Your stay — Desert View
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The Property — Desert View
The Desert View is a solid three-star hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh’s Hadaba district, with a functional lobby of worn leather sofas and a 24-hour reception that smells faintly of disinfectant and coffee. Its main draw is the unfussy, clean rooms with balconies overlooking the Red Sea – no frills, just steady air conditioning and a working safe. It suits budget-conscious divers and families who want a base near the beach without paying resort prices. What you feel standing in the lobby is tired efficiency: well-trodden tiles, a humming fridge of overpriced soft drinks, and staff who’ll check you in within three minutes flat.
Chronicles of Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh was a small Bedouin fishing village until the 1960s, when the Israeli occupation of Sinai began its transformation into a military and tourism hub. After Egypt regained control in 1982, the government deliberately built it up as a resort zone, shaping its architecture around low-rise hotels and dive centres rather than high-rises. The city holds no ancient history – its cultural identity today is beach tourism, Russian package holidays, and a sharply divided social scene of all-inclusive resorts versus local markets. It’s also become a venue for international peace conferences, most notably the 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, giving its name a strange double life as both a holiday poster and a diplomatic address.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sharm el-Sheikh guide →Best months
March to May and October to November – sea temperatures around 22-26°C, clear water for snorkelling, and hotel rooms at 40-50% of peak July rates.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, running on European school holidays; hotel prices double or triple, occupancy hits 90%+, and the Naama Bay road becomes a slow crawl of taxis. No festivals – just relentless heat (40°C+) and crowded beaches.
Budget shoulder season
September and April – cooler air, same good sea visibility, prices drop 30% from peak, and you still get sunshine without the queues at Ras Mohammed National Park gate.
Weather & packing
Sharm gets dry heat but strong coastal wind – a light windbreaker or long-sleeved rash guard is essential for evening waterfront walks. Pack a UV-protective sun hat that straps on: gusts off the Gulf of Aqaba will snatch a floppy one in seconds.
Live City Briefing — Sharm el-Sheikh
- Sharm el-Sheikh's airport now handles direct charter flights from Manchester and Berlin again after the 2023 Russia-Ukraine shift; check your airline for last-minute schedule changes.
- Ras Mohammed National Park entrance fee increased to 300 EGP per person (about £5) as of June 2025 – bring cash as card machines are unreliable at the gate.
- A new desalination plant along the coastal road has ended the city's chronic summer water shortages, so hotel taps now run drinkable water – but bottled is still cheaper at supermarkets than room minibars.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Desert View, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or above) to minimize street noise from the busy Sharm el-Sheikh streets. Given the 3-star rating, it's likely that the hotel has a standard layout with a central service core, so rooms on higher floors will be furthest from the street and lift noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, as they may be closer to the street and potential noise from the service entrance.
Best views
As the hotel is located in Sharm el-Sheikh, rooms on the higher floors (3rd and above) with an east or west orientation may have views of the surrounding desert landscape or the city.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for potential noise from the street, especially in rooms on the lower floors. The hotel's location in Sharm el-Sheikh means that there may also be some noise from nearby bars or restaurants.
Insider tips
Request a room with a balcony to take advantage of the views and get some fresh air. Be aware that, like many hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, the hotel may have a separate check-in area for international guests, so be prepared to show your passport and ID.
- 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 — Desert View
free tier available in public areas, paid tier (EGP 50 per day) with speeds up to 100 Mbps, login via room key card
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary physical newspapers available at the lobby
24/7 check-in, 12:00 PM early bag-drop, EGP 200 late check-out fee (until 6:00 PM), EGP 500 late check-out fee (after 6:00 PM)
available for a fee (EGP 50 per day for small bags, EGP 100 per day for large bags)
step-free access, wheelchair ramps at main entrance and lobby, no elevators in historic areas
on-site parking available for EGP 100 per night, nearest public car park (Sheraton Sharm Hotel and Resort) for EGP 150 per night, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: EGP 22.50 per night/person (mandatory city tax)
Deposit & card hold: EGP 500 advance deposit, EGP 1000 incidental card hold at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
إل مركاتور — 326 m · ~4 min walk
Animation Dessole Seti Sharm — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Kids Club — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 294 m · ~4 min walk
صيدلية المهدي — 237 m · ~3 min walk
Go Bus bus station — 3.0 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Egyptian Pound, EGP
Travellers can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices, or withdraw from ATMs. Be cautious of poor exchange rates at airport bureaux and opt for official exchange offices instead.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Sharm el-Sheikh, including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Contactless payments are also common, but mobile payments are less prevalent. Some local businesses may not accept cards, so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.
Tipping in Egypt is generally 5-10% in restaurants and cafes, 10-20 EGP for taxi drivers, and 5-10 EGP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee from a street vendor costs around 5-10 EGP.
