Hotel Review: Disappointing Stay at Staybridge Suites Citystars in Cairo, Egypt

Discover if Staybridge Suites Citystars Cairo is the right fit for your Cairo trip! Our brutally honest review dives into the spacious suites, location, lacklustre breakfast, service problems, and more – before you commit to a stay. Get the inside scoop and essential tips!

An Introduction to Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars

Staybridge Suites Citystars is a 4-star IHG hotel connected to the Citystars shopping mall in Cairo. With 140 spacious studios and suites, it offers larger than average accommodation, perfect for extended stays in Cairo.

The hotel is one of the top 35 hotels in Cairo on TripAdvisor, but it is not classed as a luxury property. It is more of a mid-range venue.  During our multiple stays, we found the location to be convenient but had mixed experiences when it came to maintenance, facilities, staff attitude and service. 

Good to Know: 

If you’re looking for IHG hotel deals in Cairo, we highly recommend downloading the IHG app and watching for bonus points promotions. We’ve scored rooms here for up to 30% off by purchasing discounted points! HotelsCombined is also a handy site for finding the best Staybridge Suites cash rates.

Convenient Citystars Location and Accessibility

The prime location connected to Citystars mall is Staybridge’s biggest advantage. You have direct indoor access to the mall’s shops, restaurants and amenities. 

However, the downside is the hotel’s distance from major Cairo attractions – over 30km from the iconic Pyramids of Giza. You will need to budget 40-60 minutes of driving time for sightseeing excursions in the Giza area.

Parking is available in the lower garage, but spaces are limited. Contact the hotel if you require parking. Plan on using Uber, Careem or taxis to get around Cairo. Careem offers better rates in our experience, costing around 110 LE (3.50 US$) from Cairo International Airport versus 152 LE (5 US$) for Uber.

Check-in is at 3pm and check-out is at 12pm. IHG Platinum and Diamond members may qualify for free upgrades and late check-out depending on availability. We were always upgraded during our stays and granted early check-in when requested.

The hotel also offers an accessible stay for all guests. Wheelchair users can request specially equipped rooms featuring grab bars, roll-in showers and plenty of manoeuvering space. The hotel has lifts to all floors, designated parking and visual fire alarms. Just inform the staff of your needs when you book and they’ll make sure you are comfortable!

Spotty Apartment Condition and Maintenance

As advertised, Staybridge Suites rooms are significantly more spacious than typical hotel accommodation. We stayed in a one-bedroom suite with separate living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. 

However, the suites are showing obvious signs of wear and lack proper maintenance:

While the size is a major plus, the furnishings really need a complete refresh. For a 4-star hotel, the lack of updates and repairs are disappointing for extended stays. Get ready for a view of…the construction site next door! Unfortunately, our suite at Staybridge faced an unsightly building project.  Not all rooms face this side though, so make sure you ask for one with a better view!

Mediocre Breakfast, Better Dining Options Nearby 

Despite claiming to have 15 restaurants on-site (screenshot above), Staybridge Suites does not actually operate any restaurants. Breakfast is the only meal served at the hotel. For all other dining, you will need to go to the mall’s offerings or order room service. Room service is from its nearby sister hotel, Holiday Inn Citystars (read our review here).

In our experience, the breakfast was mediocre at best. The pastries were stale, juices tasted cheap and the hot options looked better than they tasted. The cold cuts, cheese and salad were fine. Coffee and tea met expectations. 

Oddly, the staff seemed more interested in pushing surveys than providing good service during breakfast. With so many delicious cafes and restaurants within Citystars mall, we would suggest skipping the hotel breakfast when possible. 

Decent Amenities But Service and Staff Are Lacking

In terms of facilities, Staybridge Suites has a small gym, guest laundry and 24-hour small shop. There is no swimming pool, but the mall has entertainment and activities to keep you busy. High-speed WiFi worked well during our stays with speed of between 10 to 30 Mbps in the Suite and lobby. 

However, our biggest disappointments were the service and staff attitude. Some employees seem to lack training in hospitality basics. For example, on arrival no one assisted us with bags until we insisted on help. One staff member shockingly said it “wasn’t his job.” Similarly, housekeeping only seemed to tidy surfaces and often left rooms dirty.

We had multiple maintenance issues that were never addressed unless we repeatedly asked, such as broken appliances, lack of toiletries and no anti-slip mats in the bathroom. The final straw was when our one day extension got mysteriously cancelled, the hotel wanted us to re-book at a higher rate!

We could not believe it. When we pushed back, the duty manager basically shrugged and provided no explanation for why our booking was cancelled or who did it. We really had to put our foot down to get re-booked at our original rate. The whole thing felt sketchy, like they were trying to sneakily charge us more. There was zero logic or common sense in how it was handled. We got the vibe they just did not care about providing decent service. As loyal IHG members, we expect way better treatment! The whole process felt purposefully complicated and upsetting. This lack of customer service made our stay less enjoyable and somewhat frustrating.

