The best hotels in Hurghada for an exquisite Egyptian winter escape
Escape the cold for a sun-soaked sojourn and check in to these stylish Hurghada hotels
Red wine, cashmere, crackling fires, warming roasts, cosy nights in, Christmas... Winter really can be the most wonderful time of year. But it can also be cold, wet, dark, and let's face it, a little depressing – particularly for those with a penchant for year-round Vitamin D.
Luckily, the hot, sunny and seriously spoiling winter escape of your dreams is now but a short plane-ride away – and you might be surprised to hear that it's all thanks to easyJet. Why? Because the low-cost airline recently launched direct flights to Hurghada, putting Egypt's picturesque Red Sea beach resort towns (and importantly, year-round sunshine) firmly on the winter sun-seekers' map.
But the budget element stops there, for some of the finest hotel brands in the world have landed on Hurghada's shores in recent years – bringing with them a sophisticated group of luxury-loving travellers who can't get enough of the stunning scenery (above and below the water), wonderful weather, sky-high standards and signature Egyptian hospitality. And all at a significantly lower price-point than usual...
It can't possibly stay a hidden gem for long. And the close proximity to the Nile Valley, ancient sites of Luxor, and some of the finest coral reefs and water-sports spots around, is just the cherry on top.
From family-friendly resorts and palatial hotels to buzzy boutique boltholes, these are the best (and most luxurious) hotels in Hurghada for the ultimate winter escape.
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh
Located just 30 minutes from Hurghada airport along a particularly pristine stretch of Red Sea shore, the Oberoi Beach Resort is one of the most opulent options around. Traditional North African design elements are interspersed with neoclassical touches, lending the place an especially grand feel – helped, too, by the fact that it is spread across an impressive 48 acres of land.
Rooms are suitably spacious – certain suites even have their own swimming pool – and while children are (very warmly) welcomed, everything is so spread out that you'd hardly notice anyone else there at all. Scuba diving enthusiasts, as well as those keen to learn, will be in utter heaven: there are some excellent sites nearby, and a PADI-certified centre.
The Chedi, El Gouna
The Chedi El Gouna was the first-ever Egyptian property to feature in the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio, despite only opening its doors last year. And already, it has brought with it an shiny new clientele that can't get enough of The Chedi's particular brand of low-key luxury – for a lot less than usual, too.
Standards, however, are just as high, with world-class service and an impressive 2:1 ratio of staff to guests. There's a picturesque private beach for whiling away balmy days between snorkelling, SUP, snacks and sundowners, while if supreme pampering is more your ticket, you can't do much better than the slick Asian-inspired spa.
Serry Beach Resort
It might be located a mere stone's throw from Hurghada Airport, but Serry Beach Resort couldn't feel further away from the chaos. Inside, it's a real haven of calm; all sleek black-and-white interiors, lush greenery, flickering candles and sweeping vistas of the sparkling Red Sea.
With 453 rooms, there's something to suit everyone, from family-friendly "Chalets" and multi-bedroom options to exclusive penthouses and suites with private plunge pools and jacuzzis. As for leisure time, it's the same idea: kids will go crazy for the new Aqua Park, while adults can discover the wonders of the Nomad Spa, buzzy Beach Club, multiple restaurants and endless roster of daily activities.
Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay
Nestled between the Red Sea and desert mountains on a naturally preserved peninsula to the south of Hurghada, lies Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay. The views here are truly epic, as are the conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and all manner of water sports.
On top of this, there 325 rooms and suites, five bars and restaurants to choose from, numerous indoor and outdoor pools, as well as one of the largest spas in the world, offering just over 7,500 sq metres of pure wellbeing.
La Maison Bleue, El Gouna
Like all the most charming boutique hotels, La Maison Bleue oozes a mix of high-octane glamour and old-school eccentricity. A grand Mediterranean-style mansion right on the water of an exclusive stretch of Mangroovy Beach, it's painted a pretty pale blue with smart white shutters – but inside it's decidedly less low-key.
Think opulent coloured marbles, brightly patterned columns, stately old-world furnishings and eclectic objets d'art – plus, a spa, great restaurant and plenty of chic nooks to hole away in. And then, there are the guest rooms: just 11 in total, each with unique interiors, buckets of character and beds fit for a king. Divine.
Casa Cook, El Gouna
The adults-only Casa Cook is undoubtedly one of the buzziest establishments in Hurghada – and by far one of the best-looking. It's made up of an incredibly Instagrammable blend of modernist architecture, earthy hues and organic materials, all set against the hazy Saharan dunes and azure lagoons.
Little surprise, then, that such a combination draws a seriously cool crowd, who spend the sunny days here between yoga, tanning and spa treatments before enjoying DJ sets and endless cocktails well into the night.
Sheraton Soma Bay Resort
Inspired by the Karnak Temple complex in nearby Luxor, Sheraton's Soma Bay Resort is one of the area's most majestic hotels. It's one of the best-located, too, with 800 metres of prime beachfront reserved solely for guests, lush gardens and views of the Red Sea Mountains beyond.
In a setting as wonderful as this, guests understandably spend far more time outside than indoors – but when they do retire for the night, it's in one of the 326, light-filled and very well-appointed bedrooms, most of which boast stunning sea views.
The Makadi Spa Hotel
If a truly spoiling escape is what you're after, then the Makadi Spa Hotel is the name to know. Located just a short drive south of Hurghada in the resort town of Makadi Bay, it's a veritable oasis of wellbeing. Everything here is geared towards total tranquility: it's adults-only, all-inclusive, constantly bathed in a warm golden light, and peacefully silent but for chirping birds and the rustles of a soft breeze.
Unsurprisingly, couples love it here – and soon even more so, since the hotel is set to unveil its brand-spanking-new spa in the coming months alongside tonnes of new pampering options.
Cook's Club, El Gouna
For laidback, luxury-loving travellers, the Bedouin-inspired Cook's Club is the buzzy hotspot du jour. It's set in the elegant enclave of El Gouna, with fabulous snorkelling, wind- and kite-surfing spots right on the doorstep, as well as plenty to stay firmly put for.
Rooms are stripped-back and minimal yet stylish, though guests tend to congregate around the central swimming pool, where creative cocktails flow, DJs hit the decks and Thursdays are known for hedonistic pool parties. The hotel also offers direct access to a private saltwater lagoon and small sandy beach, plus a vibey restaurant serving local and international fare.
Steigenberger Aldau Beach Hotel
The sprawling, beachfront Steigenberger resort is located right in the centre of Hurghada, and comprises three distinct hotel offerings: the smart, adults-only Pure Lifestyle, Aqua Magic for families and water park aficionados, and Aldau Beach Hotel as the perfect in-between.
Both children and their parents are well catered-for here: there's an on-site golf course, pampering spa and seven restaurants, as well as a diving club, pools and endless watersports to enjoy all together – plus a great Kids' Club to top it all off.
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