Hotel
Marriott Mena House
A historic five-star hotel at the foot of the Giza pyramids, built around a 19th-century khedivial hunting lodge and set in large gardens.
Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir
A modern 295-room hotel on Tahrir Square overlooking the Egyptian Museum, with a heated pool and an easy walk to Downtown and the Nile.
At a glance
- Type
- Upper mid-range city hotel
- Area
- Downtown, Cairo, Egypt
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- hrewards.com
Good to know
- Heated outdoor pool
- Wellness area
- Lobby bar
- Views over the Egyptian Museum
Why we recommend it
The Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir stands on Tahrir Square at the start of Qasr al-Nil Street, overlooking the gardens of the Egyptian Museum. It is a modern hotel with 295 rooms and suites, and its position at the centre of the city is its biggest strength. Within a few minutes' walk you reach the museum, the Nile Corniche, the Qasr al-Nil Bridge and the historic streets of Downtown.
Rooms range from Superior to Deluxe and suites, with options looking over the pool, the city or sideways towards the Nile. The decoration is contemporary and practical, and rooms facing away from the square are worth requesting if you are sensitive to traffic noise. A heated outdoor pool sits on the second floor within the wellness area, and the hotel has a restaurant and two bars, including the lobby bar, which is a convenient meeting point.
The hotel suits travellers who want a central, well-run base at a lower price than the large Nile-side luxury hotels next door. It is particularly good for those who plan to explore on foot or by metro, as Sadat station is at the square. Couples and solo travellers make up much of the clientele, and families will appreciate the pool. Those who want river views from their room should choose a side Nile view room or look at the hotels on the Corniche instead.
Expect security screening at the entrance, which is standard in central Cairo. Traffic around Tahrir is heavy most of the day, so allow extra time for car journeys to Giza or the airport. The reception team can arrange transfers and day tours. Booking direct through the hotel group's website gives access to member rates.
From the hotel, the Egyptian Museum is just across the road, and Abou Tarek's koshari restaurant, Café Riche and Groppi on Talaat Harb Street are a short walk away. The Nile Ritz-Carlton and its NOX rooftop lounge are neighbours on the square, and Khan el-Khalili is around 15 minutes away by taxi. Gezira, the Opera House and Cairo Tower are reached on foot across the Qasr al-Nil Bridge. For a first visit to Cairo, few hotels put more of the essential sights within such easy reach, and the metro at the door makes trips to Coptic Cairo simple.
Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir FAQs
Where is the hotel?
On Tahrir Square at 2 Kasr Al Nile Street, opposite the Egyptian Museum.
How many rooms does it have?
295 rooms and suites.
Is there a pool?
Yes, a heated outdoor pool on the second floor.
Which metro station is nearest?
Sadat station, at Tahrir Square.
Is it good value?
It is generally cheaper than the large Nile-side luxury hotels nearby.
Can you walk to Downtown?
Yes, Talaat Harb Street and its cafés are a short walk away.
Does it have Nile views?
Some rooms have side Nile views; others face the city or the pool.