This is great! Wish more people would post informational videos like this will be staying at this hotel in next few weeks
@traveldavid27092 ай бұрын
Thank you for the feedback!! Hope you have a blast.
@irenedavo37683 ай бұрын
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@k.m.29754 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for the video. Very informative. I have a bit of a strange question as I've never been to a cruise before. Could you please share an information if there are tables for 2 at the breakfast, lunch and dinner? We would really like to eat just on our own. P.S. Excuse me if there are any mistakes, English isn't my first language.
@traveldavid27094 ай бұрын
Yeah table for 2 access was not a problem at all.
@k.m.29754 ай бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 that's great. Thank you very much.
@cchao71064 ай бұрын
Thank you for the review. We are thinking to go Antarctic by either Viking or Seabourn this year or next January. Your experience with Seabourn gave us some aspects.
@traveldavid27094 ай бұрын
It really was an epic trip. I’m sure whichever you do will be amazing.
@traveldavid27095 ай бұрын
So we were on the early flight. They did drive us around but it was mainly to kill time. We stopped st two photo areas. It wasn’t what I would call a guided tour. I have a video talking a little about it and the initial part of the trip I will likely put up tonight.
@barbarabreland5 ай бұрын
Hi David- when you arrived in Ushuaia… did Seabourn drive you guys around in a bus a few hours after landing- or did they take you straight to the ship for boarding? On other videos we have seen different things.
@BillLockhart5 ай бұрын
We’ll try our parkas in first thing in a week… meanwhile, I’ve found their service onboard to be spectacular. Am surprised they haven’t responded about the parka. Leave them a note and send a note as well to the hotel manager. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!
@traveldavid27095 ай бұрын
Have fun..we were on the Feb 10-20 cruise and are back. The parks issue was never resolved but we gave up and didn’t push the envelope.
@barbarabreland5 ай бұрын
Can’t believe Seabourn didn’t remedy your wife’s tour parka… worse… to have the expedition point of contact blow you off like that
@barbarabreland5 ай бұрын
Fantastic quick review- good observations & stunned that Seabourn had dropped the ball on something as easy & quick to fix as your wife’s parka… was shocked that the Expedition point of contact blew you off the way they did- I’m certain Seabourn management would like to have a chance to remedy this… maybe you can just find a guest services manager and get help. That’s what Seabourn prides themselves on-
@traveldavid27095 ай бұрын
Thanks for the kind words we should have pushed envelope I guess. It was our first seabourn experience and the reaction from the expedition manager was so off putting I actually didn’t asked again because I didn’t want to get frustrated and my wife said she would just live with it, but won’t wear it again which is unfortunate.
@barbarabreland5 ай бұрын
@@traveldavid2709go to them and ask for a remedy! It’s what Seabourn sells… quality, luxury service. This is not a 7-11 convenience store… you paid for an expedition trip on a great ship and the management would want to know! Go to customer service and ask politely
@svitlana15007 ай бұрын
very helpful
@traveldavid27097 ай бұрын
Thank you for the kind words!
@thanasisk10 ай бұрын
Thanks for the good advice!
@michaeldesilvio22110 ай бұрын
Avoid the odoriferous touts.
@natali771810 ай бұрын
Wow! Thank you for taking your time during vacation to share such a long video with the entire world. Very few will do it like you, not for profit but for people's sake.
@traveldavid270910 ай бұрын
Thank you for the kind words.
@natali771810 ай бұрын
Thank you for humble review! Appreciate your efforts!
@traveldavid270910 ай бұрын
Thanks for the kind words
@elizabethbrogan6582 Жыл бұрын
I'm going in November and I'm so excited! As a solo traveler, I'm wondering if there were any opportunities to make friends at the resort?
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
They had activities like volleyball and yoga that were in a group setting where you could definitely meet people and there was one bar in particular that always had a crowd. It’s a small island and everything is pretty intimate but we had several great conversations there one in particular got me to finally go to Egypt.
