The Best Beach Resorts in Egypt

Just 25 minutes south of Hurghada International Airport, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh is a sprawling five-star resort occupies its own pocket of bliss on Egypt’s Red Sea coastline. 102 cream, white and walnut-hued suites stretch out from the main hub, which houses four restaurants, a spa, multi-level pool and boutique shop. Beyond, a palm-lined beach sinks into the Red Sea, joining the property’s private house reef (ideal for snorkelling or diving around through the on-site dive centre). Suites feel delightfully secluded, while the plushest option – the 250 sqm Royal Suite – goes the extra mile with a private pool, sunken bath and elevated outdoor dining area. There’s little reason to leave, but if you do abandon the peace and quiet of your accommodation (which truly is very quiet), tanning time is equally serene, with windbreaks wrapping lounger pairs to create a picturesque pocket of sun, sea and sand just for you.

With its own house reef, seafront location and semi-tropical climate, beach lovers will be in their very own paradise in this expansive beach resort in Egypt’s Makadi Bay. Snorkelers can stroll the 380m (1,246ft) private jetty to access the reef directly, while those taking it easy can relax over mint tea and shisha in the beachfront bar. Elsewhere, try everything from tennis to darts, visit the shopping arcade, spa or nightclub and dine in Italian, Indian and Bedouin restaurants.

Keen divers will adore this friendly hotel steps from the Red Sea, overlooking the majestic Sinai Mountains in this former Bedouin fishing village. A dive school is attached to the hotel so you can be in the water moments after checking in, while world-renowned dive sites –including the Blue Hole – are close by. On dry land, relaxation is king, with a casual all-day restaurant for sea view dining, yoga gazing at the mountains and camel rides into the desert.

It’s all about the wow factor at this Kempinski property in Soma Bay, a naturally-preserved peninsula on Egypt’s eastern shores. Even the sprawling pool complex goes the extra mile with family areas, a meandering lazy river, a lap pool and romantic bridges, while the dazzling white 400m (1,312ft) beach is another tempting option. The food here will impress too – try breakfast on a private boat at sunrise, formal Egyptian afternoon tea, lavish seafood barbecues and cocktails on the beach, where staff set up beanbags by the water’s edge every evening.

One of three hotels on the huge Steigenberger complex, the ALDAU Beach Hotel is a five-star Egypt beach resort set in landscaped gardens on the shore of the Red Sea, close to the centre of Hurghada. While away days at the lagoon-style pool or head down to the beach to try the nine-hole pitch and putt golf course. A dive school offers water skiing, windsurfing and glass-bottom boat trips, plus a quirky art promenade is filled with outdoor sculptures, visual art displays and live workshops.

Ideal for a no-hassle family escape, this all-inclusive beach resort in Egypt’s popular resort town Sharm El Sheikh overlooks Titan Island on Shark’s Bay and is less than 20-minutes from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. Kids can head straight to the sandy 250m (820ft) beach or drag parents to try archery, banana boat rides, mini-golf and football. There’s also a kids club, children’s food corner, daily activities, mini-disco and movie nights. For extra brownie points, book a swim-up room to maximise pool time.

The party never stops at the Meraki – the Middle East’s first clubbing resort. Located in Hurghada, on one of the longest beaches in the Red Sea, this four-star adults-only resort doesn’t do quiet nights in. Instead, party into the early hours at the day-to-night beach club with guest DJs, sports bar, poolside nightclub and industrial-style live music venue. There’s plenty to get you out of bed the next day, too, including beach volleyball contests, water slides, running tracks, kayaking, parasailing and even DJ classes.

No need to worry about that dread-inducing final bill at this five-star resort on the Red Sea. The generous all-inclusive package includes everything from a shisha café to a mini bar, while concerts and events are held every day in the hotel’s own arena space. There are also 10 restaurants to choose from, including Chinese, modern French and fine-dining Italian. Kids are just as spoilt with two dedicated swimming pools, a playground, cinema and their very own restaurant.

Even the most restless holiday-maker won’t be bored at the Serenity Makadi Beach in Hurghada. Built in Moroccan style on its own 320m (1,050ft) natural coral beach, there are five pools, a luxurious spa, tennis courts, kids club and a dive centre offering night and wreck dives. If more thrills are needed, the sprawling water park at the hotel’s sister property, Serenity Fun City, is complimentary too. After dark, choose between six restaurants and bars, including a Bedouin café and a nightclub.

Fancy the ease of an all-inclusive resort holiday but worried about being stuck in one hotel? The Madinat Makadi beach resort in Egypt’s Makadi Bay is the solution, with over 250ha (617 acres) of hotels, restaurants and a shopping centre with 145 shops. The Jaz itself has its own private beach, three pools, kids club and all-day buffet restaurant but guests can dine around the resort, including at Italian, Asian and Indian restaurants.

Named after the owner’s father, who welcomed guests to the first Bedouin camp in Dahab back in the ’80s with his Rababah music, Sheikh Ali is the first all-suite property in the Sinai. The family is still dedicated to delivering an authentic local experience to guests staying in its 25 spacious suites. There’s an on-site dive centre and peaceful pool for water babies – but don’t miss the desert safaris by camel or jeep for an unforgettable insight into this historic region.