10 Best Hotels in Alexandria, Egypt

The opening of the Four Seasons in 2007 gave Alexandria its first world-class, five-star property. Rooms are sumptuous and chic—styled with a hint of Louis XVI, yet with strong emphasis of classical Egypt—by Frenchman Pierre Yves Rochon. The hotel has excellent service, and its restaurants and bars form a focus for well-heeled Alexandrians and also Cairenes who weekend in the city. The hotel's sheltered sandy beach is private and well tended. The spa is one of the best in Egypt.

Set amid royal gardens, between the old palace and a private cove, this modernist hotel was built in 1964 to house visiting heads of state attending an Arab summit; its interior space has, however, been brought into the 21st century. North-facing rooms have excellent sea views, while others overlook the gardens. The small cove and its artificial beach have an Italian Lido feel.

Don't be misled by the dingy entrance and modest common area: this is one of the best inexpensive hotels in the city. The upstairs rooms with baths all have white walls, handblown glass lamps, and decent bathrooms. But it's the balconies, which appear to hang over the Mediterranean, that make the place feel like such a steal at this price—be sure to request one. The rooms without bath (downstairs) are in much worse shape.

On the 9th floor of Alexandria's first skyscraper, built in 1930, is one of the nicest budget hotels in town. Every room has a balcony and the 10th floor restaurant and coffee bar provides excellent views of the city. Rooms are basic but clean and well-sized for the price. Unlike most budget hotels, the Wi-Fi signal actually reaches the rooms and is reasonably strong.

The best value in Alexandria, the turn-of-the-20th-century Le Metropole has an elegance few other hotels can match. The lavishly overdone lobby has gilt mirrors, Flemish tapestries, and bas-relief moldings that cry out for a restraining hand, but the large rooms are a pleasant surprise. The 20-foot ceilings, simple antique furnishings, and flowing velvet drapes project a feeling of luxury. Though some of the fixtures could benefit from a little TLC, the overall feel is of a grand mansion that you've been lucky enough to stumble upon.

What started as a 19th-century British Bridge Club and then served as a rest house for Egyptian King Farouk in the 20th century is now one of the most unique places to stay in Alexandria. Famed British novelist Lawrence Durrell stayed here and literature and history lovers will appreciate the on-site library, which holds 300 books, including some that are very rare. As the hotel is steeped in British history and is now owned by the Egyptian military, which gives a discount to local military, clientele tends to be mostly local and British.

A rather basic hotel, Sea Star's greatest appeal is its location. If you are on a budget, it's a clean if uninspiring option that's close to the tram station and within walking distance of Downtown, the museum, the library, and food courts. