Le Meridien - anything nearby?

[Grannycb]

We aren't interested in going out to the Light and Sound Show or the Nile dinner cruise. Is there anything else to do in the area of Le Meridien? Any good places to eat? What does an evening meal cost there? Is there any shopping nearby?

[c-to-sea]

I cant answer your questions but we are certainly interested in the answers, as we will
be there in November for 2 nights pre-tour and 2 on tour. Hopefully, someone who has been
there will be able to help.

[cruisemom42]

I will be staying there in late November for a couple of days before my Voyages to Antiquity cruise starts. It wouldn't be my choice, but it's part of their package. I've read some reviews on Tripadvisor (I highly recommend reading some of these) to get ideas of what may be close by -- it doesn't sound like there is much either in the way of restaurants or shopping.

There is one restaurant within walking distance that is recommended by several posters (and apparently by the Lonely Planet guide) called Felfela. That's about all I've found out.

Sounds like taking a taxi to the Mena House for dinner (they have several good restaurants) may be one of the better options.....

[jotabecu]

We aren't interested in going out to the Light and Sound Show or the Nile dinner cruise. Is there anything else to do in the area of Le Meridien? Any good places to eat? What does an evening meal cost there? Is there any shopping nearby?

I remember staying there like 4 years ago, there was not much around except of course the Pyramids and the Sphinx.
I do not recall any restaurants nearby.
The hotel, being large had a lot of activity which kept us amused and the food was great.
Enjoy!!

[GranMona]

We aren't interested in going out to the Light and Sound Show or the Nile dinner cruise. Is there anything else to do in the area of Le Meridien? Any good places to eat? What does an evening meal cost there? Is there any shopping nearby?
We stayed at the Le Meridien as part of our overnight package. Our room overlooked the pyramids and courtyard, absolutely gorgeous! After a long wonderful day of walking around the pyramids, other sights and riding a camel through the desert, I wish we had not booked the Nile dinner cruise and spent time relaxing around the Le Meridien instead! It is a big complex and they had a couple of souvenier shops,a jewelry shop, a bank for exchanging currency, beautiful pool and courtyard area, nice lounge and a big restaurant with good food! It's all located within a secured area. We didn't get out of that secure area, so I don't know what is within walking distance from there.

[whale-watcher]

We stayed there in November...it was pleasant, and we enjoyed the two meals we ate at the hotel (dinner and breakfast).

[Grannycb]

I appreciate the input. Sounds like we will stick with our plan to relax around the hotel instead of going on the dinner cruise or the Light and Sound show.

[thmpsn]

Glad to read these last few posts. We will also be staying there in Nov. and felt that after the busy and exciting day, we would most probably be tired. Wasn't sure we wanted to do the Nile river cruise and Light and Sound Show. Sounds like dinner at the hotel will work out just fine plus throw in a little shopping at the hotel and I think our day will end on a relaxing note. Thanks again to those who posted.
Karon

[whale-watcher]

We actually did opt for the sound and light show...it was not that far from the Hotel, but with traffic it took us 20 minutes each way. It was very cool to see the pyramids and sphynx lit up at night, but the novelty wore off quickly, and the narration was just OK. Save your energy, and get an early start the next day (and visit the Red and Bent pyramids of Dashur, if you have the time...a highlight for us).

[twopats]

I appreciate the input. Sounds like we will stick with our plan to relax around the hotel instead of going on the dinner cruise or the Light and Sound show.

I so disagree with anyone who says to skip the sound and light show! We were just blown away with the thrill of this show and I had to pinch myself to believe I was actually there, and on my birthday as well. We did the overnight at Le Meredian and highly recommend this hotel, if you have a choice, which we did. We took a private tour and I actually was able to take a picture from our hotel room of the Great Pyramid when we got up the next morning. Our guide was Mohammad and he took wonderful care of us and we saw so much more than the ship's tour even including a falucca ride on the Nile right before we headed back to the Grand Princess. I still babble on about the traffic in Cairo! You simply will not believe it until you see it! Trish

[Lilli40]

there are many hotels around with very good restaurants, i went twice to Mena House hotel indian food restaurant. It is very delicious.
CAUTION! FELFELA is very bad experience!
lilli

[cruisemom42]

there are many hotels around with very good restaurants, i went twice to Mena House hotel indian food restaurant. It is very delicious.
CAUTION! FELFELA is very bad experience!
lilli

Can you give more details on why Felfela was a bad experience? I have seen it recommended on a couple of sites.

