Arrival/Check-in: The hotel offers check-in service at Cairo International Airport (CAI), allowing the jet-lagged traveler to head straight for the shower upon arrival at the hotel. But to the hotel’s credit, this service doesn’t save much time; my check-in at the front desk was swift and painless. Besides, I wanted to soak in the atmosphere of that lobby — a marbled hallway opens up into a light-filled, high-ceilinged space with soaring columns, sleek furnishings and an imposing obelisk flanked by four sphinxes. The lobby, populated with Westerners in suits and Cairenes and Saudis in their dishdasha and checkered head scarves, is busy yet relatively hushed, the noise never enough to disturb a conversation. The hotel is adjacent to the Middle East’s largest retail and entertainment complex, but the location doesn’t take away from its exclusiveness; and the hotel’s security is reassuringly tight, with guards and metal detectors at every entrance. (30/30)
Guest Quarters: My poolside room was at the end of a dimly lit hallway in a serviceable if less than glamorous two-story annex. The room itself wasn’t as lavish as those in the main building, but the configuration was no different from that of a standard room. The king-sized bed was heaped with big pillows; the bathrooms featured Blitz showers; and the workspace was ample with a large desk, complimentary high-speed Internet and vi ews of the pool — utterly enticing on a sizzling midsummer afternoon. The drawback of being so close to the pool is that you’re a bit far from everything else. (25/30)
Services/Amenities: This is considered Cairo’s best business hotel, and in addition to extensive meeting and conference facilities, the super-attentive staff is a big part of that. My every request was met with a prompt and polite response.
Wireless Internet allowed me to roam the grounds with my laptop, and the exchange service on the first floor offered a hassle-free way to turn my dollars into Egyptian pounds. (A sparkling casino, open around the clock on the eighth floor, will turn those dollars into chips as well.) Best of all was the Lifestyle Health Club & Spa, nearly 33,000 square feet of fitness space, with exercise machines, squash and tennis courts, sauna, hydro pool and a dozen different treatment rooms available on a complimentary basis to all guests. Fayruz, one of the hotel’s eight restaurants and bars, features Lebanese cuisine, while the Mondial Café offers an elaborate breakfast buffet off the main lobby. (39/40)
Experience: Just 10 minutes by car from Cairo International Airport (CAI) and next to the country’s biggest mall, the InterContinental Citystars is perfect for the business traveler on a short stay or the family passing through on vacation. It isn’t as close to major tourist attractions as other 5-stars, but the building itself is impressive, and the hotel’s expert concierge can order up private limo or car service in a snap.
Total Score: (94/100)
InterContinental Citystars
Omar Ibn el Khattab Street
Cairo, Egypt
tel 011 20 2 2480 0100
www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinenta
Read This Next
Diabetes
2004 / April 2004
Sep 1, 2010All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedCruises
May 17, 2025Viking Takes Delivery of Newest River Ship in Europe
Officially delivered March 18, Viking’s newest Longship Viking Nerthus was presented at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock Warneműnde, Germany. Accommodating up to 168 guests, Viking Nerthus spans 84 staterooms, all featuring Viking’s signature Scandinavian design.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Next MICE Destination
Seoul has rapidly become a leading global MICE hub, known for its rich culture, advanced technology and strong economy. As the capital of South Korea, it offers a strategic location in East Asia and a booming cultural influence through K-pop, K-movies, Korean cuisine and K-dramas. With its vibrant atmosphere and business-friendly environment, Seoul is increasingly the top choice for MICE organizers and corporate travelers seeking connection and collaboration.
Daily
May 16, 2025New Kosovo Philharmonic Opera, Ballet and Theatre Hall to Open This Year
A new opera and ballet theater in Kosovo will house four performance halls and a new public plaza in the capital city of Prishtina. As the first opera house in the Republic of Kosovo, the theater symbolizes the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage while reflecting a new identity for Prishtina, rooted in creativity and a commitment to the country’s artistic growth.
Daily
May 16, 2025Inkaterra Hotels Make a Peru Trip Unforgettable
Looking to plan the ultimate trip to Peru, but not sure where to start? Inkaterra is here to help. With properties in multiple cities throughout the country and various immersive itineraries, Inkaterra makes it easy for your dream trip to Peru to come to life.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage
Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.
Daily
May 16, 2025“Le Commandant Charcot” Will Complete Full Antarctica Circumnavigation in 2028
PONANT EXPLORATIONS will soon achieve a new world first when its Le Commandant Charcot will embark on a full circumnavigation of Antarctica, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, from January to March 2028. This polar expedition unlike any before will journey nearly 11,200 miles of remote, uncharted coastline of the White Continent.
Culture Runs Deep in the Old Town of Corfu
May 2025
May 15, 20256 Unforgettable Dining Experiences Around the World
Daily
May 14, 2025eFlyer Reviews
May 14, 2025Hotel Van Zandt Review
One step onto Austin’s Rainey Street and you’ll feel like you’ve joined the cool kids at the best playground in the city. Just behind the cottage bars, pint-sized skyscrapers soar. One of them, Hotel Van Zandt, the Rainey district's pièce de resistance, beckons with a song-like spirit —apropos because the independently owned property, rife with music motifs, was named after beloved singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Sixteen stories high, the hotel embodies Austin’s lust for music, manifesting with a vinyl corner; trumpet chandeliers; myriad musical references; replica vintage posters in frames; and its own live music venue, which doubles as its acclaimed restaurant, Geraldine’s. Don’t miss the mesmerizing installation of colorful origami-like birds composed from vinyl records that flitter from an old phonograph.
Sponsored Content
Sail Unique with Explora Journeys
SAIL UNIQUE: A New Chapter in Luxury Ocean Travel Imagine a place where modern European elegance meets the rhythm of the sea — where time slows down, and every detail is crafted to inspire connection and quiet indulgence. This is Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean brand from MSC Group created to redefine how we explore the world.
eFlyer News
May 14, 2025National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Enters European River Cruise Market with 2026 Itineraries
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions recently announced its inaugural European river cruises, with bookings open for its 2026 sailings on May 20. Travelers can choose from two options, each focusing on different destinations and activities.
ShareThis