Arkan Egyptian Museum Hotel

It was frightening to arrive at night in an area that felt unsafe, with poverty and rubbish everywhere. When we got there, we found no actual hotel, just a sign with its name. We had to book somewhere else for the whole week. Later we checked Google reviews and realised we weren't the first people to be misled.

I had to leave the place they sent me to immediately. It was awful. I made my reservation through Booking, and both the site and the property confirmed it. When I could barely find the location, I called to check I had it right. Someone told me my booking had been cancelled because of a tourist visit to the Grand Egyptian museum, and that they'd moved my reservation to another hotel they owned. They said they'd emailed me about the cancellation, but I couldn't find any message from them. They hadn't contacted me through Booking either, even though that's how they'd confirmed the reservation. I called back to say I hadn't received any cancellation notice, which could have saved me time and effort. This time someone said the place was under maintenance, and that's why they'd cancelled. When I said I'd post a review, he ended the call. Awful service and communication. An awful experience!

The hotel is closed.

The warm welcome was a highlight, and the hotel has real potential at its current room prices. Access can be tricky, though: most taxis get lost, and since the building has several hotels, it's not obvious that this one is on the second floor. The rooms are newly opened, clean, and well-equipped, with a stunning view of the Egyptian Museum. If they raise prices, the room finishes will need to improve.