Marriott Mena House, Cairo

The Mena House Hotel’s rich history, dating back to 1869 when it was built, is recorded in its guest book that has entries from Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill. British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, with a suite named after him, also stayed here during World War II. Originally built by Khedive Ismail as a hunting lodge, the Mena House welcomed its first hotel guests in 1887. Surrounded by 40 acres of gardens, the hotel is the oldest in Egypt, offering majestic views of the ancient pyramids. Wood latticework adorns the entrance, and gilded, intricate ceilings cover the lobby. The red carpeted stairway has iron railings and antique artwork. Some lounges and hallways have modern furnishings, and get a lot of natural light.

Outside are well-kept lawns, fountains, palms, and tropical foliage. A heated outdoor pool is surrounded by fountains and a deck with yellow-cushioned lounge chairs. The clean, modern spa offers bright treatment rooms and a lounge. The carpeted gym has flat-screen TVs, and plenty of weight- and cardio-training equipment. There’s also an 18-hole golf course -- designed by Bettina Schrickel and Robert Trent Jones Jr. -- with views of the pyramids.

Surrounded by 40 acres of gardens, the hotel is within walking distance of the Great Pyramids at Giza -- the Tomb of Hemon, the Khufu Ship, and Giza Necropolis. It’s less than five minutes by car to the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple of Khafre, and the Pyramids of Queens. The Topaz Bazaar is about a 10-minute drive away, and the Khan el-Khalili souk is a 35-minute drive. Nile Maxim cruises are 20 minutes away by car. The Dream Park, amusement center, is a 25-minute drive. Cairo’s Tahrir Square is about a half hour's drive, and Cairo International Airport is reached in about 50 minutes. 

There are Deluxe Garden, Premier Pyramid, and Deluxe Pyramid rooms, and Garden, Executive, Deluxe, Montgomery, and Churchill Suites. The old palace wing rooms have antiques, Persian rugs, wood latticework, gilding, carpeting, and marble bathrooms with shower/tub combos and bidets. Garden wings have contemporary furniture, and modern bathrooms with shower/tub combos. Standard features include safes, minibars, tea/coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, and bathrobes, and balconies or terraces, with garden or pyramid views. Some rooms have tube-style TVs. Suites have living rooms, and some have two bathrooms and dining rooms. The Montgomery Suite, with a whirlpool tub, and the Churchill Suite offer terraces with pyramid views. There’s 24-hour room service. 

The hotel’s restaurants serve Indian and Italian cuisine, in addition to Egyptian. The casual and contemporary 139 Lounge Bar & Terrace has views of the pyramids. The Mogul Room serves Indian fare. The traditionally decorated Khan El Khalili serves Egyptian food against a backdrop of the pyramids. The open-air Alfredo restaurant is modern, serving Italian. The gilded Sultan Lounge offers pyramid views.

Six banquet rooms and three board rooms are available, and can hold up to 520 people. Audiovisual equipment, PC rentals, and business services are available on request. Golf, a fitness center, and spa are also available, and Wi-Fi is free in the lobby.