Writing pad an pen next to the telephone. Sewing kit next to the "Yellow Pages" in the drawer. Writing paper en envelopes with Novotel logo. Menu card for room service. plastic laundry bag. Guide to TV channels.And there is more!
Showercap in a neat little carton box. Tiny bottles: shampoo and shower gel. Toilet paper folded to a V-shape. Glasses wrapped in plastic. WC sealed by a paper strip indicating it has been cleaned.
I’m in Cairo. I’d better tell you as this room could have been anywhere in the world. Nothing shows in which country I am.
Generally speaking I don’t like these international hotel chains. I only stay here because it’s 5 minutes (on foot) to Cairo Airport and my flight is at 5.45 AM and I have to be there two hours in advance.
No fear to oversleep. I will be woken up by a call from reception at 3.30 AM. Their shuttle will take me to the right terminal. It leaves on the hour and on the half hour.
There is round the clock food and drink. But we have decided not to have breakfast as this would mean getting up even earlier.
This Novotel is very comfortable. Enough opportunity to spend my last Egyptian pounds either on food or on souvenirs. If you buy souvenirs don’t forget to haggle!
I didn’t use their swimmingpool. It looked attractive with its sun lounges and brightly green and white striped bath towels.
We did not make a reservation and I was slightly worried that the hotel might be full. No way! There are four floors each with 58 rooms.
We paid US$145 without breakfast. With breakfast it would have been US$160
Central Cairo is 22 kilometres and Giza Pyramids is 40 kilometres