City Plaza Hostel, Cairo, Egypt

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

Excellent service. Basic facilities in not the nicest building, but location is very central. This hostel wasn't too easy to find, but once we found it was easily accessible and convenient for a short stay. The staff were very willing to provide us with information and make arrangements for us as we needed. Also, they went out of their way to look after our bags while we were out for the day (after check out time).

Overall

2

Location

3

Cleanliness

2

Value

3

Facilities

2

Service

4

melandandy stayed here in Sep '09

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

NO complaints about this hostel. Waleed and Nour make everything very comforting and homey for you. City Plaza hostel is great for people traveling alone or in small groups. This is a small hostel in de centre of Downtown Cairo. It's on the 6th floor .The building entrance looks very good and recently renewed. There is this sweet housekeeping lady. She's is there every day cleaning and to do your laundry. So, the hostel
isn't dirty at all as i read some reviews about it. This is a hostel, so it isn's a 5 star hotel. But, you have to realize that you get a good room for the price you've paid. There is internet, laundry-service en breakfast. So, in that way it is very luxurious. Then, I have to tell something about the staff. Mr. Mike and Mr. Waleed. They are very friendly, honest, speak VERY good english and tell beautifull stories. So, if you want to relax en listen to these stories about Egypt, about culture, custums and traditions, they can tell you these stories because they are high educated. The same I can tell you about Asmaa. She's is working at the hostel as well and speaks very good english. So if you want to chat and hang out, she can tell you about these custums in Egypt as well. It\'s very interesting for people who want to know more than these touristic tours to pyramids etc. When you want to arrange some tours or you want to travel to another place in Egypt (or even Jordan), these people can help you as well. For so long, have a nice stay at the City Plaza.

Overall

5

Location

5

Cleanliness

5

Value

5

Facilities

5

Service

5

carie_scot stayed here in Aug '09

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

The value of City Plaza is relative. First, shop around before buying a tour from Mike. His prices are far higher than what you have to pay in Egypt (twice as much or more in some cases). If you insist on buying one of his tours for the sake of convenience, at least try to bargain unless money is of no object to you.

For short stays, the prices are competitive and you have the convenience of not having to look very hard for a place to stay. For extended stays ( 3 weeks or more) in Cairo, it is easy and a lot less expensive to sublet a room or apartment. Check with your respective embassies or an expatriate list server for assistance.

The hostel is in a convenient location to catch both Metro lines, and for food and shopping. However it is very noisy and crowded up to 3:30AM. So, if your room window faces 26 July Street, you may not get much sleep.

The hostel is on the 6th floor so you must enter through a very unflattering entrance were restaurant workers are doing something. It should be noted that the entrance was being painted and being made more presentable. The elevator was a constant problem - not functioning for various reasons about one-quarter of the time. However, I believe they were working on replacing it.

The lobby and the rest of the hostel looks very nice. It is relatively clean and comfortable. The AC, satellite TV, and wireless internet were all very useful and reliable. There is a computer available if you don't have your laptop with you.

Overall

3

Location

4

Cleanliness

4

Value

3

Facilities

3

Service

4

bigtravel stayed here in Jul '09

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

My husband and I have booked this hotel for 15 days but we left after 3 nights. The hotel has sent a taxi (65 pounds) to pick us at the airport but we finally were five persons in it, with all the luggage ! When we arrived, we discovered a very dirty and stincking entrance, with a terrific elevator. The room was more or less clean but no curtain in the shower (water everywhere), nothing where to hang the towels, only one sheet in the bed. So I told to the reception the next morning that we didn't want to stay more than 2 others nights (in order to find another hotel) and I explained why. Then, they put a strong pressure on us to stay, becoming very unpleasant. Another good reason to leave ! And when we left, the elevator was not working, so we had to carry our luggage through the six floors ! Never in the City Plaza again !

Overall

1

Location

3

Cleanliness

2

Value

1

Facilities

1

Service

1

Myrchat stayed here in Jul '09

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

I stayed here for two nights - and two nights too long, i might add. I am not one to usually complain (I'm African), but the following thoughts come to mind when i think of my experience here:
- Shocking service,
- Very, very, dodgy location,
- People looking for all sorts of avenues to rip me off

Don't stay here. Pay a bit more (and get ripped off less else where). It's cheaper in the long run to stay somewhere more expensive and get ripped off less.

Overall

1

Location

1

Cleanliness

1

Value

1

Facilities

1

Service

1

sabadee stayed here in May '09

In all my travels I've never experienced such friendly service at a hostel. That sounds like an an exaggeration, but it is true. Part of this can be chalked up to the warmth and sincerity of most all Egyptians, but also the staff at the City Plaza Hostel just genuinely cared the quality of our Egyptian experience. During the 5 nights that we stayed there in our double room, they consistently ensured that our holiday was going smoothly.
Bear in mind this is a budget accommodation. Our double room cost 25 USD/night (140 EGP). So don't expect the Marriott. But you can expect an extremely good value.
The rooms are clean, new/comfortable mattresses, wood floor, private bath is basically just a walled enclosure within the room, high ceilings, aircon, and great balcony overlooking city street below.
The hostel is on the 6th floor, however the city street sounds below (consistent car honking) might be of concern to some travellers. Earplugs are advised for light sleepers. The noise is not all that bad though. Especially after midnight. Small price to pay for such a good downtown location. Only 20 minute walk to Egypt Museum, and 10 minute walk to metro station.
I highly recommend this place for the budget travellers.

Overall

5

Location

5

Cleanliness

4

Value

5

Facilities

3

Service

5

-skh- stayed here in Mar '09