Must-see hotels in Egypt

  • Adrère Amellal

    Siwa Oasis

    Backed by the dramatic White Mountain (called Adrère Amellal in Siwan language), this impeccable retreat lies in its own oasis, 13km from Siwa Town, with…

  • Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary

    Western Desert

    Taking the high end to unheard-of heights in Dakhla, Al Tarfa is flat-out desert-fabulous. The traditionally inspired decor is superbly tasteful and…

  • Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel & Spa

    Aswan

    The grande dame of Aswan hotels, the Old Cataract is a destination in itself and brings you back to the days of Agatha Christie, who is said to have…

  • Eskaleh

    Abu Simbel

    Part Nubian cultural centre with a library dedicated to Nubian history, part wonderful ecolodge in a traditional mud-brick house, Eskaleh is by far the…

  • Bedawi Camping

    Ras Mohammed National Park

    Early-morning snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, spotting desert foxes loitering around camp under star-strewn night skies: camping in Ras Mohammed is a…

  • Al Karm Ecolodge

    Sinai

    In a remote wadi, this Bedouin-owned ecolodge is the perfect spot to sample the tranquillity and rugged beauty of southern Sinai. It deserves kudos for…

  • Al Moudira

    Luxor

    Al Moudira is a luxury hotel of a stylish individuality. A fantasy of pointed arches and soaring domes set amid lush gardens and birdsong, the hotel is…

  • La Maison Bleue

    El Gouna

    A fantasy constructed out of the imaginary life of a wealthy Levantine. With an eclectic interior that is all grand tiled floors, intricate wooden…

  • Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh

    Hurghada

    Peaceful, exclusive and opulent beyond your imagination, the Oberoi sits a good 30-minute drive south from Hurghada and features palatial suites decorated…

  • Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa

    Luxor

    The Luxor Hilton is the slickest, most luxurious resort in Luxor. Located 2km north of Luxor centre, past the Karnak temples, the large Nileside rooms are…

  • Beit Sabée

    Luxor

    This is a great reinvention of a traditional-style, two-storey mud-brick house: Beit Sabée has appeared in design magazines for its cool use of local…

  • Siwa Relax Retreat

    Siwa Oasis

    Far away from it all, this place is a dream in which to totally relax for a few days. Built on the edge of the lake, the simple but comfortable rooms are…

  • Hotel Longchamps

    Cairo

    Hotel Longchamps is a favourite of returning visitors to Cairo. The comfortable, stylish rooms are spacious, well maintained and come with full mod-cons…

  • El Alamein Hotel

    Mediterranean Coast

    This beautiful luxury beach hotel in the middle of the high-end Marassi resort is favoured by wealthy Cairenes. The large, plush rooms have panoramic…

  • Shali Lodge

    Siwa Oasis

    This tiny, beautiful hotel, owned by environmentalist Mounir Neamatallah, is nestled in a lush palm grove about 100m from Siwa's main square. The large…

  • Mövenpick Resort El Quseir

    Red Sea Coast

    Al Quseir's best hotel stretches around a coral bay 7km north of the centre, with the best rooms just above the shore. It offers good European and…

  • Deep South

    Marsa Alam

    If you're looking to strip it back to the basics of sun, sea and sand, Deep South offers palm-thatch huts and simple but extravagantly painted chalets, a…

  • Wadi Lahami Village

    Marsa Alam

    Tucked into a remote mangrove bay 120km south of Marsa Alam, this hideaway is worth the extra effort it takes to get here. Diving is the main activity –…

  • Sosal Center for Ethnic Arts and Crafts

    Western Desert

    This lovely villa with five bedrooms is a delightful place to stay for a few days. The house has a kitchen, comfortable living room with a fireplace, and…

  • Pension Roma

    Cairo

    Run by a French-Egyptian woman with impeccable standards, the Roma brings dignity, even elegance, to the budget-travel scene. The towering ceilings, fresh…