@placetostay4252 Жыл бұрын
Sorry.Are You prefer beach villa or water villa in this resort? And how is beach there?
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
Beach is beautiful, the over the water villas would always be my choice.
@elvisurbina4768 Жыл бұрын
Nice review 👏👏👏
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@leilastocalifeworld6740 Жыл бұрын
I watch your videos and I just want to say, I hope there are more good people like you
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
Wow thank you for the kind words!! Motivates me to get some more out there.
@kicksandtravels Жыл бұрын
Appreciate you sharing that bit of insight about the food plans at Le Meridien! Nobody really spends time to talk about this because the resort itself is more eye-catching to record. But details like this is what will help people plan for a better trip so thank you so much for this!
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback!
@user-xc4eh4kp9n Жыл бұрын
GREAT CONTENT! How did you go to the pyramids - walking or taxi? I know the Mena hotel is close by. Also, how many hours would you budget for the pyramids? Did you have a tour guide or by yourself?
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
We walked it’s maybe a 10 minute walk. I think I have another video of the walk. We did it all by ourself but I’d recommend at the very least one full day. It’s pretty expansive. We didn’t use a guide though you will be perpetually hounded for one.We did take a horse ride way out for a better view.
@user-xc4eh4kp9n Жыл бұрын
All day to walk around the pyramids and go inside, i.e. ? Thanks for your feedback
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
@@user-xc4eh4kp9n to me yes it’s a massive space and you can only go in two pyramids. I guess it depends on pace and if you walk vs get scurried around by horse or camel.
@Kat-dx2ps Жыл бұрын
Hi David, we plan to stay at both hotels you reviewed and watched both very helpful reviews. My question-is the spa experience better at mena house or st Regis? You mentioned that your wife did both but I couldn’t tell if one was better.
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
The st Regis one was amazing to her, one of the best experiences at a spa she has ever had, if not the best. Granted it was a restricted Covid period and she was only on there so it was full attention given.
@Kat-dx2ps Жыл бұрын
Good point. Appreciate the insight and the feedback.
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
@@Kat-dx2ps hope you all have a blast!
@LillWacker Жыл бұрын
Your video was so helpful! We just got here and used many of your tips. Thank you! You didn’t happen to stay in 203, did you?
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the feedback. I don’t think it was 203.
@jessicaromer7772 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. How was the tip process, for example did you use USD, credit card or local currency? Who all do you tip?
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
We added to the bill with credit card.
@Artblockmusic Жыл бұрын
Really helpful advice here.
@BeautyWithCrystal Жыл бұрын
Thank you for these tips! Going to Cairo in December I’m excited 😊
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
Awesome, you will love it.
@MaxMBrandenburg2 жыл бұрын
Hi David, thank you for sharing! We are going to Le Meridien coming November. Question related to the meal plans. I'm Titanium member so I'm getting 20% discount on F&B but does this apply to both ordering from the menu and to the meal plans? As in, is the meal plan 125 - 20% = 100 dollars? Trying to work out for myself what kind of deal we would take (meal plan or not).
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
When we went it was only for ordering a la Carte. You may double check if they still offer the discount for titanium, I saw an article recently that implied that was going away.
@B3ezy Жыл бұрын
Pretty sure that discount is going away or already has
@tomasgreen93872 жыл бұрын
wow very informative video thank you!!!!!!!
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@bribrilovette18812 жыл бұрын
Hi. I have a question. I wanted to know how much is the security deposit for this hotel. I didn’t see any information regarding it on the website. I keep calling the hotel and they are not answering the phone at all. It’s very frustrating
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
To my knowledge I was not charged a security deposit. If I was it was only a couple hundred dollars pre authorization on credit card.
@bribrilovette18812 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 O.k Thank you. I appreciate the response. I just couldn’t get ahold of the hotel at all. They literally don’t answer the phone.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@bribrilovette1881 you might try emailing them, I could probably scrounge you an email if you can’t find one.
@danielsutter75282 жыл бұрын
This video helped us. For reference walking back solo it took me 7 minutes from the base of the pyramid to breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Going to the pyramids, walk with confidence, don’t engage other than a quick hello followed by “La shukran” and walk straight up the street or sidewalk or anywhere…just look like you know where you’re going…walk like a local. Don’t listen to any street peddler, they will try and turn you off the Main Street to negotiate a ride or another way in. Straight to the guard and walk past with a smile. The first “gate” with the guard and the umbrella on the right side of the road is just a checkpoint…..just walk right past….past that point the hagglers drop off considerably. The road will climb to the left and the ticket office will come into view…as you would expect…a large ticket office with several lines, they take credit cards and the fee this morning was 280 pounds for non Egyptians ….written on the board…must of been a recent price increase. Buy your ticket and scan the WR code on the turnstile and walk in. Now you’re on the grounds and can roam freely. The hotel staff, the drivers all say you “can’t walk” and that you’ll be hassled….I wouldn’t necessarily turn left out of the hotel since there is a pretty big security check point there that keeps out the riff raff. But from the hotel towards the pyramids is fine and as the video shows about a 2.5 min walk through the street peddlers past the next checkpoint. I did a loop through the pyramids left the hotel at 8:50am and was back at the hotel 9:30 while my family was showering in the morning. Update: we entered through this gate and exited by the Sphinx. Easy to do, and totally walkable, even at mid day. Not much harassing on the way down, and it’s mostly downhill towards the sphinx. At the exit point there is a KFC/Pizza Hut with AC and a good place to grab an Uber from.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Interesting, the hotel staff told us it was fine to walk. We actually stopped and talked to some of the vendors and bought a really cool piece of papyrus from one of them. They are trying to make a living but seemed harmless.
@golden_icon2 жыл бұрын
I was originally going with a tour guide but since my flight was delayed, I am miss the tour. So i decided just to go on my own so this definitely helps.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@golden_icon I hate that you missed the tour but glad this helped!
@fariyarahman7887 Жыл бұрын
Hi are there two ticket counters just like the two entrances or do people can only buy the ticket at the sphinx?
@danielsutter7528 Жыл бұрын
@@fariyarahman7887 there are two ticket counters. One by the Marriott entrance past the security checkpoint up the hill.
@user-gd1iu4pb7n2 жыл бұрын
enjoyed the video, great info 👍🏼
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@MTV1995_2 жыл бұрын
if you dont mind when did you land and depart? my plane lands at 7 am and our flight departs at 9am, i'm worried that the sea plane would not be able to get us back to the airport for a 9 am flight.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Sorry just seeing this, immigration was literally nothing. There was a lady that was waiting from Le meridien to make sure we got where we were supposed to. We had similar timeline and I also was worried but then we sat in the seaplane lobby for several hours. The pilots are barefoot and they rarely take off on time!
@BernadetteZayasLore92 жыл бұрын
David! Thanks! I’m running the Pyramids Half Marathon in December and I’m staying here!
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
That’s so awesome!! Good luck, and you will enjoy your stay!!
@darrencorgan2 жыл бұрын
coool, i had a good time too, but problem with HR director Uday Nayak
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
That’s too bad, what happened?
@darrencorgan2 жыл бұрын
coool, i had a good time too, but problem with HR director Uday Nayak
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
That’s too bad, what happened?
@nataliazavala37612 жыл бұрын
Si you know if they offer private tour to the pyramid?
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
I would think for sure if you went to the concierge they could set you up on a private tour.
@nataliazavala37612 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 thank you
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@nataliazavala3761 you bet. There are also people outside the hotel who stand there waiting to try and talk you into a tour. Prices will be all over the map, so if you go that route I’d talk to a few people first, before deciding.
@nataliazavala37612 жыл бұрын
Good information. Thank you for sharing your experience
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the feedback.
