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Reviews of Windsor

3 out of 5
Windsor
19 Alfi Bey Steet, Cairo, Cairo Governorate

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 18 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 61 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

5.6/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 11 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Property is very old, so I do understand a bit of difficulty. Very hot when we were there, and ac cpuld not really cool room. Limited and dodgy wifi. Staff very eager to please. Tours arranged with Mr. Samir Fayek from hotel were great. Jotel has fewat driver and ac van for tour use, and Mohammed was a great guide! He spoke uent English, plus several ither languages. We were easily able to see all the sights.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
We booked this property because of the historic nature of the hotel. It has a fascinating original lift and is little changed from the early 20th C. However, the "faded glory" is fading quickly. The food was only fair and breakfast very disappointing and very limited. The internet didn't work at all. It was very noisy as there are major roadworks immediately outside the building. This could be a really good hotel but needs some major work, esp on amenities eg sheets were clean but old and torn. Walking distance to the Egyptian Museum.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Wonderful old hotel in central Cairo, filled with atmosphere andbold world, eccentric charm.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Classic. Like stepping back into time. Could not have asked for a more unique experience.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Justin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Absolute gem. Incredibly hotel.
This is a stunning, old hotel. Takes you back in time. Romantic, Indiana Jones hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

4/10 Poor

mary, Manchester UK

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
metro work may be the final blow to this historic
There are to be 2 years of major construction work in the streets nest to the Windsor and these go on all night - because that is when the metro is closed! So the general city centre street noise and calls to prayer pre dawn are drowned out by tunnel borers etcetera. Add to this the scary state the wiring, the grubbiness of the curtains and rugs, loose carpets on the stairs and antiquated plumbing and frankly, following the footsteps of some famous people may be better achieved elsewhere. Pity because the staff try hard in an old fashioned way, they just cannot fix a problem this big without a major investment: in their place I would use the two years of mayhem to renovate the place but maintain an early 19th century feel by decorative style, if I could rise the money.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Tara, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A precious time-capsule
This hotel is from a bygone era. It is updated just enough to make the rooms feel neat and functional but the styling is pure colonial and the service impeccable friendly. It is a true time capsule and if you value old buildings it is a gem! Ask them to connect you with Semir who will organise a guide for you. The guide Duoa which we had with George the driver was utterly perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018
Response from Doss on Feb 6, 2018
Dear Ms. Tara, It was our pleasure to meet you and to have you with us. I am glad that you left with nice memories of Egypt as well as of our hotel and home one day again we will have the honour of having you with us again

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Great location, excellent value, charming history
The Windsor Hotel in Cairo provides the budget-minded traveler with excellent value. The hotel is well located within easy walking distance of the Egyptian Museum. The management and staff are gracious and helpful. The wonderful historic ambiance of the Windsor Hotel offsets the reality of it being an older structure.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Excellent Location, Very Quaint and Affordable
The Windsor Hotel gives you a chance to step back in time to 19th century Cairo. The staff is thoroughly charming (some wirh Ritz Carlton style, and some with Faulty Towers picadillos). The bar is nostalgic and comfortable. But the best is the location and the affordable price!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

6/10 Okay

Liz, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Daily Life Experience
Interesting part of the city. Difficult to find but worth the effort if you want an authentic Cairo experience. The hotel itself looks and feels like it hasn't changed much since 1893 when it was a British Officers Mess. It's like staying in a living piece of history. Nothing much has changed including the switchboard, cage elevator, mattresses and hot water system. Thank you Samir for all your help in making our trip to Cairo a great experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018
Response from Doss on Feb 6, 2018
Thank you very much. It was our pleasure to welcome you at our hotel.

