Gamaleya Boutique Hotel

We're so glad we found this little gem in the old town of Cairo, it exceeded our expectations (as did Cairo and its people). Be aware that when booking a standard double room, not every room is the same. If you can't handle being assigned a room that is not identical to the pictures of the room you booked, then do yourself a favour and look elsewhere. Same goes if you can't handle the noise of a living city at night (which is actually not as bad as some make you believe). The Gamaleya Boutique Hotel is for those who appreciate unique and quaint, yet very comfortable accommodation and a location in the middle of where it's happening. We came to explore the old town, and could easily have stayed two weeks here to see it all. We'd return in a heartbeat!

This is NOT the usual western hotel experience. After many 5-star hotels during our trip, I decided to cancel our last night at the Ritz Carlton by the Nile and spend it here by the Khan al Khalili market to make the most of Cairo. I read loads of reviews on other sites talking about the unbearable noise. This is true, we didn’t sleep much. After the music and people noise until the very late hours faded, the prayer calls and singing started. It’s not possible to sleep. However, what an absolutely jewel of a building with the various handcraft stores on the ground floor, the internal courtyard leading up to our room (small, but clean). It was visualising Naguib Mafouz descriptions from his books. In fact the only reason I stayed here was for precisely this experience, to see the real Cairo, the real people- away from the comfortable safe environment of the usual hotels for western tourists. Driving to the hotel, we saw it all, men smoking their shishas, children playing on the streets, stray dogs cats, chaos everywhere. I loved it. I saw a lot of what I had imagined reading Mafouz. This is a great experience, not a stay. I was exhausted but exhilarated. I need my sleep so can’t imagine anything longer. Staff had the biggest smile but English was their forte.

Raghad and the rest of staff were more than helpful. They are very passionate and dedicated to their one of a kind unique establishment. If In Cairo again, we will stay there again no hesitation.

This is a gem of a hotel in old Islamic Cairo. Relatively new, and not well-known, I felt lucky to chance upon it while researching our trip. This boutique hotel is for the more adventurous type, who doesn’t mind not having all of the amenities of larger Western-style hotel. It’s in a congested area, noisy and, due to narrow streets, challenging to get to by car. But it is in the heart of the city, close to the massive el Khalili market, and we loved it. The people who run it, Youhannna and Khouloud, are lovely rock-solid people. Noora, who runs the kitchen is delightful and will greet you with a wonderful homecooked meal each morning (even dinner, on special request). The hotel is beautifully decorated and restored, with the ground level dedicated to supporting and training local artisans (with many gorgeous fair-trade items for sale in a no pressure environment). There are several excellent restaurants within walking distance (including the rooftop restaurant at Le Riad and Naguib Mahfouz Coffee Shop). The hotel was so adored by our group that we changed our plans so we could stay there on our return to Cairo later in the month. It’s a small hotel and books up, so definitely plan ahead!

This lovely hotel is a hidden gem just inside the walls of the old part of Cairo. This is where you will immediately feel you are part of Cairo street life with all its amazing colour and energy in a way you never would in one of the smart hotels in the modern part of Cairo. The minute you walk out of the door you will be in the vast ancient souk full of life and colour. The building used to be a soap factory which the owner discovered in ruins and has built into a delightful boutique hotel. It’s a true community enterprise because on the ground floor are artisan craftspeople working in separate little workshops - silversmiths, weavers, woodworkers etc- you can enjoy watching them at work and buy their beautiful creations if you like. The staff are absolutely lovely - nothing us too much trouble for them. This place feels more like a home than a hotel. Highly recommended!