Concorde El Salam Hotel-Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt

Concorde El Salam Hotel
5-Star Hotel
March 2015

Room Service:  Total Points: 12/12

  1. Food is Fresh (3)
  2. Appearance (3)
  3. Taste (3)
  4. What was ordered? Dinner
  5. What time of day? Evening
  6. Quality for the money? (3)
Reception/Check In/Check Out: Total Points: 14/15
  1. Wait Time (3)
  2. Friendliness of Staff (3)
  3. Bell Hop/Concierge (3)
  4. Confidentiality (3)
  5. Refreshment offered upon arrival (2)
Housekeeping: Total Points: 8/9
  1. Cleanliness of the Room (3)
  2. Clearly Smoking or Non-Smoking (2)
  3. In-Room stationary, and pen are provided (3)
Laundry Service: (NR)
  1. Clothes smell fresh
  2. Spots are taken out
  3. Delivery is on-time
Restaurants: Total Points: 15/15
  1. Bars-fully stocked ready to make any drink suggested. (3)
  2. Cleanliness and Appearance (3)
  3. Noise Level in Bars (3)
  4. Freshness of Food (3)
  5. Friendliness and Helpfulness of Restaurant Staff (3)
Mini Bar (In Room): Total Points: 4/6
  1. All items in Menu are in the Mini Bar (3)
  2. Mini Bar has alcoholic refreshment. (1)
Swimming Pool: Total Points: 5/6
  1. Year-Round Availability (2)
  2. Cleanliness inside and outside the pool. (3)
Fitness and Equipment: (NR)
  1. Types of Machines available
  2. Cleanliness of Gym Area
  3. Well-Maintained Machines
Spa Services: Total Points: 18/21
  1. Body Scrubs (3)
  2. Massage (2)
  3. Reflexology (NR)
  4. Variety of Times to choose from (3)
  5. Segregated/Non-Segregated (2)
  6. Privacy and Confidentiality (2)
  7. Professional Staff (3)
  8. Competitive Prices (3)
Other Services:
Internet: Total Points 3/3
  1. Paid/Unpaid (3)
  2. Rate charged per night (Free)
Retail Shops: Total Points: 6/6
  1. Availability of Items (3)
  2. Hotel Gift Shop is stocked with Souvenirs, Emergency Supplies like pain killers, toiletries and other items "forgotten" at home. (3)
Beauty Salon: (NR)
  1. Present/Not Present
  2. What services are available?  
This was a pretty Wow hotel!  It is an older hotel but the staff was stellar and very helpful.  I was offered fresh Mango Juice at reception upon arrival and paid a $50 surcharge in order to check in seven hours early, which was fair, in my opinion.  I rated the complimentary refreshment as a (2) because the Mango was so fresh, it made me dribble after drinking, and it was embarrassing that I was not offered a napkin/tissue with the juice.  I think that if they had given me a napkin/tissue, I would have rated it a (3). 

It was supposed to be a non-smoking room, but I could tell that smokers had stayed in the room prior to my visit.  It wasn't a strong smell, but if you are a non-smoker you can definitely tell once you walk into the room that a cigarette odor was present.

I am confused on why the Mini Bar was not stocked with alcoholic refreshment as there was a bar in the main lobby.  I do feel that as a 5-star hotel if there is alcohol on the premises, there should be a refrigerator stocked with at least a house red and white wine. So, I rated that a (1). 

The swimming pool was not in use, thus I am not sure if it was available.  The weather is still a little cool in Egypt this time of year, so this may have been another reason why guests were not utilizing it. 

I signed up for a 2-hour massage and scrub.  I was supposed to have been given a Steam Bath and then a 2-hour treatment.  Instead the masseuse cut my treatment short by 30 minutes, as she needed her lunch break. This was a little disappointing and the timing should have been better.  Another issue I observed was that it was not completely segregated. Sure I had a private Steam Bath and separate changing area, but I had to walk into the main lobby with my half-naked body to the massage room.  This needs to be changed.  To be truly segregated there needs to be a separate area for both men and women.

Overall this hotel receives  85/93 points.  A Percentage rating of 92% and a Grading Rate of "A-".  Despite the cosmetics of the establishment and the few minor imperfections, I would still book a stay at the Concorde El Salam.  It is a great hotel in the middle of Heliopolis. 

Happy Travels!


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