Le Meridien Pyramids vs. Cairo Marriott

[micked10@earthlink.net]

Thanks HappyMe. I will look forward to reading it.

Several years ago my oldest daughter gave me a journal and it is fun to look back and read about your trips. I try to keep it up everyday, but don't always manage that, but at least I get the main facts down and my impressions.

Have a wonderful time on your trip. I envy you.

micked10

[Animated-one]

Hi there,

 

Thank you "Happyme" for the link to Ms. Liberty river boat pics! I'm going to TRY to get another attitude adjustment and reserve my thoughts and reservations on GCT until after our trip to Egypt is over!:)

 

Moving on to another subject, the Valley of the Kings. I read in my books that you can buy 1 ticket that will get you into 3 tombs. After reading my books, it sounded like that Ramses VI, Seti I, and Ramses III were the best decorated tombs. My question is, my books NEVER mentions Rames the II as being one the better decorated tombs, you would think after building Abu Simbel it would be! What's up with that!!!!:confused: Is Rames II tomb not open to the public?? Does anybody else have a better insight on the BEST decorated tombs in the Valley of the Kings??? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[cruisemom42]

Hi there,

 

Thank you "Happyme" for the link to Ms. Liberty river boat pics! I'm going to TRY to get another attitude adjustment and reserve my thoughts and reservations on GCT until after our trip to Egypt is over!:)

 

Moving on to another subject, the Valley of the Kings. I read in my books that you can buy 1 ticket that will get you into 3 tombs. After reading my books, it sounded like that Ramses VI, Seti I, and Ramses III were the best decorated tombs. My question is, my books NEVER mentions Rames the II as being one the better decorated tombs, you would think after building Abu Simbel it would be! What's up with that!!!!:confused: Is Rames II tomb not open to the public?? Does anybody else have a better insight on the BEST decorated tombs in the Valley of the Kings??? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Good for you -- you are taking it all in stride AND doing your homework!!

 

The tomb of Ramses II was probably one of the more elaborate ones; unfortunately its location made it vulnerable to floods. I read in Lonely Planet that they estimate it has been flooded at least 7 times, and much of the decoration has been destroyed. That's probably why it isn't one of the more visited tombs.

 

Not every tomb is open on every day, so it's best to go with an open mind (again, don't get your heart set on seeing a particular tomb....). We went with a guide who looked at the tombs that were available that day and selected one from each of the 3 main periods of decorative style for us to see. (Somehow we also managed to sneak in a 4th, not sure how he wrangled that.....)

 

Seti I's tomb has been closed for restoration for many years and as of now there is no date scheduled for reopening it.

 

Some of the tombs that I have listed in my notes as being the best to visit include:

 

Best: Ramses III, VI, and IX; Tuthmosis IV, Amenhotep II

 

Also Great: Tuthmosis III, Seti II, Horemheb, Tawosret/Sethnakht, Merneptah, Ramses IV

 

 

If you want to find out more about the Valley of the Kings, this is an excellent website on the Theban Mapping Project (mapping all the tombs discovered to date):

 

http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/

[HappyMe_]

That's the spirit Animated. Just minor gliches, to what I am sure will be a thrilling holiday.

 

Thanks Cruise Mom...that is excellent website.

 

Here is something I found, that might be worth looking at too.

 

http://www.cyclejp.com/luxor/SCHEDULE.HTML

[Animated-one]

WOW!!!! What a bevy of information this link is!! Thank you Cruisemom 42! I might have to buy 2 tickets for 6 tomb viewings! I agree with you KV 35 Amenhetep II, KV 2 Ramese IV, KV 17 Seti I, are the very best! But I also like KV 8 Merenptah, KV 43 Thutmes IV, and Ramese III. I guess I'll just have to wait to see what tombs will be open the day we get there before making my decision! Thanks again, this site is definitely worth watching at least a dozen or so times!:cool:

Trish

[Animated-one]

That's the spirit Animated. Just minor gliches, to what I am sure will be a thrilling holiday.

 

Thanks Cruise Mom...that is excellent website.

 

Here is something I found, that might be worth looking at too.

