I thoroughly advise against anyone staying at this so-called 'four star' hotel. It has the feel of a very poorly-managed three star hotel, at best. The decor is very tired, and cleanliness is an issue throughout the hotel. There are still broken windows at the front of the hotel from the riots which broke out a few months ago now. You'd think there would have been time to get them fixed!
The buffet breakfast is a joke; I ended up eating breakfast in my room towards the end of my stay because I got tired of looking at the same recycled, dried-up, poor-quality food every morning. Nobody in my party thought the breakfast was enjoyable.
The main problem for me was the fact that things 'went missing' from our party's rooms during our stay. This included cash, medication, and even clothing! Someone went through my roommate's bag at one point, and I was sure someone had been snooping in mine too. This from a housekeeping staff who beg for tips almost every time they do their job, and then complain that the tip you give them isn't enough!
The safe in the room was already locked upon arrival (contrary to what it should have been), as was the safe in at least one other colleague's room.
When we reported the problem of things going missing to the front staff it was met with a lack of interest and a certain amount of hostility. Nothing was done. The housekeeping staff gave us glaring looks for several days after this.
The gym staff arbitrarily lie to guests about having to pay to use the pool as well. One staff member will tell you it is free, the next will say you need to pay 40 Egyptian pounds.
Room service is also painfully slow, and they will often turn up with only part of what you ordered.
On top of all this, the hotel actually has the audacity to charge $US170 per night to stay there!
The location is right in the centre of Cairo, which, if you are making frequent visits to Tahrir Square or the museum, is the only positive side of staying at this hotel. Having said that, the hotel is about a 45 min taxi ride from the Pyramids, which is not particularly close by.
Avoid this hotel like one of the 10 plagues...
- Al Nabila Hotel Cairo
- Al Nabila Cairo
