Look, I'm going to level with you here. I've been living in Hurghada since before most of these resorts even existed. I've seen the good, the overpriced, and the ones where the "fresh juice" is suspiciously orange. Fifteen years of watching tourists make the same mistakes over and over... and honestly? It's time someone wrote a guide that actually helps.
If you're sitting in London or Munich right now, endless Booking.com tabs open, drinking your third coffee and wondering why every hotel looks exactly the same... stop. Take a breath. You're about to get the local perspective that TUI and Thomas Cook will never tell you.
Here's what nobody tells you: "Hurghada" isn't just one place anymore. It's a 50km stretch of coast including Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, El Gouna, and Soma Bay. Booking in the wrong area is the #1 mistake tourists make. Get this wrong and your dream holiday becomes... well, disappointing.
📋 In This Complete Guide
- 1 What Does All-Inclusive Mean in Hurghada?
- 2 Soft vs Hard All-Inclusive Explained
- 3 Which Area Should You Book?
- 4 Sahl Hasheesh Luxury Resorts
- 5 Makadi Bay Family Resorts
- 6 El Gouna Boutique Hotels
- 7 Soma Bay Exclusive Resorts
- 8 Hurghada City Resorts
- 9 Best Aqua Park Hotels
- 10 How to Book at the Best Price
- 11 Do I Need Travel Insurance?
- 12 Airport Transfer Tips
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 Search All 111 Resorts — Find Your Perfect Match
🤔 What Does All-Inclusive Actually Mean in Hurghada?
Right. So here's the thing nobody tells you before booking all inclusive hurghada egypt packages...
It's not the same everywhere. Like, at all.
I've stayed in places where "all-inclusive" meant unlimited lobster at midnight — genuine 24-hour room service, premium imported wines, the works. Felt like royalty. Then there was this one time at a resort hurghada all inclusive where they closed the pool bar at 9PM (!!) and the "local spirits" tasted like... actually, let's not go there. Point is: the label means almost nothing without context.
Look, I've been living in Hurghada for years now. Lost count of how many hotels hurghada egypt all inclusive I've tested — probably 50+? And honestly, the variance in quality still surprises me. Some 4-star places outperform 5-star giants. Some "Ultra All-Inclusive" packages are worse than basic ones elsewhere. It's genuinely chaotic.
That's exactly why I wrote this guide. Not the polished, hotel-sponsored kind — the real stuff. The "I got food poisoning there so you don't have to" kind.
⚖️ What Is the Difference Between Soft and Hard All-Inclusive?
| Feature | Soft All-Inclusive | Hard/Ultra All-Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks included | Local beer, wine, spirits only | + Imported brands, premium cocktails |
| Service hours | 10AM – 11PM/Midnight | 24 hours (or until 2AM) |
| À la carte dining | Extra charge (€10-25/person) | 1-3 restaurants included |
| Minibar | Charged or empty | Restocked daily free |
| Snacks | Limited (pool bar only) | All-day: pizza, burgers, ice cream |
| Typical price | €60-100/night | €100-180/night |
My honest take? If you're booking hurghada holidays all inclusive for more than 5 nights — pay the extra for Hard AI. Just... trust me. The difference hits you around day 3 when you're craving pizza at 1AM after a diving day and the Soft AI buffet closed 4 hours ago. Meanwhile, the Hard AI people are eating fresh pasta and laughing at you. Ask me how I know.
Also — and this is important — cheap holidays to hurghada all inclusive often means Soft AI. That €500 TUI deal for 7 nights? Almost definitely Soft. Not bad per se, but manage your expectations. The Jungle Aqua Park is a notable exception — affordable AND generous. Rare combo.
🗺️ Which Area of Hurghada Is Best for All-Inclusive Resorts?
Okay so this question — "where should I stay in Hurghada?" — I get asked this maybe 10 times a week. And my answer is always the same:
It depends on what kind of holiday person you are.
Are you the type who wants to leave the resort for dinner? El Gouna. Want the best all inclusive hurghada experience without seeing another tourist outside your hotel bubble? Sahl Hasheesh. Kids who'll die of boredom without water slides? Makadi Bay. Looking for cheapest all inclusive holidays to hurghada? Hurghada city center, hands down.
Let me break it down properly...
| Area | Vibe | Best For... | Beach Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahl Hasheesh | Quiet Luxury | Couples, Honeymoons | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Man-made but pristine) |
| Makadi Bay | Family Paradise | Kids, Snorkeling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Natural house reef!) |
| El Gouna | Social & Chic | Nightlife, Kitesurfing | ⭐⭐⭐ (Lagoon, not open sea) |
| Soma Bay | Exclusive & Windy | Golf, Spa, Windsurfing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Pristine, remote) |
| Hurghada City | Lively & Convenient | Budget, Local Experience | ⭐⭐⭐ (Varies widely) |
🏰 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Sahl Hasheesh
Okay so Sahl Hasheesh. Where do I even start.
