Marriott Mena House Review: The Perfect Pyramid Views

If you are planning a trip to the Pyramids of Giza and looking for the perfect spot to stay, there is one hotel that stands out. The Marriott Mena House is an iconic hotel that not only has a rich history, but also views of the pyramids you won’t find anywhere else. Below is my full Marriott Mena House review, and why you must consider it on your trip to Egypt.

Trevorocity is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

You can not get closer to the pyramids than the Marriott Mena House. It is just steps away from the pyramids, granted it is a bit of an uphill walk. The hotel dates back to 1869, when it was just a mud brick house. Over the years it went through multiple ownerships and expansions.

While it has been a hotel for many years, it became the Marriott Mena House in 2018. After some additional renovations, they expect to reopen a currently closed wing as a JW Marriott. At the moment there is no confirmed date on when this will occur.

The Marriott Mena House is located about 30 miles from the Cairo International Airport. Without traffic it takes about 45 minutes. When it comes to Egypt though, I am not sure there is a time where you will find the roads free of traffic. I landed at around 7:00 pm and it took just about an hour to get there.

I highly recommend using Uber to get there. Uber drivers widely accept rides, so you can avoid the hassle of negotiating with a taxi driver. Multiple drivers wanted $30-$40 for the ride, while with uber we paid 600 EGP (~$12) plus a tip.

Due to the location of this iconic hotel, prices do not come cheap. During peak tourist season costs for the Marriott Mena House are around $300-$400 a night. Summer months can be much cheaper with rates under $200 nights, just remember the summer months are hot. Being a Marriott property it is also bookable on points

I visited in March and room rates were around $350 a night with tax, a bit too rich for my visit. However, I was able to book a base room for 34,000 points.To me this was a no-brainer and booked my visit on points.

This was the only downfall I had with Uber during my whole trip to Egypt. Although the location is correct, it led us to a side gate, where we were not allowed to enter. The main entrance was around the corner and I had to call the hotel to give our Uber driver instructions. Once I got to the main entrance it was the normal procedure of a bomb dog sniffing and then our driver brought me to the main entrance.

I ended up arriving at the hotel around 8:00 pm, and the property was a bit quiet. It took a while for a bellman to come help with the luggage, which seemed a bit odd for the caliber of the hotel.  Check in went pretty smoothly, although for the size of the hotel they only had three terminals for checking in. While I arrived late, I could imagine that around 3:00 pm that the lines could get pretty long.

The whole property maintains a modern, but traditional Egyptian style design. The garden view suite is no exception to this. From the entry to the right is the bedroom with a comfortable king size bed, a couch and working desk.

Thankfully, the hotel updated the room with universal plugs throughout. They stocked the mini-bar, and you’ll find a Nespresso machine and fridge in the room. I have never seen a minibar with such affordable prices either, haha.

Stepping out onto the balcony is a gorgeous view of the garden grounds. There was some minor construction but just to the right of the room I was able to see the pyramids. Definitely not as a good of a view as the pyramid view rooms, but nonetheless it was pretty cool. 

To the left of the room is a walk-in closet that the bellman put my suitcase in. Granted I was only staying for a night so for me there was really no need to unpack. It was very spacious and could fit more than two people’s clothes for a few days.

The bathroom for me was the highlight of the room. It had a beautiful soaking tub that overlooked the gardens. It had a separate room for the toilet, and a shower room. The shower could’ve used a bit more water pressure. The bathroom was finished off with a his and her vanity.

At Marriott Mena House there are three main restaurants. 139 Pavilion, Alfredo, and Moghul Room. 139 Pavilion is the main restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Conveniently it is open 24 hours a day, which is something I have never seen at a Marriott property. Honestly this was really nice because by the time I had arrived I didn’t feel like going back out for dinner.

I had a quick club sandwich at 139 Pavilion, which was pretty good. It definitely was a lot more expensive than local food, but I expected that. Alfredo serves an Italian menu and Moghul Room has Indian cuisine. Both do require prior reservations, so make sure to plan in advance.

Additionally there is a pool bar, which has little snacks and drinks, a lobby lounge, and for platinum and above Marriott Bonvoy members there is a M club. I ended up having breakfast at the M club as I was in a bit of a rush. It was crowded by 7:30 am, so just something to note.

Marriott Mena House has a spa, fitness center and a pool. The spa and fitness center are located next to each other. The spa offers a full list of services from massages to body cleansing, but you must book them a day in advance. The fitness center was modern and had a full set of machines, and free weights.

The pool, which is located right next to the lobby, is a standout piece of the property. While you can not see the pyramids due to construction in the area it is a very relaxing area. They heat the pool and place plenty of chairs to keep it from getting crowded. A pool attendant walks around to ensure they take care of you.

The Marriott Mena House was one of the best hotels I stayed at while visiting Egypt. Nothing beats its proximity to the Great Pyramids of Giza. The friendly and attentive staff just made the stay that much more enjoyable. Granted, the hotel can cost a lot in the high season. I would return in a heartbeat. Hopefully this Marriott Mena House Review helps you make your decision. If you have stayed here before, let me know your thoughts in the comments.