Within walking distance of the pyramids, this hotel is 10 km southwest of the city center. This fusion of resort and city hotel is a popular choice in Giza after The Mena House Oberoi for those in search of elegance and astute service. However, groups have begun to take over the public areas especially when sightseeing tours unload their buses into the hotel to have lunch around the pool. At inspection, plans were underway to begin a total refurbishment to be completed in 2009.
A circular driveway and a porte cochere front the six-story hotel, which has its own pyramid design. Taller than its neighbors, it provides some of the best views of the pyramids. Aiming for sophistication, the two-story lobby hits a bull's-eye with its graceful chandeliers, atrium waterfall and flower displays, well-made sofas
with regional flair, and Oriental rugs.
The lobby bar and restaurant Harris Cafe—with Giza's best pastries—supplements Laredo, a whimsical Texas-style steak house, and The Med, an elegant Mediterranean restaurant with hand-painted murals and top-notch service, and the outdoor-indoor Nubian Village, with Lebanese and other Middle-Eastern dishes. The Al Shams coffeeshop is open 24/7, and its sumptuous buffet has both Middle Eastern and European selections.
The hotel wraps around one of Egypt's largest free-form heated pools with waterfalls and swimup bar, and guests pay to use the health club's saunas, whirlpool, shock showers and tennis courts. The revamped spa offers a full roster 
of treatments designed to soothe the skin and mind after a day plowing through Giza's historic sights. The banquet room holds up to 800 with additional space on the sides, and a beauty salon is on-site. Tour groups dining in the meeting rooms at lunch or on the terrace at dinner are often overwhelming for individuals.
Decor in the guest rooms is a modern interpretation of regional themes, with pharaonic stone reliefs, cubist nightstands, and vase lamps on pyramidal dressers. New rooms boast hardwood floors with more colorful artwork and appointments while the older units (often used for groups) feature faded carpet and the same tired fabrics from years past. Duvets and plump pillows rest weary tourists. Amenities include air conditioning, TVs (flat-screen TVs in suites), robes, slippers, high-speed Internet 
(for a fee), safes and minibars. Some rooms have balconies, and those with views of the pyramids cost more. There are two floors of premium units.
Housekeeping is among this hotel's strong points, room service operates round the clock, and the smiling multilingual staff is professional.
This operation is geared to finicky North American and European groups who put up with the construction and renovation projects to be so close to the sights. Potential clients should be aware that the less impressive Sofitel down the street charges more for less.
