Security gates at entrance of our hotel on island of Zamalek

Palace-like hotel, built in 1869  for Suez Canal opening, has 1,124 rooms

Aida Foyer depicting Islamic architecture of marble and mashrabiya work

Many luxurious furnishings like this "breakfront" adorn the foyer

Gardens, terraces, pool area as seen from our garden room balcony

Hotel has 10 restaurants, pub, casino, shopping mall, health center...

Modestly-dressed lady in Egyptian Garden Cafe covers dough with meal flour

Another lady would cook the flat baladi bread in a fired brick oven

American lady, married to an Egyptian, tells of her life in Cairo for 10 years

Walkway outside Omar Cafe where we had breakfast each day