Talisman Hotel

Location: 39 Talaat Harb St., Downtown, Cairo, Cairo, EG

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 01:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Instructions: Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free breakfast
• Free WiFi
• 24-hour front desk
• Continental breakfast
• Designated smoking area
• Concierge service
• Elevator
• Shopping on site
• Television in common areas
• Library
• Free breakfast
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Multilingual staff
• Porter/bellhop
• Free continental breakfast

Rooms Available

• Double Room

  2 King Beds

  Balcony with city views

  
  

  Layout - Separate sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Food & Drink - Minibar (fees may apply)

  Sleep - Premium bedding and blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Partially open bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries

  Practical - Safe, desk, and phone

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi
  • Partially open bathroom

• Single Room

  1 Twin Bed

  Overlooking the city

  
  

  Layout - Separate sitting area

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Premium bedding and blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Partially open bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries

  Practical - Desk and phone

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • Satellite channels
  • Bidet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Separate sitting area
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Partially open bathroom
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking

Guest Reviews

• Verified traveler (6/5): good once you find it, and bring cash! - Nice people and rooms, but awful breakfast and virtually impossible to find. through an unmarked doorway on a side street of the street named in the address, with no signage externally.
• Nikta (6/5): Not happy with location, payment, breakfast - Location : It is extraordinary difficult to find the entrance especially over the weekend as it is crazy crowded near the entrance. We had to drag our luggages and go through the crowd to enter the main building. In the building it was not easy to find the main door, and we had to go up and down multiple time with a no so safe elevator. Payment: I had to pay the fee at the hotel and wanted to pay in Egyptian pound, but I was told I can only pay in $, or the equal amount in Egyptian pounds but with THE BLACK market exchange rate, which was almost double of what I exchanged my $. (1$=31 EGP, vs 50EGP in black market) Breakfast: it was way below expectations, very simple, not much variety, it took them almost 10 min to give us bread.
• Françoise (6/5): - En positif : lit confortable , eau très chaude et puissante pour la douche. En négatif ; hôtel au 5 éme étage et parties communes absolument dégoûtantes - voire immondes !! Petit dej très médiocre … et thé / café ds les gobelets de carton. Rideaux et décoration très poussiéreux … et tentative pour nous facturer les bouteilles d’eau habituellement offertes !!
• Rachel (10/5): - We loved this meticulously restored to its 1800s splendor--think Haussmann Parisian high ceilings and large French windows--with exquisite Egyptian antiques yet all modern conveniences (en suite bathrooms, air conditioning etc). Atmosphere is completed by being met each morning by elderly woman maitre d' in flawless French. High on 5th floor down a pedestrianized side street, no Cairo traffic noise to disturb you. Walkable to Egyptian Museum and old Cairo but in an Egyptian medium/high shopping neighborhood so no hassle and lots of good local (ie not tourist) food options. As others have said, dont be put off by rather run down ground floor covered courtyard from which you get lift to 5th floor. This hotel is the antidote to bland, impersonal, 5 star hotels and grotty noisy backpacker hotels. Plus, instead of trying to sell you tours or overpriced transport, here they told us about Uber which was a fraction of the price, very reliable and had seatbelts, and local restaurants from which they got no commission! Character, cleanliness, convenience. You could not do better.
• Dwight (4/5): - Please be advised, the building in which this hostel is located is a semi-abandon building. There was a man sleeping in the hallway entrance of the place and another one in another floor since this hostel is on the 5th floor. The building is in terrible shape, and very sketchy. Once in the “hotel” the electricity went off. My partner and I decided to leave the next night and stayed somewhere else, although we were supposed to stay there another night. (Still haven’t gotten my money back for the 2nd day cancellation) Due yourselves and love ones a favor and do not book here.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Location is perfect @ down town Caïro. Best spot to witness local life of the inhabitants of Caïro.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Die inneneinrichtungtung desd Hotels ist einzigartig, seh wertvoll.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Totally unique for Cairo, a real sanctuary right in a downtown area full of wonderful 1930s French architecture. I visit Cairo a lot and usually stay in one of the 4 or 5 star chains. All so far are dull, large concrete buildings with no soul. The staff were wonderful and everything worked perfectly. We stayed 3 nights. It may not be everyone's ideal but for those who want to experience old Cairo, rather than an anonymous bunker, this is a real sanctuary. One review said breakfast was 'basic' but there was a good range of options, the fresh guavas were my highlight. Don't miss a visit to Cage Riche 5-10 mins walk away, another institution.
• Christian (8/5): - Décoration soignée style années 50 , MAIS HOTEL TRÈS DIFFICILE À TROUVER INCONNU DE SES VOISINS... au cinquième étage d’un immeuble dont l’entree n’est pas dans la rue principale où se trouve l’adresse officielle des guides mais dans une rue perpendiculaire ... avec une enseigne de 80cmx40 perdue parmi dix autres ...
• Ilan (8/5): - Don't take credit card though it is stated on the reservation confirmation that it is an option?! Breakfast is pretty basic. The location is great, clean and nicely decorated. Staff is friendly and kind (but depends who is attending).
• Nora (10/5): Hübsches historisches Hotel - Hervorragend, historisch und chic in jedem Detail
• Verified traveler (2/5): おすすめしません - 2015年4月に2泊しました。1泊めはシャワーからお湯が出なかったので、その旨話すと、10〜15分位すれば出るというのですが、結局出ませんでした。結構暑い日だったので、安くもない値段のホテルで汗も流せないのは地獄だと思いました。翌日朝、部屋を替えてもらい、今度の部屋は暑いお湯が出ましたが、排水が悪いため、シャワーを浴びているうちに足が排水に浸かってしまいます。掃除もあまり綺麗でなく、部屋の作りも、ホテルではなく、ホステルかペンションです。値段が安いのならまだしも、この値段なら絶対泊まらないほうが良いです。後悔します。 Don't stay this Hotel。
• Verified traveler (8/5): Piccolo hotel di charme - L'hotel si trova in zona centrale, ma vi si accede da una traversa un po' sporca e polverosa. E' al quinto piano di un palazzo fatiscente e malandato ma, superata la porta dell'hotel, l'esperienza e' davvero piacevole.
• Verified traveler (8/5): perfecte kennismaking met Cairo! - Mooie centrale plek en stijlvol ingericht hotel. Ook de touroperator waar het hotel mee samenwerkt is een aanrader ('Adventure in Egypt').
• Verified traveler (8/5): Excellent for a feel if Cairo - Charming as the name indicates. Down an alley off Talit Harb St. Old fashioned open cage elevator. Hotel is on fifth floor. Great for travellers who like the local flavor rather than the "Hilton" feel. Staff speaks English and were very helpful and accomidating. In a typical bustling Cairo neighborhood in downtown Cairo. Walk to Tahrir Square, Egyptian Museum and the Nile. Highly reccomended.
• Giosue (6/5): - Charming but...... The old building is dirty behond decency; the rooms have poor bathrooms and dirty floors; breakfast is a bit depressing and the downtown traffic and noise quite disturbing. Staff very kind , nice furnishing, large rooms.
• Celia (2/5): DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL!!! THERE ARE THIEVES!! - The hotel was fine, I was happy until the last day when I realised that someone has stolen all the precious stones, jeweleries, and cash from the safe box inside the room. If you stay at this hotel do not leave anything valuable in the safe box as advised. I did just that, and even with my own individual code they open the safebox and stole everything that was valuable. Do not stay at this Hotel!!!
• Mark (10/5): Hotel Talisman Cairo - friendly and unique - The hotel staff were so friendly and helpful and the public rooms were furnished with fab Egyptian historical pieces throughout. Breakfast lovely and particularly cool was the fact we were only in our room for about 1 minute when a knock on the door revealed the waiter with welcoming fresh fruit drinks. You will though need to arrive by taxi as not easy at all to find. In small sidestreet with no obvious signage.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Cairo Haven - We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Cairo. The transport from the airport was an issue and consideration should be given for airport pick up which would assist in the frenetic conditions of the arrival section of the airport. Hotel arranged transport to airport when we left which made life easier. Best wishes to all at the Hotel Talisman.
• Alex (8/5): A quiet refuge in the heart of Cairo - The Talisman Hotel is the perfect place to stay in the heart of Cairo if you are looking for a friendly boutique hotel that is well-run and has easy access to the Egyptian Museum at a reasonable price.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Hotel Talisman Le Caire - Rapport qualité prix nul. Pas d'info pour trouver l'hôtel dans la rue, ni à l'intérieur de l'immeuble. La honte : servir du nescafé au pdj, pour ce prix on peut proposer du café...
