El Hadaba behind Raya

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about El Hadaba behind Raya? The name actually tells you everything you need to know about finding it – it’s literally tucked behind the more famous Raya area on Elhadaba Road, third floor of this unassuming building that you’d probably walk past if you weren’t looking for it. I mean, Hurghada’s got plenty of flashy resorts screaming for attention, but this 3-star spot operates on a completely different wavelength. The elevator’s a bit creaky (honestly, I took the stairs most days), but once you’re up there, you realize the whole setup has this lived-in authenticity that’s getting harder to find along the Red Sea coast.

The thing about staying here is that you’re actually in a real neighborhood – not some tourist bubble where everything’s sanitized and overpriced. There’s a local bakery about two blocks down that opens ridiculously early, and the scent of fresh bread drifts up sometimes in the morning. The rooms themselves are pretty straightforward, nothing fancy, but they’re clean and the AC works (crucial in Hurghada, trust me). What really surprised me was how quiet it gets at night – you’d think being on the third floor in the middle of town would mean dealing with street noise, but the way the building’s positioned, you actually get decent sleep. The staff’s genuinely helpful too, not in that rehearsed hotel way, but like they actually want to help you figure out the best way to get to the marina or which local spots serve decent seafood.

Here’s the thing though – this isn’t the kind of place where you’re going to find a pool or fancy restaurant downstairs. You’re basically getting a solid, no-nonsense base for exploring Hurghada properly. The location means you can walk to the main tourist areas when you want that scene, but you can also duck into proper Egyptian cafes and shops that cater to locals. I spent one evening just sitting in the neighborhood tea house watching old men play backgammon, and that’s the kind of experience you miss when you’re staying in the resort strips. The 8.5 rating makes sense once you understand what this place is actually offering – it’s not trying to be everything to everyone, it’s just doing the basics really well. If you’re the type who wants to experience Hurghada beyond the all-inclusive resort experience, and you don’t need someone holding your hand every step of the way, El Hadaba behind Raya gives you that authentic Egyptian hospitality without the tourist markup. Just remember to grab the contact info for that bakery I mentioned – you’ll thank me later.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $29. Three-Bedroom Apartment with 2 double beds, 1 double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Naddl from Germany – 10 February 2025 (9/10)

  Die Wohnung war super sauber
  Alles war vorhanden von Putzsachen bis Taschentuch
  Die Küchenausstattung war ok es hätte mehr kochzubehör da sein können aber es hat gereicht
  Wohnungsbesitzer sehr nett
  
  Wir buchen gerne wieder
  
  What could be improved: Die Lage war etwas naja blöd
  Wir haben für alles ein Taxi gebraucht weil es echt weit aufm Berg war .
  Ist kein minuspunkt denn wenigstens gibt's ein Taxi

• Samuele from Italy – 8 June 2025 (7/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities