Welcoming guests since 1998, Le Meridien Pyramids sits nestled between Cairo's nonstop bustle and the awesome splendor of the Pyramids. Literally across the street from the Pyramids and the Sphinx, the conveniently located hotel (a Starwood Resorts property) is in the Cairo-hugging suburb of Giza, a 45-minute drive from Cairo International Airport and 15 minutes from the city center. Surrounded by luxuriant gardens and an expansive swimming pool complex, the property feels like a secret urban oasis.
A $40 million property development project currently
underway reflects the hotel owners' confidence in the continuing growth of
Saharan Sophistication
Beyond the sand-colored marble lobby's dramatic ceiling-high waterfall, Le Meridien Pyramids' 546 comfortably elegant rooms, suites and cabanas blend French flair and North African flavor with soothing décor in warm, muted tones accented with pharaonic and contemporary Egyptian art.
Room choices include Pyramid, pool/Pyramid and garden views. The Pyramid-view rooms are popular for obvious reasons; the most requested are second, third and fourth floor rooms 64–72.
For an additional level of pampering, the newly renovated fifth-floor Le Royal Club has 71 plush Pyramid-view rooms and suites stocked with Hermes amenities. Breakfast is complimentary for club guests.
Luxury reigns in the two-bedroom Royal Suite, with dining and living rooms, a kitchenette and a Jacuzzi bathroom. For over-the-top extravagance, book the poolside Presidential Suite, featuring a similar floor plan, with a large private terrace and a sundeck with a prime view of the Pyramids. Junior and deluxe suites are perfect for families and honeymooners.
The 66 airy, terraced poolside cabanas—completely separate from the main building—are so in demand that 160 additional units will be completed by January 2008.
On-site attractions include the multi-system heated swimming pool, two tennis courts, a shopping arcade (complete with a henna tattooing artist), a children's play area with optional babysitting service, a business center, meeting facilities and a health club. A state-of-the-art spa is planned for 2008.
There are seven hunger-sating restaurants, including the new
Med (Mediterranean dishes), Laredo Tex Mex (surprisingly authentic) and the
For off-site excursions, concierges can book tee times at a local golf course (ah, those Saharan sandtraps!), city tours to such attractions as the renowned Museum of Antiquities, Old Cairo, the intense shopping bazaars Khan al Khalili and Kerdasa, Pyramids sound and lights shows, Nile cruises and visits to the unusual step pyramid at Sakkara or Egypt's ancient capital of Memphis.
For a real "midnight at the oasis" experience,
suggest a starlit "Bedouin Nights" desert dinner or, for early birds,
a deliciously decadent "Nile
Agents can book through the head concierge, Reda, (011-202-337-3838, [email protected]).
Agent Information
Average weekly capacity is between 70 and 80 percent, and nearly100 percent during weekends and holidays. High season is Christmas/New Year's and Easter.
Pre-tax prices for standard deluxe rooms begin at $80 per
night; the Royal Club rooms start at $140 per night; Junior suites are $400 per
night; the Royal and Presidential suites start at $1,200 per night. These fully
commissionable rates are seasonally adjusted and bookable via the GDS. Agents
can also book through Mohag Hosny, reservations manager (011-202-377-3388,
[email protected]), or at the
Essential Links
Le Meridien Pyramids 800-543-4300 www.lemeridien.com/pyramids