Best Luxury Hotels in Cairo

The 191-room Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo is centrally located near downtown Cairo, directly on the Nile River. It's just a five-minute drive from the city center and close to many cultural tourists attractions; its also walking distance from the venerable Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Classic rooms have 24-hour butler service and private balconies -- many overlooking the river. There are also a rooftop pool, a full spa, and great dining options from Turkish fine dining to a lounge with handmade chocolates and afternoon tea.

There are 365 rooms at this luxury property set right on the banks of the Nile River. It’s a fairly central location for reaching many of the city’s attractions, being just a five-minute drive from downtown Cairo. On-site facilities are good -- the hotel has the largest spa in Cairo, plus outdoor pools, a fitness center, and five restaurants. Guest rooms have indulgent marble bathrooms and fabulous Nile River views, but the style is fairly bland for a property of this caliber. 

In the glittering Nile City development on the banks of the River Nile, this hotel has 540 luxurious rooms with Art Deco decor, marblework, and open-concept bathrooms. Guests of the hotel have direct access to the Nile Towers Mall with a cinema and restaurants, and there are plenty of activities including a spa, fitness center, casino, and fabulous rooftop pool. 

The upscale Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah has 433 contemporary rooms with views of the Nile, thanks to its setting on the southern edge of Gezira Island. The hotel also has its own riverfront promenade and a deck that houses an open-air bar floating on the water. On the downside, noise from traditional sailing "feluccas" and police boats can be heard inside the hotel. Additionally, the rooms have bland furnishings and lack luxury finishes -- but they are endowed with flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and those aforementioned excellent views. The heated outdoor pool -- right on the water -- and its surrounding cabanas are lovely, and there are six restaurants with international and regional cuisine, along with a casino and spa. 

This 449-room luxury hotel is in New Cairo's Fifth Settlement, a recently developed exclusive area with lots of restaurants and shops (the city's main attractions are at least a 35-minute drive away). Rooms are spacious and luxurious, with balconies, whirlpool baths, and butler service in the Suites. There are excellent facilities on-site as well, including three swimming pools, a swim-up bar, a sushi bar, and Thai restaurant, plus a spa, fitness center, hair salon, and free Wi-Fi.

Set just off Cairo’s ring road, this luxury 438-room hotel is in a fairly isolated location, but suits those wanting to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. There’s plenty to do on-site, with a spa, tennis courts, a golf course, man-made beach, and fitness center, while the 12 eateries should please even the pickiest diner. Guest rooms have a traditional style with a private balcony and indulgent marble bathroom, while freebies like Wi-Fi and airport transfers add to the value here. 

The Grand Nile Tower is a centrally located luxury mega-hotel with 715 rooms and suites, all with Nile views (owing to the property's position at the tip of an urban island). In-room decor is pleasant, but not particularly memorable, with classic mahogany-hued furniture and marble bathrooms. The facilities include a two-story fitness center with equipment worthy of a proper gym (though it feels cramped in areas), a huge range of restaurants, a large heated pool, and even a hotel-owned yacht with regular dinner cruises and live entertainment. There are also plenty of meeting rooms for rent, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Note that alcohol is not served anywhere in the property.

The Fairmont Towers Heliopolis is a luxury business hotel with 247 rooms. It's a short drive from the Cairo International Airport and attracts business travelers, conference goers, and those with early-morning flights, but it's too far from the city center to make it a good choice for tourists. Rooms here have all the modern amenities one would expect of a high-end property, but the decor falls a bit short for an advertised five-star hotel. Features include tennis courts, multiple pools, a variety of meeting rooms, a fitness center, 15 bars and restaurants, and even an on-site casino with slots and table games. 

This 824-room luxury hotel is around 30 minutes east of Cairo’s center in Nasr City. It’s a prosperous neighborhood known for being home to CityStars, a posh retail and entertainment complex, to which hotel guests have direct access. The six restaurants, two swimming pools, and range of sports courts on-site keep guests active, and there’s a full-service spa, fitness center, and games room as well. Rooms have traditional, but sophisticated, decor and all include minibars, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi.