Hotel Velvet 1928

The room was decent, with a private bathroom and a small balcony. We stayed four nights, and the location suited our trip perfectly, close to the metro and in Old Cairo. WiFi was free and worked reasonably well. They were really kind and helpful, picking us up from the airport in the middle of the night and taking us back there at the same hour. We were just missing towels and shampoo or body lotion.

The hotel is very central, though the street below is noisy. It did get quieter overnight, and to be fair, we slept well. We paid EL900, and if I'd had more time, I would have asked for a refund. Breakfast was meant to start at 9am, but we had to catch a train and leave at 8am. They offered breakfast as we were going, but by then it was too late. We had arrived in Cairo without being able to book ahead because we had no internet, so we were desperate for a room. The only good thing about Velvet hotel was that one was available. We were exhausted and worried about finding nowhere else, but the entrance should have warned us off. The stair carpet was filthy and wasn't secured to the marble steps, so we had to be careful climbing. Our room was dirty, with one curtain in a heap on the floor. A faulty toilet left the bathroom permanently flooded and the tiled floor slippery. There were no towels at first. They eventually brought one for two people, damp, and said it was because it had just come out of the wash. The small shampoo tubes and other toiletries were dirty and looked used. Only one chandelier bulb worked. Avoid if possible.

The location is great, right in the middle of Cairo, and the staff member on reception was friendly, helpful, and hospitable. We'd stay again because basic accommodation at a reasonable price is enough for us. Still, don't be misled by the chandeliers or padded headboard. A local told us this is really a hostel, and there's nothing luxurious about it. It's very basic. There's free WiFi, but no TV, bottled water, or mini-fridge. We visited in late May, when it was very hot, so the lack of hot water was fine. The wall sockets work with US and EU plugs only. The bathroom is like a built-in closet inside the room, with no ceiling, just some wooden decor screening it off from the rest of the room, so there's no exhaust going outside.

It took us a bit of effort to find the hotel, and the traditional breakfast won't suit everyone. But the room was clean and had a really good ambience. The receptionist even helped us cook a meal for our baby. I loved their lift.