This isn't "Hurghada" in the traditional sense. It's a gated community for people who want to forget the rest of Egypt exists. And honestly? It works. Everything is manicured to an almost unsettling degree — I once watched a maintenance guy adjusting individual flowers on bushes for like 20 minutes. Adjusting flowers. That's the vibe here.
If you're searching for best hotels in hurghada all inclusive and budget isn't a constraint... this is your spot. The Baron Palace in particular is properly obscene in the best way. We're talking architecture that looks like it belongs in a Bond film, infinity pools that photograph themselves, and service so attentive it's almost creepy.
But — and this is important — it's isolated. No local restaurants to walk to. No souks. No chaos. If that's what you want, perfect. If you want authenticity... look elsewhere mate.
Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth every single Euro? Absolutely. The architecture is breathtaking — massive white domes, infinity pools that bleed into the Red Sea, gardens that look like they're maintained by an army of perfectionists (because they are).
The "Adults Only" section is strictly enforced. Your romantic sunset won't be interrupted by screaming toddlers. The à la carte options are genuinely restaurant quality, not "hotel buffet pretending to be a restaurant" quality.
Best for: Honeymoons, anniversaries, "treat yourself" holidays
Check Rates & Availability →🐠 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Makadi Bay
This. This is where I send people who actually care about the sea.
Makadi Bay has something most of Hurghada doesn't: a natural house reef you can swim to. No boats. No guides. Just... walk into the water, put your snorkel on, and suddenly you're surrounded by parrotfish the size of your arm. It's kind of ridiculous how easy it is.
For all inclusive resorts in hurghada egypt that actually deliver on the "Red Sea experience" promise... this is it. The Jaz Makadi Oasis reef in particular is legendary — I've seen octopus, stingrays, even the occasional turtle there. And I'm not exaggerating. Well, maybe a little about the turtle. It was one time.
The downside? Makadi is primarily geared toward families. Like, really geared toward families. Kids clubs everywhere, aqua parks, animation teams that never stop. If you're after peace and quiet... keep scrolling to Soma Bay.
Jaz Makadi Oasis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's not the newest hotel — the furniture might give you slight 2012 vibes. But the reef? Immaculate. Walk 20 meters into the water and you're surrounded by incredible marine life. You don't need to pay €50 for a boat trip, you just... swim.
The staff here are genuinely the happiest people in Egypt. I don't know what they put in the water, but everyone is smiling. All the time. It's almost unsettling, but in the best possible way.
Best for: Snorkeling fanatics, families, value seekers
Check Prices →Pro diving tip: If you stay in Makadi, connect with the dive center on day one. They do trips to Panorama Reef which is... honestly, it ruins other reefs for you. Check my Complete Snorkeling Guide if you're serious about underwater adventures.
🏙️ Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Hurghada City
Right, so this is where the real bargains hide.
Hurghada city isn't as polished as Sahl Hasheesh. The taxi drivers are louder, the construction is everywhere, and you'll definitely get offered a million boat trips while walking to your hotel. But — and this is the key bit — you can find genuinely solid cheap all inclusive holidays to hurghada egypt here that would cost double elsewhere.
The star of the show? Jungle Aqua Park Hurghada all inclusive. It's bonkers. 81 water slides. I'm not making this up — eighty-one. Your kids will sleep like comatose angels every single night. Worth every penny just for the silence after 8pm.
The Minamark Resort Hurghada is another solid pick if you want downtown access. Walk to the souk in 10 minutes. Actually see real Egyptian life instead of the sanitised resort version. Plus their 24-hour all-inclusive is genuinely 24 hours — tested this at 3am, can confirm.
Just... manage your beach expectations here. The city beaches aren't as pristine as Makadi or Soma. Trade-off for the price, innit.
Jungle Aqua Park (Pickalbatros) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Want your kids to be so exhausted they actually sleep at night? This is your place. The Jungle Aqua Park is basically Egypt's biggest water park attached to a hotel. Eighty-one slides. Forty-five pools. A lazy river that never ends. Wave pools. It's absolute chaos and kids LOVE it.
The downside? No direct beach — you use a shuttle to the Dana Beach hotel (5-10 minute ride). But honestly, with this many water slides, will your kids even want the beach?
Heads up: Ultra all-inclusive here means snacks 24/7 — popcorn, waffles, cotton candy. Your kids will never want to leave.
Check Availability →
Hurghada Long Beach Resort ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The name says it all — this place has one of the longest private beaches in Hurghada. Over a kilometer of golden sand with calm, clear water. Seven restaurants, six bars, multiple pools including heated ones for winter. The resort is massive, so they even run a free shuttle bus inside the complex.
Is it the fanciest? No. But for the price, you get incredible value. The beach alone makes it worth it.
