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Al-Zaieem answers all your questions about Egypt. Ask him your question here
Well it appears that Al-Zaieem's (mostly) loyal subjects are big fans of specificity.
A recent response to a question on moderately priced Cairo hotels drew several letters -- many of them taking Al-Zaieem to task for being vague and advising hotel seekers to ask around the Wust al Balad downtown area.
In today's session, a somewhat chastened and humbled Zaieem attempts to make amends...
I am an Egyptian/American who lived in America 30 years but I cannot live without going to Egypt to see my family.
They largely live in Upper Egypt: Sohag & Qena. I am now retired living on Social Security in America near my sons.
When I go to Egypt I feel the pain & expense my few relatives in Cairo go through.
So, I really expected you to give addresses & phone numbers & rates of a COMFORTABLE but not luxury hotel or hostel in Wust-el-Balad which my little budget can afford.
Thank you. I hope to hear from you.
Hey now, easy on those capital letters. That's the electronic equivalent of shouting in Al-Zaieem's face. However, your frustration is noted for the record. At the bottom of the column will be a listing of names, numbers and prices for several mid-range Cairo hotels. Satisfied?
Al Zaieem,
About finding cheap hotels on a monthly lease, I'd say it's bad advice to ask around on the street in downtown -- no one will give an honest recommendation. Stick to the Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. Of the cheapest dormitories, only Sultan is safe enough for a foreigner. Among the no star hotels, the Mayfair in Zamalek is outstanding and not much more expensive than the much less clean and far noisier downtown competitors.
Boy, when Al-Zaieem is wrong, he's really wrong. In addition to not listing any specifics, Al-Zaieem also dismissed the idea of there being any moderate hotels on the mostly upscale island of Zamalek. Turns out the Mayfair (see listings below) is just one of several well-known mid-range Zamalek hotels. At this rate, it won't be long before Al-Zaieem is forced to turn in his tarboush and shiny medals due to insufficient wisdom.
Zaieem,
I used to recommend the Garden City House to English-speaking foreigners, but when I last visited Cairo (1998) it was badly run down. If one does not want to live on a noisy street but welcomes access to Wust al-Balad, my top recommendation would be the Cosmopolitan (adjacent to the Stock Exchange), but the questioner might also investigate the Windsor (near where Shepheards used to be).
Well that's enough of exposing Al-Zaieem's faults for one session. On with the listings!
Odeon
6 Abdel Hamid Said Downtown
3 Stars
576-7971, 577-6673
Egyptians
Single: $34
Double: $42.5
Non Egyptians
Single: LE114
Double: LE144
Windsor
19 Alfy Bey Downtown
3 Stars
591-5277
Non Egyptians
Single: $37
Double: $67
Egyptians
50% discount
Cosmopolitan
1 Ibn Tha'Lab Downtown
3 Stars
392-3845/3663/3956
Non Egyptians
Single: $46
Double: $59
Egyptians
Single: LE98
Double: LE130
Mayfair
9 Aziz Osman Zamalek
2 Stars
735-7315
Non Egyptians/ Egyptians
Single: LE60
Double: LE70
Flamenco
2 Gezira al Wusta Zamalek
4 Stars
735-0815/6-8
Non Egyptians
Single: $59
Double: $71
Egyptians
Single:LE136
Double: LE200
Longchamps
21 Ismail Muhammed Zamalek
3 Stars
Non Egyptians
Single: $36
Double: $48
Egyptians
Single: LE80
Double: LE120
The Flamenco and Longchamps both have their own websites:
www.flamencohotels.com
www.hotellongchamps.com
And for further research, try www.touregypt.net
The site has a surprisingly good search function which allows you to list hotels by city and star rating. Go straight to the Touregypt search page at this link: ww3.interoz.com/hotels/toursearch.ihtml
Did you like this article? Send your comments to comments@cairolive.com
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