The Mena House Oberoi at Giza, is a glorious destination location all its own, but a added plus is it's so close to the pyramids, a two-ton stone's throw away. Mena House Oberoi was one of the royal palaces built in the 1800s that dot the historic region before the Aswan Dam was built. No expense was spared in the lavish appointments and accoutrements gracing the hallowed, gold-gilded halls and great rooms. Expensive rare dark wood add to the luxuriousness against the backdrop of marble, sandstone and limestone walls. Footsteps echo in the opulent high-ceiling chambers and halls richly lavished with wooded lattice architecture befitting a pharaoh. Even though the rooms were clean and simple in comparison to the ornately furnished restaurants, halls, lobby, and gift shops, they were newly renovated. The greatest feature can only be viewed from the palace wing... a balcony overlooking the palm-lined Nile river and beyond to the sandstone and limestone pyramids, the entire reason for going the distance from Cairo in addition to the glorious palace itself. There are also rooms overlooking the palace gardens if one can't get a pyramid view. Quite a romantic setting on the balcony watching the sun drop from the sky and Osirus retreating to the underworld. The pyramids miraculously light up in brilliant perfection as night falls. Bring enough of the right kind of film for this wondrous night display. Even if the pyramids were not a destination place, the Mena House Oberoi palace alone is enough reason to make reservations. Your stay will make you wish to never leave and live on into immortality just to walk the grand halls into eternity...

This fantastic place merite some sacrifices and to break your moneybox to rent a room or a suite in the old part wich have a great view on the pyramides. The charm of these old rooms is difficult to explain but combine old furnitures and a not ostentatious vintage luxury. Once on your life you have to stay in this palace, a timeless experience !
The Indian restaurant is always as well as twenty years ago.

We stayed at the Mena House for the first three days of a 16-day Egyptian tour, booked with Egypt Online Adventure.

The super friendly staff welcomed us during check-in with the best hibiscus juice we had on the entire trip. We stayed in a pyramid view room—a view not to be missed!!! We decided to spend one day relaxing at the pool and enjoying the hotel. The pool and views do not disappoint, the staff at the pool is very friendly and accommodating.

We booked our first dinner at the Thai restaurant and it was just as good as the reviews state! It is busy so book with the front desk – we were able to get seating at 7:30 the day of arrival so we were happy.

Breakfast: Huge buffet with many different foods to meet cultural needs. They do make eggs to order you just have to ask the chef. The yummy hibiscus juice is available at the drink bar – don’t miss it!

There is not an ATM on the hotel grounds, it is right outside. When we visited the ATM many of the locals gathered around us offering goods for sale, a visit to their store or a ride in taxi. We simply ignored them and they stood back from us while we used the ATM. After we walked away from the ATM we were fair game again!

Many of the vendors, right outside of the hotel, seem aggressive if you are not familiar with the Egyptian culture. The stores across the street are a great place to get water and sodas (a lot less than in the hotel). Haggle, you will pay around 5 EGP per large water, the price will likely start at 10EGP and goes down with larger purchases and more bartering. Good luck!

When we ordered our first beer and bottle of water at the pool we were shocked at the price – however, the prices at the Mena house were the same as other hotels on this trip. Plus it was really nice to have the fresh cold beer and water in an ice bucket while we enjoyed the pool and warm sun. (same comment for internet - though pricey, it was the standard price we saw at other hotels)

There is a bank in the hotel near the front desk. We highly suggest you exchange large bills for a stack of 5, 10 and 20 EGPs as well as a roll of 1EGP coins (for bathroom breaks while traveling). You will need them – tipping is just a part of the culture and you will find yourself giving a small tip for nearly everything. When you think you have enough change especially 5 EGP bills, get a few more! We ran out a few days after we left Cairo and had a hard time getting change the rest of the vacation (even from other banks).

We were celebrating our 15th year of marriage and the hotel surprised us every day – an anniversary card, flowers, a super yummy chocolate cake and one evening, when we returned from our Nile cruise, they had decorated our room with tea candles!!! Romantic!

The Mena house has such a magical atmosphere with a friendly and welcoming staff! We must have taken over 100 pictures around the grounds and from the balcony of the pyramids! Truly a great start to our vacation!

A lovely old lodge, enlarged and improved over the years. Across from the Mena are a number of small shops and please remember to bargain. There are a number of restaurants from which to choose and the food seems uniformly good at each. The grounds are marvelous, as is the pool area.