Best for: Families, beach lovers, value seekers
Check Rates →
Arabia Azur Resort ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Solid mid-range option with a genuine private beach and heated pool for winter visitors. Four restaurants including à la carte options (Italian, Chinese, Seafood). The staff are consistently praised for being friendly and attentive. It's not as new as some competitors, but it's well-maintained and clean.
Best for: Couples, water sports enthusiasts, winter travelers
View Deals →
Minamark Resort & Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located in downtown Sakala, Minamark offers something others don't — the ability to actually explore Hurghada. Walk to the famous Mamsha promenade, the new marina, local restaurants. Plus they have their own private sandy beach with an aqua center for diving and water sports.
Best for: Those who want local experience beyond the resort bubble
Check Availability →🛡️ Do I Need Travel Insurance for Hurghada?
Look, I've seen it happen too many times. Tourist breaks a leg snorkeling, gets rushed to hospital, and then discovers their credit card is maxed out by emergency room fees before they even get an X-ray. Or worse — someone needs emergency evacuation and their family is scrambling to find €15,000 at 3AM.
Here's the thing nobody talks about: Egyptian hospitals are actually quite good (especially the private ones in Hurghada), but they operate on a "pay first, treat second" system. Without insurance, you're reaching for your wallet while you're in pain.
Critical for divers: Standard travel insurance often EXCLUDES scuba diving. If you're planning to dive, make sure your policy specifically covers "hazardous sports" or get a dive-specific add-on. A decompression chamber treatment can cost €2,000-5,000. Don't risk it.
🛡️ Get Covered Before You Fly
I recommend getting comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and diving activities. Takes 5 minutes to buy online, and you'll have peace of mind for your entire trip. Trust me — it's the smartest €30 you'll spend.
Get Travel Insurance Quote →💡 Affiliate link — helps keep this guide free and updated. Thank you for your support!
✅ What Your Travel Insurance Should Cover
- Medical expenses (minimum €50,000 coverage)
- Emergency evacuation/repatriation
- Trip cancellation & interruption
- Lost/delayed luggage
- Diving & water sports (if applicable)
- 24/7 emergency assistance hotline
✈️ How Do I Get From Hurghada Airport to My Resort?
Real talk: Hurghada Airport at 2AM after a 5-hour flight with tired kids is NOT the time to negotiate with taxi drivers. They see you coming. They smell the desperation. And they will absolutely charge you €50 for what should be a €15 ride.
🚕 Skip the Airport Taxi Sharks
Book your airport transfer before you fly. Driver waits with your name on a sign. Fixed price. Zero haggling at 2AM. Zero stress. I use this for all my guests and they always thank me later.
Book Your Transfer Now →💡 This is an affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this guide free and regularly updated!
| Destination | Distance | Transfer Time | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurghada City Center | 10km | 15-20 min | €15-20 |
| Sahl Hasheesh | 20km | 25-30 min | €20-25 |
| Makadi Bay | 25km | 30-35 min | €25-30 |
| El Gouna | 35km | 40-45 min | €30-35 |
| Soma Bay | 50km | 45-55 min | €35-45 |
💰 How Can I Book Hurghada All-Inclusive at the Best Price?
Okay, let's talk money. Because honestly, the difference between a smart booking and a tourist trap booking can be literally hundreds of Euros.
✅ Smart Booking Checklist
- Book 3-4 months ahead for winter/Easter peak seasons
- Check if "Ultra All-Inclusive" is worth the upgrade (usually yes for 7+ nights)
- Compare package deals vs booking flights + hotel separately
- Consider flying midweek (Tuesday departures = cheaper)
- Always book airport transfer before arriving (see above!)
- Check exactly what's included vs extra (à la carte, premium drinks, spa)
- Read recent reviews — quality can change between seasons
🔎 Compare the Best Hurghada Deals
I use Aviasales to compare flight + hotel packages across dozens of providers. Often finds deals €100-200 cheaper than booking directly. Works for both TUI holidays and independent bookings.
Find Deals Now →💡 Affiliate link — supports this free guide at no extra cost to you.
About TUI holidays to Hurghada: Yes, TUI packages are reliable and stress-free. But they're often 15-25% more expensive than independent booking. The convenience has a price. If you're comfortable booking flights and hotels separately, you'll usually save money. If you want zero hassle, TUI is fine — just know you're paying a premium for that peace of mind.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hurghada All-Inclusive
Ultimately, the "best" resort depends entirely on you. If you want parties, skip Soma Bay. If you want peace, avoid Jungle Aqua Park. If you want the reef, Makadi Bay is your answer. If you want luxury, Sahl Hasheesh awaits.
Whatever you choose, just get yourself here. The Red Sea cures everything. I should know — I came for a week 15 years ago and never left.
See you on the beach, habibi. 🌴
— Salem