 

http://www.cyclejp.com/luxor/SCHEDULE.HTML

 

Hi there,

Does the tomb schedule change daily or can I print the schedule out now and correlate it to thebanmappingproject.com. Thank you for link Happyme!!!:cool:

[HappyMe_]

Hi there,

Does the tomb schedule change daily or can I print the schedule out now and correlate it to thebanmappingproject.com. Thank you for link Happyme!!!:cool:

 

Hi there, you are most welcome.

 

I would assume, because it says 'winter schedule' at top of page, that this would be the current schedule. Their winter starts October 1.

 

At least it would be a guide.

 

Do you know if any of the tombs in the Valley of Kings are easily accessed? I am not too keen to venture in if it is extremely narrow paths, where you are in crouching position?

 

Thank you

[cruisemom42]

Do you know if any of the tombs in the Valley of Kings are easily accessed? I am not too keen to venture in if it is extremely narrow paths, where you are in crouching position?

 

Thank you

 

 

I was actually surprised at how large the tombs in the Valley of the Kings were. (Well, not that they are huge, but just larger than I had pictured from all the books and TV shows......)

 

The ones we toured were all relatively accessible. Most had openings and passages large enough that two lines of people could pass each other, and the interior rooms of course were more open (and usually had fairly high ceilings). The only time you *may* have to crouch would be to go through a small doorway or two. Some tombs were fairly level and some were on more of an incline (usually down to enter and up to exit), but it wasn't steep.

 

The pyramids are different. If you don't like crouching, confined spaces, or steep inclines I would avoid going into the pyramids at Giza or Sakkara!

[Animated-one]

I was actually surprised at how large the tombs in the Valley of the Kings were. (Well, not that they are huge, but just larger than I had pictured from all the books and TV shows......)

 

The ones we toured were all relatively accessible. Most had openings and passages large enough that two lines of people could pass each other, and the interior rooms of course were more open (and usually had fairly high ceilings). The only time you *may* have to crouch would be to go through a small doorway or two. Some tombs were fairly level and some were on more of an incline (usually down to enter and up to exit), but it wasn't steep.

 

The pyramids are different. If you don't like crouching, confined spaces, or steep inclines I would avoid going into the pyramids at Giza or Sakkara!

 

Again, Cruisemom42 and Happyme you have given me (others too) great infomation! Thank you so much!:D

[HappyMe_]

You are very welcome, glad to be of some help.

 

Cruisemom, that is indeed very good news about the size of the tombs. I think we can manage that very easily. The pyramids, welllll, will just have to live vicariously through someone else on this one!

 

We pickup our documents next Tuesday with a meeting with our group. Hope there are no surprises, unless they are good ones :), for us.

 

Time to start getting my lists in order. I get to do the big family Thanksgiving dinner, weekend before we go....so I have lots to do.

[jefarl]

we stayed at the LeMeridan in 2007 and it was fine. As for the museum, the mummy room was a waste of $18 ($100 egyptian dollars). they have a room with about 12 royal mummies in glass cases with just there names and years.. no decoration in the room, no gold items, no nothing but the mummies

 

we stayed only one night in Egypt but would not suggest venturing out at night. Cario &, Giza are poor, dirty, slums, and you are to them a "rich American" you add in a lot of danger.Eat in the hotel restaurants...

[cruisemom42]

we stayed at the LeMeridan in 2007 and it was fine. As for the museum, the mummy room was a waste of $18 ($100 egyptian dollars). they have a room with about 12 royal mummies in glass cases with just there names and years.. no decoration in the room, no gold items, no nothing but the mummies

 

we stayed only one night in Egypt but would not suggest venturing out at night. Cario &, Giza are poor, dirty, slums, and you are to them a "rich American" you add in a lot of danger.Eat in the hotel restaurants...

 

 

I'm sorry but I have to respectfully disagree. A little research ahead of time would've made clear that the Mummy room does indeed contain.....mummies. For me it was a highlight. I have read about these pharaohs all my life and, perhaps it is just me, but I could practically see their history and life stories written on their (mummified) faces.....even family resemblances in some cases.

