Great Apartment

Guest: DERF FROM DIEGO (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

We chose to visit Egypt in a very politically unstable time, so we (my wife and 2 daughters <15 and 12>) were already a bit uncomfortable about this little adventure. We were relieved to see that when we arrived at Vern and Allah's apartment, we found an unbelievable property with fantastic furnishings. The apartment was very spacious and it possessed all of the wonderful comforts that we are used to in the States. As many have previously noted, the view is stunning. When we took our first view of the Great Pyramid, it was almost surreal. The market was about 500 meters down the Pyramid Road and contained everything we needed, execept for alcohol. If you intend on purchasing and drinking alcohol, do some research on the stores in Cairo/Giza which sell it, as there aren't many. We chose to load up at Duty Free and brought our own. The only issue that we had was the apartment lacked a corkscrew, and we were unable to find one in all in Cairo/Giza. However, we learned that wine doesn't taste that much different if you pust the cork throught (LOL)! All and all, we had a fantastic adventure and we highly recommend this property!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Very nice view, be cautious with tour company

Guest: The Professor (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/16/10 Review Submitted: 01/04/11

I would stay in this apartment again. The view was amazing and the apartment spacious. I have three minor complaints, 1) after traveling for over 24 hours we had to wait an hour in the lobby to get into the apartment (our flight was not late -- I'm not sure why Alaa wasn't there), 2) the heat did not work (though we eventually got used to the temperature and stayed bundled up indoors), and 3) the travel time into downtown Cairo was quite long -- up to an hour. My one major complaint is that the tour operator downstairs was extremely expensive and would take us to places we did not want to go (like a carpet store, at one point) unless we really pressed our tour guide not to. After two days we started getting our own cabs and making our own arrangements and things went much better and cost about 1/5th the price (I am not joking). So let me reiterate: we really liked this apartment in spite of the minor issues. If you are going to spend a day at the Giza pyramids and then do a trip to Saqqara and Memphis, then a 2 night stay here is definitely worth it, but after that I would move on.

Owner response:Professor Glad you enjoyed your stay @ The Apartment in Cairo after recieving your emails and comments regarding the tour company .We have decided to no longer recommend this group to our guest. Thanks so much for your valuable comments not being directly responsible for there actions we can only apologize to you and not recomend this tour company to our Guest staying in our apartment .Thanks for your comments again and Glad you did enjoy the apartment Vern & Alaa

Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Traveler Review

Guest: HappyTraveler (Phoenix, AZ USA)
Date of Stay: 11/21/10 Review Submitted: 12/26/10

This apartment was just as beautiful as the pictures and that view from the balcony was awesome. Vern was very nice to work with, answering our questions and concerns promptly. There were 4 adults and 4 children in our group and we had plenty of room. Furnishings were lovely. The kitchen was well equipped. We were working with a personal friend tour guide while in the area, so I really cannot comment on touring recommendations. The grocery store nearby met all of our needs quite nicely. Our Internet availability was a little sporadic, but I understand that that is being changed. Overall we had an excellent experience and would recommend this property to others.

Owner response:Am so glad you had A great time and every one was comfortable in the Apartment thanks so Much for your Great Review any time your needs require an apartment in Cairo would be glad to work with them Thanks Again Vern & Alaa

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Stunning Pyramid View

Guest: Jon (Walled Michigan)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/28/10

Traveler's Review ExcellentGreat Apartment, Stunning View Jon Walled Lake, MI Review Submitted: October 25, 2010 Date of Stay: October 2010 My family (my parents (54 & 65), sister (30), and brother (24)) and I (31) stayed in this apartment for a couple nights last week, October 10 - 12, 2010. It was great. Vern was very helpful both over email and on the phone before we even booked. He set up a van to pick us up at the airport, and they were waiting there with our name on a sign. Ala, who is a co-owner with Vern, met us at the apartment when we arrived, and showed us how everything worked. Ahmed, who picked us up at the airport, even brought my father a birthday cake (the trip was to celebrate his 65th birthday). Vern called from Ohio once we'd arrived to make sure everything was going well. The whole team there treated us wonderfully, and we booked a pyramid tour (including a visit to the Memphis museum and a camel ride) with a driver and a translator through the tour company based in the souvineer shop next door. Nassir was our tour guide, he was great. We even called back that tour company later in our trip, when we were in a different apartment, and the owner of that one set us up with a tour guide who quoted us prices that seemed too high for some other things we wanted to do (a Nile cruise and a day visiting Saladin's Citadel, some mosques, and the museum). They quoted much more reasonable prices, and we were quite happy with them all around. I'd recommend Ala and Vern's apartment to anyone I knew going to Egypt that wanted to stay in a nice, spacious apartment in Giza.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Great Apartment, Stunning View

Guest: Jon (Walled Michigan)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/25/10

