Desert Rose Apartment

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Desert Rose Apartment in Soma Bay, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes the unassuming spots end up surprising you the most. This little gem sits right in that sweet spot between Safaga and Hurghada where the Red Sea really shows off, and after spending a week there, I get why it’s earned that solid 8.2 rating.

The thing about Soma Bay is that it’s got this laid-back vibe that’s totally different from the chaos you’ll find in central Hurghada – I mean, don’t get me wrong, Hurghada’s fun, but sometimes you just want to breathe, you know? Desert Rose feels like it actually belongs in the landscape instead of fighting against it. The apartments themselves are pretty spacious (way more room than your typical hotel box), and honestly, having a little kitchenette was a game-changer for those mornings when I just wanted coffee without hunting down a café. The balconies face different directions, so if you’re booking, try to snag one that catches the sunset – trust me on this one.

What really sold me on the place was how the staff actually seemed to care about making your stay work. Check-in was refreshingly drama-free, and when I had questions about getting to the dive sites near Safaga (which, by the way, are absolutely incredible if you’re into underwater stuff), they didn’t just hand me a generic tourist map. The guy at reception – Ahmed, I think? – actually drew me a little route and told me which taxi drivers to avoid. That’s the kind of local knowledge you can’t Google. The location works perfectly if you want to explore both sides of this stretch of coast without being stuck in resort bubble-land. You’re close enough to walk to some decent restaurants, but far enough from the main strip that you won’t hear party boats at 2 AM. Parking’s easy too, which matters more than you’d think when you’re dealing with rental cars and unfamiliar streets.

The only real downside? Well, it’s not luxury – the furnishings are a bit dated and the WiFi can be spotty during peak hours. But honestly, being forced to disconnect for a few hours each day wasn’t exactly torture when I had that view of the Red Sea right outside my window. If you’re looking for marble bathrooms and 24-hour room service, look elsewhere. But if you want a genuine base camp for exploring this gorgeous part of Egypt without breaking the bank – and I mean, the value here is really solid – Desert Rose delivers exactly what it promises.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $26. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 2 sofa beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Waleed from Egypt – 11 November 2024 (8/10)

  Nice neighborhood
  safe,
  car parking

• Ahmedghoneim92 from Egypt – 11 October 2024 (9/10)

  Tyson was very friendly. He received us with a warm welcome, gave us the keys, and showed us around the apartment. The apartment is clean and has simple furnishing. There is soap and towels in the bathroom, and Tyson left us two cold water bottles in the fridge. The bed is very comfy, and the ACs all work well. The living room is spacious. The kitchen has a microwave.
  
  What could be improved: The stove was not working, which was a bit frustrating for us as we wanted to cook some food.

• Gudrun from Germany – 29 December 2024 (8/10)

  Diese Ferienwohnung hat alles, was man braucht. Die Wohnung ist leicht zu reinigen. Sie ist zentral gelegen, Supermärkte befinden sich in unmittelbarer Nähe.
  Ich war sehr zufrieden
  
  What could be improved: Es gibt nichts, was "nicht gefallen* hätte.

• Klaus from Germany – 17 April 2025 (9/10)

  Es handelt sich um ein SICHERES, und sehr gut geführtes Appartement in einer Umgebung mit Lokalkolorit. Alles, was zum leben benötigt wird ist fussläufig zu erreichen.

• Freddy from Spain – 24 March 2025 (6/10)

  idk
  
  What could be improved: el apartamento olía a polvo, tuvimos la mala suerte de coger mal temporal y por la noche hacía frío, no habían mantas para el frio.

• Oscar from Italy – 11 November 2024 (7/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities