Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

Egypt
Africa and Middle East

The Experience

Rising along the east banks of the Nile, adjacent to Belle Époque and Art Deco mansions of Garden City, Four Seasons’ second Cairo hotel arrived on the scene in 2004, catering to a slightly more business-oriented crowd than its sibling across the river, the Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence. Occupying a 30-story tower, central location is a key drawing card—felucca rides are across the street, the all-important Egyptian Museum is a 15-minute walk; the Pyramids of Giza, a 40-minute drive. But for those who don’t venture out, the hotel is a self-contained facility, with a bevy of fine restaurants and the fifth floor turned over to leisure pursuits. Common areas are decorated in equal measure by lavish flower arrangements and striking contemporary Egyptian art.

The Rooms

Standard rooms measure 495 square feet and offer views of the Citadel and pool area, and windows that open. A Nile view is extra—most of these sport balconies big enough for dining—but Cairo’s persistent smog offers no guarantees of spotting pyramids, 19 miles away. Bathrooms are the usual Four Seasons-style deluxe: generous use of marble, double sinks and separate tub and shower facilities with ample water pressure. Nice extras include fresh flowers adorning rooms and oversized closets large enough for bulky steamer trunks for anyone planning an Agatha Christie-style Nile adventure.

The Service

Efficient to the core, if sometimes to the point of feeling mechanized. But amid the often overwhelming hubbub of Cairo, the hotel can seem like an oasis—services promised are delivered promptly and a thorough security detail at the entrance is assuring. Book an incoming airport transfer and you will be met discretely before arriving at the passport counter; a Four Seasons agent expedites tourist visas and guides you to an idling Mercedes, where cold towels await.

The Highlights

Dining options are diverse: Italian, Cantonese, Lebanese, a steakhouse and a seafood/sushi emporium are among the venues. The fifth-floor lounge offers a Moroccan menu along with bubbling shisha pipes overlooking the hotel’s three heated swimming pools (including a lap pool). This floor also boasts the largest gym in Cairo—open 24 hours—and the city’s largest spa, which incorporates mango and almonds into massages and offers special treatments during the holy month of Ramadan, geared to the demands of fasting. The concierge desk avails an array of sightseeing tours with special access, including private early (or late) entrance into the Egyptian Museum.

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