I stayed at the Mayfair for a few nights in May. The current ed (8th) of the Lonely Planet describes it as a dump, but it has had a big makeover since then. I looked at a few rooms, then came back a week later.

I thought I'd be getting one of the palatial private rooms I'd seen--but because I was traveling alone, I got wedged in this little single room with only one tiny window waaaay up high. Additionally, it was right behind reception, so I heard about every word they had to say up there, often quite late at night.

Coming from the Garden City House, I couldn't help but think I'd gotten the short end of the stick. Even though the Mayfair is now nicely painted and retiled, and there's TV and a/c and a really lovely terrace out front, the actual room amenities paled compared with GC House--I had a closet-size shower, not a tub, and my bed was as saggy as all get out. It also had scratchy, sweat-inducing poly-blend sheets.

I really think the larger rooms are significantly nicer--some of them have balconies--so don't write the place off entirely. The prices are reasonable if you're sharing with someone. Also, the shared-bath rooms on the opposite side of the hotel are clean too, and cheaper. I just wound up with the real bad-deal room.

On the plus side, it's relatively quiet in Zamalek--really one of the only reasons to stay here if you're just a regular tourist--and the block the hotel is on is a very nice one. Simonds is nearby, so you can get an old-school cafe au lait and croissant in the morning. (Breakfast at the hotel is pretty standard--egg, roll, jam, tea, none very well executed. Ho hum.)

My one bigger beef with this place, which really only matters if you're a woman traveling alone, is that the young guys who run the place are maybe more friendly than you feel like dealing with at the end of the day. Don't get me wrong--they are perfectly sweet and not at all threatening, and will leave you alone if you say you're not interested in having a soda on the terrace, but sometimes it's a little much to put up with. And certainly, some women will appreciate the friendliness (I know one who did), and the chance to chat with some Egyptian guys without things getting too high pressure.

Also, they seem to have some annoying drunk friends who like to visit--one night I was awakened by some truly horrific singing out on the front terrace. And the only reason I moved to Zamalek was for the quiet! I did go out and yell at them all, and they seemed pretty sheepish, so, hey, maybe it'll never happen again?

My son is now studying in Cairo, living in Zamalek, and he suggested I use this hotel when I visited him. Now, to be honest, I'm usually a 3-4 star chap, so this came as a bit of a surprise to me, but if you are on a budget, it's great. I have nothing bad to say about it.
The hotel is just off the main July 26th St in Zamalek. (A posh residential area in Cairo, on an island in the Nile, with many embassies nearby.) The rooms are clean, but basic, with air-con and en-suite facilities. Like many hotels out there, the shower doesn't have a curtain, so you sweep the excess water away into a drain after showering, but that's no big deal. With temperatures in the 30's it soon evaporates anyway. It's not too noisy, and there is a terrace/balcony for breakfast. Breakfast is, to be honest, not too exciting, so on two days I skipped it and went with my son to a local cafe.
However, I had a "superior room" which cost me a princely £14 per night- so about $28 at current rates.
The reception people spke English, as almost eveyone does in Cairo, who wants to sell something.
It's close to the American University, and there are just loads of places to eat round about.
Interestingly, my son drinks the tap water and has been OK. It is chlorinated now. Personally, only being there for four days, I used bottled water.
Cairo generally is pretty noisy and busy, but it's fascinating, and young people on a budget would find it great. food and drink are very cheap. A dish of Kusherry costs about 50p (c $1)
Enjoy!