The Downtown Getaway Studio

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about The Downtown Getaway Studio? It’s actually *in* downtown El Gouna, which sounds obvious but trust me – half the places claiming to be “downtown” here are scattered around the lagoons where you’d need a tuk-tuk just to grab coffee. This one sits right where the action is, and I mean you can literally roll out of bed and stumble into one of those little cafés that locals actually frequent.

The studio itself is honestly what you’d expect from a solid 3-star – nothing fancy, but everything works and it’s clean. I appreciated that they didn’t try to oversell it with marble everything or fake luxury touches. The bed was comfortable enough (though I’m someone who can sleep anywhere), and the AC actually kept up with the Hurghada heat, which believe me, isn’t always a given in this price range. What I really liked was the little kitchenette setup – not because I was planning to cook elaborate meals, but because having a proper fridge and the ability to make decent coffee in the morning made such a difference. You’ll find yourself using it more than you think, especially when you want to store those fresh mangoes from the market down the street.

The location really is the star here though. El Gouna has this interesting vibe – it’s sort of artificial in that planned-resort-town way, but it’s been around long enough that it feels lived-in rather than sterile. From the studio, you’re walking distance to the marina area where things get lively in the evenings, but you’re also close enough to the quieter residential streets where you can see how people actually live here. I found myself taking different routes back each night just to explore. The shuttle to the beach runs pretty regularly, though honestly, the hotel staff’s timing estimates are… optimistic. Add 15 minutes to whatever they tell you. Check-in was smooth – the guy at the front desk spoke excellent English and gave me actual useful tips about avoiding the tourist traps, which I wasn’t expecting. Parking isn’t really an issue since most people walk or use the golf carts anyway, but there’s space if you’ve somehow ended up with a rental car.

Look, this isn’t going to be your Instagram paradise suite, and the 7 rating reflects that – it’s good, not mind-blowing. But if you want to stay somewhere that feels connected to the actual rhythm of El Gouna without paying resort prices, and you don’t need someone to fold your towels into swan shapes, this works really well. I’d definitely stay here again, especially during the shoulder seasons when El Gouna shows its best side and you’re not fighting crowds everywhere you go.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $44. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 bunk bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Lars from Switzerland – 30 March 2025 (7/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities