Lotus Hotel — Hotel in Cairo

I stayed here for three nights with my two kids age 11 and 13. I picked this guesthouse from the website with the idea that I wanted to be in the country, away from the city, where the kids could run around. First, the pros: The guesthouse is lovely on a big piece of property with lawns and outdoor seating. The rooms are very simple with shared bath but cozy. We paid for a regular room but were given a small apartment with private bath. The owner, Bakr Fahmy is a very kind, erudite and charming man who speaks excellent English because he is half Egyptian, half Austrian and lived for many years in Austria. He recently wrote a novel and also has done some artwork for the guesthouse. The guesthouse has the feeling almost of an eco-resort with the woven palm furniture and rustic artworks. The ponds where he grows the sacred blue lotus are lovely. The property was very clean and well-cared-for. My kids had fun playing soccer with his sons. The food, prepared by Bakr's wife, was outstanding simple Egyptian fare, the best food I ate in Egypt. You are in the middle of farmland, yet across from some famous rug factories. Bakr took us on a walk and showed us around the farms. You can see the famous Step Pyramid of Sakkara from near his property. The entire property is gated so it's a great place for kids to run around.|||| The cons: You are 45 minutes from downtown Cairo in a semi-rural area, though that could also be a plus, because you're out of the pollution. You need to make your own arrangements and your own transport, because Bakr does not have a tour desk or any sort of way to help you make arrangements for touring around. He did arrange a taxi for us, but the driver spoke only the most rudimentary English and was pretty dour to boot. There's no computer for public use and I don't think there's wi-fi, though you could inquire, so really you are pretty much on your own as to figuring out how to get around. You are on a main road to Sakkara so I suppose buses go by. I hired a guide to come every day and take us around, who I arranged on my own before we arrived. Probably due to the irrigation canal behind the property, the mosquitoes were particularly vicious. My kids got bitten to bits even though we put on repellent. every morning The beds really need mosquito nets but didn't have them. Since Bakr's charming wife is pleasant but does not speak any English, and there is no other staff, at least there wasn't when we were there, you are pretty reliant on Bakr if you need anything, and if he's not there you're pretty out of luck unless you speak Arabic. The shower water seemed like it came either from a well or straight from the Nile because it was sandy and smelled of sulphur, my kids flat out refused to shower while we were there though it didn't bother me terribly. Plus we were only given one small towel for the three of us. I can't say I'm sorry I stayed there, but really it's more suited to independent travelers or longer term residents than transient tourists, maybe small tour groups, preferably ones with mosquito nets or who are...

To experience the true hospitality that Egyptians show to strangers the Blue Lotus Guesthouse is a must. Located about 2 miles from the Sakkara pryamid and museum the location is excellent for visiting all the local sites without the absolute craziness of Cairo. Memphis, the Red and Bent pryamids and other less visited ( but no less spectaclular) sites are very close and traveling to Giza form the lodge is much easier and more scenic than from anywhere in Cairo. We actually stayed with Bakr (Buck) and Sanna at the end of a month long trip throughout Egypt. We had just spent four nights camping in the Sinai and felt like we really needed a shower and unknown to us the baths are shared at the lodge. Being a bit frazzeled upon arriving and discovering this Bakr and his wife Sanaa wanted us to stay in their home and where so incredibly gracious throughout our frustrations that we were completly charmed by their genuine efforts to make us comfortable. ||The Lodge is actually a converted small farm and sits in an agricultural area and is very peacefull. There are only 8 rooms or so and while not opulent are very comfortable. Considering the cost at the time was $16us including breakfast it is a great value and wonderful setting to decompress after traveling. The rooms are not large but there is plenty of room for gear and a sink is in the room which was a plus. ||The lodge supports many local farmers through fresh purchases of foodstuffs and grows many of the vegetables on a small plot behind the lodge for the resturaunt. The dinning room was al fresco and the food was fresh and delicious. The grounds are meticulous with fruit trees and indigenous flora. Bakr has a couple of lotus flower ponds that he nutures which incredibly are endangered in Egypt. ||Even though our arrival there was a small disaster our hosts quickly made us feel as if we were family and we even got to hold the baby by the time we left! If you want to meet and stay with locals and get a true feeling of family life in Egypt this is the place. Be ready for a slightly rustic but completly...

Okay let us start with the Entrance, which is so dirty and dusty from the outside to the Building lobby. Then the Elevator, what should I say? Although the Elevator is specific for the "Hotel", it is very old, not maintained, dangerous and scary. The lobby of the Hotel, what to say, there was someone watching football loudly, the game was echoing all around. The guy on the reception was nice, however there was no computer to confirm our reservation via Booking.com. He had to contact someone on the phone. And this is another unsafe act as he also shared our passports info via a Social Media platform with God knows who on the other side. The room was not double as booked. 2 single beds and nothing like the photos on Booking.com. It was not renovated. Maybe the bathroom was done but still not that good. The windows are very old no sound proof. Although it is on the 7th floor, you hear the vehicles as they are in the room. It was one of the Noisiest night I encountered. All night either vehicle or creepy sounds from the old shutter system or sudden bangings from somewhere. Although we booked for 2 nights, we just took our stuff and left to another location. They even didn't bother to ask us why we were leaving. So although the location was a good spot, but it is not worthy...