@nataliazavala37612 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@puppyrex17892 жыл бұрын
Did hotel have a bus pick up from the air port I want to book but was told I should use a a travel service? Thanks
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
To my knowledge it did not. It’s quite a ways from the airport. I would use Uber or there are lots of reasonable services on Viator.
@zofluvpink2 жыл бұрын
Hi David, thanks for the video. Did you get bonvoy points for purchasing meal plans or only when buying a la carte?
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
We got them for the plan purchase.
@zofluvpink2 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 thanks! we'll be there next year and your videos are super helpful
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@zofluvpink thank you for saying that!
@Creditgod222 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for this! I’d love your opinion, I have a reservation for 12 nights at the St. Regis Maldives. I am debating switching to Le Meridien a week later, which works better for me slightly and also saves roughly 150k points in flights, and staying here for 20 nights. Did you feel the service and experience overall here was great or do you feel the St Regis may be a better option? The cost savings here is slightly pushing me to Le Meridien. Thank you!
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
That’s a tough one Trevor. I’m sure st Regis has a much more luxury vibe if that’s your thing. I think 20 nights at Le meridien would be a lot as you are stuck there. I don’t know if you have ability to go to other resorts form st Regis. I would tend to think the food costs would also be much cheaper at Le meridien. 150k points is a lot in airlines miles if that’s what you are referring to which it sounded like you were. We really enjoyed it, Le meridien is more our vibe. I’ve only stayed at a st Regis once, and it was beautiful and had every touch imaginable.
@JohnB-uz7uo2 жыл бұрын
Good Evening David, Greetings from Chicago. We will be staying at the mena as well. Does the hotel provide free transportation from the airport, or do you suggest getting a taxi? Thanks for the video. It's very insightful.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
They definitely don’t have free transportation, it’s quite a journey. I had to cancel it because of travel issues but if you go on Viator they have reasonable ride service with good reviews that will also help with immigration.
@howardhetflejs32662 жыл бұрын
You are calling yourself a clever Traveller but stayed 9 nights on points instead 10 😂
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Ever heard of vouchers? I stayed 5 on points and the rest on vouchers but thanks for playing!
@traveldavid2709 Жыл бұрын
@@sirid2987 yes we have 3 credit cards with Marriott
@cecillmk2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the detailed video! Really help a lot when booking our stay XD
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the feedback!
@katie785142 жыл бұрын
Do you have to be vaccinated to travel there? What documentation/visa, other than the online health declaration form, do you need to travel there?
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
When we went you didnt have to be vaccinated but needed a negative pcr within 96 hours. As us citizens we didn’t need a visa.
@katie785142 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 thanks for the advice. Loved watching all your videos on the Maldives. Very informative! Going to stay at Le Meridian as well.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@katie78514 you’ll have a blast, thank you for the kind words!
@Zingyred2 жыл бұрын
how much was it to enter the grounds from the main entrance? thank you for this video and the others, super helpful
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
To enter the area it’s 200 Egyptian pound a person or around $13.
@Zingyred2 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 Thank you so much for the quick reply, I just finished watching this video, great tips, ill be going soon, same hotel, not sure if ill get the standard room view or the pyramids view yet, although looks amazing, but costly too. Ill be there for 5nights, then going to Luxor for 2 days. My worry is the people trying to sell, I want to get some good pictures, so hope i can find a quite spot. Wish there was a 5 day pass. Did you get the taxi from and to the airport, or book one of the pre transports, they seem to be so over priced. Thanks again for taking the time to help others :)
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@Zingyred we spent one night at the Le meridien at the airport due to some travel issues and I booked transportation from them to Marriott Mena. It was a ripoff. I’d really recommend Uber, it works well. I think you will have to remain persistent in shooing people away but should be able to get good pictures. You might find that 5 days is too much. We did two days on our own and felt that it was plenty. If you do decide that’s the case you can take a side trip to memphis etc, easily from there.
