For our stay in Cairo, which served as a starting point for exploring the Pyramids of Giza and the old city of Cairo, we chose the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis, a luxury hotel that impressed with its quiet location and proximity to the airport. But what does the hotel have to offer in detail and how does it perform in terms of luxury and service? In our hotel review you can find out everything about the rooms, the service, the culinary offer and our personal highlights during your stay.
- Booking, arrival and check-in
- Where is Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis located?
- What are the rooms like in Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis?
- How is the breakfast at Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis?
- What is the Executive Lounge like at Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis?
- What does the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis offer for relaxation?
Booking, arrival and check-in
Unsere Buchung für das Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis erfolgte, wie gewohnt, über die Hilton-Webseite. Dank der “Stay Longer & Save”-Rate konnten wir bei unserem Aufenthalt über 20% gegenüber dem regulären Preis sparen. Diese Sonderrate ist in ausgewählten Hilton Hotels in Europa, dem Mittleren Osten und Afrika verfügbar und gilt bei einer Buchung von mindestens drei Übernachtungen.
The journey from the airport turned out to be a little adventure with our rental car. The heavy traffic and an inadequately lit car with over 70,000 kilometers on the odometer – thanks to Sixt – made the trip a bit exciting. After a few detours, we finally arrived at the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis. The security precautions are particularly high here: Before entering the hotel grounds, every vehicle is examined for explosives. There is also another baggage check in the lobby, similar to the airport.
The first impression of the hotel is impressive – a kind of huge winter garden with lush palm trees and flowers welcomes guests. Instead of a traditional reception, check-in takes place at one of three elegant tables. Here we were greeted warmly, and our Hilton Diamond status was recognized accordingly. Unfortunately, despite demand, there was no room upgrade – allegedly due to a large delegation that was expected from the next day. Interestingly, I was still able to view and book the suites online. But be that as it may, we had already booked the King Rosetta Club Room with Pool View, and it met all our expectations.
A personal concierge then accompanied us to the room and guided us through the most important areas of the hotel. He explained the amenities of the Rosetta Club and showed us where we can enjoy breakfast.
Where is Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis located?
Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis is located in the upscale Heliopolis district, about 10 km northeast of Cairo city centre and just minutes from Cairo International Airport. This location is ideal for travelers looking for both the convenience of quick access to the airport and proximity to the city's main attractions. In just 45 minutes, you can reach the world-famous Pyramids of Giza or the historic Old City of Cairo, where the Cairo Citadel and the impressive Khan el-Khalili Bazaar are located. The new Egyptian Museum and Cairo Festival City are also within easy reach, making the Waldorf Astoria the perfect base for cultural discovery and luxurious relaxation.
What are the rooms like in Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis?
Our stay at the King Rosetta Club Room at the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis provided us with a luxurious and comfortable experience. The room was located on the top floor of the hotel, on the fifth floor, with a magnificent view of the pool area. On the other side of the hallway, there are rooms overlooking the covered courtyard with lush palm trees and plants – a green oasis in the middle of the hotel.
Our room was generously sized at 44 square meters. Right in the entrance area we found a large closet with plenty of storage space and a safe. There was also room for two suitcases, which made it easier for us to unpack. Particularly impressive was the bathroom, which could be reached through a double-leaf door. A bathtub, a floor-level rain shower and a separate area for toilet and bidet awaited us here. The spacious washbasin offered plenty of space and the high-quality care products from Sodashi Skincare from Australia in large pump bottles rounded off the spa feeling.
In the living and sleeping area there was everything your heart desires: a well-stocked minibar, free tea and coffee capsules for the coffee machine and a cozy king-size bed equipped with dreamy pillows and a luxurious duvet. We found the large desk with plenty of storage space and the numerous sockets and USB-A ports both at the desk and at the bedside tables particularly practical – ideal for the modern traveler. The indirect lighting created a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. There were also two light-colored leather armchairs and a comfortable fabric armchair with ottoman, as well as a small marble side table on which our welcome snacks were ready.
The only small criticism was the air conditioning, which was a bit noisy and sometimes caused a slight draft. Otherwise, the room offered the highest comfort, a pleasant ambience due to the indirect lighting and made our stay at the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis an all-round successful experience.
How is the breakfast at Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis?
The breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis was a real highlight and included for us as Hilton Diamond status guests. From 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., it was served in the Ayda restaurant, located right in the hotel's impressive lobby. The restaurant is embedded in a lush green, man-made garden, which creates a relaxed atmosphere. Guests have the option of sitting in the greenery or alternatively taking a seat in the back of the restaurant or on the outdoor terrace.