 

Also you are not in "a lot of danger" in Cairo or Giza (unless perhaps you are trying to cross a busy street!). Crime levels there are pretty low compared to other capital cities of the world -- and most large US cities.

 

Here is an interesting link comparing Cairo to Washington DC, for example:

 

http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/aug/article004.html

[roscoe39]

we stayed at the LeMeridan in 2007 and it was fine. As for the museum, the mummy room was a waste of $18 ($100 egyptian dollars). they have a room with about 12 royal mummies in glass cases with just there names and years.. no decoration in the room, no gold items, no nothing but the mummies

 

we stayed only one night in Egypt but would not suggest venturing out at night. Cario &, Giza are poor, dirty, slums, and you are to them a "rich American" you add in a lot of danger.Eat in the hotel restaurants...

 

 

ouch! that was a bit mean....what did you expect in a "Mummy" room?????? The entrance fee was a bargain compared to not being able to seeing them.

 

Yes Cairo can be a bit of a shock for the system, but it is a very vibrant exciting and outrageous city all at the same time., perhaps only speanding one night there meant you didnt give it a chance to prove itself? :p

[smeyer418]

we stayed at the LeMeridan in 2007 and it was fine. As for the museum, the mummy room was a waste of $18 ($100 egyptian dollars). they have a room with about 12 royal mummies in glass cases with just there names and years.. no decoration in the room, no gold items, no nothing but the mummies

 

we stayed only one night in Egypt but would not suggest venturing out at night. Cario &, Giza are poor, dirty, slums, and you are to them a "rich American" you add in a lot of danger.Eat in the hotel restaurants...

 

? danger? there is hardly any street crime in Egypt. If you only stayed one night in Egypt you were scarred of you own shadow and really don't know. We were in Cairo for more than a week before our regular tour began. We ate at local restaurants walked or cabbed through the entire city and never saw a problem. I reported elsewhere than one woman when we on tour, reported her coat "stolen"...it turns out she left it on a Falucca and it was returned in tact. We walked around during the day many times without escort and saw NOTHING that would have led us to concern at all...except for crossing the street.

 

Were are you from and how often do you travel?

 

Rome as an example is much worse for tourists(pickpockets and the recent mugging of a tourist where he died) and you would hardly say that Rome is poor and filled with slums(this is not a dig at Rome its merely shows the reality of some cities)

 

 

I saw a mugging and a purse snatching(aftermath) and a fight and this was in Bermuda which hardly has poor people.

[smeyer418]

I'm sorry but I have to respectfully disagree. A little research ahead of time would've made clear that the Mummy room does indeed contain.....mummies. For me it was a highlight. I have read about these pharaohs all my life and, perhaps it is just me, but I could practically see their history and life stories written on their (mummified) faces.....even family resemblances in some cases.

 

Also you are not in "a lot of danger" in Cairo or Giza (unless perhaps you are trying to cross a busy street!). Crime levels there are pretty low compared to other capital cities of the world -- and most large US cities.

 

Here is an interesting link comparing Cairo to Washington DC, for example:

 

http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/aug/article004.html

 

 

Its too bad the site you link to is racist. Blacks are not the reason the murder rate is so high in the US. Its high purely among white people too,,,

[cruisemom42]

Its too bad the site you link to is racist. Blacks are not the reason the murder rate is so high in the US. Its high purely among white people too,,,

 

 

Yes, I hesitated to use that and probably shouldn't have. I only did so for the statistical comparisons. My bad.

[romrai]

Do not fret.. We stayed at Le Meridien last year. It was wonderful. We woke up in the morning looking at the pyramids from bed! The staff were great. There was a wedding everynight of our 5 nights. All a little different, from traditional muslim to modern with a eastern twist. Belly dancers with candleabras on their heads one night as well. Very clean. It might not be 5 star by some countries standards but it was up there as well. Good buffet breakfast. There is a great little restaurant about 1/2 a block down towards the pyramids, Falfela. Very cheap. Cost $20. for 2. Thats appys, main course, desert, shisha and tip. We said we had no idea what to order and they were very helpful. It is cheap enough to take a taxi to downtown Cairo. What is the scary part is the drive itself. Might suggest a personal guide. We used Debbie from casual cairo detours (google search) she's american who has lived there for 10 years. You will find that no matter where you go, someone has their hand out. Even the police who volunteer to take your pic's. You will have a great time.

