3 Best places to stay in Cairo

This former 19th-century hunting lodge turned 5-star Marriot hotel is the ideal staging post for an early visit to the Pyramids before the crowds; it sits right beside the Great Pyramid of Giza. The magical views of the pyramid and desert and unrivalled.

It’s also one of the best-preserved examples in Cairo of the Moorish/Arabesque style of interior design, and has an elegance that makes it stand out. There’s rich history too. A long procession of rulers and dignitaries have stayed here; Churchill and Roosevelt met here to plan the D-Day invasions.

Rooms are fairly uninspired and functional, but some have views of the pyramids. From pyramid-view rooms you can have breakfast on your balcony with the world’s greatest ancient wonder as a backdrop.

There’s good in-house dining and spacious public areas and gardens – a rarity in Cairo.

However, it is located on the city’s western edge, so inconvenient for exploring the city’s other attractions.

Cairo has few boutique hotels and none as well run and luxurious as the Belle Epoque.

In a garden quarter in southern Cairo, the Belle Epoque occupies a 1920s villa that exudes period style and refinement. Developed in 2009 by a family that also operates small luxury boats on the Nile, the Belle Epoque is unique in the city – independent, elegant, luxurious and a far cry from the impersonal large chain hotels.

There’s a lovely outdoor pool overlooked by palms, mango and guava trees. Staff are extremely friendly and attentive, helping to create a relaxed ambience.

It is removed from the main attractions though, and it can take a long time to drive into the city centre (Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo, for instance) through Cairo’s traffic-clogged streets. The metro station, however, is five minutes walk; you can be in the centre in 20 minutes.

The circular tower block design may be uninspiring, but there are three excellent reasons to stay here.

First, perched on the southern tip of the island in the centre of Cairo, it has fabulous views of the Nile and the city.

Second, it’s well placed for museums and the old city, and close to restaurants and shops, making it the ideal base to explore the city. It is, however, a long drive to the pyramids and souk.

Third, for a well-located, top-end hotel, it’s surprisingly good value.

Inside, rooms are small for this level of hotel, but the design is clean-cut and the décor decent.

The pool is small, but is heated and open after dark, which means you can float in the warm water and stare out over the Nile. The hotel is also home to one of the best Egyptian restaurants in the capital.

A big chain yes, but reliable, convenient and eminently comfortable.