My family (my parents (54 & 65), sister (30), and brother (24)) and I (31) stayed in this apartment for a couple nights last week, October 10 - 12, 2010. It was great. Vern was very helpful both over email and on the phone before we even booked. He set up a van to pick us up at the airport, and they were waiting there with our name on a sign. Ala, who is a co-owner with Vern, met us at the apartment when we arrived, and showed us how everything worked. Ahmed, who picked us up at the airport, even brought my father a birthday cake (the trip was to celebrate his 65th birthday). Vern called from Ohio once we'd arrived to make sure everything was going well. The whole team there treated us wonderfully, and we booked a pyramid tour (including a visit to the Memphis museum and a camel ride) with a driver and a translator through the tour company based in the souvineer shop next door. Nassir was our tour guide, he was great. We even called back that tour company later in our trip, when we were in a different apartment, and the owner of that one set us up with a tour guide who quoted us prices that seemed too high for some other things we wanted to do (a Nile cruise and a day visiting Saladin's Citadel, some mosques, and the museum). They quoted much more reasonable prices, and we were quite happy with them all around. I'd recommend Ala and Vern's apartment to anyone I knew going to Egypt that wanted to stay in a nice, spacious apartment in Giza.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Guest: Tim & Rebecca (-)
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

Tim Glad you and your family had a freat stay thanks for your comments on the repair of the door and windows hope you got to see as much of Egypt as you wanted to What a great tour guide you had to work with you please if you or any of your friends need a place to call home in Cairo please let me know would love to wirk with you all again thanks so much Vern & Alaa

Recommended for:

Great apartment, but watch the tour guide

Guest: Wynn and Cindy (Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/04/10

This apartment was the most luxurious of all the VRBO apartments that we stayed in. Four to six adults could live here easily and well. The view from the patio of the great pyramid were spectacular, and you can see the roof tops across the street with goats and chickens for a little local culture. A few glitches were handled swiftly on the first night by the manager, Sayed, and the owner, Vern, called to check and see if everything was OK. The internet is handled through a 3G card, a little slow, but it is portable. The downside was that the owner recommended the manager to handle the tours. We found the managers tours to be unprofessional. There was nothing in writing (but I had notes). There was at least one element missing from each tour, the prices increased as we went along, and there were several harassing phone calls the last night to get every last Egyptian pound I had. Remember that in Egypt, "caveat emptor" is alive and well, all the pyramids are not made of stone, and no gift is free. I recommend you check some other tours, like Viator.com or habibitours.com before making any final commitments. Overall, it was an excellent accomodation, and a good trip, with the lone exception of how the tours were handled that brought the "overall experience at the property" down a notch.

Owner response:Wynn Thank you for your comments regarding the apartment glad you enjoyed your stay and enjoyed Cairo egypt I am so sorry you had a bad experience with your tour guide But as I have told you he is not responsible as the mgr of the apartment he is an independent tour company that we use & he has nothing to do with the mgmt of the apartment I have sent to him all your comments and let him know of my dissapoint ment in his transactions with you and your wife please execept my apology hopefully we have gotten a better communication going in regards to tours and correct policy procedures in place for all futher guest thanks again I am glad you enjoyed the apartment that is my objective along with making sure all your other needs are delt with on a proffesional manner Thanks Again Alaa & Vern

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Best Deal in town!

Guest: Gigi (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 06/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/22/10

Honestly, the penthouse was like entering a palace! The amenities were modern --there was even a blender! The view of the pyramids from our balcony was to die for. My favorite activity was to watch the donkey carts go by alongside the traffic. There is a modern supermarket near by, as well as a local market where we got a live chicken (but, not for long). This is a great place to tour the pyramids and then relax in luxury. It was fun to be with the local people and they were so friendly and helpful. A real taste of Egypt. And the owner was very helpful, calling me when I first inquired, as well as when I arrived. We felt very safe and cared for. Great deal in comparison to hotels. We highly recommend this to friends and family.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Guest: GEMMA (-)
Date of Stay: 06/17/10 Review Submitted: 07/01/10

Vern, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful stay at your lovely apartment in Cairo, Egypt. Everything was excellent, I love your apartment!!!!!!!!!!!! The decor and custom ceiling was suburb, who was your builder I am very impressed and would love to hire them if the need comes my way. The view to the pyramids was breath taking. We all had our morning coffee on the balcony, my family from the US had a wonderful trip. Your brother was awesome, he has a pleasant warming personality and I will recommend your flat if available to my family and friends when vacationing in the beautiful country of Egypt. Again, thank you for everything.................... Gemma

Recommended for:

Great Place

Guest: JB85 (Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 06/10/10

Very close to pyramids, GREAT view, and well furnished. The owner was also very helpful, even calling twice during my stay to make sure all was well.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.