The Red Sea Governorate is Egypt's premier coastal destination, stretching over 1,200km along the Red Sea coast and offering world-class diving, pristine coral reefs, and luxury beach resorts. From the bustling resort hub of Hurghada to the unspoiled shores of Marsa Alam, this governorate combines natural wonders with modern amenities. The region attracts millions of visitors annually seeking underwater adventures, desert safaris, and sun-soaked relaxation.
Accommodation overview
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly (under $50/night)
Golden Beach Hotel Hurghada
Golden Beach Hotel is a clean, affordable guesthouse in Hurghada's Ad-Dahar district, the traditional neighborhood near the El Dahar bazaar and affordable local restaurants. The rooms are simple but well maintained with private bathrooms and air conditioning. The friendly staff speak English and are helpful with arranging budget diving packages and local transport. An excellent base for budget travelers who want to spend their money on diving, not accommodation.
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The Petra Hotel in Hurghada's Ad-Dahar neighborhood is a simple, clean budget hotel popular with backpackers and independent travelers. The rooms are basic but comfortable and the location in the old town puts guests within walking distance of the local market, cheap Egyptian restaurants, and budget dive operators. The rooftop is a pleasant space for early morning coffee.
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Sand Beach Hotel is a modest but clean budget option in Hurghada with direct beach access — rare at this price point. The hotel is popular with budget divers who appreciate the beach location and proximity to several affordable dive operators in the area. Rooms are basic but air conditioned with private bathrooms.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range ($50-150/night)
Casa Del Mar Beach Resort
Casa Del Mar is a charming mid-range boutique resort on a private beach in the Sahl Hasheesh area, offering comfortable rooms, a pleasant pool, direct beach access, and a welcoming family atmosphere. The resort is considerably more affordable than the five-star neighbors while sharing access to the same beautiful stretch of Red Sea coast. A good-value dive center provides excursions to all local sites.
Check rates on Booking.comTitanic Palace Resort Hurghada
The Titanic Palace is a large all-inclusive resort hotel offering good value mid-range accommodation on a private beach in central Hurghada. The resort has multiple pools, a long sandy beach, several restaurants, and an evening entertainment program. It is particularly popular with European families and couples seeking an affordable beach holiday.
Check rates on Booking.comParadise El Gouna Hotel
Paradise El Gouna is a comfortable mid-range hotel set in the heart of El Gouna's lagoon network, offering affordable access to one of Egypt's most beautiful resort towns. Rooms are spacious and clean with lagoon or garden views, and the hotel's rooftop restaurant serves excellent Egyptian and international food. Guests enjoy easy access to El Gouna's beaches, watersports, and marina dining by bicycle or buggy.
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The Coral Beach Hotel is a dependable mid-range choice in Hurghada, well-located near the marina and Old Town. The hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, a beachfront restaurant, and a helpful dive center. It is particularly popular with scuba divers due to its proximity to dive boat departures and competitive dive package pricing.
Check rates on Booking.comTurtles Inn Marsa Alam
Turtles Inn is a charming eco-oriented dive resort at Port Ghalib, 65km south of Marsa Alam airport, offering comfortable bungalow-style accommodation right on the beach with a spectacular house reef. The resort has an excellent PADI dive center, an infinity pool overlooking the sea, and a relaxed beachside restaurant serving fresh fish. Its location provides access to Abu Dabbab, Elphinstone, and the southern Marsa Alam dive sites.
Check rates on Booking.comHurghada Long Beach Resort
Hurghada Long Beach Resort is a reliable mid-range all-inclusive hotel with one of the longest private beaches in the Hurghada resort strip. The resort has four pools, several restaurants, a dive center, and an active entertainment program. It is particularly popular with families from Central and Eastern Europe seeking good value sun and sea holidays.
Check rates on Booking.comMarsa Alam Hotel & Dive Center
Located right in Marsa Alam town, this comfortable mid-range hotel serves as an excellent base for diving and snorkeling excursions to all the famous southern Red Sea sites. The hotel has a small pool, clean rooms, and partners with a reputable PADI dive center that runs daily excursions to Elphinstone, Abu Dabbab, and Dolphin Reef. The rooftop terrace serves cold drinks and Egyptian breakfast.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury ($150+/night)
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh
The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh is one of the Middle East's finest resort hotels, set on a private crescent bay 20km south of Hurghada. The resort's 102 villas and suites are designed in a graceful Moorish-Egyptian style with private pools or plunge pools, and many have direct beach access. The Oberoi's commitment to sustainability — including coral reef restoration programs, solar energy, and reef-safe amenities — makes it a model for responsible luxury. The house reef is exceptional for snorkeling directly from the beach.
