It's the combination that makes this hotel wonderful: very helpful & knowledgeable staff, great location, charming antique rooms and especially the travel service onsite -- run by Hamdi. He set me up with a driver and tour guide who took me to the pyramids & sphinx, and they were completely trustworthy. I left my bags in the car repeatedly throughout the day, able to tell instantly that the driver Sabri was honest and I let him drive away with everything repeatedly. And he was a safe driver -- no small feat in Cairo where drivers pay no attention to traffic lanes or traffic lights and many don't use their headlights! The tour guide Shaimaa Zidan was incredible: informative, fun and a wealth of information about everything from sites to Islamic culture. I booked a second day with the same pair, who took me to Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo -- a wonderful day with no walking in the 100 degree humidity! I wasn't feeling well, so Shaimaa had no problem staying flexible and shifting our day's schedule in a heartbeat.
Back to the hotel itself: the staff was ready to check me in during the very wee hours of the morning. They let me keep my bags at the hotel at no charge and a week later, when I was in town for only half a day, they let me keep my bags at their hotel again even though I wasn't paying for a room. They're just great people -- such a relief!
One more thing: to get to the hotel is a little tricky and my taxi driver had trouble finding the place, so I'd consider having the hotel email you the directions in arabic and printing them out in advance. Or make sure when you leave the airport that the driver knows the address and you should keep your own eyes out for the Cafe L'Americaine or something like that. Across the street from it, you'll see a little alley and a lit yellow sign that says Hotel Minerva. This is your entrance. Go into the entry way, turn left and take the elevator to the 5th floor. This isn't marked, and it's such a relief to find such a wonderful hotel when the door opens. And do partake of the orange juice in the morning -- it's fresh-squeezed!

Stayed in Talisman, Cairo January 2008. Boutique hotels are best hotels in the world.

What I liked about Talisman is it's quite central location, and "french-arabic style". Is located on Sharia Talaat (think so) st., with lots of cafes, shops, restaurants. Takes about 7 minutes in a taxi to get to the Islamic Cairo, 10 minutes to the Souk-bazaar, and about 10-15 minutes walk to the Museum.

The staff of the hotel is very nice, polite and always ready to assist you: whether you need to book a tour or just looking for a nice restauant. Rooms are not big, but very tidy and comfortable. Pillows were not soft enough for me (so i suggest wherever you travel in Egypt bring your own pillow). Rooms design is amazing: red colours with interesting pictures on walls. Also enjoyed continental breakfast and fresh orange juice.

Will recommend this hotel to everyone.

The Talisman is a very good hotel with an individual feel. Rooms were a decent size and well furnished. The staff were friendly and helpful.

The hotel is a little hidden away, up a sidestreet but it's worth looking it out. Overall a really nice hotel.

We picked this hotel solely on the Lonely Planet "Authors Choice" review and we were not disappointed.

Rooms are beautifully decorated in bright Arabian style. The hotel can be a bit difficult to find as there is no sign outside but if you head for the Hotel Minerva then it is in the same building (wonderful old wrought iron lift on left hand side of entrance hall).

The front desk (24 hour) people were always friendly and helpful at all times and got us settled in our room pretty quickly.

Breakfast is a cold affair. Lovely fresh juice, a croisant or two and some cold cuts.

Downtown can be a bit daunting when you first arrive in Cairo as it isn't the "touristy" area. Get used to the curious stares and you'll be fine!

All in all, a very satisfactory stay in a beautifully decorated B&B and a more "real" alternative to the big chain hotels.