get a glimpse of Egypt’s bygone glamour (think Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile – of which the hotel is referenced). The hotel looks directly onto the pyramids, and the views follow you everywhere, from the gardens and swimming pool to the sweeping terrace where breakfast to dinner is served. Famous guests include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the future King George V and Queen Mary of Britain, King Farouk of Egypt, Agatha Christie, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and more – many of which are commemorated in heritage vintage photos dotted around the property.
marriott.com, @marriottmenahousecairo

Four Seasons Nile Plaza

The largest of two Four Seasons properties in Cairo, Four Seasons Nile Plaza sits in the historic Garden City district – a riverside neighbourhood of embassies, crumbling Belle Epoque mansions and leafy streets harking back to colonial days. The hotel itself is vast, towering above the skyline, with 10 dining venues including a Nile-front Chinese, shisha lounge, Italian eatery and Zitouni – one of the best Egyptian restaurants in the city with the same gorgeous river views. The interiors are classically Four Seasons, creams, golds and lots of polished wood, and there’s a large outdoor pool alongside an indoor wellness centre with a glass-domed pool. Contemporary Egyptian artwork features across the hotel and rooms are incredibly spacious (the smallest is 46 sq metres).
fourseasons.com, @fscaironp

Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino

Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino sits on the trendy island of Zamalek, one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Cairo smack bang in the middle of the Nile. Home to art galleries, hip local coffee shops and eateries, it was also once the home of the Gezireh Palace – a former royal residence initially built for entertaining visiting international dignitaries during the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The hotel itself is built around the old palace, with the historic structure now two gilded restaurants – including a beautiful sun-dappled garden terrace, an intriguing casino and grounds with a large swimming pool. Two typical Marriott towers frame the complex, but the palace is what makes this one of the best hotels in Cairo for a stylish and fascinating stay. Guests can peek into some of the old rooms, some under renovation, to see the faded wallpaper and grand staircases. Rooms are typically Marriott – neutral and modern -, but you’ll get a taste of the old palace in one of the ornate suites.
marriott.com; @cairomarriott

Le Riad Hotel de Charme

Booking into a boutique hotel in Cairo can be risky, but Le Riad Hotel de Charme defies the odds with its 16 beautiful suites – each individually decorated – tea lounge and rooftop terrace. Inspired by the surrounding environment and architecture of the museum and historic Ottoman house Beit El Sehemy, the boutique hotel offers a calm amongst the chaos and showcases a more authentic side of the city. We love the colourful, quirky interiors, the old-world furnishings, the vibe of the restaurant and views over the city and nearby mosque. Please note: due to its historic and Islamic neighbourhood, the hotel doesn’t serve alcohol in any public spaces.
leriadcairo.com; @leriadegypt

Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo

Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo is a true city oasis – taking you off the manic corniche straight into a large, light-filled atrium with cooling greenery and marble tiles. There’s a soothing light, bright and neutral colour scheme, and the service is always with a smile – especially at the front door where two adorable watchdogs stand on guard. Rooms are well appointed with coffee machines and minibars with complimentary soft drinks, and many offer serene Nile views or views onto the faded grandeur of leafy Garden City. There’s a great coffee bar and dessert lounge downstairs, a seductive jazz bar with great cocktails and Nile views, a great spa and rooftop with a pool, sunloungers and a bar.
kempinski.com

The St Regis Cairo

The St Regis Cairo occupies a fantastic position on the banks of the Nile, just a short walk from one of the Manu bridges to Zamalek island. The 36-story tower lords above the relitively low-rise skyline, and while the hotel is primarily designed for long-term and business travellers, it’s also a luxurious and failsafe place for a leisure stay. Rooms are classically ornate and sun-filled with Egyptian touches, and some balconies have private loungers. There are five restaurants and baes, from the famous J&G Steakhouse Cairo to an Egyptian iteration of the iconic St Regis Bar, serving a take on the classic St Regis Bloody Mary with hibiscus. Make use of the St Regis Butler service to make restaurant reservations and spa treatments and make your visit to this wonderful city a breeze.
marriott.com, @stregiscairo

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

The more opulent and exclusive of Four Seasons’ two Cairo properties, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence sits on the west bank of the river overlooking the botanical Orman Garden and Giza Zoo and within the city’s First Mall complex. The hotel offers views of the river, gardens, and even the great pyramids, which are within the distance of its cream, gold, and rose-hued bedrooms and sun-soaked waterfront pool. The hotel is home to the First Nile Boat, a docked vessel offering panoramic river views and home to restaurants and bars, and the spa has an elegant Turkish hammam.
fourseasons.com, @fscairofr

The Ritz-Carlton Nile, Cairo

The Ritz-Carlton Nile, Cairo is an institution, opening in 1959 by President Gamal Abdel Nasser and formerly known as the Nile Hilton Hotel. The hotel is fabulously oldy-worldly, with its patterned furnishings, wood panelling and colourful carpets, and rooms have floor-to-ceiling picture windows offering beautiful Nile or city views. The hotel is right around the corner from the Egyptian Museum and has nine on-site restaurants and bars – many of which are destinations in their own right, so you’ll never be bored. The hotel is enormous and feels like a real resort in the city, with 329 rooms, a spa, a huge swimming pool and more.
ritzcarlton.com, @thenileritzcarlton

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