We took the room next to the Umm Khulthum suite at the Sofitel Alexandria Cecil. We meant to take a picture of the plaque on the door but never actually did it. I also read somewhere that E. M. Forster lived in the Cecil for a while.



I love these old refurbished hotels, specially when they are run by the French. The French do a mean breakfast, with proper pastries and all, and they really train their staff for good service. The Sofitel Cecil is located between the Mediterranean Sea and a fantastic bakery. The room we stayed in was tiny but cozy, but the Sofitel main attractions are the revolving door and the tiny elevator, with cage doors and brass and weights . You can tell it was a five-star in the early 1900's. Now it is a 4 star by Egyptian standards. By my standards, it is a 3 star with honors.

The location is great not only for the bakery meters away, but also because it is walking distance from the Alexandria Library. You can walk along the sea or take a horse carriage, which is CRAZY. I hailed one thinking the guy didn't see me hailing but he did. He crossed in the middle of buses, cars and the usual egyptian chaotic traffic to pick Anis and I up. That was an adventure.