• Verified traveler (10/5): Lovely - As previously stated the entrance to the hotel might leave you a bit wary, but once you get to the fifth floor it feels completely different. Our Egyptian guides were unaware of it, since the hotel does little/no publicity within the country, but even they were impressed when they dropped us off or picked us up. The fact that there is complimentary breakfast and wireless is very rare and speaks to how homey the hotel is. Everyone at the front desk was helpful and gave us great directions on how to get around Cairo on foot and on the metro. I wholeheartedly recommend this place.
• Abhishek (8/5): Talisman - The Hotel was a great experience and we were wowed by the decor and the thoughtful design of the place- though finding it could be a slight challenge a better map (in English) and instructions with bookings could do the trick. The stay was very comfortable and the room was clean, well stocked and with all the comforts expected from a hotel at this price range (though in Egypt the expected cannot be taken for granted) The Breakfast was a good spread and the staff was very helpful and polite. On the whole a very warm and charming experience.
• Verified traveler (8/5): talisman hotel le caire - Accueil très sympa - tout était parfait -
• Anel (10/5): Best thing about Cairo is the Talisman... - The Talisman Hotel has been a pleasant surprise in a not so friendly city. We stayed for two nights, in two different rooms and both were very nicely decorated. We had some issues on our first night with the bathroom, and then asked to be moved, without any hassle. The hotel is absolutely beautiful in terms of decor and atmoshpere. Breakfast was very basic. MacDonalds just accross the street! Try to avoid the hotel's Inhouse tour operator, sitting at the reception, till you know what you want to do and where do you want to go. We almost got bombarderd into booking a very expensive taxi ride to the Pyramids. We ended up booking a taxi, to take us around for the day, at a fifth of the price. Just make sure, that both parties agree on the price. This taxi can take you straight to the pyramids, don't fall for the donkey car ride, and that you can't go any further with a car. I will definitley recommend this hotel, as it is great value for money, and looks even better than on the pictures. It has great atmosphere and is very clean!
• Carole (8/5): A Jewel Downtown - The location here is within walking distance of the Egyptian museum, Nile River area, felucca boats and 4-5 star hotels. Hotel is located on 5th floor of empty building but once on the 5th floor all is good. Staff is extremely helpful and pleasant. Common rooms and area for reading, lounging and checking emails have the comforts of home including fresh flowers. Queen bedroom and bath was spacious and clean. Just the foyer of the building was a bit strange but a lot of Cairo building look the same...covering in dust. El Abd Bakery, and Felfela Restaurant are an easy walk.
• Dino (8/5): Cairo Experience - The hotel was clean, good service from the freindly staff and in the heart of downtown Cairo. It was close to shopping, resturants and the Cairo Museum
• Susan (10/5): 'Traditional Cairo' - If it's traditional Egypt you are after, then this is the place. Centred in the main area of Cairo, on opening the balcony doors, you can almost smell Egypt. Staff very friendly and welcoming, hotel very clean and relaxing. It's really quiet on the 5th floor (hotel is situated 5 floors up). Lovely rooms with traditional décor.
• Andrew (8/5): A pleasant sanctuary in a busy city - While a bit hard to locate (the entry is down an alley), the Talisman is a boutique hotel with an old-world charm, even including a 'cage' lift. The hotel is nicely decorated and has a cosy feel; and the staff are pleasant and obliging. Hamdi at the travel desk (Egypt Adventure Tours) is very helpful
• Karyn (10/5): Great Hotel: Know Before You Go - As this was my first visit to Cairo I was unprepared for the condition of the downtown area where we stayed; the buildings reflect the beautiful detail of early 20th century architecture but so many of them are falling into disrepair. The exterior condition is somewhat disconcerting upon arriving at The Talisman and the mix of vacant floors with inhabited floors was also a surprise. The Talisman itself is a charming boutique hotel with a wonderfully helpful and accommodating staff. The furnishings are more than comfortable and make a guest feel quite at home. Once a visitor becomes accustomed to the downtown area's condition The Talisman's location as "base camp" makes for a convenient visit for all that Cairo has to offer.
• Miguel (10/5): The Talisman hotel in Cairo - The hotel is on a very good location in Cairo, walking distance to the Egypcian Museum, the Nile river, many restaurants and the subway statation. The staff is fantastic, very friendly and helpfull providing excellent service. I will go back to this hotel on a future trips to Cairo.
