Review: InterContinental Semiramis in Cairo, Egypt
InterContinental Semiramis is a five-star IHG hotel towering over the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt. I stayed at this property in Summer 2024 for nearly two weeks, which gave me plenty of time to experience the property and the surrounding area of downtown Cairo.
Outside of this being my first time in Egypt, I was especially looking forward to experiencing this hotel as we scored a massive upgrade to one of their Presidential Suites overlooking the Nile, thanks to our InterContinental Ambassador status.
Did the Intercontinental Semiramis live up to my expectations? Let’s dive into my review…
Location
InterContinental Semiramis is located in downtown Cairo, alongside the Nile River, near El Tahir Square and the Egyptian Museum. The neighborhood is BUSY and may be overwhelming if it is your first stop after landing at Cairo International Airport. The area has a unique charm once you adjust to the new environment, though… especially as the sun sets.
InterContinental Semiramis is 20 kilometers from Cairo International Airport, which takes 45 minutes to drive.
The Pyramids of Giza, which you can see off the horizon on a clear day, are also about 20 kilometers from the hotel.
Lobby & Check In
Upon arriving at the hotel, there is a quick security check as you pass through the entrance. The security guards were always friendly, so it shouldn’t be intimidating.
Once you’re in the hotel, you’ll notice that the lobby is lively (and that is the case at all hours of the day). The front desk and guest elevators are straight ahead, and restaurants are both to your right and left.
InterContinental Semiramis has a separate check-in desk for Ambassador guests, but I didn’t see it used while I was there. The main check-in desk usually has multiple employees working, so you shouldn’t have to wait long if you use that line.
Presidential Suite
After getting keys, I had to head straight to my room to see the Presidential Suite! My room was at the end of a long hallway, and the entrance looked like any other room, but boy, I was impressed once the door opened!
The hotel had roses waiting for me…
There is plenty of room to entertain, with both a living and dining room.
The Presidential Suite even has two private balconies, one accessible from this area…
The suite also has a complete kitchen, with a full-size fridge and small cooking space…
There are even two bathrooms! The first one is for your guests…
The private bedroom is on the other side of the suite, complete with its own balcony, work desk, and bathroom…
The Presidential Suite seriously feels like your own apartment!
The private bathroom even has two rooms… The first room features a dual vanity and bathtub…
In the second room, a separate shower, toilet, and washing machine are tucked away.
(The washing machine is behind where I stood for this photo.)
Last but certainly not least were the breathtaking views of Cairo and the Nile River from the balcony. I enjoyed sitting out here for lunch and as the sun set in the evenings.
While the area is lively, fortunately, the room’s soundproofing is solid, and I couldn’t hear the sounds of the city when it came time to sleep at night.
Pool, Spa, and Gym
InterContinental Semiramis also has an impressive pool, spa, and gym on the 4th floor. You can’t beat the views outside!
The iconic Cairo Tower can be seen across the Nile to your right…
The hotel serves drinks and light snacks by the pool. I usually ordered Guava Juice (which I first tried on my EgyptAir flight from Berlin). I will say the service at the pool was frustrating at some points. I felt ignored most of the time, even though multiple employees were working!
I visited the Semiramis Spa twice during my stay, and it was a great experience!
I thought the prices were reasonable, too…
5,000 EGP for an 85-minute Signature Massage is about $98.
Here is where you wait before your spa treatment… the employees bring you hot tea… so relaxing!
The Semiramis Spa facilities are also accessible free of charge for hotel guests. There is a gender-separated steam room, sauna, and hot tub inside.
The hotel’s gym is located next door to the spa. It has everything needed for a solid workout.
I never had to wait to use a treadmill…
They even had free weights…
I highly recommend visiting the hotel’s pool, spa, and gym. The facilities made my stay!
Club InterContinental Lounge
The next part of the hotel I was excited to check out was Club InterContinental on the 18th floor, which was included thanks to our IHG Ambassador status.
Employees will verify your room number at the entrance, and it is essential to be dressed accordingly. I recommend business casual attire (and no shorts – you will be turned away).
The lounge is upscale!
There is a buffet of light snacks – think fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread…
Protein is also served from the kitchen. There is a rotating menu of chicken and fish.
Club InterContinental was a treat during our stay. It was nice being able to swing by for a quick dinner.
Restaurants
There are nine restaurants at InterContinental Semiramis, all with different menus and cuisines. During my stay, I dined at Sushiramis, Birdcage, Café Corniche, and The Grill.
Even though it wasn’t my favorite meal, I appreciated that the hotel had a variety like Sushiramis…
Birdcage, the hotel’s Thai restaurant, was great! I ordered chicken Pad Thai.
I ordered takeout from Café Corniche almost daily for lunch. The smoked turkey ciabatta was my favorite! It comes with spicy pickled vegetables on the side, and I still dream about them! Soo good!
They also sell ice cream at Café Corniche, which I stopped at several times in the evening for a treat since they are open 24 hours per day.
Our last meal was at The Grill, which features delicious dry-aged steaks. This was my favorite meal by far! The sides were excellent, and the restaurant also served authentic Egyptian wines.
Closing Thoughts
The InterContinental Semiramis in Cairo, Egypt, offers a luxurious blend of comfort, elegance, and unforgettable views of the Nile River. During my nearly two-week stay in Summer 2024, I explored every corner of this five-star property, from the lively lobby to the serene pool, spa, and gym. Thanks to our InterContinental Ambassador status, we were upgraded to a stunning Presidential Suite, which felt like a private apartment with expansive living areas and breathtaking views of Cairo. Dining at the hotel’s diverse restaurants added to the experience, and the Club InterContinental Lounge offered an easy retreat in the evening. Despite minor service hiccups, the InterContinental Semiramis is a remarkable destination that exceeded expectations!
Have you visited InterContinental Semiramis? How was your experience?
