Pyramids & the Nile

InterContinental Pyramids Park Resort, Cairo

This modern 5-star hotel, with its location close to the Pyramids at Giza, is an oasis of tranquillity but is only twenty minutes from downtown Cairo. The hotel offers an excellent choice of restaurants serving a variety of authentic and exotic cuisine from around the world and other facilities include a choice of bars, terraces and a large free-form swimming pool. The spacious air-conditioned rooms, all with private facilities and balcony, overlook either the pool or the landscaped gardens.

Mena House Oberoi, Cairo

Overlooked by the Pyramid of Cheops and set in 40 acres of gardens lies a unique hotel with its own colourful history and linked with travel to Egypt since the days of British and French empires. Originally a rest house-come-hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail (its core being what is today the hotel's Arabesque dining room) one of its first visitors was the Empress Eugenie attending the opening celebrations of the Suez Canal. Named Mena House in honour of King Mena subsequent English ownership combined with major structural changes and contrasting English and Ottoman décor created what evolved into one of the world's 'grand hotels' hosting in time emperors and empresses, kings, queens, foreign exiles, tycoons and megastars. Operated today by the Oberoi Hotel Group its facilities include restaurants, bars and swimming pool. The Garden Wing accommodation is in air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, mini-fridge and satellite TV. An ongoing process of daytime room renovation may necessitate one separate section of the Garden Wing being closed off, with minimal disturbance to guests.

Steigenberger Hotel (formerly Nile Palace Hotel & Resort)

A 5-star hotel overlooking the Nile in the centre of Luxor whose facilities include a wide choice of restaurants and bars, a health club, steam room and outdoor pool. 200 well appointed air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.