Rentals in/near Zamalek

[Quick Ben]

Hi all

I have got a job in Cairo and will be coming at start of July.

The office is in Zamalek so I want somewhere either on the island or maybe just across 15 may bridge.

The initial contract is for 6 months though it will probably be extended thereafter. The company says i may be better getting a serviced apartment to be honest i dont really know what the services are in practice is it basically just cleaning?

Can anyone give me any tips

Whats the difference between a serviced apartment and a normal one?

How much would serviced apartment cost relative to normal one ?

Can i get a normal one and leave after 6 months if necessary?

Whats the best way to find an apartment, is it easier with a broker or is there a newspaper, or adverts on apartment buildings!

Any other ideas/recomendations?

Thanks

Ben

[MaidenScotland]

Congratulations on your new job and welcome in Egypt as we say here.

Th Hilton has seviced apartments in Zamalek.. right at the tip of the island and on the banks of the river, it would be a good base if your company is offering to pick up the bill, however if they send you to negotiate then drive a hard bargain.. They will tell you that they will be busy over Ramadan but I would seriously doubt that as Gulf Arabs are staying away plus of course we are still in the throes of a revolution. Serviced means it is an apartment run by a hotel, your room will be cleaned each day, room service is available as is other hotel facilities. There will be no fuel bills but telephone calls will be charged but it is easy enough to set up a mobile telephone contract, calls on a mobile are as cheap as on a land line,
There are brokers on the island or you could just walk around and see for yourself... just ask at buildings if there are any apartments for rent, always easier to take an Arabic speaker with you but your company should help you out with this,

[MaidenScotland]

Once on the island you will never have to leave unless you want to watch football at the BCA,

[Quick Ben]

Originally Posted by MaidenScotland

Serviced means it is an apartment run by a hotel, your room will be cleaned each day, room service is available as is other hotel facilities. ,

Hmm

Access to hotel facilities would be nice for a few weeks but I suspect if it felt like a hotel i wouldn't be able to stand it for 6 months. It would be like i was just visiting not living here.

Has anyone got experience of staying at these places. How independent are you?

For example

- Would i be able to come and go directly to my apartment or would i go through hotel reception?
- Would there be facilities to cook for myself?
- Would i have to put my shopping through an airport scanner when i came in?
- Could i have friends and family come out and stay in the apartment and or would they have to check in/ pay ?
- Could i bring in my own drinks or would i be expected to overpay for them at the Hotel bar?

Ben

[MaidenScotland]

Originally Posted by Quick Ben

Hmm

Access to hotel facilities would be nice for a few weeks but I suspect if it felt like a hotel i wouldn't be able to stand it for 6 months. It would be like i was just visiting not living here.

Has anyone got experience of staying at these places. How independent are you?

For example

- Would i be able to come and go directly to my apartment or would i go through hotel reception?
- Would there be facilities to cook for myself?
- Would i have to put my shopping through an airport scanner when i came in?
- Could i have friends and family come out and stay in the apartment and or would they have to check in/ pay ?
- Could i bring in my own drinks or would i be expected to overpay for them at the Hotel bar?

Ben

I used to stay in the Hilton serviced apartments down at the world trade centre so I know a fair bit about them


No you do not go through reception

Yes I had a full well equipped kitchen and laundry room

I would not think you would have to do the scanner thing once you are a resident.

Yes friends and family can come and stay at no extra charge

You can bring all the booze in that you want, you can have deliveries made from drinkies, food can be delivered to your room ie pizza chinese etc

You can use outside dry cleaning washing men, you do not have to use the hotels in house laundry

You will have the use of a swimming pool when you want it.

You can complain if your neighbour is noisy.


If you are only staying for 6 months it really is ideal.. it lets you enjoy the city without setting up utilities etc, plus any repairs that need doing are done immediately, no having to phone the landlord who will promise to do it next week then tell you it's the revolution, his cat has had kittens, his mothers next door neighbour fell... as excuses as why the job has not been done and the fact you are only staying for 6 months will make them less inclined for them to do any work for you,


maiden

[Quick Ben]

Thanks that;s reassuring but i am going to be paying for it myself so it depends a lot on the cost

Assuming that i am successful in "bargaining really hard" how much is it going to cost compared to a normal apartment?

Ben

[MaidenScotland]

Originally Posted by Quick Ben

Thanks that;s reassuring but i am going to be paying for it myself so it depends a lot on the cost

Assuming that i am successful in "bargaining really hard" how much is it going to cost compared to a normal apartment?

Ben

I have no idea

Hilton Zamalek Residence (Cairo) - Hotel reviews, photos, rates - TripAdvisor

it will also of course depend on what type of apartment you want and the standard of finishings in a normal apartment,
... Zamalek is expensive.
I would take into consideration

No fuel bills,
No cleaning bills
No transport costs
you will have air con that you could leave running 24/7
No set up... you just walk in and unpack,
If you like to swim.. a day pass at the Marriot.. if available will cost you about 25 pounds sterling.. you would have free use of the one in the Hilton.

Cairo is receiving very few visitors so you are in the driving seat.

[MaidenScotland]

I had a read through and found this

“Long term rental - It's a great fit.”
Reviewed 4 August 2011
I lived in my Hilton residence for nearly four months and enjoyed it quite a bit. The security staff is manned 24/7, without dogs, but with hydraulic blockades. The reception staff is exceptionally friendly as is the guest services manager. The fitness center has all the basic necessities and the pool is very nice. The pool is on the East side of the high rise building so after about noon, there is not much sun available in the pool deck, but the water is still refreshing and clear.
There are short stay rooms (normal hotel style) and extended stay suites (two and three bedrooms). Most rooms overlook the Nile River. The beds are very comfortable. The living area has a sofa and a couch, each bedroom has a LCD TV with basic cable. The living room has a DVD/Surround sound system.
The suites come with a full kitchen including a full service stove, dishes and tons of cupboards. The housekeeping staff does a great job keeping the place tidy and even does the dishes when you don't!
There are two restaurants and a specific room service menu that are very good. I have used all three frequently and have never been disappointed.
All in all, it's a great hotel and it's in Zamalek so there is plenty to see and do. I recommend it to anyone.

[MaidenScotland]

Do you not have a housing allowance?

[Quick Ben]

hanks Maiden You are putting a lot of work in on this and its greatly appreciated.

I don't have a housing allowance i just have a salary which in theory includes something for housing transport etc I am hoping to avoid transport costs so I want somewhere that is a maximum of 30 minutes walk of the 5 Bells which is not far from my office,

Anything I spend on the accommodation is not available for spending elsewhere, so its really a case of balancing the cost of serviced apartments against any normal ones available for 6 months and adjusting for internet and the other things you mentioned.

If the difference is small i will pick the nicest option, if it is large i will take the cheapest.


Ben