Your stay — Ali Baba Palace
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The Property — Ali Baba Palace
Ali Baba Palace is a sprawling, 1980s-era three-star resort on Hurghada’s tourist strip, with a sand-coloured facade and a large, flagged entrance. The vibe is functional and busy — big lobby, lots of families, a pool area that does the job. Its USP is the all-inclusive deal at a low price point, so you trade intimacy for scale. It suits budget-conscious families and groups who want sun, sea and buffets without fuss.
Chronicles of Hurghada
Hurghada was a sleepy fishing village until the 1980s, when the Egyptian government and foreign investors started building resorts along its 40km of Red Sea coast. The city grew rapidly around tourism, with most development zoned into a long strip of hotels, dive centres and shopping arcades. Architecturally, it’s a low-rise mix of breeze-block Mediterranean pastels and concrete cubes, not historically significant. Today, Hurghada is Egypt’s busiest beach resort, known for scuba diving in the Giftun Islands marine park and as a winter sun getaway for Europeans.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hurghada guide →Best months
October, April, May: water is warm (24–27°C), air temperatures are pleasant (28–33°C), and crowds are manageable as the European school holidays haven’t peaked.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are absolute peak: temperatures hit 36–40°C, and European families flood in. Hotel prices double or triple at Ali Baba Palace, driven by school holidays across the UK, Germany and Russia. No major local festival spikes summer — it’s pure mass tourism.
Budget shoulder season
September and early November are the budget sweet spots. September is still hot but quieter; November drops to 25–30°C with big discounts after the October half-term. Fewer children, better value.
Weather & packing
Hurghada gets less than 5mm of rain a year — you will not need an umbrella. Pack a decent sun hat, reef-safe sunscreen (to protect the fragile Red Sea coral), and a light long-sleeve shirt for evenings, when desert winds can drop to 22°C even in July.
Live City Briefing — Hurghada
- The Hurghada–Gouna road widening project is almost complete, reducing travel time to El Gouna from 45 minutes to about 20 — useful for day trips.
- In June 2025, the Red Sea Governorate announced a new 10% tax on all hotel stays, effective from January 2026; check if Ali Baba Palace includes this in its rate or adds it on arrival.
- Hurghada’s airport has added direct flights from Warsaw, Prague and Riga for summer 2026, which may increase visitor numbers from Eastern Europe.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ali Baba Palace, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the pool or garden (not the street). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-floor foot traffic and poolside bar noise, but still accessible if the lift is busy. The pool/garden side tends to be quieter in the evenings.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or main entrance – these are prone to lobby noise and late-night comings and goings. Also skip rooms directly above the kitchen or service areas (usually at the back) as they can smell of fry oil and hear clattering from early morning prep.
Best views
A room overlooking the pool or the garden areas – these give a sense of space and greenery, with some sea glimpses if the hotel is near the coast. Street-facing rooms look onto a dusty road and car park.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors – removed from ground-level bustle, lift traffic is lighter, and views are better. The 2nd floor is okay but can catch noise from the bar or restaurant below depending on layout.
🔊 Noise notes
Hurghada’s main roads are used by tourist buses, taxis, and scooters from early morning. The hotel may have a nightly entertainment programme (typical for 3-star resorts) – if you’re a light sleeper, request a room away from the pool/bar area.
Insider tips
1. Check-in early (by 2pm) to secure a pool-facing room – these go fast. 2. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; the thin walls in 3-star Egyptian hotels carry hallway noise and neighbouring TV chatter easily.
- 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 — Ali Baba Palace
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms (up to 2 Mbps). A premium tier (15 Mbps) costs 100 EGP per 24 hours. Login via room number and surname; no daily limit on basic tier.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand. Free daily printed Arabic and English newspapers (Al-Ahram, Daily News Egypt) available at reception.
Standard check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag drop available at no cost. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 50% of nightly rate.
Free luggage room on ground floor behind reception; 24-hour access with staff assistance during desk hours (07:00–23:00)
Step-free access via ramps to main entrance and restaurant. One ground-floor accessible room available; no grab bars in standard bathrooms.
Free on-site open parking for up to 50 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park 2 km away at Hurghada Marina (50 EGP/day). No EV charging points.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tax applies at this property)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit equal to first night's room rate; a refundable incidentals hold of 500 EGP per room at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: مسجد الرحمن (1.6 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sun City — 686 m · ~9 min walk
Sand City Museum — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Jasmine Theater en Bar — 521 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Egyptian Pound, EGP
Most travellers change money at local banks or authorised exchange offices in the city; avoid the airport and hotel exchange desks as they typically give worse rates.
