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 FeedDaily
Mar 6, 20267 Colorful Rooftop Sky Bars You’ll Want to Visit in Thailand
There are many attractions in Thailand, from temples and museums to the Royal Palace and stunning beaches, but do not miss the wonderful rooftop sky bars at these seven hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Sponsored Content
Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, Reopens After Stunning Transformation
Gorilla Forest Lodge offers an unrivaled base for encountering mountain gorillas. The lodge's location inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s gates means guests are never far from these magnificent creatures, with gorillas occasionally wandering onto the property itself.
Daily
Mar 6, 2026Landmark San Antonio Hotel to Reopen This Fall Following Design-Focused Transformation
Situated on the iconic River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, historic hotel El Tropicano will reopen as Sítio El Tropicano this fall. El Tropicano opened in 1962 as the first hotel on the River Walk. Trestle Studio and Michael Hsu Office of Architecture lead the transformation, with a modern, design-forward approach.
Daily
Mar 6, 2026World’s First Antarctica Hybrid Cruise-Sailing Experience Debuts
Terra Nova Expeditions recently launched a world-first hybrid cruise-sailing Antarctica expedition. This groundbreaking itinerary combines a purpose-built expedition vessel with an intimate polar yacht experience into one seamless journey.
Sponsored Content
From Bethpage to Adare: Following the Ryder Cup to Ireland
In September 2025, the eyes of the golf world will turn to New York, where Bethpage Black hosts the Ryder Cup. The drama, rivalry and passion of this iconic event will once again capture global attention. But, for golf fans, the story doesn’t end there. In 2027, the Ryder Cup will cross the Atlantic, arriving at one of Europe’s most celebrated courses: Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland.
Daily
Mar 5, 20267 Hotels and Resorts for a Luxury Destination Micro Wedding
Couples increasingly prioritize intimate “micro” weddings with elevated experiences over over-the-top soirees. Smaller guest lists allow for more personalization and flexibility. These properties around the world offer fabulous settings for a destination micro wedding.
Parador de Almagro Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 4, 2026Brussels Airlines to Upgrade All Cabins
eFlyer News
Mar 4, 2026eFlyer News
Mar 4, 2026Mandarin Oriental Announces New Luxury Residences in West Palm Beach, Florida
Mandarin Oriental recently announced the development of Mandarin Oriental Residences, West Palm Beach, the brand’s first standalone residential offering in South Florida. Slated to open in 2031, the project will span 87 private residences positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway with unprecedented waterfront access.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
eFlyer News
Mar 4, 2026AC Hotel Opens in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona
AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town just opened in the city’s Entertainment District. The six-story hotel features 168 guestrooms, including 18 two-bedroom suites.
ShareThis