6/10 Okay

Charles, south africa

Liked: Staff & service
quaint hotel stuck in the past
the Windsor is certainly an experience. The cage lift is wonderful, the staff are sweet and friendly and helpful. The rooms are adequate, though need serious upgrading. My big problem was the bar/restaurant area. It stank of smoke and had no "NO SMOKING" areas. smoking is a huge problem all over Egypt. Although the food in the Windsor was tasty, I found that my chest literally collapsed every time I went into the bar/restaurant area. We were due to stay there again after a break away for 10 days, but I could not bear the idea of the smoke, and made other arrangements.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

s.a., new york, ny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hotel, the staff was excellent.
I would recommend this to those who appreciate old hotels. Also, the staff was very helpful in making our stay a great one; great advice/recommendations.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2017

6/10 Okay

Rebekah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
This hotel has a lot of history, has been around since the late 1800's. It used to be a British officer's club, I believe, so there is some interesting history and memorabilia. If it was fixed up it could be an amazing place. But right now it hasn't been kept up too well. The air conditioner in our room could not adequately cool the room which was the main problem since my husband was sick and it was very hot out. Our room was large and clean, however. The staff were very nice and helpful. It does not have modern hotel conveniences. If you want history and charm but don't care about the rest, this is the place for you.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Turn of Century Elegance
My third stay over 11 years and just as pleasant as ever (but I've been patronizing the bar for over 25 years). Egypt is starving for tourists and has become safe again after period of instability. For those eager to avoid the generic large corporate hotel and willing to dispense with 5-star amenities, the Windsor is the place in Cairo -- many of its competitors have folded or failed to maintain standards. Rooms are comfortable and clean, internet is good, TVs are now up to date and package is good. Staff is helpful for those less familiar with Cairo/Egypt.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Himet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed a night in this colonial era hotel - one of the best bars in the city which used to be the British Officers club ,was a pleasure to meet the owners -good food prepared by the chef.Gr8 location in Cairo downtown
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2017

8/10 Good

Leighton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Windsor old world charm and funk still has it.
We stayed at this hotel mostly for the reason it was historic.... old world charm. The owner and staff are like family to assist all your needs. It is definately quirky from the elevator cage to the staff.. but big time charm. This is not a modern hotel by any stretch and Internet is poor but they are making improvements to it.... in fact most hotels have rather bad internet or as they say "only in the lobby" .... Area has great shopping and a few good authentic Egyptian restaurants. If you want colour in a funky old hotel this is it.

6/10 Okay

Esther

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A view of former grandeur
It must have been incredible in its day but now it is very run down. The dining room is a treat and we enjoyed hanging out there in the afternoon.

8/10 Good

Jon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Quaint classic hotel. Rooms straight out of early 1900's. Clean, simple.

10/10 Excellent

Mike, New Orleans USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A step back in time
The hotel has a turn of the century feel. The elevator alone is a museum piece and the feel is very much like a movie set. Care has been taken to keep the hotel from being too modern. The room was very clean. The wifi was sketchy however, but it could have been just my room. The bar had good wine and lots of spirits.

6/10 Okay

Ebby

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Shabby but with history.

8/10 Good

nelson, usa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Interesting
in another time, it's like traveling 100 years ago , interesting , not as comfortable but really one of a kind

10/10 Excellent

Rich , New Orleans/Saudi Arabia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful old historic hotel. Wonderful staff.
Very convenient and safe.A step back in time. Do not expect the Four Seasons, but this is not why you stay here. It beckons back to another era in travel and experiences,such as a stay at this old hotel, are few and will likely not exist in the near future. I would stay at this hotel over and over. A wonderful experience all around. I urge those who are interested in historic travel to experience the Windsor. You will not be disappointed.

8/10 Good

Luke, Vancouver, BC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A glimpse into Cairo's Past Glory
The Windsor is a small hotel only for those who do not require the creature comforts of a modern Western hostelery. It is located in the middle of old downtown Cairo. The elevator is the original and the bar hasn't changed much in 60 years. Food is basic but nourishing and good. The staff are a throwback to a time when Egyptians effused love for their country and embraced anyone willing to come to Egypt to sniff the breezes with them.. It is ideal for students, adventurous couples, but not for the business traveler. Anyone with a physical disability may find accessing rooms and the hotel itself challenging.

8/10 Good

Terry, Marsfield

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great Location
The Windsor is out of an Agatha Christie novel with its decor. The staff were terrific. The hotel is located downtown and within walking distance to the Egyptian Museum.

