The best hotels in Egypt differ not only in price category but also in the resort itself. Hurghada attracts with sandy beaches and convenient family complexes, Sharm El Sheikh with coral reefs and sheltered bays, and Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh with a calmer resort atmosphere.
In this selection we compare popular premium, family and Adults Only hotels, and look at who should choose Hurghada and who should choose Sharm.
Important: "the best hotel" is not a universal concept. A premium complex in a windy area may suit an active couple but be inconvenient for a family with a small child. First choose the area and the type of beach, then compare specific hotels.
Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh: where to go
Hurghada
Hurghada usually suits tourists who want a sandy beach, a gradual entry into the sea and a wide choice of family hotels. Luxor is convenient to reach from Hurghada, and the resort zones of Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh offer a calmer kind of holiday.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is especially interesting for lovers of corals and snorkeling. It is important to choose the right bay here: the beach, pontoon, wind and depth can differ greatly even between hotels of the same category.
If your main goal is a sea with a sandy entry and a trip to Luxor, people more often choose Hurghada. For a house reef, Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island, Sharm El Sheikh is usually considered. But the final decision depends on the specific hotel.
The best hotels in Egypt for a holiday with kids
A family needs more than slides. Pay attention to the sandy entry, the depth near the shore, the distance from the room to the beach, children's meals and pool heating in winter.
Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort – Neverland Hurghada
One of the best-known family complexes in Hurghada, with a large water park, many pools and entertainment. A good option if the children are ready to spend a lot of time on the slides.
What to consider: the hotel is chosen first of all for its water park. Check in advance the location of the beach, the transfer to the sea and the height restrictions for the slides.
SUNRISE Royal Makadi Resort — Makadi Bay
A family resort with a private beach, pools, a water park, a kids' club and family room categories. Makadi Bay is often chosen for its calm atmosphere and beach holiday away from the city center.
What to consider: you will have to travel to the center of Hurghada, so the hotel suits those who do not plan daily city walks.
Coral Sea Waterworld — Sharm El Sheikh
A family complex in Nabq Bay with a water park, children's entertainment and spacious grounds. There are shallow areas near the shore, which is convenient for playing with children.
What to consider: in Nabq the wind and low tides are noticeable, and sometimes you have to walk along a pontoon to reach full depth. Check recent reviews especially carefully before a winter trip.
Adults-only hotels in Egypt
Adults Only is chosen for a calm atmosphere, a holiday as a couple, a SPA or a livelier evening program without small children. The age limit varies — 16+, 18+ or another concept — so it must be checked before booking.
Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle — Hurghada
A stylish adults-only hotel with modern rooms, pools and a lively resort atmosphere. Suitable for couples and groups who value design, music and a holiday without children's infrastructure.
Rixos Sharm El Sheikh — Sharm El Sheikh
A premium Adults Only 18+ resort in Nabq Bay with Ultra All Inclusive, large grounds, restaurants, pools and an entertainment program.
What to consider: in winter, wind and swimming conditions matter. Choose this option for the overall level of the complex, not only for the beach.
Premier Le Rêve Hotel & Spa — Sahl Hasheesh
A calm adults-only hotel in Sahl Hasheesh. Suitable for those who prefer a relaxed holiday, SPA, pools and as little fuss as possible.
What to consider: the resort is far from the center of Hurghada. If you need frequent city walks, add transport costs to your budget.
Quick hotel comparison
| Hotel | Resort | Best suited for | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rixos Premium Seagate | Sharm | Premium and active holiday | Wind, pontoon, pools in winter |
| Rixos Premium Magawish | Hurghada | Premium, families and couples | Room category and location |
| Steigenberger ALDAU | Hurghada | Beach and infrastructure | Meal concept |
| Jungle Aqua Park | Hurghada | Kids and water park | Beach access and slide restrictions |
| SUNRISE Royal Makadi | Makadi Bay | Family beach holiday | Distance from the city |
| Coral Sea Waterworld | Sharm | Kids and water entertainment | Wind, low tides and sea depth |
| Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle | Hurghada | Modern Adults Only | Age limit |
| Rixos Sharm El Sheikh | Sharm | Premium Adults Only | Winter wind and beach |
| Premier Le Rêve | Sahl Hasheesh | Quiet holiday for adults | Distance from Hurghada |
How to choose a hotel in Egypt
Even the best hotels in Egypt will not suit every tourist. Before buying a tour, answer a few questions:
- What kind of beach do you need? A sandy entry from the shore, or a coral reef and a pontoon.
- Who is traveling? Small children, teenagers, a couple or a group of adults.
- What matters more? The sea, a water park, restaurants, SPA, an evening program or peace and quiet.
- When is the trip? In winter the bay, the wind and pool heating are especially important.
- Do you need a city? Hotels in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Nabq may be far from walking areas.
- What is included in the rate? All Inclusive and Ultra All Inclusive differ even within the same hotel chain.
For a more detailed choice, use our separate selections: best hotels in Hurghada and best hotels in Sharm El Sheikh.
Where to compare hotel prices in Egypt
Once the resort and a few hotels are chosen, compare prices for the same dates.
Tour with flight
In the search you choose Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, the dates and the number of travelers. You will see offers from tour operators in Moscow with flights and meals.
Hotel only
For those who fly on their own and book accommodation separately. Choose the resort, then filter hotels by price, area and guest reviews.
What to double-check
Hotel concepts change: a hotel may update its age limit, close part of its water park for repairs, change the list of restaurants or pool heating. Look at the official description of the rate and fresh reviews from recent months.
Prices also change quickly. Compare the same dates, departure airport, room type, meals and cancellation conditions — only then can you understand the real difference between offers. This is convenient to do in the tour search.
Frequently asked questions
Where is it better to holiday: in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh?
Hurghada is more often suitable for a sandy entry, a family holiday and a trip to Luxor. Sharm is chosen for coral reefs, snorkeling and excursions to Ras Mohammed and Tiran.
What are the best hotels in Egypt for kids?
Popular options include Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park, SUNRISE Royal Makadi and Coral Sea Waterworld. But for a small child, first assess the beach, the depth and the distance to the sea.
Which premium hotel should you choose in Egypt?
For Sharm El Sheikh you can consider Rixos Premium Seagate, and in Hurghada Rixos Premium Magawish or Steigenberger ALDAU. The choice depends on the type of beach, the season and the atmosphere you want.
Are there good adults-only hotels in Egypt?
Yes. The selection includes Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle, Rixos Sharm El Sheikh and Premier Le Rêve. Check the current age limit for your travel dates.
Which resort is better to choose in winter?
In Sharm, sheltered bays are more comfortable, while open Nabq can be windy. In Hurghada, protection of the beach from the wind also matters. Look at the location of the specific hotel, not just the name of the resort.
Is it worth choosing a hotel by rating alone?
No. A rating combines reviews from tourists with different expectations. Check separately the beach, meals, rooms, children's infrastructure, wind and distance from the city.
Plan your holiday in Egypt
Once you have chosen a hotel, look at sea trips, safaris and historical excursions from the two main resorts.
