Belle Epoque

Belle Epoque was built in the 1920s and located in the suburb of Maadi, about a 30-minutes from downtown Cairo. Those who enjoy Belle Epoque are guests who want to escape the blandness of an international hotel and seeking somewhere with bundles of character. We love Belle Epoque’s lush gardens and inviting pool. For a moment, you won’t at all think you are in Cairo. Belle Epoque is perfect after a dusty visit to the Pyramids or after an immersive walking tour of Islamic Cairo. All you undoubtedly want is a few minutes of quiet, a gentle swim, and a restorative G&T in the gardens.

Belle Epoque has a distinctive country-house feel. For example, early 20th-century black-and-white photographs adorn the walls. There are 31 rooms, split between two adjacent buildings. Each room is different, yet all have been thoughtfully designed. You’ll walk in and find fancy wallpaper, rugs on parquet flooring and comfortable beds. Some rooms have antique pitched-pine ceilings. All come with the mod-cons such as flat-screen TVs, luxury toiletries and even your own loofa.

Furthermore, the bathrooms feature both a bath and a shower (except Ismailia, which just has a shower). We loved returning to our room after dinner to a proper turn-down service which doesn’t always happen in Egypt with regularity. Moreover, You also have air-conditioning and WiFi. 

Dining tends to happen in the conservatory overlooking the gardens and pool.  Furthermore, you can decide to sit outside al fresco on the terrace. That said, you can opt for room service at any time. Breakfasts consist of a buffet – ham and cheese freshly baked croissants and Danish pastries, fruit salad and eggs. You, of course, wash this down with freshly squeezed orange juice and copious amounts of tea or coffee.

Lunches and Dinners offer both Egyptian and western food options. We love the Nubian lamb stew. Wine and beer are freely available. There are also some excellent restaurants in the Maadi area should you feel adventurous. In short, Belle Epoque is something very different. In reality, the only suitable boutique ‘non-hotel’ in Cairo.