Koshari or falafel from a street stall costs around 10-15 EGP.
A plate of grilled fish or chicken from a local restaurant costs around 20-30 EGP.
The Naama Bay area is known for its street food, offering a variety of options, including falafel, koshari, and grilled meats.
Local supermarkets like Al-Ahly and Hyper One offer affordable prices on basic groceries.
Markets like the Souk in Naama Bay offer affordable high-street and local fashion, while bazaars like the Naama Bay Bazaar have a range of clothing options.
A day pass for the local bus system costs around 10 EGP, while a taxi ride from the airport costs around 50-100 EGP.
Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist areas, as rates tend to be poor.Use local currency for small purchases to avoid poor exchange rates.Bargain when shopping at markets and bazaars to get the best prices.
Emergency Contacts
Sharm el-SheikhTourist police: 126. For general travel advice from the British Embassy in Cairo (24/7): +20 2 2791 6000. Note that local numbers may not connect from mobile without the +20 country code.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sharm el-Sheikh, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Desert View
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 294 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · صيدلية المهدي — 237 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sharm Airport bus stop (near terminal) → Naama Bay (Iberotel stop)
💡 Bus stops are unmarked; ask the driver to let you off at Iberotel Palace. It's a shared minibus, not a proper coach, so expect standing room at peak times.
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) → Iberotel Palace, Naama Bay
💡 Pre-book with the hotel for 100-120 EGP to avoid haggling at arrivals. Taxis outside rush hour charge double for tourists; insist on meter or agree fare upfront.
Old Market / Hadaba → Naama Bay (Iberotel Palace)
💡 Wave down a white minibus from the roadside. Shout 'Naama' or 'Iberotel' and they'll drop you. Pay only after you arrive, and keep small coins—drivers rarely break 100 EGP notes.
Sharm Airport domestic arrivals → Iberotel Palace, Naama Bay
💡 This runs from the domestic terminal only. If you land at the new international terminal, you'll need to walk or take a short taxi to the domestic terminal stop. Confirm at the information desk.
About Sharm el-Sheikh
Wikipedia ↗
Sharm El Sheikh, alternatively rendered Sharm el-Sheikh or Charm el Sheikh, is an Egyptian city located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea in Asia. Its population is approximately 77,000 as of 2017. Sharm El Sheikh is the ad...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Desert View?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or above) to minimize street noise from the busy Sharm el-Sheikh streets. Given the 3-star rating, it's likely that the hotel has a standard layout with a central service core, so rooms on higher floors will be furthest from the street and lift noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Desert View?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, as they may be closer to the street and potential noise from the service entrance.
Is Desert View noisy?
Be prepared for potential noise from the street, especially in rooms on the lower floors. The hotel's location in Sharm el-Sheikh means that there may also be some noise from nearby bars or restaurants.
Which rooms have the best views at Desert View?
As the hotel is located in Sharm el-Sheikh, rooms on the higher floors (3rd and above) with an east or west orientation may have views of the surrounding desert landscape or the city.
What are insider tips for staying at Desert View?
Request a room with a balcony to take advantage of the views and get some fresh air. Be aware that, like many hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, the hotel may have a separate check-in area for international guests, so be prepared to show your passport and ID.
What time is check-in at Desert View?
Check-in at Desert View is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Desert View have Wi-Fi?
free tier available in public areas, paid tier (EGP 50 per day) with speeds up to 100 Mbps, login via room key card
Is there a city or tourist tax at Desert View?
EGP 22.50 per night/person (mandatory city tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Desert View?
Koshari or falafel from a street stall costs around 10-15 EGP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Desert View?
A day pass for the local bus system costs around 10 EGP, while a taxi ride from the airport costs around 50-100 EGP.
When is the best time to visit Sharm el-Sheikh?
March to May and October to November – sea temperatures around 22-26°C, clear water for snorkelling, and hotel rooms at 40-50% of peak July rates.
Top Attractions in Sharm el-Sheikh
💡 Bargain politely—start at 50% of the asking price. Try a glass of sugar cane juice (5 EGP) at the back stall. Bring small change. Best visited late afternoon before the evening rush.
💡 Go at 6pm for the best light. Bring water—cafe prices double near the water. Free public bathrooms at the north end.
💡 Women must cover heads, arms and legs—scarves and abayas are available at the door. Remove shoes before entering. Best visited 10am–11am or 2pm–3pm.
💡 Come at sunrise (6am) to avoid crowds and heat. Wear solid trainers—the path is loose rock. No shade, so bring a hat. Visit for free, then walk down to the adjacent coral beach for a swim.
💡 Buy your ticket online 48h ahead during peak season (Nov–March) to skip queues. Bring a mask and snorkel—reef shoes are essential for sharp coral. No food stalls inside; pack lunch.