Major hotels and larger restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, but many smaller shops, taxis, and market stalls are cash-only; contactless payment is rare.
Tip 10-15% at restaurants if no service charge is added, a few EGP for hotel staff, and round up taxi fares by 5-10 EGP.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple ahwa (Turkish coffee) or instant coffee from a local café costs about 15-25 EGP.
A koshari (lentils, rice, pasta) or a falafel sandwich from a street-side shop costs around 30-50 EGP.
A main dish like grilled chicken with rice or a basic seafood plate at a local restaurant runs 80-120 EGP.
The main strip along Sheraton Road and the marina area have numerous stalls and small eateries selling cheap shawarma, taameya, and fresh juice.
Budget supermarket chains common here include Metro Market and Kheir Zaman, with basic supplies for self-catering.
The Hurghada Old Market area has cheap clothing stalls and small shops selling imported goods at low prices.
The cheapest way around is by microbus (2-5 EGP per ride) for fixed routes; from the airport, a shuttle bus to the city centre costs about 25-35 EGP.
Negotiate prices in markets and for taxis before starting; eat at local koshari or shawarma joints rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets, not hotel minibars.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hurghada, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ali Baba Palace
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Downtown Hurghada (El Dahar stop) → El Arusa Hotel (Sheraton Road)
💡 Flag one down on the main road—tell the driver 'El Arusa' or 'EL Geish'. They have fixed routes; pay 5 EGP when you get off. Crowded but dirt cheap. Avoid at night.
El Arusa Hotel → Hurghada city centre / Marina
💡 Always agree a price before getting in—locals pay about 10–20 EGP per short trip. For El Arusa (near the Sheraton Road area), a fair fare to the marina is 15–20 EGP.
Hurghada International Airport → El Arusa Hotel
💡 Pre-arrange with the hotel or use a ride-hailing app like Uber/Careem for airport pickup. Taxis at the terminal often charge double (15–20 USD) if not pre-booked.
El Arusa Hotel → Makadi Bay / Sahl Hasheesh
💡 Use Careem—it works reliably in Hurghada and prices are fixed. Avoid surge pricing by checking both apps. For longer trips to Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, it's cheaper than a private taxi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ali Baba Palace?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the pool or garden (not the street). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-floor foot traffic and poolside bar noise, but still accessible if the lift is busy. The pool/garden side tends to be quieter in the evenings.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ali Baba Palace?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or main entrance – these are prone to lobby noise and late-night comings and goings. Also skip rooms directly above the kitchen or service areas (usually at the back) as they can smell of fry oil and hear clattering from early morning prep.
Is Ali Baba Palace noisy?
Hurghada’s main roads are used by tourist buses, taxis, and scooters from early morning. The hotel may have a nightly entertainment programme (typical for 3-star resorts) – if you’re a light sleeper, request a room away from the pool/bar area.
Which rooms have the best views at Ali Baba Palace?
A room overlooking the pool or the garden areas – these give a sense of space and greenery, with some sea glimpses if the hotel is near the coast. Street-facing rooms look onto a dusty road and car park.
What are insider tips for staying at Ali Baba Palace?
1. Check-in early (by 2pm) to secure a pool-facing room – these go fast. 2. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; the thin walls in 3-star Egyptian hotels carry hallway noise and neighbouring TV chatter easily.
What time is check-in at Ali Baba Palace?
Check-in at Ali Baba Palace is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ali Baba Palace have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms (up to 2 Mbps). A premium tier (15 Mbps) costs 100 EGP per 24 hours. Login via room number and surname; no daily limit on basic tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ali Baba Palace?
None (no city tax applies at this property)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ali Baba Palace?
A koshari (lentils, rice, pasta) or a falafel sandwich from a street-side shop costs around 30-50 EGP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ali Baba Palace?
The cheapest way around is by microbus (2-5 EGP per ride) for fixed routes; from the airport, a shuttle bus to the city centre costs about 25-35 EGP.
When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
October, April, May: water is warm (24–27°C), air temperatures are pleasant (28–33°C), and crowds are manageable as the European school holidays haven’t peaked.
Top Attractions in Hurghada
💡 Go in the early evening when it's cooler and the market is buzzing. Haggle politely but firmly for souvenirs.
💡 Remove shoes and cover shoulders/knees. The guard may offer a free guided tour if you ask politely. Best visited mid-morning.
💡 Come at sunset for the best light and quieter crowds. Bring a bottle of water from a kiosk—café prices are steep.
💡 Head north of the marina to the small public access points. The water quality is fine but busier on Fridays. Arrive by 9am to get a decent spot.
💡 Pay the extra £1 for the audio guide—it adds context to the displays. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Cash only.