Sheraton Royal Gardens, Cairo
By Jimmy Dunn
The Sheraton Royal Gardens in Cairo, just off Pyramids Road, is not for everyone for the same reason that it will perfectly fit the requirements of other tourists. The Royal Gardens is not really a hotel for independent travel, and of course is certainly not a budget hotel, as it is too far from most sight seeing in Cairo to walk and is not really centrally located enough for cheap taxi fare. It is the perfect hotel for western travelers who will be on organized tours and wish to return to a very westernized environment at the end of the day. Turning off of Pyramids Road, the first thing that flashes through ones mind as they travel down a narrow street is that there cannot be a large hotel located here. Then the fortress-like outer walls of the hotel come into view, and the next thought is, "where is the entrance?".
The Sheraton Royal Gardens is, in fact, a western style oasis situated on a remote side street in Cairo, with all the amenities one would expect of a western style hotel, and perhaps, even more. The whole of the hotel faces inwards, to a very pleasantly designed garden and swimming pool area and is actually built around a restored historical villa, the former residence of the late actor, Mr. Youssef Wahby "Bey", one of the founders of modern Egyptian Theater.
Craving a little Tex-Mex? One of the four main restaurants, Senor Pico serves, well, not Tex-Mex, but more Mexican-Californian cuisine. Then there is Trader Vic's, well known in the North Eastern US for their Pacific Rim food, with a cocktail deck featuring live Caribbean music. Inaka-Ya is the Japanese restaurant specializing in Teppanyaky Food, while the Le Trianon serves Danish pastries and is open 24 ours a day. Add to these a Lebanese Restaurant, a Cigar Bar and Al Capone Night Club and Bar, and by the end of the night, one is likely to forget exactly where one is vacationing. The hotel is fully loaded with health facilities featuring massages, vapor treatment, a sauna and Jacuzzi, two swimming pools with fountains, water lounges and jets. Meeting rooms are available, as well as a shopping arcade, a fully equipped business center and an executive lounge. Guest rooms also have all the usual amenities, and I must say, one of the most comfortable beds I have ever sleep in while visiting Egypt. There are nonsmoking rooms, and all rooms have individually controlled air conditioning, large, furnished balconies, private baths with both bath and shower, satellite color TVs, radio, hair dryers, a mini bar, voice mail, safe deposit box and direct dial telephones with voice mail and data ports. The Sheraton Royal Gardens, Cairo is really a very unique hotel, with a uniquely specific target market. If you have ever wanted to travel to Egypt to see the worlds oldest monuments to civilization, but are not really keen on the cultural aspects involved with such a trip, then there is no finer hotel in Egypt to hang one's hat.
Sheraton Royal Gardens, Cairo
Helmeiat Al-Ahram Street
P. O. Box 22 Al Ahram
Giza, Egypt
Phone: (202) 3781-2211
(202) 3781-2211
or (202) 3781-3311
Fax: (202) 3781-1441
Budget and Independent Travel to Egypt - Part III By Jimmy Dunn
Historical Hotels in Egypt - Part III By Jimmy Dunn
Doing Business In Egypt By Jimmy Dunn
The Ancient Egyptian Bride By Ilene Springer
Editor's Commentary By Jimmy Dunn
Ancient Beauty Secrets By Judith Illes
Book Reviews Various Editors
Kid's Corner By Margo Wayman
Cooking with Tour Egypt By Mary K Radnich
Hotel Reviews By Juergen Stryjak
Egyptian Exhibitions By deTraci Regula
Nightlife Various Editors
Restaurant Reviews Various Editors
Shopping Around By Juergen Stryjak
Egyptian View-Point By Adel Murad
Medical Advice in Egypt By Omar Ragab.
Web Reviews By Siri Bezdicek
Prior Issues
August 1st, 2000
July 1st, 2000
June 1st, 2000
Last Updated: June 2nd, 2011