Editor's Choice

Not surprisingly for a country that has hosted mass tourism for well over two centuries, there are plenty of accommodation options in the main tourist destinations in Egypt to suit all budgets, from resorts on the River Nile to campsites in the Sinai. There is less choice available in small rural towns or the towns of the Western oases and in the Sinai interior. The resorts and hotels along the Mediterranean coast cater mainly for a local, Egyptian clientele, while most package tourists from Europe flock to the Red Sea and Sinai coast. Most top end and mid-range hotels accept credit card payments, except in the Western Desert. Hotels are generally ranked using the one-to-five star system.

Top-end hotel accommodation in Egypt surprisingly represents the best value for money. In Cairo, there are some spectacular five-star hotels run by international chains, many of them on the banks of the Nile. In Alexandria, old colonial hotels on the corniche are convenient and have much charm. All cities and resorts offer a choice of mid-range hotels that offer business facilities and help with onward connections. Most require reservations several months in advance, particularly in the winter months.

There are several places in the country to enjoy a night under canvas, particularly at budget-style resorts along the Sinai coast and during trips organised trips to the Sinai interior or the Western Desert. Egypt is not such a good place, however, for ad hoc camping and caravanning as there are many security restrictions in place to protect the country's tourist industry. There are a few official campsites that tourist offices in Egypt can advise about.

There are 16 youth hostels affiliated to the Egyptian Youth Hostels Association, located mainly in large towns, on the coast and in popular tourist regions. They mainly cater to local residents but they are used by Western backpackers too.

Egypt boasts some beautiful resorts set in landscaped gardens across the country. All the top resorts, at Sharm el-Sheik, Hurghada and Luxor, offer lavish accommodation for less than top-dollar prices. Many include international restaurants, spas and infinity pools, and they are a good place to watch belly dancing or other cultural entertainments. Most can arrange diving and snorkelling, horse- and camel-riding trips, and tours of the desert or to archaeological sites.

All the main towns have smaller, cheap guesthouses, many of which are family-run and offer the chance to integrate more readily with Egyptian people. Standards vary considerably from simple but clean, to the very basic where bringing your own linen is advisable. Most guesthouses can offer tours and help with transport arrangements. In Cairo, inexpensive accommodation is concentrated in Downtown, above office buildings on and around Sharia Talaat Harb. All tend to be hot in summer.

Egyptian Hotel Association
8 El Sad El Ali Street, Dokki, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: (2) 3337 9883.
Website: www.eha.org.eg

Egyptian Youth Hostels Association
1 El-Ibrahimy Street, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: (2) 2796 1738 or (2) 2795 0329.
Website: www.egyptyha.com