I know Mena House has an excellent Indian restaurant, but when I go to Egypt, I'd prefer to eat Egyptian food, if possible.

[rickpo]

Hi, we are staying here for 2 nights in October.
I was wondering what the walk was like to the pyramids, is it far, will we be pestered a lot or would we be better getting a taxi.

Thanks in advance,

Rick.

[twopats]

Hi, we are staying here for 2 nights in October.
I was wondering what the walk was like to the pyramids, is it far, will we be pestered a lot or would we be better getting a taxi.

Thanks in advance,

Rick.

The Meredian "looks" close but under no circumstances is it a walkable site. It ook us at least 15 minutes by van to get there through all kinds of back streets due to the unbelievable traffic in Cairo. I had heard this before we left, but it simply is indescribable until you see it. I would allow myself one-half hour if you take a taxi as you want to get there and not be rushed. We ate at the hotel after the show and found you could order either Egyptian food or the usual type of food you get on the ship. I think you will enjoy this hotel. Are you taking the ship's tour or arranging to go with Nile Blue, Castro, or one of the other private companies (which I would recommend.) You can get about easier than on a big bus and will see much more of Cairo than the ship's offering. Another consideration is the cost, which will run you at least half of what the ship will charge you. If you want a recommendation for a guide, email me at tbarnes105@aol.com and I will send you the name of the great guide we had. Trish

[texancruzer]

Are you taking the ship's tour or arranging to go with Nile Blue, Castro, or one of the other private companies (which I would recommend.) You can get about easier than on a big bus and will see much more of Cairo than the ship's offering. Another consideration is the cost, which will run you at least half of what the ship will charge you. If you want a recommendation for a guide, email me at tbarnes105@aol.com and I will send you the name of the great guide we had. Trish

Trish - Just an fyi.... there are quite a few posters here that are NOT on a cruise ship but rather a land/nile cruise tour. Myself included. We are traveling Gate 1 tour and staying at Le Meridien for 3 nights (late October) prior to flying to Luxor and continuing our tour. I may be wrong, but most ships only overnight in Egypt so a two night stay would most likely be a tour stay.

[rickpo]

Hi Twopats, thanks for the reply.
I think we may be talking about 2 different hotels.
There is Le Meridien Heliopolis and Le Meridien Pyramids both in Cairo.
I am staying at the Pyramids which is between Cairo and the Pyramids.
As for Texancruzer's observation, yes we are doing a land/Nile cruise tour.
We are starting with a weeks cruise along the Nile, then 2 nights in Cairo followed by 5 nights in El Gouna.
Only 91/2 weeks to go, can't wait , its our first time in Egypt.

Rick.

[texancruzer]

Hi Twopats, thanks for the reply.
I think we may be talking about 2 different hotels.
There is Le Meridien Heliopolis and Le Meridien Pyramids both in Cairo.
I am staying at the Pyramids which is between Cairo and the Pyramids.
As for Texancruzer's observation, yes we are doing a land/Nile cruise tour.
We are starting with a weeks cruise along the Nile, then 2 nights in Cairo followed by 5 nights in El Gouna.
Only 91/2 weeks to go, can't wait , its our first time in Egypt.

Rick.

Rick, please be sure and come back and post ALL ABOUT YOUR TRIP !! :D

We are doing 3 nights in Cairo, fly to Luxor and 7 night cruise to Aswan and back to Luxor, then coach to Hurghada for 2 nights and back to Cairo 1 night before flying home. 15 days total. But we don't leave until October 28th :eek: Our first time too.

[rickpo]

texancruzer, hello again volcano's permitting, we should get back on 13 Oct so I will let you know how it went.

Rick.

[twopats]

Hi Twopats, thanks for the reply.
I think we may be talking about 2 different hotels.
There is Le Meridien Heliopolis and Le Meridien Pyramids both in Cairo.
I am staying at the Pyramids which is between Cairo and the Pyramids.
As for Texancruzer's observation, yes we are doing a land/Nile cruise tour.
We are starting with a weeks cruise along the Nile, then 2 nights in Cairo followed by 5 nights in El Gouna.
Only 91/2 weeks to go, can't wait , its our first time in Egypt.

Rick.
We did stay at Le Meredien Pyramids, which appears to be very close to the pyramids but, in fact, is a good 20 minute ride from the hotel IF you don't hit even more traffic than usual. The one traffic light we saw in the whole city was near the hotel, but police had to be at each entry as nobody pays any attention to the light. We were in Cairo the 3rd week of October and even then the weather was still very, very warm. There is no air conditioning in the Egyptian Museum so although it was fascinating, the heat gets to you and going even earlier than we went, be prepared! They are going to move the whole museum to a new site, with air conditioning, but I don't think it will have happened by this September when you will be there. For you sake, I do hope it has moved! Trish

[cruisemom42]

We did stay at Le Meredien Pyramids, which appears to be very close to the pyramids but, in fact, is a good 20 minute ride from the hotel IF you don't hit even more traffic than usual. The one traffic light we saw in the whole city was near the hotel, but police had to be at each entry as nobody pays any attention to the light. We were in Cairo the 3rd week of October and even then the weather was still very, very warm. There is no air conditioning in the Egyptian Museum so although it was fascinating, the heat gets to you and going even earlier than we went, be prepared! They are going to move the whole museum to a new site, with air conditioning, but I don't think it will have happened by this September when you will be there. For you sake, I do hope it has moved! Trish

The new museum will not be finished until 2012 at the earliest. It is under construction on a huge site in Giza currently. Apparently, it won't replace the current museum but there will be substantial rearrangement of items as to what stays in Cairo and what moves to Giza. Rumor has long had it that the basements of the Cairo museum bulge with items that cannot be displayed due to space limitations of the old museum.

Here's a link:

http://www.egyptpyramidhistory.com/giza_grand_egyptian_museum/grand_egyptian_museum_GEM.htm


I kind of like the old museum. It has a certain appeal; you could imagine Indiana Jones wandering through it.....;) Then again, I've only been there in November and February when the weather was very moderate.

[Lilli40]

Can you give more details on why Felfela was a bad experience? I have seen it recommended on a couple of sites.

I know Mena House has an excellent Indian restaurant, but when I go to Egypt, I'd prefer to eat Egyptian food, if possible.

I apologize that it took me so long to write back. I was very sick and i couldn't return emails and even phone calls.

I have seen felfela recommended on lonely planet too, that's why i insisted to have dinner there despite of the caution of my tour guide(she said lonely planet mean the old one but it gets very bad with the new management), the set up is very simple,we couldn't understand the menu well but we have chosen popular meals like showrma and shish tawook, the glasses of water and cutters also were very old not clean. we asked them to clean and change them twice. they spend almost 40 minutes to prepare the meals but when we took a taste we hated it.
my tour guide recommended next day Abu Sied, it is very good restaurant offer Egyptian food. it was very busy of tourists.
I ate stuffed vine leaves and very delicious Egyptian cooked salad with eggplants and the bread was great.
let me know if you need the address or the phone numbers just in case if you want to reserve in advance.
Lilli.

[Lilli40]

Hi, we are staying here for 2 nights in October.
I was wondering what the walk was like to the pyramids, is it far, will we be pestered a lot or would we be better getting a taxi.

Thanks in advance,

Rick.
Hello,
it is just 5 minutes walk to the gate of the pyramids area but you need car to move in between the pyramids. there is no problem to walk from the first pyramid to the 2nd one but it is long distance to the PANORAMA AREA where you can see the three pyramids on one line. it is very interesting area don't miss it.
Lilli

[PROCRUISE]

Rick, please be sure and come back and post ALL ABOUT YOUR TRIP !! :D

We are doing 3 nights in Cairo, fly to Luxor and 7 night cruise to Aswan and back to Luxor, then coach to Hurghada for 2 nights and back to Cairo 1 night before flying home. 15 days total. But we don't leave until October 28th :eek: Our first time too.

Just returned 10/1/10 from our 13 day trip to Egypt. We stayed at Meridien Pyramids Hotel for our first three nights and then again for our last two nights.We LOVED our room (4012) with balcony view of the pyramids. We also asked for and got the same room for our last two nights. We also had an entire day before we flew home on Delta that left Cairo at 2300 hrs and the hotel allowed us late check out which was helpful. The breakfast buffet was very nice. The hotel is undergoing enormous expansion since the new Egyptian Museum will be built across the street but it presented no problems.If you venture out the front door and go left there are several little eating spots and some shops. If you go right, there is nothing but we went that way to get a feel of the living situation and took some great photographs. The Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel gave us a very pleasant stay and we loved swimming in their three pools with the pyramids in the backround.