Elgouna – Directly To The Marina

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in the Red Sea area, and honestly? This little spot in El Gouna caught me completely off guard. The name says it all – you’re literally steps from the marina, which sounds simple enough until you realize what that actually means. I’m talking about rolling out of bed and having your morning coffee while watching the dive boats head out at sunrise, or – and this is where it gets good – wandering over for dinner and ending up chatting with yacht crews from half a dozen countries. The location is sort of magical in that unplanned way that makes travel memorable.

El Gouna itself is this weird, wonderful planned resort town that feels like someone dropped a Mediterranean village into the Egyptian desert (which, I mean, they basically did). What I love about staying right at the entrance near the marina is that you get the best of everything without the inflated prices of the fancy Steigenberger properties deeper in town. You can walk to Abu Tig Marina in maybe three minutes – I timed it because I’m nerdy like that – and suddenly you’re in this bubble of restaurants and bars that feel more Santorini than Sahara. The whole area has this relaxed vibe during the day, then comes alive around sunset when everyone’s either coming back from diving or getting ready for dinner.

The hotel itself doesn’t try to be something it’s not, which I actually appreciate. It’s a solid 3-star that knows its strengths – mainly that incredible location and surprisingly friendly staff who seem to genuinely enjoy helping you figure out El Gouna’s quirky layout. The rooms are clean and comfortable, nothing fancy but honestly, you won’t be spending much time inside anyway. What struck me was how quiet it gets at night despite being so central. I mean, you’ll hear the occasional boat engine or laughter from the marina restaurants, but it’s the good kind of ambient noise that reminds you you’re somewhere special.

Here’s something most people don’t realize until they get there – El Gouna runs on golf carts and tuk-tuks, so having a place right at the marina means you’re basically at the transportation hub for the whole town. Want to hit the beach clubs? Five-minute ride. Feeling like exploring the downtown lagoons? Easy. The dive centers are right there if you’re into that (and honestly, the Red Sea diving here is incredible). I watched guests figure this out on their second day and suddenly become way more adventurous about exploring. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about telling the tuk-tuk driver “just drop me at the marina” and knowing you’re already home. It’s those little conveniences that make a trip flow better, you know?

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $60. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 single bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Nana from United States – 1 April 2024 (10/10)

  The apartment is perfect and cleaned well the location is near to the beaches and the downtown this is the best experience i have ever had also Mr. Sherif is very helpful not only at the check in he cares about our stay till the end sure i will come again.Thank you for your hospitality✨
  
  What could be improved: Everything is perfect nothing to complain about

• Doaa from Egypt – 14 May 2025 (10/10)

• Ali from Egypt – 4 February 2024 (10/10)

• Yazid from Egypt – 3 February 2025 (10/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities