Your stay — Reef 2000
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The Property — Reef 2000
Reef 2000 is a no-frills three-star in Dahab's central beach strip, with simple, clean rooms facing either the courtyard or the Red Sea. The open-air lobby is really a shaded lounge of mismatched sofas and low tables, where guests chat over mint tea between dives. It appeals to budget-conscious divers and backpackers who want a sociable base, not luxury. The USP is the house reef a few steps from the hotel's private beach section, offering easy shore entry to coral gardens.
Chronicles of Dahab
Dahab was a small Bedouin fishing village on the Gulf of Aqaba until the 1980s, when word spread among windsurfers and backpackers of its steady wind and relaxed vibe. Its architecture remains low-rise and informal, with promenades of sand-floored restaurants and stone-built guesthouses, avoiding the high-rise resort sprawl of Sharm el-Sheikh. A devastating flash flood in 2010 destroyed parts of the town, but rebuilding kept the same casual character. Today, Dahab is known globally as a top kitesurfing and freediving hub, while still retaining a bohemian, small-town atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dahab guide →Best months
March – April for 25-30°C days, calm seas, and no summer peak pricing; October – November for similar conditions and post-summer trade winds.
Peak / festival surge
July – August: European summer brings crowds of families and divers. Hotel prices at Reef 2000 can double, and restaurants in the Masbat area fill up. The Dahab Festival, with live music and market stalls, usually falls in early July, adding more visitors.
Budget shoulder season
Late September to early November and March to early May offer 25-30°C, fewer crowds, and rates often 20-30% lower than July. Winds are reliable but not as strong as summer, making conditions ideal for beginners.
Weather & packing
Dahab is extremely dry year-round (under 10mm rain annually). Pack a light wetsuit (3mm) for water activities even in summer, as sea temps are 25-27°C, but dry off fast in the heat. And always bring a buff or scarf for dust and sun.
Live City Briefing — Dahab
- Dahab's main coastal road (the 'Lighthouse Road') recently got new speed bumps and pedestrian crossings, so expect slower taxi transit from the bus station.
- Several new cafés and dive shops have opened on the 'Mashraba' side of the bay, shifting the evening bustle slightly away from the Lighthouse area.
- Night diving permits are now required by the Dahab Dive Association (check with your dive centre); enforcement increased after a few unguided swims near the Blue Hole.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Reef 2000, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (top floor) at the back of the building, away from El Melal Street. This avoids street noise from the road and the gravel parking lot, and you get better privacy without footsteps overhead.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the front (street side). El Melal Street carries foot and vehicle noise, and the gravel lot means dust and early morning movement. Ground floor also has the three-step entrance issue and less privacy.
Best views
First-floor rooms at the rear may have a limited view over local buildings or a courtyard; front rooms face El Melal Street and the gravel lot. No sea view is guaranteed at this address — Dahab’s main beach is about 500 metres away.
Quietest floors
First floor (top floor) only — the building has two storeys, so upper rooms are quieter than ground floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from El Melal Street (cars, taxis, pedestrians, occasional music from nearby cafés). Gravel lot at front causes crunching sounds when vehicles arrive/depart. No lift, so stairs may echo in the morning and evening.
Insider tips
1) Park on the free street parking 50 metres away on El Melal Street rather than the gravel lot — quieter and less dusty. 2) Since Wi-Fi is per-login and weak for video, download maps and guide pages before arrival, and consider buying a local data SIM for streaming.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Reef 2000
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms; speed is adequate for browsing and email, weak for video streaming; single device per login.
No lift; the two-storey building has stairs only.
No newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00; early bag drop is free if room not ready. Late checkout until 16:00 costs 50 EGP, subject to availability.
Free at reception during day of arrival or departure.
No step-free access; entrance has three steps, no ramp or lift. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking on a gravel lot; no EV charging. Nearest public parking is free on El Melal Street, 50 metres away.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable damage deposit of 500 EGP is taken in cash at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Big Mosque (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Dr. Mahmoud's Pharmacy — 798 m · ~10 min walk
Sina market — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Egyptian Pound, EGP
Use ATMs in Dahab for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux, which give poorer rates.
Cards are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants, but smaller cafes and shops prefer cash; contactless is uncommon.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants if service charge not included; small change for taxis (EGP 5-10); hotel staff expect EGP 20-50 for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small local cafe serving strong Egyptian coffee or tea for about EGP 10-15.
