Nile Hilton, Cairo

We stayed at the Nile Hilton in Cairo for just 12 hours on the way back from a diving trip in the Red Sea. Even though we were only there for a few hours I was really impressed with the efficient and friendly service of the staff. I didn't have to lift a finger. We even got to experience a traditional Egyptian wedding that took place while we were there.

If you are on the hunt for postcards, perfume, papyrus and other authentic Egyptian souvenirs to take back home, that are relatively inexpensive compared to those on offer inside the hotel (and other general tourist traps), there is a little shop outside the rear entrance of the hotel near the Egypt Air office that you should pay a visit.

Other places that you should visit while there if you have the opportunity while in Cairo:

1) Egyptian museum (within walking distance of the hotels rear entrance). Make sure that you arrive early and that you take a guided tour, it’s worth the money as you get very little from wondering around the place on your own. Try and find out before you leave when the Egyptian school holidays are as during the normal school week the place is packed with hundred of children. (Never a bad thing for kids to learn about their heritage but the museum does not have air conditioning and is very hot and stuffy).

2) If you plan to see the Pyramids, arrange this with the hotel, it might seem expensive at the time but believe me we learnt the hard way. We got ripped off by one of the locals believing that we had negotiated a good price only to find out late that we had paid about double the going rate that most hotels offer. You also get the benefit of a guided tour of the Pyramids and the other structures around the area.

3) The Egyptian market in Cairo is not for everyone, if you enjoy the bargaining process and are prepared to punch you way through small, cramped walkways, and put up with being hassled by almost every stall/shop owner you walk past, you can pick up some really good bargains. Be careful though of what you buy and make sure that you get some kind of receipt with the owners name and shop/business name on it as well as the price (this may seem obvious to us but in the market it is a different story) as the Tourism and artifact police at the airport can get rather sticky if they find something that you’ve bought that looks like an Egyptian Artifact. (I have friends that were with us on this trip that found this out the hard way.)

One last note, be very careful where you eat and what you drink, even in the hotels. Overall, being in Egypt and staying at the Nile Hilton was a great experience and I’ll do it again any day!!!