4/10 Poor

Kim, New York

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very uncomfortable 3 nights
I came because I read reviews saying it had seen better days but had historic charm. Okay, I like hotels with character and am not very picky. Um...it's more like an abandoned building with staff than a hotel. Linens on bed and in dining rooms are threadbare. Room furnishings are kinda neat and if you squint, you can tell what it probably all once looked like when it was habitable. The wifi is a joke, resets every 90 seconds or so, and barely functions when connected. Staff is friendly and helpful, and arranged taxi transfers to/from airport. But the one time I asked for a taxi otherwise, the front desk guy went outside, looked around, came back in and said, "You can walk." I found one myself. And though staff was generally good in other parts of the 'hotel,' check-in and check-out were a nightmare because they have no idea how to cope with online reservations through Expedia and tried to charge me twice, claiming I hadn't paid. And they had the wrong arrival date. I spent a long time on the phone with Expedia who had to call them about it. Then after it was verified I already paid, the front desk acted like they did me a favor for honoring the reservation for a Deluxe room because the rate I paid was "too low." At check-out the manager had to make another phone call, again, to be sure I'd paid. I felt like a criminal or something. I use Expedia a lot, have since 1997, and never had this happen before. I was eaten alive by mosquitos ev

10/10 Excellent

Joseph, San Francisco

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Old Cairo found in this wonderful hotel
At was a pleasure to stay at this historic hotel. Although it the hotel has same deferred maintenance, it makes more then up for this with character. Wonderful staff all around.

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Perfect location if you want to really experience Cairo. Two subway lines within walking distance, as is Egyptian museum and lots of good cheap eating.

6/10 Okay

mane, Atlanta

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Has seen better times, Good people
It's in Downtown Cairo, so that's a plus. The hotel and the building is old and has not been renovated. The lobby and registration area are not what one would expect- they are dingy and not well organized. The atmosphere is of old, antiquated, quaint hotel that has seen better days and is pulling along these days. However, I'm sure other similar category Cairo hotels might be in the same boat. They are not of the same level as in developed countries. The elevator creaks and makes weird sounds as it moves. The telephone system is the old console with wires and the handset is the old style with no dial ring - you lift and it connects to the reception. The lights in the room are dim, but reasonably adequate. The beds are old, patched up, and creaky. We had to call twice to fix the flush in the bathroom. It takes 10 minutes of running the water in the tub to get hot water. On the positive side, miraculously, it all seems to work. The rooms are big, ceilings high and one gets the feeling of spaciousness. Same for the bathroom. The furniture is old, heavy, and nicely quaint. Mattresses were nice, linen very clean. We spent time in the Lounge, and again, old, dimly lit, but charming when one gets used to it all. The best part are the people - everyone from check-in to room service to lounge to ordering food- was exceptionally nice, as are most Egyptians. Overall, expect surprises, and some shock at first, if travelling from US. By the time we left, we had mixed feelings.

4/10 Poor

Not Provided

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Very Unique Old Historical Hotel. The lift is original and over 100 years. No WiFi, and no hot water, and no external phones.......

8/10 Good

Andrew, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good hotel in a great central location
While the colonial grandeur may be a little faded, the Windsor hotel is still a great place to spend a few days in London! The staff are charm personified - they couldn't have been more helpful! The bar/lounge area is especially pleasant and the dinner we had there was a tasty treat!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Classic and Cool
Thanks for everything. Vintage Cairo is the best.

8/10 Good

Keith, London

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Characterful hotel
Would unhesitatingly return here. Met promptly at airport - tours with good English-speaking guide arranged. Most hospitable atmosphere. Faded colonial elegance with good plumbing.