• Rod/Melanie (8/5): Cairo downtown experience - The location (downtown Cairo) is a very bustling area, especially at night. This can be intimidating if you are not expecting it. While the hotel exterior is not attractive, once you take the antiquated (but cool) elevator to get to the 5th floor (where the hotel is located) you are greeted by an Arabian Nights-type environment . The hotel has clean , charming rooms /ammenities with great air conditioning. What especially stood out was the VERY helpful staff that will make your satisfaction their priority. The hotel has more local personality than staying at the large sterile American chain hotels over on the Nile... and much less expensive. It is an easy walk from there to the famouis Cairo Museum and to the Nile River. If you are a bit adventurous and want to experience Cairo without being sheltered in an American resort environment, this hotel has our recommendation...
• Verified traveler (10/5): Tailsman - Simply put, I could not have asked for more
• Verified traveler (8/5): Talisman Hotel de Charme - Good value for money in - Talisman Hotel de Charme is a hotel that will meet the needs of any tourist that is looking for a competitively priced hotel in the downtown area. We enjoyed our stay at the hotel and can recommend it to anyone that requires no-frill accommodation. The rooms are clean and everything in good working order. The staff are friendly and acommodating. The hotel is beatifully decorated, which makes the stay more worthwhile. The hotel is somewhat difficult to find, but we found it after asking some shopkeepers in the area. If we were to return to Cairo for another holiday, we'll seriously consider staying there again.
• theresa (8/5): A Beautiful Stay - I really enjoyed the Talisman. I loved the architectural features, the marble showers, the salon, library and decoration. At checkin, the receptionist seemed a little unprepared for my arrival, but it caused no problems at all. She was helpful but did give incorrect information regarding Khal al Khalili which put me in a bad situation. Nevertheless, I looved the hotel. It was convenient for what I wanted to do. I was able to walk to the Egyptian Museum and the Nile. There were plenty of shops and busy-ness near the hotel. I was across the street from McDonalds which I appreciated because I did not feel like trying to guess at a decent place to eat. I just went with what was familiar as I only had two days in Cairo and I arrived later than I expected! The hotel has a menu with decent prices as well. I ordered from them my second night and was satisfied. The breakfast at the Talisman is fair. There's juice, toast, cereal, fruit, yogurt and a few other selections I probably do not remember. It is what I needed to start my days in Cairo. There was not anything hot as I recall. The antique elevator was charming to me, although before I went I read others' reviews that spoke against the look of the hotel from the outside. I don't know what these people would expect in as large and busy a city as Cairo, but the entrance was no bother to me, as the Cairene people are very nice and I did not feel a sense of danger at all. In summary, I loved the Talisman. I am glad that I stayed there
• Verified traveler (10/5): Talisman is a real delight. - The Talisman boutique hotel proved to be a real delight; Downtown Cairo is chaotic, dazzling, noisy and wondrous, so this hotel is a terrific retreat when you need to get off the street. Rooms are clean, comfortable and nicely appointed. The library and salon provide quiet reading spaces and the corridors and walls have wonderful rugs and wall hangings throughout. The staff at Talisman are helpful and friendly. We stayed here twice - once before heading south and again on our return. The second stay, originally for 1 night, became extended due to flight disruptions on account of the Iceland volcano, so like other guests we needed to stay on without knowing for how long or when we might be able to leave; the Talisman staff were completely understanding and did their best to accommodate us all with minimal room changes or disruption. Our only caveat would be that street side rooms provide good views over Downtown but can be a bit noisy at night. If this bothers you, take earplugs or request a back room - these are perfectly quiet. No reservations at all about recommending this hotel.
• Catherine (2/5): Super Hotel mitten in Kairo - Super Hotel mitten in Kairo - sauber, freundliches Personal, tolle Zimmer (alle unterschiedlich), gutes Frühstück, gratis Computer mit Internetzugang. Einzig der Fahrstuhl ist auf den ersten Blick etwas furchteinflössend.
• Stéphanie (8/5): Très belle décoration typiquement egyptienne. Chambres insonorisées. - Situé en plein centre ville au 5e étage d'un vieil immeuble, l'entrée de l'hotel est pour le moins déroutante , il faut emprunter un ascenseur bringuebalant pour y acceder! Par contre l'hotel est vraiment très "couleur locale", très joliment décoré, la literie est impecable, les salles de bain parfaitement propre et surtout les double-vitrage preservent les chambres des bruits exterieurs. Petits déjeuner copieux avec du VRAI jus d'oranges pressées!!
• Ruth (10/5): A pleasure - A most enjoyable experience at the Talisman.
• Hampton (8/5): Talisman Hotel - the real Cairo experience - Don't stay in a Western run hotel, it would be like you never left your home country. Try staying in a real Cairo Hotel, expience the local culture. The rooms at Talisman were clean and comfortable, right in the middle of downtown. A quick taxi ride to the Khan El Kalili market place, and fairly close to the Egyptian museum. Make at least one or two nights stay in this eclectic hotel part of your trip.
• Carol (8/5): just what we wanted - DEFINITLY arrange for the hotel to pick you up from the airport. we would never have found this place in a taxi or on our own. i cannot stress that enough. it was great. Hotel was lovely, clean, comfortable, they had free internet, a library with egypt books in about the area etc. The shower and air con was amazing. Breakfast was alright it was just breadrolls, cheese, coffee and some fruit but we didnt expact anything more. The staff were all very friendly and happily recommend places to eat for dinner and organise a taxi for you
• Verified traveler (10/5): Your Home in Cairo - This is probbaly one of the few boutique hotels in Cairo. Great location, if hard to find at first. Very friendly staff and unique rooms with a great Orient Express feel. This will feel more like a home that a hotel. Free internet and breakfast. Would highly recommed.
• U (10/5): Toll für Individualreisende - Positiv ist vor allem der Service ins Auge gesprungen: trotz Ankunft gegen Mitternacht war es kein Problem, über das Hotel einen exzellenten Guide mit Fahrer für zwei Personen für den nächsten Morgen zu buchen, der uns genau nach unseren Wünschen durch die Stadt führte. Flexibiltät beim frühen Frühstück und eine 24h besetzte Rezeption, durchweg sehr freundliches und engagiertes Personal. Ruhige entspannte Atmosphäre, trotz ausgebuchtem Hotel verteilten sich die Gäste in den großen verschiedenen Gemeinschaftsräumen. Die Lage ist für alle, die etwas vom Stadtleben miterleben wollen, ideal; eine belebte Einkaufsstraße (bei Lage im 5. Stock sind die Zimmer dennoch ruhig), keine Sicherheitsbedenken beim 20 min Spaziergang an das Nilufer. Persönlich fehlte mir etwas eine Terasse o.ä. mit Frischluft. Für die Facilities/Amenities ist der Zimmerpreis sicher recht hoch (wie generell in Cairo), würde trotzdem jederzeit wieder dort buchen.
• P (10/5): A gem in Ciaro - I had a 1 day 2 night stop over in Cairo recently and stayed at the Talisman Hotel de Charme. I really can't find anything to fault it on. The location is perfect, service was fantastic, the rooms just as they appeared online, the rooms clean and tidy and the beds wonderfully comfortable. I'd recommend this hotel to anyone. I'd also highly recommend Egypt Adventure Tours and especially Hamdi who works out of the hotel Lobby. We had only a day to see the sights of Cairo and while we only scratched the surface of what there was to see Hamdi made sure made the most of our day. I'm already looking forward to another visit with my friend Hamdi at the Talisman.
• Stéphanie (2/5): très déçu, très cher, pas de services, petit déjeuner nul! - très cher pour le Caire, il n'y a que la décoration que l'on paye. pas de services, accueil peu chaleureux. petit déjeuner ne correspondant pas au rapport qualité prix. pour le même prix, possibilité d'avoir une prestation dans un grand hôtel international, alors qu'on cherchait du charme.
• S (10/5): Un posto dove assolutamente torneremo - Hotel veramente incantevole!Finemente arredato,PULITO e dotato di tutti i confort.Assolutamente accessibile anche per DUE ragazze sole al Cairo perche' centralissimo e ben frequentato.Ci siamo fatte coccolare dalle loro piccole accortezze.Aperitivo d'arrivo,ottima e abbondante colazione continentale,lenzuola pulite,bagno e asciugamani sistemati quotidianamente,accessori per la toilette,asciugacapelli,piastrina per eventuali zanzare,cuffia per la doccia e splendidi accappatoi,pc con internet,sala lettura e tanto altro.Camere spaziose,silenziose e pulite.Personale disponibile,cordiale e SORRIDENTE.Ogni nostro desiderio è stato esaurito,ci hanno fornito informazioni e cartine della città e tutto quello che ci occorreva per una rilassante permanenza.Ci è dispiaciuto moltissimo tornare a casa,il TALISMAN è un posto dove assolutamente torneremo.
• M (6/5): Very nice hotel - The hotel had excellent service between attaining directions for exploring and ordering in. The breakfast is adequate but not Egyption. Would stay there again.
• S Yasmin (10/5): Excellent Talisman - My stay atthe Talisman was an absolute pleasure. I cannot fault this hotel in anyway. The staff were extremely helpful, the room was clean, cosy and had a beautiful ootoman Persian charm about it. I preferred staying here compared with a 5 star hotel I stayed in Alexandria. I would deffinitely recommend staying here. I still think about my time there even though I am home now.
• C (8/5): 1001 Nachttraum - Von außen kaum zu finden, aber innen ein Traum aus 1001 Nacht. Sehr zentral gelegen. Wir würden sofort wieder hinreisen. SEHR gute Betten! Jedes Zimmer individuell eingerichtet. Sehr entgegenkommendes Personal

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