Beach Holiday Egypt: Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam & more
Every year during the cold winter months, we spend a week in the sun, specifically in Egypt. A week of relaxation, good food, soaking up some vitamin D, and maybe a little excursion. That’s all it takes to unwind for a bit.
Over the years, we’ve stayed at several hotels in Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and even Taba. Below, you’ll find the hotels we’ve stayed at, along with our honest reviews.
How to go to Egypt?
You can fly to Hurghada or Marsa Alam from a lot of airports around the world, either directly or with a transit in Caïro. You can look for flights using Skyscanner.
What to do in Egypt?
We did different trips while in Egypt: riding with a buggy or quad, a day trip to Luxor and even a day trip to Caïro. Although the distances are big, a visit to the ancient temples and pyramids is a must when you are in Egypt.
Visa requirements for Egypt
Whether you’re coming from the US, the UK, or anywhere in the EU, you’ll need a tourist visa to enter, but the process is quick and affordable. The simplest route is applying for an e-Visa online before you fly, which costs around $25 and typically arrives within a week. Prefer to sort it on the spot? A visa on arrival is available at major airports like Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh for a similar price, though you’ll need exact cash in USD. And if your trip is limited to the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, or Nuweiba, you might not need a paid visa at all: a free 14-day entry stamp covers those areas.
Just remember: your passport needs at least six months of validity left.
Hotels in Hurghada
Jaz Aquaviva in Makadi Bay
Jaz Aquaviva is located in Madinat Makadi, a resort area near Hurghada. The hotel feels quite modern and is well-maintained. The rooms are spacious and clean, though it can sometimes get a bit noisy in the evenings, depending on where you’re staying.
What’s really great about this hotel is that it has plenty of pools and access to a large water park. So if you love water slides or are traveling with kids, this is the perfect place for you. There’s also an adults-only pool if you prefer a quieter atmosphere. Additionally, there are amenities like a fitness center and spa, though the Wi-Fi isn’t always great, especially when it’s busy.
The food here is a real highlight. There’s plenty of choice and quite a bit of variety; breakfast and desserts are especially good. The all-inclusive package also makes things easy: you don’t have to worry about a thing. Overall, this is the kind of hotel where everything is well organized and where you can simply enjoy the sun, the pool, and good food without a care in the world.
Read an extensive review of Jaz Aquaviva in Hurghada.
Book Jaz Aquaviva on Booking or Expedia.
Serenity Makadi Beach (now Serenity Alpha Beach) in Makadi Bay
Serenity Makadi Beach is located a bit off the beaten path in Makadi Bay, so don’t expect to find a village or nearby attractions here. But honestly, you don’t really need them, because the hotel itself is huge and beautifully landscaped.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, often with a nice view, and there are several pools where you can easily find a spot. The beach is also a real plus, with plenty of lounge chairs and the chance to snorkel off the pier. There are a few minor downsides, though, such as the Wi-Fi, which really only works well in the lobby, and a gym that’s nothing to write home about.
The food is okay, but not very varied. Breakfast and lunch are the best, with plenty of choices and fresh options, but dinner tends to get repetitive pretty quickly. All in all, this is simply a very good hotel if you mainly want to relax by the pool or on the beach, without expecting too much in terms of luxury or variety.
Book Serenity Alpha Beach on Booking or Expedia.
Three Corners Rihana Resort in El Gouna
Three Corners Rihana Resort is located in El Gouna. It’s quite large, and at first it almost feels like a maze, but you’ll find your way around pretty quickly. What stands out right away: check-in goes super smoothly, and the staff is really friendly. Even if you arrive late, they’ll still make sure you have something to eat.
There are several pools and a beach, so you’ll always find a spot to relax. There are bars everywhere, which is also convenient. The rooms are spread out across the grounds, and if you get a renovated room, you’re in for a treat: spacious, clean, and everything you need is there. One minor downside: the shower sometimes didn’t work as well during peak times.
The food is just good, but not mind-blowing. Breakfast is really great with plenty of choices (pancakes, omelets, fresh fruit…), and there are plenty of options for lunch and dinner as well. It just could have used a bit more variety at times. One downside: the cocktails aren’t really that great. But overall, this is just a really nice hotel if you’re looking for a relaxed, affordable beach vacation with a cozy atmosphere.
Book Three Corners Rihana Resort on Booking or Expedia.
Hotels in Marsa Alam
Casa Blue Resort
Casa Blue Resort in Marsa Alam is an adult-friendly hotel, so you won’t find any children under 12 here. There are a total of 5 swimming pools, all equipped with lounge chairs and cushions. Next to the largest pool, there’s also a bar where you can get drinks starting at 10 a.m. There’s also a beautiful private beach with a lovely pier and, of course, a bar.
The bars offer an extensive selection of drinks, though the cocktails are still the typical all-inclusive variety. The staff is incredibly friendly and not at all pushy. Inside, there’s a beautiful lobby with a cozy bar, perfect for when it gets a bit cooler in the evening.
In the restaurant, you can enjoy delicious buffet-style dishes with plenty of variety: there’s something for everyone. And just like in any restaurant in Egypt, the dessert buffet is definitely worth checking out.
There’s also a small fitness center where you can use cardio machines as well as weight machines. It’s the perfect way to start your day off right.
Book Casa Blue Resort on Booking or Expedia.
Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is really quite secluded, so this is the kind of place where you’ll mostly just stay at the hotel. But honestly: that’s not a problem at all here. It has everything: multiple pools, a beach, and plenty of space to just relax in the sun. The setting is also quite beautiful, right on the Red Sea with a reef nearby.
The rooms are spacious and are cleaned thoroughly every day, which is always nice. You also get bottles of water every day (which is really necessary there), and everything feels very well-maintained. One downside: the Wi-Fi isn’t great, especially in the rooms, and can be slow when a lot of people are online.
The food here is definitely a highlight. Every evening there’s a different theme (like Italian or Tex-Mex), so it stays varied, and the desserts in particular are really worth trying. Breakfast is also extensive, with options like freshly made omelets made to order.
Book Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort on Booking or Expedia.
Hotels in Taba
Mövenpick Resort in Taba
Taba is located on the border with Israel and is also close to Jordan. This makes it an ideal location not only for a beach vacation but also for a day trip to Petra.
The Mövenpick Resort is fairly compact and easy to navigate, even though it looks quite large. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed with a welcome drink and be informed about the all-inclusive package, though not all bars and restaurants are included.
The rooms are spacious, clean, and functionally furnished, with a balcony and a view of the sea or the mountains. You do notice, however, that the hotel is a bit dated and could use some renovation here and there. Meals are served buffet-style, with plenty of choice, though there’s little variety in the dishes.
The resort is above all an ideal place to relax: there’s a beautiful sandy beach with comfortable lounge chairs and plenty of space, as well as several bars where you can enjoy drinks and cocktails.
Book Mövenpick Resort on Booking or Expedia.
Plan your trip to Egypt like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Hurghada or Marsa Alam on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
💳 Use Wise to pay in Egypt at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
Some of these links are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat will earn a small commission. This will cost you nothing extra.
