Hurghada Resorts Guide: All-Inclusive Hotels and Beach Zones

Hurghada’s accommodation market is dominated by large all-inclusive resort hotels strung along the Red Sea coast. The format arrived with European charter tourism in the 1980s and 1990s and has remained the dominant model. Most visitors arrive on package holidays and stay entirely within their resort. That is a reasonable way to use Hurghada, but understanding the different zones and what the all-inclusive package actually covers helps considerably when choosing where to book.

What All-Inclusive Includes

At most Hurghada resorts, the all-inclusive rate covers accommodation, three meals a day at the buffet restaurant, and house drinks — beer, wine, and spirits are generally included at the bar. This is a notable point: Egypt’s Red Sea resort all-inclusives typically serve alcohol as standard, unlike some all-inclusive destinations elsewhere in the Muslim world.

What all-inclusive does not cover: premium or imported drinks, motorised water sports, scuba diving, excursions and day trips away from the resort, and meals at à la carte speciality restaurants. These are charged separately and the costs add up quickly.

Key Zones

Sahl Hasheesh sits around 15km south of central Hurghada and is a purpose-built resort development with its own marina and beaches. It is quieter, more upscale, and less affected by the noise and congestion of the central strip. The Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay and Serenity Makadi Heights operate in this southern zone. If your priority is a higher-end, quieter experience, Sahl Hasheesh is the better choice over the central strip.

Central strip and El Mamsha is where the majority of mid-range resorts are concentrated, along with the El Mamsha pedestrian promenade of shops and restaurants. Staying here gives easier access to town amenities for visitors who want flexibility beyond their resort.

Makadi Bay, around 30km south of central Hurghada, hosts several international chain properties including the Sheraton Soma Bay and Barcelo. The bay itself has good reef and water quality. The distance from town is a practical consideration if you want non-resort evenings.

Top All-Inclusive Properties

The Rixos Premium Seagate delivers consistently across food, beach, and activities and is one of the most frequently recommended properties for families. For the upper end, the Kempinski in the Soma Bay area represents the best combination of beach quality and service in the wider Hurghada zone.

For mid-range all-inclusive, the Baron Resort and the Steigenberger Aqua Magic (which has a significant water park component popular with families with children) are well-regarded options on the central strip.

Independent and Room-Only Alternatives

The El Mamsha Marina area has a concentration of smaller hotels operating on a room-only or bed-and-breakfast basis. These suit travellers who prefer to eat at the strip’s independent restaurants. Expect to pay $40–80 per night at mid-range. The trade-off is less direct beach access compared to resort properties with their own private beach.

Dive-Oriented Accommodation

Some properties in Hurghada are specifically structured around diving. Sub Aqua Club and Sindbad Club both combine accommodation with on-site dive operations, making them more practical for regular divers than a large all-inclusive resort where the dive centre is an add-on. Both offer packages combining accommodation and dive courses or day dives.