A filling falafel or shawarma sandwich from a street stall for around EGP 20-30.
Grilled fish or chicken with rice and salad at a local eatery for roughly EGP 60-80 per main.
The promenade near the lighthouse and Masbat area have numerous stalls and small joints selling cheap sandwiches, crepes, and fresh juice.
Budget supermarkets like Metro Market or Alfa Market are common in Dahab.
The Bedouin market (souq) in the centre of town offers affordable cotton clothing, scarves, and swimwear.
Walking is the cheapest way to get around the compact town; a minibus from Sharm el-Sheikh airport to Dahab costs about EGP 50-70.
Eat at local fish restaurants away from the main promenade for lower prices. Bargain firmly but politely at the souq. Buy snacks and water from small grocery shops rather than tourist stalls.
Emergency Contacts
DahabFor tourists, contact the Dahab Tourist Police on 069 364 1870. For medical emergencies, the Dahab Hyperbaric Medical Centre (for diving incidents) is 069 364 1865. General tourist help: 069 364 1751.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dahab, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Reef 2000
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk — pharmacy · Dr. Mahmoud's Pharmacy — 798 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Dahab town centre → Nirvana Hotel, Dahab
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; for short trips to Nirvana from the lighthouse area, 10 EGP is fair.
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) → Nirvana Hotel, Dahab
💡 Book online or buy a ticket at the airport counter; the bus drops you at the Dahab bus station, then a quick taxi (20 EGP) to Nirvana.
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) → Nirvana Hotel, Dahab
💡 Pre-book through the hotel or a local driver service to avoid haggling; the airport taxi stand often quotes double.
Dahab Bus Station → Nirvana Hotel, Dahab
💡 Flag one down on the main road; tell the driver 'Nirvana' and they'll stop near the hotel entrance on the coastal strip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Reef 2000?
Request a room on the first floor (top floor) at the back of the building, away from El Melal Street. This avoids street noise from the road and the gravel parking lot, and you get better privacy without footsteps overhead.
Which rooms should I avoid at Reef 2000?
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the front (street side). El Melal Street carries foot and vehicle noise, and the gravel lot means dust and early morning movement. Ground floor also has the three-step entrance issue and less privacy.
Is Reef 2000 noisy?
Street noise from El Melal Street (cars, taxis, pedestrians, occasional music from nearby cafés). Gravel lot at front causes crunching sounds when vehicles arrive/depart. No lift, so stairs may echo in the morning and evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Reef 2000?
First-floor rooms at the rear may have a limited view over local buildings or a courtyard; front rooms face El Melal Street and the gravel lot. No sea view is guaranteed at this address — Dahab’s main beach is about 500 metres away.
What are insider tips for staying at Reef 2000?
1) Park on the free street parking 50 metres away on El Melal Street rather than the gravel lot — quieter and less dusty. 2) Since Wi-Fi is per-login and weak for video, download maps and guide pages before arrival, and consider buying a local data SIM for streaming.
What time is check-in at Reef 2000?
Check-in at Reef 2000 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Reef 2000 have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms; speed is adequate for browsing and email, weak for video streaming; single device per login.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Reef 2000?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Reef 2000?
A filling falafel or shawarma sandwich from a street stall for around EGP 20-30.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Reef 2000?
Walking is the cheapest way to get around the compact town; a minibus from Sharm el-Sheikh airport to Dahab costs about EGP 50-70.
When is the best time to visit Dahab?
March – April for 25-30°C days, calm seas, and no summer peak pricing; October – November for similar conditions and post-summer trade winds.
Top Attractions in Dahab
💡 No one will hassle you, but haggling is expected for souvenirs. For the best prices, walk to the far end—away from the main square—where shops are less touristy. Cash only.
💡 If you want a sunbed, bring your own towel—there are no rentals here. The water stays shallow for about 50 metres, making it great for non-swimmers.
💡 Snorkel here between 9am and 11am when the light is best. Move slowly and you'll see dozens of eels swaying in the current. No tour needed—just walk in from the sand near the Bedouin tents.
💡 Visit at low tide to see the marine life—small fish, crabs, and occasional rays—in the clear water. Don't attempt to walk on the coral itself; stick to the sandy path.
💡 Go early in the morning, around 8am, to beat the wind and have the water glassy calm. Bring water shoes—there are some sharp bits of coral near the shore.