The Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza is a high-end landmark in one of Cairo's most exclusive neighborhoods. The large 30-story property has interiors that are designed to match the stylish surrounding -- while it's a fairly drab concrete building from the outside, common areas sparkle and glimmer with a blend of Art Deco style and typically luxe Egyptian touches. The 365 rooms have the traditional luxuries that guests would expect from a Four Seasons hotel, though the look isn't the freshest that we've ever seen. Regardless, most rooms have fantastic views of the Nile. All rooms have triple-glazed windows, so they are peaceful, and most of them also have a private terrace. Luxurious marble bathrooms have deep soaking bath tubs, separate showers, and bathrobe and slippers. The hotel boasts one of the largest spas in Cairo -- it has an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, hot tub, and 14 treatment rooms. There are plenty of dining and drinking options available on-site too, including seafood and steak restaurants and a poolside bar.

The upscale Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah has 433 rooms with views of the Nile, thanks to its setting on the southern edge of Gezira Island. The hotel also has its own riverfront promenade and a deck that houses an open-air bar floating on the water. On the downside, noise from traditional sailing "feluccas" and police boats can be heard inside the hotel. Additionally, the rooms have bland furnishings and lack luxury finishes. Still, the waterfront outdoor pool is lovely (and heated), and there are six varied restaurants, along with a casino, full spa, and salon. 

Branding itself as a boutique property, the Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo is a riverfront luxury hotel designed by Pierre Yves Rochan, an architect who has made a name for himself revamping iconic hotels the world over. The 191-room hotel is just a five-minute drive from the city center and close to many cultural tourists attractions. Classic rooms have 24-hour butler service and private balconies -- many overlooking the river. There are great dining options from Turkish fine dining to a lounge with handmade chocolates and afternoon tea, plus two bars, a rooftop pool, and a full spa with steam room, hot tub, and sauna. 

This 540-room luxury hotel is in Nile City, a glittering, prosperous development that is adjacent to some of the city's most impoverished areas. The rooms have Art Deco decor, Egyptian cotton bedding, and floor-to-ceiling windows -- opt for a Deluxe or Signature Room for river views. The marble bathrooms are luxurious and have an open concept, with sliding shutters and rainfall showers plus bathrobes and slippers. Guests of the hotel have direct access to the Nile Towers Mall with a cinema and restaurants, and there are plenty of activities including a spa, fitness center, casino, and fabulous rooftop pool.

Like many other luxury properties in and around Cairo, the style at the JW Mariott is high-end and traditional -- don't expect any sleek, super-contemporary interiors here. Instead, the hotel takes a classic approach to decor, with polished marble floors, artfully deployed Egyptian lanterns, and fountains. The 438 traditionally grand rooms have balconies, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free mineral water and fruit, balconies, plus opulent marble bathrooms with separate showers and deep tubs. The hotel has a large variety of sport and leisure activities (tennis, volleyball, golf course, an artificial beach, three pools) and drinking and dining options (Italian, Asian, and Lebanese). The hotel provides free airport transfers and free Wi-Fi.

This vast, 449-room hotel is part of the Bangkok-based Dusit Thani hotel chain, so the ambience here is appropriately here Thailand-by-way-of-the-Nile, with opulent furniture, white marble floors, and lush grounds with waterfalls, lakes, and streams. All rooms have private balconies overlooking the landscape, lake, or pools, as well as 24-hour room service, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and minibars. White-and-black marble bathrooms are generously sized and have a separate whirlpool baths and showers, luxury toiletries, and bathrobes and slippers. There are excellent facilities on-site as well, including three swimming pools, a spa, a sushi bar, and an upscale brasserie. For drinks, there's the pool bar, the lobby bar, and the Blue Rose bar -- all are stylish and laid back, but with a sophisticated atmosphere. 

Due to its position at the tip of central Cairo's Roda Island in the Nile, this luxury mega-hotel has river views from all of its 715 rooms and suites and throughout much of its common facilities. The rooms themselves are a little dated and not particularly memorable, but each one has a furnished balcony overlooking the Nile, as well as seating areas with comfy easy chairs and matching plush ottomans. Bathrooms are clad in marble and come with shower/tub combos (suites have jetted tubs). The excellent two-story fitness center has a steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. The hotel's large heated outdoor pool with a mosaic floor is another big selling point -- it's surrounded by lounge chairs and has views right out over the river. Grand Nile Tower has a huge range of eateries, including a rotating rooftop restaurant and a private yacht with regular dinner cruises and live entertainment. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Be aware that alcohol is not served on the premises.