Description: This hotel was previously a British Officers Club and as such is one of many buildings throughout Cairo with classic colonial architecture. Like all of the other colonial buildings, the Windsor Hotel has seen much better days. However this lack of maintenance and upgrading has meant that the Windsor Hotel has retained many of its original features and much of its charm.
This was the hotel that Michael Palin stayed in when he went Round The World in 80 Days and was the primary reason that we choose this hotel. (It has also featured in a few films.) He found it a wonderful hotel with many quirks, charisma and helpful friendly staff. This was very much the case when we stayed there and if we were ever in Cairo again we would stay here again.
The hotel arranged tours to the pyramids et al, but be careful to establish what is and isn’t in the price. The tour to the pyramids excluded the admission cost to the pyramids or a guide inside the pyramids. We were not aware of this when we booked (not that we asked!!)
We stayed in an A/C room with an en-suite bathroom with shower (EGP 267 a night, with basic breakfast included, though eggs any style cost extra!!). There was hot water, but it was rather sporadic. While the prices were quoted in US dollars, we actually had Egyptian pounds charged on our credit card. The room had a few power outlets so you are able to recharge batteries, mobiles, laptops, etc.
There is a restaurant and bar (The Barrel Bar), which has a TV (normally showing MTV or similar).
In addition to the above they also do airport pick up for US$10 (payable in dollars, cash upon arrival at the hotel). This cost, whilst more than the cab back to the airport was money well spent. We arrived at 2am, about two hours late to be met by the driver in the arrivals hall. We were quickly whisked off to the waiting minivan, and off to the hotel. Very easy and much better than trying to navigate the arrivals hall, find a cab and bargain a rate into town.
Their website address is www.windsorcairo.com .
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