Accommodations

You can find any of Cairo’s many luxury hotels by looking for the nearest 30-story ink tower; finding a decent budget hotel is more of a challenge. You can stay in easonable comfort for as little as LE10 per night, but you will have to do some com-narison shopping. Most of Cairo’s budget hotels occupy the upper floors of stores and office buildings in the downtown area along Tala’at Harb St. between Tahrir Sq and July 26 St. The quality varies with little relationship to price: try bargaining, olead poverty, but don’t hold out too long; the best beds fill quickly in summer.

Don’t shy away from hotels perched on upper floors. Cairo’s streets are noisy throughout much of the night and the increased altitude will aid sleep-but make sure the elevator works before committing. Rooms overlooking interior courts are even quieter, if less aesthetic. The breeze at this height and the fall in temperature at night make air-conditioning unnecessary, even when the days are sweat-sizzling. Many places rent fans cheaply and serve tea, coffee, and soft drinks in their lobbies. Unless otherwise specified, breakfast and round-the-clock hot water is included in the price. The checkout time is noon.