Four nights on the Nile

Kemet, (the Black Land), Deshret (the Red Land), Hout-ak Ptah, (Temple for the Ka of Ptah - earliest of the Egyptian Gods), Aegyptus (Ancient Greeks name), copthi (name for Egyptian citizen back when the country was predominantly Christian), Misr El Mahrosa (Castellated or Fortified country that keeps out invaders, name when the country became predominantly Muslim), or Egypt, as you can see has many names and is many things to many people, even in modern times. There are layers and layers of Ancient Egypt evident each time you turn your head here, horse and buggies straight outta 1890’s London. Papyrus industry going strong – mostly for tourists now, and myriad old old buildings that take a second look to confirm just how old they are – 100 year old elevators, marble worn concave on the entrance way steps of those same buildings. And all this ancient history presses its persistent presence on the modern place that is Egypt and its citizenry now. It is very noticeable, especially to a person who chooses to be keen to notice….

It seems a shame then to go there on a business trip for four days and not be able to see any of the ancient sites, take no extra time to discover the place and rather spend time at the work venue, then back to hotel, a dinner out with colleagues, back to the hotel, and repeat the next day for four days. Even it is a shame, one redeeming factor on this trip, from a trip-advisor point of view was the hotel itself.

On the Website, Hotel Novotel El Borg is described like this: “Novotel Cairo El Borg is a contemporary 4-star hotel with panoramic views over the Nile. Centrally located, the hotel is within walking distance of the Opera House and Egyptian Museum.” I had not the time to visit either the Opera house or the Museum but yes they were very close to the hotel. Café Frais is on the roof of the hotel and it has a really spectacular view of the River Nile, Tahrir Square, and the Lion of the Revolution Bridge.

At night party/cruise boats line up in front of the hotel and blare loud music well into the morning to attract tourists on board for tours of the river. If you open the hotel window you’re in for a sleepless night but with the window closed the sound outside becomes white noise that gently rocks you to sleep. I did not find the noise bothersome at all but I can see how it would be a big problem if for example you are one who likes to sleep with the windows open. The AC is very good, so no need really to open windows.

The staff all speak English fluently. Breakfast is continental as expected and you can have your Foule (Arab Bean mixure) and Homos (Arabic Chick Pea, garlic, and Olive Oil Paste), if you really honestly still crave a bit of that at 6:30 in the Morning. Supper in the hotel is normal also. I had the Tandoori Chicken which had a bit of spice to it – just enough to make the meal stand up and be noticed without ruining the rest of the oriental flavors on the plate.
Quite a few families were checked in at Novotel El Borg. There is an outdoor pool tucked in beside the hotel, not big but big enough to do laps in, and a well-equipped health club upstairs beside Café Frais.

I’m not sure if I would choose Novotel El Borg for a family vacation, personally, however the hotel, I found, is a decent business hotel at the four star level and a good base from which to conduct your business as it is close to center of Cairo business district.
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