The Semiramis InterContinental is one of Cairo's landmark hotels — a large tower on the Garden City waterfront that's been at the same address since the 1970s, though rebuilt and modernised several times. For visitors, the interest is in the Nile-facing facilities: the Windows on the World revolving restaurant at the top has views across the entire city, the pool terrace is usable by day members, and the ground-floor bar is one of the more accessible hotel bars in this part of Cairo.
The hotel's location — directly on Tahrir Square's southeastern corner with the Nile immediately behind — makes it a useful base and meeting point. The lobby café has good wifi and is used by business visitors and journalists as a working base during long stays.