This Sofitel is located a good couple of miles from the centre of Cairo and while this might not be convenient for every traveller it was reassuring for us since our stay included a week-end of disorder in Tahir Square.

The hotel seemed reasonably busy with conferences and delegates during the week but was much quieter at the week-end, although it is clearly a popular venue for wedding and engagement parties which proved to be an interesting cultural experience.

Our room overlooked the swimming pool and the Nile and offered a fairly pleasant view, especially the setting sun in the evening. The hotel has one main restaurant and separate Italian and Mexican restaurants. These were adequate without being anything special. Towards the end of our break we found a better restaurant in the street outside the hotel and tended to eat there instead of in the hotel. Te buffet breakfast we found to be of high quality with a good range of cereals, cheese, cold meat, bread, croissants as well as several hot dishes and a chef who would prepare fresh omlettes or waffles as required.

The room was spacious and well-equipped. It was fairly clean and well-presented though the staff needed some encouragement to replenish the various bits and pieces of tissues etc which we used up.

A high point for the hotel in all areas was the pleasant and helpful nature of the Egyptian staff. They were unfailingly polite and welcoming on every occasion.