@Zingyred2 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 will definitely use Uber then, ill check out memphis and alexandria :)
@coasttal1232 жыл бұрын
David, we will be there in a few days. Did you feel restricted in only getting your meals in the 2 restaurants on the plan you got. We are thinking of doing the same plan you did. I look forward in hearing from you. Thanks
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
Yes that’s correct we couldn’t go to The Japanese restaurant or the adult pool bar with what we chose.
@emidio_71442 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for that! I will be solo traveling to Egypt this November. I’ve been told pick pocketer’s roam the pyramids as well. Is that true?
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
We didn’t encounter that but it would not surprise me at all. I would be on friendly alert the whole time. As a solo traveller I would think you would be targeted even more but it’s manageable.
@emidio_71442 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 thank you. Your videos are definitely giving me a great insight on what to expect. I plan to also stay at the Mena House. Looking forward to more content. Keep up the good work.
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@emidio_7144 thank you so much for the kind words! I’ll be getting some more why it videos up. Ask any questions you want!
@emidio_71442 жыл бұрын
@@traveldavid2709 i got another question. Is their an atm in the hotel? Or anywhere near where you can retrieve the currency? Or would that only be at the airport (of any)
@traveldavid27092 жыл бұрын
@@emidio_7144 yes there is one in hotel lobby, it had a trick to it that I don’t remember but hotel desk told me how to do it correctly.
Пікірлер
Thanks for mentioning tips. So important.
Γιες
This is great! Wish more people would post informational videos like this will be staying at this hotel in next few weeks
Thank you for the feedback!! Hope you have a blast.
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Thank you very much for the video. Very informative. I have a bit of a strange question as I've never been to a cruise before. Could you please share an information if there are tables for 2 at the breakfast, lunch and dinner? We would really like to eat just on our own. P.S. Excuse me if there are any mistakes, English isn't my first language.
Yeah table for 2 access was not a problem at all.
@@traveldavid2709 that's great. Thank you very much.
Thank you for the review. We are thinking to go Antarctic by either Viking or Seabourn this year or next January. Your experience with Seabourn gave us some aspects.
It really was an epic trip. I’m sure whichever you do will be amazing.
So we were on the early flight. They did drive us around but it was mainly to kill time. We stopped st two photo areas. It wasn’t what I would call a guided tour. I have a video talking a little about it and the initial part of the trip I will likely put up tonight.
Hi David- when you arrived in Ushuaia… did Seabourn drive you guys around in a bus a few hours after landing- or did they take you straight to the ship for boarding? On other videos we have seen different things.
We’ll try our parkas in first thing in a week… meanwhile, I’ve found their service onboard to be spectacular. Am surprised they haven’t responded about the parka. Leave them a note and send a note as well to the hotel manager. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!
Have fun..we were on the Feb 10-20 cruise and are back. The parks issue was never resolved but we gave up and didn’t push the envelope.
Can’t believe Seabourn didn’t remedy your wife’s tour parka… worse… to have the expedition point of contact blow you off like that
Fantastic quick review- good observations & stunned that Seabourn had dropped the ball on something as easy & quick to fix as your wife’s parka… was shocked that the Expedition point of contact blew you off the way they did- I’m certain Seabourn management would like to have a chance to remedy this… maybe you can just find a guest services manager and get help. That’s what Seabourn prides themselves on-
Thanks for the kind words we should have pushed envelope I guess. It was our first seabourn experience and the reaction from the expedition manager was so off putting I actually didn’t asked again because I didn’t want to get frustrated and my wife said she would just live with it, but won’t wear it again which is unfortunate.
@@traveldavid2709go to them and ask for a remedy! It’s what Seabourn sells… quality, luxury service. This is not a 7-11 convenience store… you paid for an expedition trip on a great ship and the management would want to know! Go to customer service and ask politely
very helpful
Thank you for the kind words!
Thanks for the good advice!
Avoid the odoriferous touts.
Wow! Thank you for taking your time during vacation to share such a long video with the entire world. Very few will do it like you, not for profit but for people's sake.
Thank you for the kind words.