  • Nefertiti Hotel

    Luxor

    Aladin As Sahabi runs his family’s hotel with care and passion. No wonder this hotel is popular with our readers: simple but scrupulously clean rooms come…

  • Camel Hotel

    Sharm El Sheikh

    Attached to the highly reputable dive centre of the same name, Camel Hotel is the smart choice to stay at if diving is your main agenda. Despite being in…

  • Eden Garden Camp

    Bahariya Oasis

    Located 7km east of Bawiti, in the small, serene oasis of El Jaffara, Eden Garden is a superfriendly place with African-style huts, shaded lounge areas,…

  • Al Babinshal Heritage Hotel

    Siwa Oasis

    This gorgeous, curvy mud-brick hotel is seamlessly grafted onto, and part of, the Shali fortress with its labyrinthine architecture all built from kershef…

  • Marsa Shagra Village

    Marsa Alam

    This large-scale camp 24km north of Marsa Alam offers a range of accommodation from tents to deluxe chalets, and spectacular snorkelling and diving on the…

  • Steigenberger Cecil Hotel

    Alexandria

    The historic Cecil Hotel is a true Alexandria legend, though a series of refits over the years has unfortunately erased most of the days-gone-by lustre…

  • Horus Resort

    Northern Nile Valley

    On the Nile about 1km from the centre, this remains our top-pick hotel although that is mostly because of the lack of competition. Staff are friendly and…

  • Golden Hotel

    Cairo

    A serious step-up in room quality for Downtown, Golden's fresh, modern rooms are tiny but come with blue-tiled contemporary bathrooms and good facilities:…

  • Sawa Camp

    Sinai

    A strip of perfect white beach, hammocks on every hut porch, solar-powered showers and a restaurant dishing up delicious meals: Sawa ticks all the boxes…

  • Eldorado

    Dahab

    This intimate, Italian-owned hotel oozes chic, easygoing beach style. The colourful cabana-type rooms host big beds, painted wood panels and cheerful…

  • Bob Marley Peace Hotel

    Luxor

    The east bank's best-run budget digs, the Bob Marley Peace Hotel (also known as the Boomerang) offers great facilities on a backpacker budget. Rooms and…

  • Captain's Inn

    El Gouna

    This friendly hotel is a favourite home-away-from-home for divers and kitesurfers in town for thrills on the water rather than fancy rooms. The location,…

  • Nakhil Inn

    Nuweiba

    The Nakhil is a cosy compromise for those who want hotel comforts without the crowds. The studio-style wooden cabins exude simple beach chic, while guests…

  • Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir

    Cairo

    This sophisticated customer has been shaking up the Downtown hotel scene since it opened in early 2017. From the vast, modern minimalist lobby with casual…

  • Rahala Safari Hotel

    Western Desert

    This small, delightful hotel was built by the Farafaruni brothers, with domed rooms all equipped with TV, air-con, wi-fi and bathrooms. The rooms are set…

  • Philae Hotel

    Aswan

    By far the best midrange hotel in town. The Philae's modern, minimalist-style rooms are decorated in fabrics with Arabic calligraphy and elegant local…

  • El Salam Hotel

    Dahab

    This friendly hotel is centred on a garden with traditional-style Bedouin tent chill-out area. It offers bright, spacious rooms kitted out with lashings…

  • Anakato

    Aswan

    Anakato is Nubian for 'my house'. This small guesthouse has 12 bedrooms in the wildly coloured Nubian style, with domed roofs. It's a lovely place to hang…

  • Happi Hotel

    Aswan

    A much needed arrival on the Aswan hotel scene, the Happi hotel is well run, clean, comfortable and well located, if lacking character. All 65 rooms have…

  • El Massa Hotel

    Southern Nile Valley

    This relatively new hotel has very comfortable rooms with fridge and TV, and a pleasant coffee shop that serves snacks and fresh juices. From the rooftop…

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