Marriott Mena House

This former 19th-century hunting lodge turned 5-star Marriot hotel is the ideal staging post for an early visit to the Pyramids before the crowds; it sits right beside the Great Pyramid of Giza. The magical views of the pyramid and desert and unrivalled.

It’s also one of the best-preserved examples in Cairo of the Moorish/Arabesque style of interior design, and has an elegance that makes it stand out. There’s rich history too. A long procession of rulers and dignitaries have stayed here; Churchill and Roosevelt met here to plan the D-Day invasions.

Rooms are fairly uninspired and functional, but some have views of the pyramids. From pyramid-view rooms you can have breakfast on your balcony with the world’s greatest ancient wonder as a backdrop.

There’s good in-house dining and spacious public areas and gardens – a rarity in Cairo.

However, it is located on the city’s western edge, so inconvenient for exploring the city’s other attractions.