Your stay — Arabella Azur
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Hurghada.
The Property — Arabella Azur
Standing in the lobby of the Arabella Azur, you’re met with a cool blast of air-con, pale marble floors, and a faint citrus scent from the open courtyard beyond. It’s a solid four-star resort aimed at package holidaymakers wanting a safe, all-inclusive base on Hurghada’s tourist strip — think sun loungers, buffets, and a private beach. The USP is its lagoon-style pool and direct Red Sea access, suited to couples and families who want zero surprises and all the towels.
Chronicles of Hurghada
Hurghada was a tiny fishing village until the 1980s, when the Egyptian government and foreign investors turned it into a package-tourism hub. Its architectural evolution is a fast switch from mud-brick huts to rows of whitewashed hotels and shopping malls, most built in the past 40 years. Today it’s Egypt’s second city for tourism, with a permanent population of about 260,000 that swells with seasonal workers and expat divers. Culturally, it’s a strange mix: conservative Red Sea provincial life alongside beach bars, Russian menus, and German dive centres. The city has no real old town — its identity is entirely shaped by its coral reefs, desert hinterland, and tourist dollar.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hurghada guide →Best months
October and April: sea temperatures around 25°C, air 28-32°C, low humidity, and dive boats run full but not packed.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays push prices up 30-50%, resorts fill with European families; the Red Sea Waterworld complex and night markets get heaving.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: discounts of 20-30% compared to peak, still 30-35°C but manageable, with far fewer crowds at the marina.
Weather & packing
July in Hurghada is fiercely dry — humidity below 30% most days but UV index maxes out by 10am. Pack only light cottons, a wide-brimmed hat, reef-safe sunscreen (banned in the Red Sea reserves otherwise), and a thin cover-up for evenings when the desert wind drops.
Live City Briefing — Hurghada
- Hurghada International Airport has introduced new direct charter routes from Manchester and Berlin for summer 2026, easing arrival bottlenecks.
- The new 'Hurghada Marina Boulevard' pedestrian zone opened in early 2026, linking the old fish market with the resort strip — expect more cafés and less traffic on the corniche.
- Construction is ongoing on the Hurghada desalination plant expansion, which may cause occasional tap water discolouration; visitors should stick to bottled water for drinking and teeth.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Arabella Azur, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd to 5th) facing the sea – these get the best breeze and reduce any street-level noise from the main road along Hurghada's coastline.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or lobby; they pick up foot traffic, lobby music and early-morning luggage noise. Rooms on the street side (non-sea facing) can be louder due to passing taxis and tour buses.
Best views
Sea-view rooms on floors 4-5 give the best panorama across the Red Sea coast – request high floor, sea-facing.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 are the quietest – further from street noise and the ground-floor pool/bar area.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on the main coastal road, so street noise is a factor for front-facing rooms, especially morning/evening rush hours. The pool and bar area generate chatter and occasional music until late; rooms above or away from them are quieter.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the 4th floor with sea view for the best balance of quiet and outlook. 2. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the lift shaft and not directly above the bar.
- 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 — Arabella Azur
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) in lobby and rooms; premium tier (20 Mbps) costs EGP 150 per 24h. No login, just accept terms.
Single lift serving all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Complimentary PressReader access via hotel iPads at lobby lounge only.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed free. Late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of half-board rate, subject to availability.
Free for checked-out guests until 18:00; after that charged EGP 100 per bag per extra day.
Step-free access at main entrance (ramp). One accessible room on ground floor with widened doorways. No lift to basement-level spa. Pool area has stairs only.
Free on-site unguarded parking for 40 cars. Nearest public car park is El Nady Street lot (500m east, EGP 30 per day, unattended). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in rate; no separate tourist tax in Hurghada as of 2026)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit due 14 days before arrival; at check-in hold EGP 500 (approx $30) on credit card for incidentals
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Egyptian Pound, EGP
Use bank ATMs for the best rate; avoid airport and hotel exchange bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; cash is king in taxis, small shops, and markets.
Tip 10-15% at restaurants if service charge not added, small change for taxi drivers, and 10-20 EGP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Turkish coffee from a street kiosk or bakery: around 15-20 EGP.
Falafel or taameya sandwich with salad: roughly 30-50 EGP from a local takeaway.
Koshari – lentils, rice, and pasta – at a basic eatery: about 40-60 EGP for a main.
Seek out koshari stalls and ful medames carts along the Sheraton Street area or near the marina for budget eats.
Metro Market, Ragab Sons, and Kheir Zamaan are common budget supermarket chains.
Al Ahyaa Market (near the old town) for cheap clothes; fixed-price shops like Mobaco for basic items.
Microbuses (shared minivans) cost 5-10 EGP per ride within town; from airport, a public bus to downtown is about 15 EGP per person.
Always negotiate taxi fares before getting in; buy bottled water from supermarkets (5-10 EGP) not hotel minibars; eat where locals gather, especially for lunch specials.
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 Arabella Azur
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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.
About Hurghada
Wikipedia ↗
Hurghada (; Arabic: الغردقة al-Ġhardaqah, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [el ɣæɾˈdæʔæ]) is a coastal city that serves as the largest city and capital of the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt. Hurghada has grown from a small fishing village to one of the largest resort destinations along the Red Sea coast...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Arabella Azur?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd to 5th) facing the sea – these get the best breeze and reduce any street-level noise from the main road along Hurghada's coastline.
Which rooms should I avoid at Arabella Azur?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or lobby; they pick up foot traffic, lobby music and early-morning luggage noise. Rooms on the street side (non-sea facing) can be louder due to passing taxis and tour buses.
Is Arabella Azur noisy?
The hotel is on the main coastal road, so street noise is a factor for front-facing rooms, especially morning/evening rush hours. The pool and bar area generate chatter and occasional music until late; rooms above or away from them are quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Arabella Azur?
Sea-view rooms on floors 4-5 give the best panorama across the Red Sea coast – request high floor, sea-facing.
What are insider tips for staying at Arabella Azur?
1. Request a room on the 4th floor with sea view for the best balance of quiet and outlook. 2. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the lift shaft and not directly above the bar.
What time is check-in at Arabella Azur?
Check-in at Arabella Azur is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Arabella Azur have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) in lobby and rooms; premium tier (20 Mbps) costs EGP 150 per 24h. No login, just accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Arabella Azur?
None (included in rate; no separate tourist tax in Hurghada as of 2026)
Where can I eat cheaply near Arabella Azur?
Falafel or taameya sandwich with salad: roughly 30-50 EGP from a local takeaway.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Arabella Azur?
Microbuses (shared minivans) cost 5-10 EGP per ride within town; from airport, a public bus to downtown is about 15 EGP per person.
When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
October and April: sea temperatures around 25°C, air 28-32°C, low humidity, and dive boats run full but not packed.
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.