Hi,

I just returned from Egypt five days ago and had a wonderful time. As others have posted there weren't a lot of American tourists around. As an American I was greeted with warm welcome and a deep sincere apologies for what happened on September 11, 2001.

Before taking this trip I did my research on the Internet looking for feedback from travelers who had recently returned from Egypt. And everyone said the same thing that they had had no problems. And after reading this I made up my mind to go. Mind you I had been twice before in January and December of 2000.

When I travel my first question is where will I sleep my first night? Which Hotel? I am always willing to try something new. There were some good reports about a new hotel in Cairo called :

Hotel Luna
27, Talaat Harb St., 5th floor
Downtown Cairo
Tel: 3961020
email: Lunapension@hotmail.com

The thing that got my attention was that if you stayed at least three days at this Hotel they would provide a free transfer to or from the airport.
So I Email them to see if they had a room for the days I needed, and within a few hours I had a reply saying yes they had a room for me. Great! My next email was asking for my free transfer from the airport and again within a few hours I got a reply saying that Mr. Hamdi would meet me at the airport. Wonderful! Now I'm getting good vibes about the Luna Hotel. My third email was asking about tours to the Western Desert, and again I got a speedy reply saying that the tour manager for the hotel Mr. Hamdi, the same one who is meeting me at the airport, would be able to answer all my questions. And I thought that this is really a top class Hotel.

When I arrived at the Cairo Airport , walking from the plane going towards customs, there was Mr. Hamdi waiting with a sign with my name on it. He welcomed me to Cairo with a big smile and then maneuvered us through passport control,customs, and baggage. and before I knew it I was out of the airport getting into the waiting Van to take me to the hotel.

On our way to the hotel he asked of my travel plains to the Western Deserts. He told me about the tour packages that he offered to the Western Deserts. I told him that I was only interested in going to Siwa Oasis, but he didn't have any tours going to Siwa Oasis because of the distance not many tourist wanted to visit this Oasis, but Mr. Hamdi with that same smile said that he would help me make my own arrangements. And the next day he gave me a list of bus schedules to Mersa Matorha and bus times from there to Siwa Oasis. Mr. Hamdi was very nice and he did not try to sell me something I didn't want. I couldn't ask for anything for better. Smile.

When we arrived at the Hotel Luna, the Manager Mr. Hanny Moussa was there to greet me with a happy smile. I had my choice of rooms and I choose room #14. He told me that I was the first guest to have this room. The cost was 35LE per night without bath. This is a large room with two beds and a balcony looking onto Talaab Harb Street, across the street from the shopping mall and up the street from Cinema Miami and Cinema Metro.

*In Cairo if you ever get lost just remember the name of the Cinema nearest your hotel because everyone from the taxi drivers to the kids on the street will know where the cinema are.*

This is a recently renovated hotel and everything is brand new. The beds have a thick foam mattress that made sleeping most enjoyable. And there is plenty of hot water for showers. Breakfast is also included with your room. you have a choice of Continental or Egyptian breakfast. I perfered the Egyptian breakfast.

The whole staff from the maids to the guys that work in the kitchen, the night and day managers ,the tour manager and the hotel manager are wonderful.and dedicated to service.

I look forward to staying at the Hotel Luna on my next visit to Cairo.
If you go please tell them that Tony said to say Hello, and Thanks.

Luna Hotel & Hostel still on the top after 2 years of opening!!

35le isnt too bad.

I actually just tried emailing Luna today, but had the email wrong. I'll try again with the one posted here! thanks.
-T