Juliana beach

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be straight with you about Juliana Beach – it’s one of those places that grows on you once you figure out what it’s actually about. When I first pulled up to the Juliana area in Hurghada, honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star spot. But you know what? Sometimes the unassuming places end up surprising you.

The hotel sits right in the Juliana Beach neighborhood, which – if you haven’t been to Hurghada before – is actually pretty decent positioning. You’re not in the crazy touristy strip where every restaurant tries to drag you in, but you’re not stuck in the middle of nowhere either. I mean, you can still hear the occasional call to prayer echoing across the area, which honestly adds to the whole Egyptian coast experience rather than detracting from it. The Red Sea is right there, and that’s really what you came for anyway, right? The water here is genuinely incredible – that crystal-clear blue that makes you understand why people keep coming back to this stretch of coast.

Now, the hotel itself is… well, it’s solidly middle-of-the-road, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The rooms are clean enough, though don’t expect luxury finishes or anything fancy. What I actually appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – you’re far enough from the main Sheraton Road chaos that you can actually sleep without earplugs. The AC works (crucial in those sweltering summer months), and the beds are surprisingly comfortable for what you’d expect at this price point. Check-in was pretty smooth when I was there, though the staff’s English is hit-or-miss – nothing a few hand gestures and Google Translate can’t solve.

The real draw here is the location’s access to the beach and diving spots. You’re close enough to the good coral reefs that the day trip boats actually want to take you to, not just the picked-over spots they dump the big resort groups at. I spent most mornings just walking along the shore before it got too hot, watching the dive boats head out while drinking surprisingly decent coffee. There’s this little local place nearby – I can’t remember the exact name, but it’s got blue tiles and serves proper ful medames – where you can grab breakfast if the hotel food gets repetitive.

The area does get a bit dusty during the windy season, and let’s be honest, the neighborhood isn’t winning any beauty contests. But there’s something authentic about staying here that you miss in those massive all-inclusive resorts. You’re actually in Egypt, not some sanitized vacation bubble. Plus, taxi rides to the marina or the old town are cheap and quick from here.

Bottom line? If you’re looking for a no-frills base to explore Hurghada’s underwater world and don’t need resort amenities, Juliana Beach works. It’s not going to wow you with fancy pools or gourmet dining, but it’ll give you a clean place to crash after a day of diving or beach-hopping without breaking the bank. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $35. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 sofa bed and 2 large double beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Mohamed from Egypt – 18 September 2024 (7/10)

  The owner was nice and helpful and the room was clean and see was wonderful 😊👍

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities