Egypt hotels · El Gouna
Where to Stay in El Gouna
Where to stay in El Gouna — a canal-linked lagoon town on a string of islands 22 kilometres north of Hurghada, with boutique hotels on private beaches, kite and windsurf lagoons, and a food scene well above the Red Sea average.
- Type
- Canal lagoon town
- Star range
- 3-star to 5-star
- Nights
- 4–7 typical
- To Hurghada
- 22 km south
- To Luxor
- 5 hours by road
- Airport
- Hurghada (HRG)
The decision
Choosing your base in El Gouna
El Gouna was built from nothing in 1989 on a series of islands linked by canals, 22 kilometres north of Hurghada. The architecture is low-rise and sand-coloured, most of the town is car-free, and the international community that lives here permanently supports a genuine restaurant and nightlife scene — unusual for a Red Sea address.
Abu Tig Marina
Those who want restaurants, a promenade and a social scene on foot
The social hub — a yacht basin lined with restaurants and bars, the most walkable evening in El Gouna. Hotels here are in the thick of it; quieter rooms face the lagoon side.
The lagoon islands
Boutique stays and guests who want the canal character
Small hotels and villa compounds on the interconnected lagoon islands — reached by boat shuttle or bicycle, quiet by day, with the marina a short ride away in the evening.
The open beach strip
Direct Red Sea access and a more traditional resort feel
Hotels with direct access to the open Red Sea rather than the lagoons, further from the town centre. Better for swimmers and snorkellers; a short drive to the marina for dinner.
Downtown and the old residential areas
Longer stays and self-catered visits
The original town quarter with the market, the hospital and the university. Aparthotels and villa rentals here are the best value in El Gouna, and most of the permanent expat community lives nearby.
Reading the star ratings
What the stars mean in El Gouna
El Gouna skews boutique and villa over classic all-inclusive. Here's what each level means in practice.
A handful of smaller guesthouses and aparthotels around the old town and the lagoon edges — basic but well-located, with the marina restaurants close by. El Gouna's best-value option for independent travellers.
The lagoon-island hotels and mid-range marina properties — pools, a beach club and character. The sweet spot for couples and guests who want the El Gouna atmosphere over a standard resort.
The open-beach resort hotels and the premium marina properties — larger pools, a wider restaurant selection and the rooms worth asking us which ones face the lagoon at sunset.
From the collection
El Gouna hotels our team reserves
A sample of the El Gouna hotels and villas we book, from the marina boutiques to the open-beach resorts. Tell us your dates and whether you want to be in the thick of the marina or on a quieter lagoon island, and we'll match it at our net rate.
Rihana Resort in El Gouna by Three Corners
Egypt Discovery books rooms at Three Corners Rihana Resort, a four-star hotel in El Gouna on the Red Sea. The address we hold is El Gouna Resort, El Gouna. The hotel is run by its own operator and we reserve on your behalf, on request. This is a place to stay rather than a sightseeing programme, so the pleasure is in the room, the resort and the easy pace of the coast. Board basis, transfers and facilities are not fixed on this page. Ask us to check them for your dates before you commit.
Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna
A five-star resort in El Gouna, the Red Sea town where lagoons, beaches and gardens shape the views from the rooms. This page covers the hotel stay only: Egypt Discovery reserves the room with the property, and sightseeing or transfers are arranged separately. Room type, board basis and facilities change with the dates and rate, so tell us when you plan to travel and we will confirm the details before you commit.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna, a five-star resort on the Red Sea
Five stars, a spa in the name and a lagoon town for a neighbour: Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna stands in El Gouna, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The town is a string of lagoons and low buildings, which makes it quieter and more spread out than the bigger city of Hurghada nearby. Room types, board basis and facilities change with the rate you choose, so we check them with the hotel for your dates. Egypt Discovery makes the reservation on request, and the hotel’s own staff run the resort.
La Maison Bleue El Gouna: five-star suites on the Red Sea
La Maison Bleue El Gouna is a five-star hotel with an address in El Gouna (postcode 84513), a purpose-built town on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, north of Hurghada. El Gouna is known for its lagoons, and the hotel lies in the town itself, not in the middle of Hurghada. What we sell here is the room alone; there is no tour or itinerary with it. Board basis, facilities and any transfers are settled with the hotel for your dates before you pay, and Egypt Discovery can arrange sightseeing and transport separately if you want them.
Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna
Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna is a five-star hotel with its address in the Golf Area of El Gouna, a purpose-built resort town on the Red Sea coast north of Hurghada. The town is known for its lagoons and marinas, and that waterside character is what sets a stay here apart from a central Hurghada hotel. Facilities listed for the resort include a pool, spa, gym, garden, rooftop terrace and beach access. Egypt Discovery books the room for you on request, and we confirm room type, meal basis and any golf arrangements for your dates before you commit.
Fanadir Hotel El Gouna
Fanadir Hotel El Gouna is a four-star hotel on the Abu Tig Marina North Basin, in the Red Sea resort of El Gouna. The address puts you in the marina quarter, so the water is part of the setting. We have no listed facilities or board basis for the hotel, so we confirm room type, meals and any extras with you before anything is booked. Egypt Discovery arranges the stay on request and can link it with other parts of your Egypt holiday.
Cook's Club El Gouna, adults only
Cook's Club El Gouna is a three-star hotel for adults only, in the Downtown area of El Gouna on Egypt's Red Sea coast. El Gouna is a purpose-built resort town north of Hurghada, laid out around lagoons and marinas. The listing shows a pool, gym, spa, restaurant, bar and garden among the amenities, along with beach access. Because children are not accepted, families should look elsewhere. Rooms, meal plans and facilities differ by booking, so we confirm them for your dates.
Casa Cook El Gouna, for adults only
Casa Cook El Gouna takes adult guests only and carries a five-star rating. It stands in El Gouna, on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, at El Gouna, 84513. That policy sets it apart from the family hotels in town. What your room rate covers depends on the board basis you pick, so read the booking terms for your dates. Egypt Discovery can check the details for you before you decide.
Ancient Sands Golf Resort in El Gouna: a five-star Red Sea stay
Ancient Sands Golf Resort is a five-star hotel in El Gouna, a purpose-built resort town on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, north of Hurghada. The word golf is in the name, yet nothing we hold confirms course access, so we check that for your dates before you commit. Around the hotel you find lagoons, marinas and residential streets. Egypt Discovery books the room on request; this is a hotel stay on its own, with no tours attached, and meals and extras are agreed with the hotel first.
Three Corners Ocean View El Gouna (Adults Only)
Three Corners Ocean View El Gouna is a four-star hotel that welcomes adults only. The address is Abu Tig Marina, so you are staying by the water in El Gouna, a resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast, rather than in a quieter inland corner. Couples and friends travelling without children are the natural fit. Egypt Discovery books hotels on request, so room type, board basis, facilities and any transfer are agreed for your dates before you commit.
Dawar El Omda, El Kafr, El Gouna
Dawar El Omda Hotel is a three-star, adults-only hotel in the El Kafr area of El Gouna, a resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast. You stay in El Gouna itself, around 25 kilometres from the centre of Hurghada. The listing shows a restaurant, garden, parking, wifi, an airport shuttle and beach access among its amenities. El Gouna is a planned town of lagoons and marinas with Red Sea activities close by. Room features and what the rate covers depend on your choice, and we confirm them for you.
From your door
Days out within reach of your El Gouna hotel
El Gouna runs on the water — lagoon flat-water sports in the morning, the open reef by afternoon, and a proper dinner on the marina.
Kite and windsurf on the lagoons
The flat-water lagoons at El Gouna are among the best kite and windsurf spots in Egypt — consistent north wind, warm water and courses at the lagoon kiteschool for all levels.
The reef by boat
A short trip out to the offshore sites from the marina — the coral wall, colourful reef fish and the occasional napoleon wrasse, back for a late lunch on the water.
Hurghada town and the bazaar
The Old Market and the seafront promenade, 22 kilometres south — an easy morning out and back, and the largest selection of restaurants and nightlife on the Red Sea coast.
Luxor by road
The Nile temples about five hours inland — Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Museum. A full-day drive through the Eastern Desert that earns its distance.
Before you book
The practical side of a El Gouna stay
A few things worth knowing before you pick an El Gouna hotel.
How many nights
Four to seven is standard, though El Gouna's permanent community means it supports longer visits better than most Red Sea resorts — there are enough restaurants and activities to fill a fortnight.
Getting in from the airport
Hurghada Airport (HRG), with direct charters from the UK, is about 30 kilometres south of El Gouna — roughly 30–40 minutes by private transfer. Short, straightforward and the standard arrival for any El Gouna booking.
Board and food
Most El Gouna hotels run room-only or bed-and-breakfast — the marina restaurants are good enough that eating out is the better option. All-inclusive is available at a few properties if you want it, but the town works best when you have dinner choices.
Getting around inside El Gouna
The town runs internal boats across the lagoons, golf carts for hire and bicycles — most El Gouna hotels include a bike. A car isn't needed inside the town, though you'll want one for day trips.
Common questions
El Gouna hotels, answered
01What is El Gouna like, and is it good for families?+
El Gouna is a purpose-built canal town on a series of lagoon islands north of Hurghada. It's car-free in most areas, unusually walkable for Egypt, and has enough restaurants, watersports and activities to keep most families occupied for a week. The calm lagoon water is better for young children than the open sea; the kite and windsurf lagoons are excellent for teenagers.
02Is El Gouna better than Hurghada?+
Hurghada is a larger, busier resort city with more choice at the budget end and a longer coastline of hotels. El Gouna is quieter, more upmarket, and has a genuine town character — restaurants and a marina that work independently of the hotels. For a relaxed stay with good food and watersports, El Gouna. For more variety and a lower entry price, Hurghada.
03Is kitesurfing or windsurfing good in El Gouna?+
Yes — El Gouna's lagoons are among the most consistent kite spots in Egypt, with a reliable north wind most of the year. The lagoon is flat water and protected, which is good for beginners and for freestyle. Most El Gouna hotels can connect you to the kiteschool; we can include lessons in the booking.
04Can I do a day trip to Luxor from El Gouna?+
Yes — the Eastern Desert road from El Gouna to Luxor takes about five hours. It's a long day, an early start, but covers Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Museum in one trip. We arrange the car, the Egyptologist guide and all the entry fees.
05Do your El Gouna hotels include meals and airport pickup?+
Most El Gouna hotels run bed-and-breakfast or room-only, with dinner at the marina restaurants a better option than an all-inclusive board here. Airport transfers from HRG are a standard add; the drive is 30–40 minutes.
Reservations
Find your room in El Gouna
Tell us your dates, whether you want to be on the marina or on a quieter lagoon island, and what you want from the water — kite, reef or both — and we'll send hand-picked El Gouna hotels at our net rate. Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh, on the ground since 1988.