Thank you for humble review! Appreciate your efforts!
Thanks for the kind words
I'm going in November and I'm so excited! As a solo traveler, I'm wondering if there were any opportunities to make friends at the resort?
They had activities like volleyball and yoga that were in a group setting where you could definitely meet people and there was one bar in particular that always had a crowd. It’s a small island and everything is pretty intimate but we had several great conversations there one in particular got me to finally go to Egypt.
Sorry.Are You prefer beach villa or water villa in this resort? And how is beach there?
Beach is beautiful, the over the water villas would always be my choice.
Nice review 👏👏👏
Thanks!
I watch your videos and I just want to say, I hope there are more good people like you
Wow thank you for the kind words!! Motivates me to get some more out there.
Appreciate you sharing that bit of insight about the food plans at Le Meridien! Nobody really spends time to talk about this because the resort itself is more eye-catching to record. But details like this is what will help people plan for a better trip so thank you so much for this!
Thanks for the feedback!
GREAT CONTENT! How did you go to the pyramids - walking or taxi? I know the Mena hotel is close by. Also, how many hours would you budget for the pyramids? Did you have a tour guide or by yourself?
We walked it’s maybe a 10 minute walk. I think I have another video of the walk. We did it all by ourself but I’d recommend at the very least one full day. It’s pretty expansive. We didn’t use a guide though you will be perpetually hounded for one.We did take a horse ride way out for a better view.
All day to walk around the pyramids and go inside, i.e. ? Thanks for your feedback
@@user-xc4eh4kp9n to me yes it’s a massive space and you can only go in two pyramids. I guess it depends on pace and if you walk vs get scurried around by horse or camel.
Hi David, we plan to stay at both hotels you reviewed and watched both very helpful reviews. My question-is the spa experience better at mena house or st Regis? You mentioned that your wife did both but I couldn’t tell if one was better.
The st Regis one was amazing to her, one of the best experiences at a spa she has ever had, if not the best. Granted it was a restricted Covid period and she was only on there so it was full attention given.
Good point. Appreciate the insight and the feedback.
@@Kat-dx2ps hope you all have a blast!
Your video was so helpful! We just got here and used many of your tips. Thank you! You didn’t happen to stay in 203, did you?
Thank you so much for the feedback. I don’t think it was 203.
Thanks for the video. How was the tip process, for example did you use USD, credit card or local currency? Who all do you tip?
We added to the bill with credit card.
Really helpful advice here.
Thank you for these tips! Going to Cairo in December I’m excited 😊
Awesome, you will love it.
Hi David, thank you for sharing! We are going to Le Meridien coming November. Question related to the meal plans. I'm Titanium member so I'm getting 20% discount on F&B but does this apply to both ordering from the menu and to the meal plans? As in, is the meal plan 125 - 20% = 100 dollars? Trying to work out for myself what kind of deal we would take (meal plan or not).
When we went it was only for ordering a la Carte. You may double check if they still offer the discount for titanium, I saw an article recently that implied that was going away.
Pretty sure that discount is going away or already has
wow very informative video thank you!!!!!!!
Thank you so much!
Hi. I have a question. I wanted to know how much is the security deposit for this hotel. I didn’t see any information regarding it on the website. I keep calling the hotel and they are not answering the phone at all. It’s very frustrating
To my knowledge I was not charged a security deposit. If I was it was only a couple hundred dollars pre authorization on credit card.
@@traveldavid2709 O.k Thank you. I appreciate the response. I just couldn’t get ahold of the hotel at all. They literally don’t answer the phone.
@@bribrilovette1881 you might try emailing them, I could probably scrounge you an email if you can’t find one.
