Discovering Marriott Mena House in Cairo: Hotel Review
Discovering Marriott Mena House in Cairo
A Hotel Review
I’ve been fortunate to visit some truly incredible hotels around the world. So when I had the opportunity to stay at the historic Marriott Mena House in Cairo, Egypt, I was excited to see everything this beautiful property had to offer. I spent four nights in one of Marriott Mena House’s Partial Pyramid View Rooms and can confirm it was a great location for a first-time visit to Egypt. Find my full review of the hotel below:
marriott mena house
The Property
Although much of the property is new construction, Marriott Mena House is similar to Aswan’s Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in that it’s a historic hotel. Originally a royal and then private hunting lodge before becoming a hotel in the 1800s, Mena House is the site of Egypt’s first ever swimming pool. In the 1920’s, following Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb, it also rose as a hot spot for famous politicians and celebrities. The hotel has even hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie and Frank Sinatra!
Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly bell hop who helped me with my luggage and escorted me from the car’s driveway all the way to the hotel’s entrance via golf cart. I was struck by the stunning gardens around us and the opulent architecture ahead.
The lobby was both spacious and welcoming, with a gold decorated ceiling and plenty of seating areas to relax. My only criticism upon entering the hotel was that check-in was a bit awkward. The staff member at the counter seemed distracted and disorganized, taking over ten minutes to locate my reservation. And while waiting, I couldn’t help but notice the noise increasing and long line of guests accumulating behind me. After another five minutes though, I was luckily on my way.
The rest of the hotel – all the way from the long hallways to the exterior garden just behind – were lovely. Exactly what I had hoped for. Of course, the main star here is the famous Giza Pyramids view from the side of the hotel’s garden, near 139 Pavilion. This view is the main reason I booked the hotel and, although I had high expectations, I was not in the least disappointed.
As far as amenities, I frequently found myself at the hotel’s pool. And while it can get rather crowded since Marriott Mena House is a bit more on the beaten path, it was still a wonderful spot to cool off at in between tours around Cairo. I was even able to finish my Death Comes At The End by Agatha Christie audiobook here with poolside cocktails and appetizers!
And finally, my exchanges with hotel staff around the property drastically improved after check-in. From arranging transportation to recommending local sights and activities, everyone went out of their way to ensure that my stay was as comfortable as possible.
marriott mena house
The Rooms
There are 4 types of rooms with multiple balcony view options at Marriott Mena House.
- Deluxe Garden View
- Deluxe Partial Pyramid View
- Deluxe Premium Pyramids View
- Executive Garden View
- Grand Deluxe Garden View
- Executive Partial Pyramid View
- King Suite Pyramids View
For my stay, I opted for a Deluxe Partial Pyramid View Room. My room came equipped with 1 king-size bed, a sitting area, a terrace balcony and, as the name suggests, a view of the Giza Pyramids.
While my room wasn’t as ornate as Marriott Mena House’s Grand Deluxe Rooms or King Suites, I found it to be perfectly comfortable and functional for my needs.
It was spacious and had great amenities, including a comfortable bed, a flat-screen TV, a full size sofa and a well-equipped bathroom. My favorite out of all the in-room amenities though were the ample storage space, full-size ironing board and fast and decently-priced dry-cleaning service!
marriott mena house
The Food and Drinks
In addition to in-room dining, Marriott Mena House offers three different in-hotel restaurants you can dine at:
- 139 Pavilion
- The Moghul Room
- Caviar Restaurant
While the Caviar Restaurant was closed during my visit, I tried my best to make up for it through my visits to 139 Pavilion and the Moghul Room.
139 Pavilion is particularly popular on Instagram for being the best spot to catch Marriott Mena House’s famous view of the Pyramids. But the hotel grounds around the restaurant are quite wonderful as well, as you can enjoy your meal on the exterior patio surrounded by a reflecting pool, a large open garden, and historically-minded architecture.
As far as the food goes, 139 Pavilion hosts a breakfast buffet and an a la carte lunch and dinner.
I had a difficult time with lunch and dinner due to my allergy restrictions and was a bit disappointed to find that the dishes tasted fairly bland. But luckily, 139 Pavilion’s breakfast buffet made up for it. With multiple food stations offering a large egg, fruit, meat and bread selection, I was still able to find and eat enough to keep me full through lunch!
The Moghul Room was a much better experience. Open for dinner everyday from 4-11PM, the Moghul Room is a phenomenal Indian restaurant located just next door to 139 Pavilion.
One night, the chef here even prepared a tasty dairy-free version of Chicken Korma for me. Having looked back at the restaurant’s menu recently, I also noticed the hotel added in allergy-friendly labeling, which is particularly great for those with vegetarian diets or nut allergies!
marriott mena house
The Verdict
Although I felt Marriott Mena House can make some subtle improvements to their check-in process, crowding issues and menu options, I still found the hotel to be a great stay, especially for a first visit to Cairo. I loved the impressive photo ops, the beautiful historic architecture and the “can’t beat” location near the Giza Pyramids.
Overall, if its your first time traveling to Egypt, you don’t mind the popular resort crowds and are looking for an aesthetic accommodation, Marriott Mena House might just be the perfect hotel for you.
Marriott Mena House
Cairo, Egypt
Type: Luxury
Price: $$$
An Epic Adventure into Egypt’s Valley of the Kings
A Wonderful Day Visiting Abu Simbel in Egypt
Death on the Nile Travel Guide: Everything You Need to See in Aswan
The Best Lima Restaurants for Eating Dairy-Free
How To Capture Great Tripod Travel Photos While Solo
12 Solo Travel Safety Tips for First Timers
Insider Secrets to Visiting Giza
Lima Travel Guide: A Full Look at a Coastal City (2024)
The 10 Ultimate LA Museums That All First Time Visitors Should Consider