8/10 Good

Kirk, Devon, England

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Classic Cairo Character at a great price.
We recently visited Sharm El Sheik and spent a few nights in Cairo. We wanted to stay downtown to get the real Cairo experience and so we chose the Windsor rather than a soulless 4 star chain hotel which frankly could be anywhere. The hotel arranged airport collection and a guide for our Pyramid excursion, both of whom were very reliable and helpful and also advised us when we wouldn't need a guide (for a visit to the Egyptian Museum for example) and a stroll to the Nile for dinner. The rooms aren't luxurious or recently refurbished. They are however time capsules from a former age which perfectly reflect the buildings now faded former glories ( as a Royal bath house and Officers Club). The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful, Adil the house keeper is particularly attentive and helped us out with Mosquito repellent and an alarm call. Ideal for backpackers, culture vultures and independant travellers looking for a bona fide cairo experience, the Windsor is also suitable for families with children. We asked for an extra bed to be made up (at no extra cost) on the huge sofa for our 12 year old.

8/10 Good

Michael, Pompano Beach, FL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Old, classy, but run down
We had chosen this quaint old hotel for its location and price. At its lounge we had the best internet connection we had during our 23-day trip to Egypt.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Charming and nice hotel
Location is very central. Close to metro, the corniche, shopping and Tahrir square. Very much in the heart of downtown of old CAiro. All basic amenities can be found in a couple of minutes aroudn the hotel.Suitable for students and young travelers. Not really for children or families. FAcilities are basic and you have to be aware that being a really old building, you cannot expect the mod cons. Only single beds available. Ask for rooms with luxury bathroom only as the rest have it carved out of the room without a ceiling or a proper door. Breakfast very basic.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Not so nice experience
The hotel is far to get, as it it located in a side street of downtown. It could be a good experience for who want to try the taste of history, but for me it was so much history that i could take, even the rooms didn't have a regular phone, you have to call the reception and they switch your call to your target person. Eman (the Restaurant and bar woman) is quite cooperative and friendly. Rooms are quite clean actually, however, the air conditioning is not strong enough to temper the hot weather in such large rooms.

8/10 Good

Oliver, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Friendly staff
This hotel is ideal for the explorer, such as I, who doesn't spend a lot of time in the hotel. Situated in the middle of the already bustling city, the area is very busy and is within a 15-20 minute walk Tahrir Square, Ramses train station, the River Nile and Egyptian museum. The hotel staff is very friendly and will accommodate to your needs. They all speak English which was great for me whose Arabic is a bit rusty. They gave me awesome advice and directions around Cairo. I will stay at this hotel the next time I come to Egypt.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Style is faded colonial, so a little rough round the edges, but rooms are clean, spacious and comfortable, and service friendly. Not sure if they have family rooms, but when I'm next in Cairo without my family I will definitely stay here. Neighbourhood is not nearly as chaotic or run-down as one might initially think either, and it's great to be able to walk out to shops and cafes, though the hotel itself has an excellent bar/lounge.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Charming historic hotel
If I had known the history of this hotel from the first, I would never have bothered researching any other places in Cairo. It is the single most charming hotel I've ever stayed in. When in Cairo, I will only ever take a room at Windsor from now on!

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
decrepit, well located
A lot of character in this decrepit throwback, esp the bar. High ceilings, old cage elevator. Great location and good price; loose windows, broken door and bed, hot water takes 10mins, thin breakfast. Walk to metro, or even Museum/Tahrir. They'll send you in an 8am hotel van to the pyramids and Saqarra, for the going rate.

10/10 Excellent

Asia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michaela, Treviso

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Albergo in pieno centro con possibilita di girare a piedi per visitare ristoranti e negozi( che spesso hanno prezzi fissi, un solievo per una turista!). Ambiente famuliare e tranquillo con personale gentile e cordiale. R
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019

6/10 Okay

Monique, Arcachon France

Liked: Staff & service
hôtel très bruyant en raison des travaux du metro
nous avons reçu de bonnes propositions et conseils pour notre séjour au Caire
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Pascal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Hôtel encore dans son jus !!
Hôtel vintage en plein cœur du Caire. Situé idéalement pour se rendre à pied à Khalili ou place Tahir. Le bar et le restaurant très agréables sont, tout comme les chambres, des témoins d’une autre époque. Le personnel ainsi que sa directrice sont très agréables.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2018