This video helped us. For reference walking back solo it took me 7 minutes from the base of the pyramid to breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Going to the pyramids, walk with confidence, don’t engage other than a quick hello followed by “La shukran” and walk straight up the street or sidewalk or anywhere…just look like you know where you’re going…walk like a local. Don’t listen to any street peddler, they will try and turn you off the Main Street to negotiate a ride or another way in. Straight to the guard and walk past with a smile. The first “gate” with the guard and the umbrella on the right side of the road is just a checkpoint…..just walk right past….past that point the hagglers drop off considerably. The road will climb to the left and the ticket office will come into view…as you would expect…a large ticket office with several lines, they take credit cards and the fee this morning was 280 pounds for non Egyptians ….written on the board…must of been a recent price increase. Buy your ticket and scan the WR code on the turnstile and walk in. Now you’re on the grounds and can roam freely. The hotel staff, the drivers all say you “can’t walk” and that you’ll be hassled….I wouldn’t necessarily turn left out of the hotel since there is a pretty big security check point there that keeps out the riff raff. But from the hotel towards the pyramids is fine and as the video shows about a 2.5 min walk through the street peddlers past the next checkpoint. I did a loop through the pyramids left the hotel at 8:50am and was back at the hotel 9:30 while my family was showering in the morning. Update: we entered through this gate and exited by the Sphinx. Easy to do, and totally walkable, even at mid day. Not much harassing on the way down, and it’s mostly downhill towards the sphinx. At the exit point there is a KFC/Pizza Hut with AC and a good place to grab an Uber from.
Interesting, the hotel staff told us it was fine to walk. We actually stopped and talked to some of the vendors and bought a really cool piece of papyrus from one of them. They are trying to make a living but seemed harmless.
I was originally going with a tour guide but since my flight was delayed, I am miss the tour. So i decided just to go on my own so this definitely helps.
@@golden_icon I hate that you missed the tour but glad this helped!
Hi are there two ticket counters just like the two entrances or do people can only buy the ticket at the sphinx?
@@fariyarahman7887 there are two ticket counters. One by the Marriott entrance past the security checkpoint up the hill.
enjoyed the video, great info 👍🏼
Thank you!
if you dont mind when did you land and depart? my plane lands at 7 am and our flight departs at 9am, i'm worried that the sea plane would not be able to get us back to the airport for a 9 am flight.
Sorry just seeing this, immigration was literally nothing. There was a lady that was waiting from Le meridien to make sure we got where we were supposed to. We had similar timeline and I also was worried but then we sat in the seaplane lobby for several hours. The pilots are barefoot and they rarely take off on time!
David! Thanks! I’m running the Pyramids Half Marathon in December and I’m staying here!
That’s so awesome!! Good luck, and you will enjoy your stay!!
coool, i had a good time too, but problem with HR director Uday Nayak
That’s too bad, what happened?
coool, i had a good time too, but problem with HR director Uday Nayak
That’s too bad, what happened?
Si you know if they offer private tour to the pyramid?
I would think for sure if you went to the concierge they could set you up on a private tour.
@@traveldavid2709 thank you
@@nataliazavala3761 you bet. There are also people outside the hotel who stand there waiting to try and talk you into a tour. Prices will be all over the map, so if you go that route I’d talk to a few people first, before deciding.
Good information. Thank you for sharing your experience
Thank you for the feedback.
Thank you!
Did hotel have a bus pick up from the air port I want to book but was told I should use a a travel service? Thanks
To my knowledge it did not. It’s quite a ways from the airport. I would use Uber or there are lots of reasonable services on Viator.
Hi David, thanks for the video. Did you get bonvoy points for purchasing meal plans or only when buying a la carte?
We got them for the plan purchase.
@@traveldavid2709 thanks! we'll be there next year and your videos are super helpful
@@zofluvpink thank you for saying that!
Thank you very much for this! I’d love your opinion, I have a reservation for 12 nights at the St. Regis Maldives. I am debating switching to Le Meridien a week later, which works better for me slightly and also saves roughly 150k points in flights, and staying here for 20 nights. Did you feel the service and experience overall here was great or do you feel the St Regis may be a better option? The cost savings here is slightly pushing me to Le Meridien. Thank you!
