The hotel is in a great location with nice, modern rooms and great views of the Nile and the city. Some cab drivers had difficulty locating the hotel, but would eventually find it. The location, however, is great - right on the tip of Zamelek, you can walk to the Egyptian Museum or sit out and watch boats pass by on the Nile from one of the restaurants.

The service at the hotel left something to be desired. The check in staff were surly and not at all helpful. The bellmen and cleaning crews seemed distant and unresponsive. The restaurant staff were top notch, however.

While the rooms are very well designed, they are loud with noise coming in from both the hallways and the adjoining rooms.

Overall, I think there are better hotels in the area for the same price.

We stayed at the Sofitel El Gezirah as part of a package tour, so I really have no idea what it cost. My guess, based on the decor and meals, is that it was quite steep.

My understanding is that the Sofitel recently re-opened after an extensive remodel and it shows. Everything in this hotel is gleaming, brand-new, and ultra-modern. Elevators are computerized and surprisingly swift. Room decor might best be described as "Ikea chic", or perhaps something like late 60's Danish Modern. The bathroom was all marble with new fixtures. No tub, but a two-nozzle shower including a ceiling "rain-shower" head. I believe all rooms have balconies although they are quite small and some are just big enough to stand on. Being circular and on an island all have views of the Nile and Cairo. Rooms also have a flat-screen TV with a multitude of satellite channels. The rooms were as large as they could be given that they are wedge-shaped. Our room, on the 11th floor, was completely quiet.

We had lunch in the downstairs buffet, which at $40 USD was pricey, but quite excellent with both regional and continental food. Our dinner was a catered event on a floating platform on the Nile just outside the hotel lobby, and was also excellent. We didn't use the swimming pool, but others we were with did. It isn't terribly large, but has a view of the Nile.

Staff were friendly and reasonably efficient, although we had a minor scuffle over our bags due to a failure to understand their security procedures. Like most Cairo hotels there is a metal detector to enter the hotel, but the Sofitel goes one further and x-rays all luggage.

I had the pleasure of staying at this hotel last October. My room was large with beautiful wood throughout. It was very clean, had a safe, a great view of the nile, and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. The sheets were fantastic as well....very soft & luxurious. I was on the 15th floor & I could hear the disco a little bit but it didn't bother me at all. I loved all the sounds of Cairo, particularly the prayers that you could hear sung from the balcony 5 times each day. The food was pretty good but I tried to eat all over the city rather than be stuck with one place. I would definitely stay here again.

Oh yeah, the people that worked there were extremely friendly & were always right there when I had a question.