[lambs2]

Do not fret.. We stayed at Le Meridien last year. It was wonderful. We woke up in the morning looking at the pyramids from bed! The staff were great. There was a wedding everynight of our 5 nights. All a little different, from traditional muslim to modern with a eastern twist. Belly dancers with candleabras on their heads one night as well. Very clean. It might not be 5 star by some countries standards but it was up there as well. Good buffet breakfast. There is a great little restaurant about 1/2 a block down towards the pyramids, Falfela. Very cheap. Cost $20. for 2. Thats appys, main course, desert, shisha and tip. We said we had no idea what to order and they were very helpful. It is cheap enough to take a taxi to downtown Cairo. What is the scary part is the drive itself. Might suggest a personal guide. We used Debbie from casual cairo detours (google search) she's american who has lived there for 10 years. You will find that no matter where you go, someone has their hand out. Even the police who volunteer to take your pic's. You will have a great time.

 

Thanks for your review of the Le Meredien. We have a pyramid view room reserved there for Feb. 09 and are looking forward to our short stay. Do you remember your room number as it sounds like you had one with a nice view of the pyramids!

[Lorefull]

I am debating whether to stay near the Pyramids at Le Meridien but concerned with how busy it may be as my husband and I really want a really peaceful setting to relax after hot crowded sight seeing. The pictures of the pool area seem to be surrounded by high walls. The other hotel I'm considering is the JW Marriott closer to the airport. It has spacious grounds and pool area and is a quiet setting. Pros are proximity to airport and quiet setting, Cons are just that it is away from the city so more travel time to the Museum first day and the Pyramids the second day. Anyone have any suggestions? Only looking at 5 star hotels. Welcome any input here as I'm driving myself crazy reading reviews and viewing as many pictures as I can. We will be in Cairo just for 2 nights in June after 2 nights in Luxor then a week Nile cruise.

[roscoe39]

I am debating whether to stay near the Pyramids at Le Meridien but concerned with how busy it may be as my husband and I really want a really peaceful setting to relax after hot crowded sight seeing. The pictures of the pool area seem to be surrounded by high walls. The other hotel I'm considering is the JW Marriott closer to the airport. It has spacious grounds and pool area and is a quiet setting. Pros are proximity to airport and quiet setting, Cons are just that it is away from the city so more travel time to the Museum first day and the Pyramids the second day. Anyone have any suggestions? Only looking at 5 star hotels. Welcome any input here as I'm driving myself crazy reading reviews and viewing as many pictures as I can. We will be in Cairo just for 2 nights in June after 2 nights in Luxor then a week Nile cruise.

The last few times Ive been to Cairo Ive stayed at the Marriott Omar Khayyam,

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/caieg-cairo-marriott-hotel-and-omar-khayyam-casino/

 

its a beautiful old palace with a couple of modern accomadation towers and has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment.

Its really close to the Museum Nileometer and short taxi rides to the Bazaar and railway station. Its about $us10 to the Giza plateau.

Great restaurants and terrific views of the nile., cant recommend it highly enough. The pool area is huge, and the gardens in the hotel lush and quiet,

I tend to take most reviews with a grain of salt, quite a lot of times they are written by people with an axe to grind and arnt that helpful.

I hope you enjoy your stay, Egypt is one of the most interesting and fabulous countries on earth....

regards Roscoe

[WeBeGone]

We've stayed at both and the Marriott Omar Khayyam is amazing!! Nothing was wrong with the Le Meridian except that Giza is a long way from the other Cairo sites.

[JoeyJoJoShabadu]

No contest. The Cairo Marriott Omar Khayyam Casino is a palace. Literally ... its a former palace. The garden is an oasis for expats. In cairo it's a place that takes you away from the chaos.