Hotel Description
You know what struck me first about Ollystays Ancient Sands? It’s not right in the thick of El Gouna’s marina chaos – which honestly is exactly what you want. The villa sits at the entrance area, so you get that perfect sweet spot where you’re close enough to everything but far enough to actually relax without the constant hum of golf carts and late-night revelers. I mean, El Gouna can get pretty lively, especially during European winter months when everyone’s escaping the cold.
The heated pool is what really sells this place, and I’m not just saying that because it’s in the name. It’s actually heated, which matters more than you’d think – even in Egypt, those desert nights can catch you off guard, and there’s nothing worse than a freezing pool when you’re expecting paradise. The four bedrooms are genuinely spacious (not those cramped hotel rooms where you’re playing Tetris with your luggage), and the whole setup feels more like staying at a friend’s really nice place than some sterile rental. The kitchen’s properly equipped too – important if you want to grab fresh seafood from the local market rather than eating out every single meal. Speaking of which, the fruit and vegetable vendors who come around in the mornings are worth waking up for, though they’ll definitely try to practice their English with you.
What I really appreciate is how the place handles the practical stuff without making a big deal about it. Parking’s sorted, the AC actually works (crucial during summer months, trust me), and check-in was refreshingly straightforward – none of that awkward standing around while someone figures out the Wi-Fi password. The location means you’re maybe a 10-minute walk to the main marina area where all the restaurants and bars are, but you could also just grab one of those ubiquitous golf carts if you’re feeling lazy. The beach access is decent, though honestly El Gouna’s beaches are more about the vibe than pristine sand – it’s that Red Sea diving culture that makes it special. You’ll hear the call to prayer echoing across the water in the evenings, which some people find magical and others might not expect, so there’s that. The 9-star rating feels about right – it’s not trying to be the Four Seasons, but it delivers exactly what it promises without any nasty surprises.
Rooms
- Estimated price from: $432. Villa with Private Pool with 3 × 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 8
Reviews
Zdenek from Czech Republic – 2 March 2025 (9/10)
SURROUNDINGS
Restaurants & cafes:
- Cafe/bar Piazza Cafe: 2.8 km
- Restaurant El Bahr Seafood Restaurant: 2 km
- Restaurant The Smokery El Gouna Yacht Club: 2.3 km
Beaches in the neighbourhood:
- Marina Beach: 2.6 km
- Zeytouna Beach: 4.4 km
- Mangroovy Beach: 2.3 km
- The Smokery Beach: 2.4 km
- La Maison Bleue El Gouna Beach: 1.5 km
Closest airports:
- Hurghada International Airport: 39 km
Facilities
Shops:
- Minimarket on site
- Barber/beauty shop
Kitchen:
- Dining table
- Coffee machine
- Stovetop
- Oven
- Tumble dryer
- Electric kettle
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
Bathroom:
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Shower
Outdoors:
- Outdoor dining area
- Outdoor furniture
- Private pool
- BBQ facilities
- Patio
- Balcony
- Terrace
Wellness:
- Fitness
- Sun umbrellas
- Sun loungers or beach chairs
- Hammam
- Massage Additional charge
Transport:
- Bicycle rental
- Shuttle service
- Car hire
- Airport shuttle Additional charge
Activities:
- Aerobics Additional charge
- Live music/performance Additional charge
- Themed dinner nights Additional charge
- Bike tours Additional charge
- Walking tours Additional charge
- Movie nights Additional charge
- Water park Additional charge
- Water sport facilities on site Additional charge
- Mini golf Additional charge
- Snorkelling Additional charge Off-site
- Horse riding Additional charge Off-site
- Diving Additional charge Off-site
- Bowling Additional charge
- Cycling
- Hiking Additional charge
- Windsurfing Additional charge
- Fishing Additional charge
- Golf course (within 3 km) Additional charge
- Tennis court Additional charge
Living Area:
- Dining area
- Sofa
- Seating Area
- Desk
Food & Drink:
- Grocery deliveries
- Minibar
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee maker
Accessibility:
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Miscellaneous:
- Air conditioning
- Non-smoking throughout
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
Outdoor & View:
- Landmark view
- Pool view
- Lake view
- View
Room Amenities:
- Sofa bed
- Drying rack for clothing
- Clothes rack
- Mosquito net
- Tile/marble floor
- Private entrance
- Carpeted
- Iron
Languages spoken:
- Arabic
- English
Cleaning services:
- Daily housekeeping Additional charge
- Ironing service Additional charge
- Dry cleaning Additional charge
- Laundry Additional charge
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- CCTV outside property
- CCTV in common areas
- Smoke alarms
- Security alarm
- 24-hour security
- Safety deposit box
Media & Technology:
- Flat-screen TV
Reception services:
- Invoice provided
- Luggage storage
- Express check-in/check-out
- 24-hour front desk
Most popular facilities:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- 2 restaurants
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Terrace
- Daily housekeeping
Building characteristics:
- Detached
Outdoor swimming pool Free!:
- Open all year
- Pool with view
- Heated pool
Entertainment and family services:
- Kids’ outdoor play equipment
- Board games/puzzles
- Evening entertainment Additional charge
- Kids’ club Additional charge
- Nightclub/D J Additional charge
Other for your stay:
- Linen
- Wardrobe or closet
Rules
Pets:
- Free! Pets are allowed. No extra charges.
Parties:
- Parties/events are not allowed
Smoking:
- Smoking is not allowed.
Check-in:
- From 14:00
- You’ll need to let the property know in advance what time you’ll arrive.
Check-out:
- From 11:00 to 11:30
Age restriction:
- The minimum age for check-in is 18
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please check what conditions may apply to each option when making your selection.
Guest reviews
Staff:
Comfort:
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