If Staybridge Suites wants to be a true 4-star establishment, extensive customer service training is needed along with a management overhaul to improve operations and maintenance. Right now, subpar service overshadows any of the positives this hotel could provide.

IHG Loyalty Programme Offers Some Value

The IHG Rewards programme is a bright spot, especially for frequent travellers. Take advantage of point promotions to redeem for free nights and score deals at Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars. As Diamond Elite members, we have saved money this way – around 30% – but had mixed experiences otherwise.

Verdict: Better Alternatives Exist for Cairo Hotels 

To summarise, Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars offers great potential but misses the mark for us. The spacious suites could be ideal for long vacations if properly updated and maintained. However, the disappointing facilities, poor service and bad staff attitude do not align with a 4-star hotel experience. 

Until massive improvements are made, we cannot recommend Staybridge Suites over the many other lodging options in Cairo. 

For an exclusive look inside another Citystars option, check out our in-depth review of Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars here.

We hope this insider perspective helps you select the perfect place to stay during your upcoming Egypt travels! Let us know if you have any other questions.

Want to experience Egypt like an insider? Follow our blog to stay up-to-date with my latest adventures and discoveries!

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Things to do in Cairo

Although Staybridge Suites wasn’t ideal, Cairo has so many incredible things to see and do. Here’s a quick overview of top attractions along with driving times and cost estimates using the Careem App from the hotel:

Pyramids of Giza

The iconic Pyramids of Giza are Cairo’s top attraction and Egypt’s most famous site. Situated on the Giza Plateau, the pyramids, especially the Great Pyramid, are the last surviving ancient Wonder of the World and one of the most recognizable sights globally. A visit to these astounding ancient monuments is a must for any traveller to Egypt.

Distance from Hotel: 34 km| 50-60 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 235 LE/7.60 US$)

Egyptian Museum

The vast Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses the world’s premier collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Highlights include King Tut’s iconic gold mask and coffins, the Royal Mummies and a staggering array of statues, jewels and treasures spanning Egypt’s ancient past. This is a place to visit as it provides an unparalleled look into the lives of the pharaohs.

Distance from Hotel: 15 km| 30-35 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 100 LE/3.25 US$)

Khan Al Khalili

The lively Khan el-Khalili bazaar is Cairo’s top shopping destination, located in Islamic Cairo just off al-Muizz Street. This famous market offers a mesmerizing array of goods, from spices to souvenirs and antiques, all while providing an immersive glimpse into Cairo’s vibrant commercial past. No visit to Cairo is complete without a stop at the legendary Khan el-Khalili.

Distance from Hotel: 12.5 km| 20-30 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 215 LE/7 US$)

Al-Azhar Mosque: one of Cairo’s oldest mosques

Al-Azhar Mosque is a renowned Cairo Mosque built in 970 AD, soon after Cairo became the capital of the Fatimid Caliphate. Nicknamed “the Shining One”, it was the city’s first mosque and helped earn Cairo the moniker “City of a Thousand Minarets”. Al-Azhar is a shining example of Fatimid architecture in the historic Islamic core of Cairo.

Distance from Hotel: 15 km| 30-35 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 350 LE/11.30 US$) 

Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church (The Hanging Church)

The Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo lives up to its name – built over a Roman fortress gatehouse, it is one of Egypt’s oldest Christian churches. With its distinctive suspended structure, the ornate 7th century church officially called Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church is the most renowned church in Coptic Cairo’s historic Christian community.

Distance from Hotel: 18 km| 30-35 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 110 LE/4 US$) 

The Monastery of Saint Simon (The Cave Church)

The vast Monastery of Saint Simon, or Cave Church, is set within the Mokattam hills overlooking Cairo. This 20,000 capacity church, the largest in the Middle East, has a main hall used in summer and a smaller winter hall. With its hilltop location and expansive subterranean spaces, the Cave Church is a remarkable and free site to visit.

Distance from Hotel: 13.5 km| 30-35 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 85 LE/2.75 US$)

Cairo Tower

The Cairo Tower on Gezira Island offers unmatched 360-degree views over Cairo from its observation deck and rotating restaurant. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Pyramids of Giza. At 187 meters tall, this iconic tower provides a bird’s-eye panorama of Cairo’s sprawling cityscape and landmarks.

Distance from Hotel: 17 km| 35-40 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 105 LE/3.40 US$)

Qasr El Nil Bridge with views of the Nile

The Qasr El Nil Bridge made history as Cairo’s first Nile River crossing when completed in 1871. Linking Tahrir Square to Gezira Island, this landmark bridge provides stunning views and an iconic connection between downtown Cairo and the island’s leisure venues. An impressive feat of 19th century engineering, the Qasr El Nil Bridge remains a vital artery crossing the Nile.

Distance from Hotel: 16 km| 30-35 minutes by car (Careem Ride: 120LE/3.90 US$)

No trip to Cairo is complete without seeing these incredible attractions. Though Staybridge Suites disappointed us, nothing should stop you from exploring the wonders of Cairo!

Final Tips for An Epic Egypt Trip

Let me know if you have any other questions as you plan your travels to Cairo and Egypt.

FAQs