The buffet extends along an open kitchen, where hot dishes and a selection of breads and cakes are offered. At the back of the restaurant is a separate, air-conditioned room where fresh delicacies such as salmon, various sausages, sandwiches, sliced fruit, cornflakes and yoghurt are offered. There are also two cooking stations with freshly prepared pancakes and egg dishes of your choice.
In addition to the buffet, there is also a breakfast menu with à la carte dishes. The Eggs Benedict with salmon or ham and the avocado toast with burrata are particularly recommended. These dishes are freshly prepared in the kitchen and brought directly to the table, as are the coffee specialties and smoothies. The service was always friendly and fast, which made breakfast an all-round pleasant experience.
All in all, the breakfast at Ayda offered both a rich selection and excellent quality for a perfect start to the day.
What is the Executive Lounge like at Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis?
Unlike many other hotels in the Hilton Group, the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis does not have a classic Executive Lounge. Instead, guests can expect the exclusive Rosetta Club, which does not require Hilton status like our Hilton Diamond status. Access is only granted to those who book a room of the corresponding category.
Behind a rather inconspicuous door in the lobby or with a special elevator from the respective room floors, we reached the Rosetta Club. There was a pleasant peace and quiet here and we always found enough comfortable seating, be it in comfortable armchairs or on soft sofas. An attractive buffet was set up on one wall, which was regularly stocked with fine tartlets, chocolates, macarons and dried fruits from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, there was a selection of coffee specialties, various teas and soft drinks as well as water. From 12 noon, beer and wine were also served, and in the daily happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. there was also a selection of spirits, mostly from the region. The service was excellent – the drinks were always brought directly to the table.
Instead of a warm buffet, the Rosetta Club offered an extensive menu of appetizers and main courses, which we could help ourselves to to our heart's content during our five-day stay – and free of charge. From Caesar Salad to Minestrone to main courses such as WA Beef Burger, Lamb Köfte or just fries for our son – the selection left nothing to be desired. The hot food was offered from 12 to 4 p.m., on request the menu was also brought to us at 7 p.m.
Particularly noteworthy was the attentive service provided by the staff, especially Mohamed Elbissy, at the Rosetta Club. We were regularly asked about our wishes and special requests were also fulfilled without hesitation. An example of the excellent service was when my wife came to her room early one evening and the staff noticed that she had a cold. On his own initiative, he suggested preparing a special tea with fresh ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks and oranges, which I could then take to my room – it is precisely this personal service that makes the difference!
To be fair, we were mostly the only guests at the Rosetta Club during our entire stay, which of course led to a particularly good student-to-student ratio. But I think that even with a higher occupancy, the service will always be attentive and of the highest quality.
What does the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis offer for relaxation?
The Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis offers various options for relaxation and recreation that will make your stay even more enjoyable. The hotel's spa area can be reached via a separate elevator.
For sports enthusiasts, the fitness centre is open around the clock. It is equipped with modern equipment and offers a variety of equipment, dumbbells and weights. I found it particularly pleasant that the service is very important here: For example, a bottle of water was already available on every treadmill, which made the start of training particularly comfortable.
From the spa area you can directly access the pool area, which is not very large, but offers an idyllic retreat due to its quiet location. Nestled in palm trees and a small garden, the pool area looks like it's from another era. Several loungers with comfortable cushions invite you to relax and the red and white striped parasols provide additional charm and shade.
When we arrived at the pool, we were greeted by the attentive staff and our loungers were prepared directly with fresh towels. At the pool bar there was ice-cold water and at irregular intervals we were served fresh fruit skewers – a welcome refreshment on the hot days. The loving details and the excellent service around the pool area contribute significantly to relaxation and quickly make you forget everyday life.
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Review of Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis
- Location
- Room
- Cleanliness
- Service
- Food
- Price/performance
Summary
In summary, the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis offers a first-class hotel experience in a quiet location by Cairo standards in an upscale Cairo neighborhood. The proximity to the airport is a clear advantage, while attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza or the Old City are at least 30 minutes away by car. The rooms met the high expectations of a Waldorf Astoria: spacious, comfortable and well equipped – even with an extra bed, there was enough space for the whole family. The service was excellent throughout. From the valet parking to the restaurant staff to the pool staff, we were always looked after in a friendly and professional manner. Especially at the Rosetta Club, we were excellently looked after by Mohamed Elbissy and his team, which made our stay even more pleasant. The food, both at breakfast and in the lounge, was convincing with its quality and large selection. Of course, there are also cheaper luxury hotels in Cairo, but we booked an attractive rate and found the price-performance ratio in this case excellent. If you are looking for luxury, excellent service and a relaxed retreat in Cairo, the Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis is the place to be.
