An Oasis in Egypt: Mena House Marriott

"Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you..." Matthew 2:13

7/7/20247 min read

When exploring Egypt, one stands in awe of the pyramids. So much has changed since their construction, and the land is so vast around them. They stand as monuments at the edge of the Sahara Desert, where sand and heat are dominant and water is scarce. However, scientists now believe that a branch of the Nile River once ran very close to this area, taking some of the mystery of their construction to a conclusion. When visiting Egypt, there may be many mysteries still unknown, but there is no mystery about where one must stay.

The Mena House Marriott, once a royal lodge, was built in 1886. As you walk the grounds, you feel like you’re in the center of a movie set. From perfectly manicured lawns to refreshing pools, the hotel is an experience on its own. However, when you come to Egypt, you come for the pyramids, and this hotel offers views for days. We were fortunate enough to secure a room with a balcony view of the Great Pyramids of Giza, a sight definitely worth waking up to. If you are in a room opposite this view, don’t worry; you can eat alongside history with these views in the restaurant area as well.

Once in this area, you can easily access the historic town of Giza. Take a ride in a horse-drawn cart around the pyramids; the guides will share stories and facts about the area while offering to secure that perfect shot of you in front of the pyramids. Walk up to the Sphinx or explore the museum found on the property. With so many things to see, make sure to get there early, as the heat can be unbearable during the hottest points of the day. If you reach the pyramids early enough, you can beat the bulk of the tourists, see the sights, and then head south to the Step Pyramids and surrounding areas. You will need transportation for this, and if you’d like a guide, we recommend contacting Tommy via WhatsApp (+20 100 155 1329). Tommy can highly recommended to us. He was a wealth of knowledge and extremely professional offering reasonable prices. He coordinated our airport pick-up and drop-off, as well as all of our tours. He made our travel in a hectic city stress-free.

After you get your fill of the pyramids, coordinate a day trip to downtown Cairo with Tommy. We recommend seeing the Cairo Citadel, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and shopping at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. We also took time to see the Coptic Area of Cairo. This is especially interesting as it is a Christian area in a predominantly Muslim country. Our tour guide, George, was a Christian scholar and knew this area of the city very well. Make sure to request him! He explained each church and its significance, especially during Biblical times.

This was our second trip to Egypt, so we only spent a long-weekend in Cairo. It was just a quick flight from Riyadh. Although, if you are coming from the States, we encourage you to allow over 1-week to visit Egypt. Take a cruise along the Nile River and see Luxor as well. There are many different cruise lines to choose from. Tommy can help coordinate all of this for you

The Mena House Marriott offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, history, and convenience, making it the perfect base for your Egyptian adventure. Whether you're marveling at the pyramids from your balcony, exploring the rich history of Giza and Cairo, or embarking on a Nile River cruise, this hotel ensures a memorable experience. Your journey through Egypt's ancient wonders and vibrant culture will be greatly enhanced by the exceptional service and breathtaking views provided by the Mena House Marriott. So, when planning your trip to Egypt, make sure to book your stay at this magnificent oasis.

When exploring Egypt, one stands in awe of the pyramids. So much has changed since their construction, and the land is so vast around them. They stand as monuments at the edge of the Sahara Desert, where sand and heat are dominant and water is scarce. However, scientists now believe that a branch of the Nile River once ran very close to this area, taking some of the mystery of their construction to a conclusion. When visiting Egypt, there may be many mysteries still unknown, but there is no mystery about where one must stay.

The Mena House Marriott, once a royal lodge, was built in 1886. As you walk the grounds, you feel like you’re in the center of a movie set. From perfectly manicured lawns to refreshing pools, the hotel is an experience on its own. However, when you come to Egypt, you come for the pyramids, and this hotel offers views for days. We were fortunate enough to secure a room with a balcony view of the Great Pyramids of Giza, a sight definitely worth waking up to. If you are in a room opposite this view, don’t worry; you can eat alongside history with these views in the restaurant area as well.

Once in this area, you can easily access the historic town of Giza. Take a ride in a horse-drawn cart around the pyramids; the guides will share stories and facts about the area while offering to secure that perfect shot of you in front of the pyramids. Walk up to the Sphinx or explore the museum found on the property. With so many things to see, make sure to get there early, as the heat can be unbearable during the hottest points of the day. If you reach the pyramids early enough, you can beat the bulk of the tourists, see the sights, and then head south to the Step Pyramids and surrounding areas. You will need transportation for this, and if you’d like a guide, we recommend contacting Tommy via WhatsApp (+20 100 155 1329). Tommy can highly recommended to us. He was a wealth of knowledge and extremely professional offering reasonable prices. He coordinated our airport pick-up and drop-off, as well as all of our tours. He made our travel in a hectic city stress-free.

After you get your fill of the pyramids, coordinate a day trip to downtown Cairo with Tommy. We recommend seeing the Cairo Citadel, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and shopping at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. We also took time to see the Coptic Area of Cairo. This is especially interesting as it is a Christian area in a predominantly Muslim country. Our tour guide, George, was a Christian scholar and knew this area of the city very well. Make sure to request him! He explained each church and its significance, especially during Biblical times.

This was our second trip to Egypt, so we only spent a long-weekend in Cairo. It was just a quick flight from Riyadh. Although, if you are coming from the States, we encourage you to allow over 1-week to visit Egypt. Take a cruise along the Nile River and see Luxor as well. There are many different cruise lines to choose from. Tommy can help coordinate all of this for you

The Mena House Marriott offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, history, and convenience, making it the perfect base for your Egyptian adventure. Whether you're marveling at the pyramids from your balcony, exploring the rich history of Giza and Cairo, or embarking on a Nile River cruise, this hotel ensures a memorable experience. Your journey through Egypt's ancient wonders and vibrant culture will be greatly enhanced by the exceptional service and breathtaking views provided by the Mena House Marriott. So, when planning your trip to Egypt, make sure to book your stay at this magnificent oasis.