Smile Apartment

The owner and the guy who greeted me were incredibly helpful. My en-suite was spotless, and the bed was comfortable. 👍

Smile Apartment 2 turned out to be a great choice for my five days in Cairo, and I’d stay there again. I was in town for a conference at The American University in Cairo, and the walk to AUC Gate 4 (Pepsi Gate) was pleasant and under ten minutes. After comparing notes with colleagues who stayed elsewhere, I’d recommend it to other visitors too. The team was a big part of what made the stay work. Mr. Khaled and his staff were responsible, friendly, and quick to help or give advice. Someone was always in the lobby or near the entrance, so checking in, going out, or returning at any hour was easy. Mamdouh was especially great. I fell in love with Egypt during this visit, in large part thanks to them. The room was functional and very clean, including the laundry. The bed, mattress, pillows, and blanket suited me well and I slept soundly. No noise or strange smells, and the sink, shower, and air conditioning all worked properly. There was also a fridge, microwave, and electric kettle. Bring your own tea bags and sugar if you need them. It’s easy to reach by car from Cairo International airport, without going through the city center traffic, and the drive takes under 30 minutes. The apartment is on a quiet little street, less than 100 meters from AUC avenue, with the university across the road. The New Cairo neighborhood by campus felt decent and safe at any hour. Some parts are still under development, but there are already shops, cafes, good roads, and nice sidewalks by AUC. For city center sightseeing, Zamalek island is about a 45-minute taxi ride away. Leave extra time during rush hour if you have a meeting or event, since Cairo traffic can be unpredictable. Even for someone focused on the city center, I think the apartment, service, and value make Smile 2 worth considering. Breakfast cost 3 US dollars a day when I stayed, and it was tasty and hearty. Just ask the owner or staff the day before. There’s a small yard with tables, chairs, trees, and flowers, a lovely place where I ate before conference events at AUC or in the city center. I’ve attached photos of it. WiFi is free. The signal may be stronger in the lobby or yard, but I could still use email and social networks from my room. Based on what dozens of colleagues told me about places they’d stayed across Cairo at different budgets, I feel I made the best choice.

What really makes Smile Apartment live up to its name is the hospitality, especially from mr. Mamdouh. The room was clean, spacious, and tidy, and the location gave easy access to everything you might need. Highly recommend.

The worst experience ever. I arrived from the airport at midnight with my two children, bags, and dog. The apartment owner already knew I had a dog, but then wanted to cancel my reservation because the dog made a sound. He gave my deposit back.