Bashtil Hotels, Cairo

"For a place supposedly “highly rated” I found everything to be bland and “aged.” Subtle wears on furniture and floor shows this place has not been updated for a few years. Clearly not a 5 star experience by any stretch. And for a hotel supposedly located at the airport it takes a car to get there from baggage claim. There are no signage’s inside the chaotic airport where the hotel is (unlike most modern airports). No one at the airport can tell you cause most ppl don’t speak English. A few ppl tell you to walk through roads without sidewalk with your luggage. They say there’s a shuttle (which is true) but no signs telling you where. Turns out there is a skyway you can use to get to the hotel but no signage pointing to where it is. We found the skywalk by serendipity after roaming the airport for 30 minutes. Btw do NOT trust Google map to guide your walk to the hotel. It takes you to ground level and you have to compete with cars for road space. Drivers here do NOT stop for pedestrians unlike western world. "

"Worst airport transportation ever! Hotel arranged a morning private car to airport. Driver and I discussed going to terminal 3 at Cairo airport. We confirmed it was Egyptair international flight (which he says always goes out on terminal 3). Next thing I knew we were at the airport. He asked something unintelligible about luggage as if he didn’t want to take them out of the trunk which he later did. When I tipped him 200 Egyptian pounds he said “US dollar good; Egyptian money no good.” Next thing I found out he left me at terminal 2 instead of 3 and he had already taken off! Left stranded I had to walk through unmarked ramps and roads to get to terminal 3 with my wife and 4 pieces of luggage. Never will come back again. "

"Amazing views and great staff "

"Don’t believe the pictures you see on the website…at least not yet! They claim they are renovating to the level that is shown. They may have one or two rooms now (just for the pictures?!?!?) but the majority of the rooms are ~60% there. For instance, our shower had no barrier glass to contain the water. Water was anll over the bathroom floor. And I highly doubt you’ll get the same price once the property is fully renovated. Things to note: no air conditioners in the rooms (at least not yet, but it didn’t look likely for the future). The breakfast is nominal at best - you get what you pay for. It’s downtown so it’s going to be loud due to the constant honking of cars on the street. (The driving here is mayhem!) Last hint, to no fault of the hotel: if you arrive late night, don’t be surprised upon arrival. We’re told its overall safe, but it looks super sketchy and dirty - by American/Western standards. That’s Cairo. During the day, it’s hustle and bustle downtown. Also expect the Islamic “call to prayer” at 4:00 in the morning - every morning! Viaje: You need to be more upfront with potential customers about the current condition of the hotel. We got blind-sided for sure. "

"Loved the grounds and especially the M Club!"

"The room was very clean "

"We really enjoyed our stay at Sofitel Downtown. The staff particularly are really friendly and helpful. The location by the Nile was perfect for walks down the Corniche. The food was good at all their restaurants, the concierge set us up with our guide for three days at prices that were comparable to others per my research. I wish I had booked some time at the Spa, but the pool was lovely too. I’d highly recommend this hotel. "

"great location"

"I really enjoyed my stay, especially the incredible view of the pyramids — it was truly special. The staff were kind, welcoming, and always helpful. The location is convenient for visiting the pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and is relatively close to Sphinx International Airport, which makes it a good value option for short stays and sightseeing. That said, it’s important to know what to expect: the neighborhood is quite loud, with barking dogs at night, and there is a noticeable amount of dirt and trash in the surrounding area. Giza has a very different feel compared to central Cairo. For getting around, I mostly used Uber, which worked well overall. However, it’s worth planning rides in advance, as occasionally drivers may ask for additional cash payments outside the app. In such cases, it’s best to stick to the agreed price in the app. Overall, a good value stay if you come prepared and know what to expect."