Your stay — El Arusa Hotel
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The Property — El Arusa Hotel
El Arusa Hotel is a dependable 3-star on the Rashid el-Sherif waterfront strip, offering good-value sea views and a straightforward all-inclusive package. It feels clean and functional rather than trendy: think linoleum floors, a modest pool, and a busy reception where the staff efficiently check in divers and families. Best suited to budget-conscious travellers who treat the room as a base for Hurghada’s beaches and water sports.
Chronicles of Hurghada
Hurghada was a small fishing village until the 1980s, when the Egyptian government and foreign investors turned it into a Red Sea resort hub. Its rapid development followed a grid of tourist corridors, with hotels and dive centres lining the coast. The old town, El Dahar, retains a dusty, authentic character with its souk and mosque, while the newer Sakkala district is a strip of bars, shops and hotels. Today it’s a year-round sun-and-dive destination, more affordable than Sharm el-Sheikh and less segregated from local life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hurghada guide →Best months
March–April and October–November: pleasant air and water temperatures (mid-20s °C), plenty of sun, and fewer crowds than the European peak months.
Peak / festival surge
July–August and December–January: northern European school holidays drive high occupancy and hotel prices up 30–50%. Christmas, New Year and Easter push rates further. July is also the hottest month, often above 35°C.
Budget shoulder season
May, June and September offer lower room rates (20–40% off peak), still very hot but manageable, with calm seas good for snorkelling. Fewer families, more divers.
Weather & packing
Hurghada is desert-dry year-round, so humidity is low even in summer; nights drop sharply after sunset. Pack a light long-sleeve shirt and scarf for sun protection, a thin jumper for evenings, and reef-safe sunscreen.
Live City Briefing — Hurghada
- Hurghada International Airport’s new terminal opened in 2024, doubling capacity and reducing baggage wait times for charter flights.
- The Red Sea’s marine park entry fee (€5 per person) is now included in most hotel all-inclusive packages; check at check-in.
- A new coral-reef protection law bans single-use plastic on beaches starting 2025; some resorts have switched to paper straws and refillable water stations.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Arusa Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the ground floor (the only accessible floor with a lift) for easier access to the hotel's facilities and amenities, including the restaurant and lobby where free WiFi is available.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the upper floors (2nd and 3rd) may be noisier due to the proximity to the rooftop pool and bar area, which is only accessible by stairs. Guests on these floors may also experience more noise from the service entrance.
Best views
Guests on the ground floor may have a view of the street and El Corniche, but it's worth noting that the hotel's location on a busy road may result in some street noise.
Quietest floors
Ground floor
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may experience noise from the street and traffic on El Corniche, but this may be mitigated by requesting a room with a rear or side aspect. The hotel's location near the service entrance and rooftop pool may also result in some noise from these areas, particularly for upper-floor rooms.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the free on-site parking, but be aware that it's unsecured and first-come, first-served. The nearest public car park is a 200m walk east and offers a secure option for 10 EGP per night. Request a printed WiFi code from reception to access the free WiFi available in the lobby and restaurant, but be aware that the speed may not be sufficient 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 — El Arusa Hotel
Free WiFi available in lobby and restaurant only (no in-room WiFi); speed adequate for messaging/email, not for streaming; login via a printed code from reception
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building dates from 1995 with no notable heritage quirks
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00 (no charge); late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of the room rate (subject to availability)
Free locked storage room available for same-day arrivals and departures
Step-free entrance via a ramp at the side door; one ground-floor accessible room; no lift to the rooftop pool/bar area — stairs only
Free on-site unsecured parking for about 12 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is 200 m east on El Corniche (10 EGP per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no additional city tax or resort fee applies in Hurghada for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 200 EGP incidental card hold taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosque (194 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Al Rakhman (872 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Coptic Church (963 m · ~12 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد عبدالمنعم رياض (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hurghada City Center — 976 m · ~12 min walk
Cinema — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 924 m · ~12 min walk
Русская аптека — 262 m · ~3 min walk
Upper Egypt — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Egyptian Pound, EGP
Use ATMs or bank exchange offices in town; avoid airport and hotel bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels, large supermarkets and tourist restaurants; cash needed for small shops, taxis and local markets.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge, EGP 5-10 for hotel porters/cleaners, EGP 5-10 for short taxi rides.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or Turkish coffee at a local cafe, about EGP 10-15.
Ful and taameya (falafel) sandwich from a street stall or small cafeteria, about EGP 15-25.
Grilled chicken or kebab with rice and salad at a local restaurant, main about EGP 60-100.
Cheap eats near the marina strip and around the main bus station, especially for ful, taameya and shawarma.
Budget supermarket chains: Carrefour, Metro Market, or local minimarkets (bakals).
Affordable clothes and souvenirs in the old souk area (Sheraton Road side) and small shops on El-Mall Street.
Microbus (shared minibus) costs EGP 5-10 per ride on fixed routes; from airport, take a white taxi with negotiated fare (EGP 80-120 to central Hurghada).
Eat at local street stalls for breakfast/lunch; drink tap water only if boiled or buy bottled water from supermarkets (much cheaper than hotels); use microbus over taxis for short hops.
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 El Arusa Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 924 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Русская аптека — 262 m · ~3 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 El Arusa Hotel?
Request a room on the ground floor (the only accessible floor with a lift) for easier access to the hotel's facilities and amenities, including the restaurant and lobby where free WiFi is available.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Arusa Hotel?
Rooms on the upper floors (2nd and 3rd) may be noisier due to the proximity to the rooftop pool and bar area, which is only accessible by stairs. Guests on these floors may also experience more noise from the service entrance.
Is El Arusa Hotel noisy?
Guests may experience noise from the street and traffic on El Corniche, but this may be mitigated by requesting a room with a rear or side aspect. The hotel's location near the service entrance and rooftop pool may also result in some noise from these areas, particularly for upper-floor rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at El Arusa Hotel?
Guests on the ground floor may have a view of the street and El Corniche, but it's worth noting that the hotel's location on a busy road may result in some street noise.
What are insider tips for staying at El Arusa Hotel?
Take advantage of the free on-site parking, but be aware that it's unsecured and first-come, first-served. The nearest public car park is a 200m walk east and offers a secure option for 10 EGP per night. Request a printed WiFi code from reception to access the free WiFi available in the lobby and restaurant, but be aware that the speed may not be sufficient for streaming.
What time is check-in at El Arusa Hotel?
Check-in at El Arusa Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Arusa Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi available in lobby and restaurant only (no in-room WiFi); speed adequate for messaging/email, not for streaming; login via a printed code from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Arusa Hotel?
None (no additional city tax or resort fee applies in Hurghada for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near El Arusa Hotel?
Ful and taameya (falafel) sandwich from a street stall or small cafeteria, about EGP 15-25.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Arusa Hotel?
Microbus (shared minibus) costs EGP 5-10 per ride on fixed routes; from airport, take a white taxi with negotiated fare (EGP 80-120 to central Hurghada).
When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
March–April and October–November: pleasant air and water temperatures (mid-20s °C), plenty of sun, and fewer crowds than the European peak months.
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.