That’s a tough one Trevor. I’m sure st Regis has a much more luxury vibe if that’s your thing. I think 20 nights at Le meridien would be a lot as you are stuck there. I don’t know if you have ability to go to other resorts form st Regis. I would tend to think the food costs would also be much cheaper at Le meridien. 150k points is a lot in airlines miles if that’s what you are referring to which it sounded like you were. We really enjoyed it, Le meridien is more our vibe. I’ve only stayed at a st Regis once, and it was beautiful and had every touch imaginable.
Good Evening David, Greetings from Chicago. We will be staying at the mena as well. Does the hotel provide free transportation from the airport, or do you suggest getting a taxi? Thanks for the video. It's very insightful.
They definitely don’t have free transportation, it’s quite a journey. I had to cancel it because of travel issues but if you go on Viator they have reasonable ride service with good reviews that will also help with immigration.
You are calling yourself a clever Traveller but stayed 9 nights on points instead 10 😂
Ever heard of vouchers? I stayed 5 on points and the rest on vouchers but thanks for playing!
@@sirid2987 yes we have 3 credit cards with Marriott
Thank you so much for the detailed video! Really help a lot when booking our stay XD
Thank you for the feedback!
Do you have to be vaccinated to travel there? What documentation/visa, other than the online health declaration form, do you need to travel there?
When we went you didnt have to be vaccinated but needed a negative pcr within 96 hours. As us citizens we didn’t need a visa.
@@traveldavid2709 thanks for the advice. Loved watching all your videos on the Maldives. Very informative! Going to stay at Le Meridian as well.
@@katie78514 you’ll have a blast, thank you for the kind words!
how much was it to enter the grounds from the main entrance? thank you for this video and the others, super helpful
To enter the area it’s 200 Egyptian pound a person or around $13.
@@traveldavid2709 Thank you so much for the quick reply, I just finished watching this video, great tips, ill be going soon, same hotel, not sure if ill get the standard room view or the pyramids view yet, although looks amazing, but costly too. Ill be there for 5nights, then going to Luxor for 2 days. My worry is the people trying to sell, I want to get some good pictures, so hope i can find a quite spot. Wish there was a 5 day pass. Did you get the taxi from and to the airport, or book one of the pre transports, they seem to be so over priced. Thanks again for taking the time to help others :)
@@Zingyred we spent one night at the Le meridien at the airport due to some travel issues and I booked transportation from them to Marriott Mena. It was a ripoff. I’d really recommend Uber, it works well. I think you will have to remain persistent in shooing people away but should be able to get good pictures. You might find that 5 days is too much. We did two days on our own and felt that it was plenty. If you do decide that’s the case you can take a side trip to memphis etc, easily from there.
@@traveldavid2709 will definitely use Uber then, ill check out memphis and alexandria :)
David, we will be there in a few days. Did you feel restricted in only getting your meals in the 2 restaurants on the plan you got. We are thinking of doing the same plan you did. I look forward in hearing from you. Thanks
Yes that’s correct we couldn’t go to The Japanese restaurant or the adult pool bar with what we chose.
Thank you so much for that! I will be solo traveling to Egypt this November. I’ve been told pick pocketer’s roam the pyramids as well. Is that true?
We didn’t encounter that but it would not surprise me at all. I would be on friendly alert the whole time. As a solo traveller I would think you would be targeted even more but it’s manageable.
@@traveldavid2709 thank you. Your videos are definitely giving me a great insight on what to expect. I plan to also stay at the Mena House. Looking forward to more content. Keep up the good work.
@@emidio_7144 thank you so much for the kind words! I’ll be getting some more why it videos up. Ask any questions you want!
@@traveldavid2709 i got another question. Is their an atm in the hotel? Or anywhere near where you can retrieve the currency? Or would that only be at the airport (of any)
@@emidio_7144 yes there is one in hotel lobby, it had a trick to it that I don’t remember but hotel desk told me how to do it correctly.
any advise for another tourist from the us
Are you doing a tour or going on your own?