Egypt Hotels

Accommodation options in Egypt vary from basic backpacker hostels to five-star resorts. The most common places to stay in Egypt include hotels, all-inclusive resorts and B&Bs. However, pensions and youth hostels are preferred by a large number of tourists including backpackers, students and even families. Flotels (Nile cruisers), eco-lodges and camping grounds are other accommodation options available in Egypt.

Depending upon the price range, hotels in Egypt are divided into three major categories namely budget, mid range and top end. Budget hotels usually charge up to 1000 INR for a room while the same in mid range accommodations is available at prices ranging between 1000 INR and 5000 INR. Top end hotels charge more than 5000 INR for a room.

Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and few other parts of Egypt have lots of options for budget hotels.

Egypt is home to major international chains, primarily located in Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Luxor. Some of these are the Sheraton, Le Meridien, Hyatt, Hilton and Accor. Other international brands in Egypt are Movenpick, Four Seasons, InterContinental, Sonesta, The Ritz-Carlton, Azure and Three Corners.

B&G Hotels & Resorts as well as Jaz Hotels & Resorts are few other popular names that are present all around the country. Apart from international brands, several Egyptian-owned groups like Pickalbatros, Sunrise, Tropicana Hotels & Resorts and Pyramisa also have hotel chains in different parts of the country.

For corporate travellers, Egypt has a large selection of business hotels particularly in Cairo and Hurghada. Referred to as business centres, these hotels offer extensive corporate, meeting and in-room facilities. These hotels usually offer 24-hour room service.

Other amenities in business hotels include secretarial services, high speed internet access, international direct dial telephone and currency exchange. Few hotels also offer Wi-Fi, fax machines, printers, translating or interpreting services, internet cafe, voicemail, bank and ATMs.

Leisure hotels in Egypt offer facilities like gym, hairdresser and beauty salon, health spa, Jacuzzi and swimming pool. Aerobic centres, coffee shops, cocktail lounges and bars are also present in these hotels. Either within the hotel complex or nearby, facilities for golf, tennis, volley ball, squash, billiards or snooker and table tennis are also available.

The best time to visit Egypt is during the cooler months, preferably October through May when the weather is pleasant. Being the peak season, prices of hotels usually increase by 10% during these months. Hotel rates also remain high during the two big feasts of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as well as during New Year week.

Sometimes during summer season, hotel rates in coastal regions like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh increase by a considerable percentage, especially between July and September.

In the off-peak season and during the middle of the week, one can attempt to negotiate the hotel prices. Bargaining is often fruitful in getting significant discounts, even in mid range accommodation options.