Check rates on Booking.comSteigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel
The Steigenberger Al Dau Beach is Hurghada's benchmark luxury resort, set on a long private beach in the upscale Al Dau area. The resort features 12 pools, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and a highly regarded dive center. The rooms and suites are elegantly appointed in a contemporary style and many have direct sea or pool views. The hotel's location is convenient for both the marina and the city, making it ideal as a luxury base for exploring the wider region.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Resort El Gouna
The Mövenpick Resort El Gouna is an elegant five-star hotel set amid the lagoons and canals of El Gouna, the exclusive resort town 25km north of Hurghada. The resort occupies a private island reached by a bridge, with beautifully landscaped grounds, multiple lagoon pools, a pristine private beach, and superb dining. It offers easy access to El Gouna's marina, golf course, and vibrant restaurant scene.
Check rates on Booking.comKempinski Hotel Soma Bay
The Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay is a grand five-star resort on the exclusive Soma Bay peninsula 45km south of Hurghada. The hotel offers 300 luxurious rooms and suites with Red Sea views, access to the award-winning Cascades Golf Course, and the renowned Soma Bay Thalasso & Spa — a 7,000 sqm thalassotherapy center using Red Sea water. The resort's location at the tip of the peninsula provides outstanding kitesurfing conditions and a private sandy beach.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Hurghada
The InterContinental Hurghada Resort is a landmark five-star hotel on a long private beach in the heart of Hurghada's resort strip. Featuring 232 rooms and suites, five restaurants including the beachfront Latitude 27 seafood restaurant, multiple pools, and a well-equipped dive center, it delivers reliable international luxury standards. The hotel's central location makes it the ideal base for exploring Hurghada's marina, shops, and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comOrca Dive Club & Eco Hotel Marsa Alam
The Orca Dive Club & Eco Hotel is a boutique luxury diving resort at Shagra Bay, 30km north of Marsa Alam, widely regarded as one of the finest diving resorts in the world. The resort has direct access to two outstanding house reefs, a world-class PADI dive center, and comfortable eco-conscious bungalows and rooms. Its location provides easy access to all the iconic Marsa Alam dive sites including Elphinstone, Abu Dabbab, and Dolphin Reef.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Hurghada Plaza
The Hilton Hurghada Plaza is a well-established luxury hotel in central Hurghada, popular with European tour groups and independent travelers alike. The hotel features a private beach, multiple pools, four restaurants, and a comprehensive dive center. Its central location on the Corniche puts guests within walking distance of the marina, shops, and restaurants of central Hurghada.
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The Jaz Aquamarine is a large all-inclusive resort in Hurghada offering exceptional value for a five-star experience. Set on a private sandy beach with four pools, six restaurants, entertainment programs, and a comprehensive activities center, it is particularly popular with families and couples seeking a hassle-free holiday. The dive center offers courses and excursions for all skill levels.
Check rates on Booking.comSunrise Mamlouk Palace Resort
The Sunrise Mamlouk Palace is a spectacular all-inclusive resort built in a grand Arabesque palace style on Hurghada's northern resort strip. The hotel's ornate architecture, multiple pools, large private beach, and comprehensive entertainment make it one of the most memorable resort properties in Egypt. It is particularly popular with European package holidaymakers.
Check rates on Booking.comHurghada Marriott Beach Resort
The Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort is a polished five-star hotel on a private beach in central Hurghada, delivering Marriott's internationally reliable luxury standards. The resort features multiple pools, five dining outlets including an excellent Italian restaurant, a full spa, and a PADI dive center. The Marriott's location is convenient for both the marina and the El Dahar Old Town bazaar area.
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Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Ad-Dahar (Old Hurghada)
The original fishing village that preceded the resort development. Home to the El Dahar bazaar, cheap local restaurants, mosques, and affordable guesthouses. Authentic Egyptian atmosphere with local markets and street food.
