An Oasis of Comfort at Le Meridien Pyramids

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. The swim-up bar at Le Meridien Pyramids

A $40 million property development project currently underway reflects the hotel owners' confidence in the continuing growth of Egypt's tourism industry. Le Meridien Pyramid's General Manger Barry Curran believes Le Meridien is well positioned to capitalize on expanding demand for its unique location. "We feel there's enormous market potential, particularly due to construction of the future Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)—a mere five-minute walk from our hotel," he observes.

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 NubianVillage (regional cuisine), with an attached tented café for indulging in the local pastime of enjoying "shisha," flavored tobacco smoked through a hookah.

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 Champagne" breakfast cruise aboard a felucca, a traditional sailboat.

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 U.S. number below. Professional discounts are available; contact Maged El Sarki, sales and marketing director ([email protected]).

Essential Links

Le Meridien Pyramids 800-543-4300 www.lemeridien.com/pyramids