Best for: Budget travelers, backpackers, divers wanting cheap packages, authentic Egyptian experience
Sakala (New Marina area)
The heart of modern Hurghada, with the Senzo Mall, marina promenade, restaurants, bars, and mid-range to luxury hotels. The most developed area with the widest dining and entertainment options.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, those wanting nightlife and dining options
Sahl Hasheesh
A private resort development 20km south of Hurghada with the Oberoi and several boutique five-star hotels. More sedate and exclusive than Hurghada, with a beautiful bay and Old Town promenade.
Best for: Honeymooners, luxury travelers, those wanting peace and quiet
El Gouna
Egypt's most exclusive resort development, 25km north of Hurghada. Carefully planned with lagoons, golf, a marina, and excellent restaurants. Home to the annual El Gouna Film Festival.
Best for: Luxury travelers, kitesurfers, couples, those wanting a sophisticated resort town atmosphere
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh
The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh is one of the Middle East's finest resort hotels, set on a private crescent bay 20km south of Hurghada. The resort's 102 villas and suites are designed in a graceful Moorish-Egyptian style with private pools or plunge pools, and many have direct beach access. The Oberoi's commitment to sustainability — including coral reef restoration programs, solar energy, and reef-safe amenities — makes it a model for responsible luxury. The house reef is exceptional for snorkeling directly from the beach.
Check rates on Booking.comSteigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel
The Steigenberger Al Dau Beach is Hurghada's benchmark luxury resort, set on a long private beach in the upscale Al Dau area. The resort features 12 pools, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and a highly regarded dive center. The rooms and suites are elegantly appointed in a contemporary style and many have direct sea or pool views. The hotel's location is convenient for both the marina and the city, making it ideal as a luxury base for exploring the wider region.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Resort El Gouna
The Mövenpick Resort El Gouna is an elegant five-star hotel set amid the lagoons and canals of El Gouna, the exclusive resort town 25km north of Hurghada. The resort occupies a private island reached by a bridge, with beautifully landscaped grounds, multiple lagoon pools, a pristine private beach, and superb dining. It offers easy access to El Gouna's marina, golf course, and vibrant restaurant scene.
Check rates on Booking.comKempinski Hotel Soma Bay
The Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay is a grand five-star resort on the exclusive Soma Bay peninsula 45km south of Hurghada. The hotel offers 300 luxurious rooms and suites with Red Sea views, access to the award-winning Cascades Golf Course, and the renowned Soma Bay Thalasso & Spa — a 7,000 sqm thalassotherapy center using Red Sea water. The resort's location at the tip of the peninsula provides outstanding kitesurfing conditions and a private sandy beach.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Hurghada
The InterContinental Hurghada Resort is a landmark five-star hotel on a long private beach in the heart of Hurghada's resort strip. Featuring 232 rooms and suites, five restaurants including the beachfront Latitude 27 seafood restaurant, multiple pools, and a well-equipped dive center, it delivers reliable international luxury standards. The hotel's central location makes it the ideal base for exploring Hurghada's marina, shops, and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comOrca Dive Club & Eco Hotel Marsa Alam
The Orca Dive Club & Eco Hotel is a boutique luxury diving resort at Shagra Bay, 30km north of Marsa Alam, widely regarded as one of the finest diving resorts in the world. The resort has direct access to two outstanding house reefs, a world-class PADI dive center, and comfortable eco-conscious bungalows and rooms. Its location provides easy access to all the iconic Marsa Alam dive sites including Elphinstone, Abu Dabbab, and Dolphin Reef.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
All-inclusive packages often represent better value than pay-as-you-go in Red Sea resort areas
Book December to February stays 2-3 months in advance — this is peak European winter sun season
Direct hotel bookings often include free airport transfers — always ask when booking
Diving resorts like Orca Shagra and Turtles Inn sell out months ahead for October-April season
El Gouna hotels are typically 20-30% more expensive than equivalent Hurghada properties but significantly quieter
Summer (June-August) offers 30-50% discounts on most resort hotels — good for heat-tolerant travelers
Many Hurghada hotels run shuttle buses to El Gouna and other nearby attractions — ask at check-in
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.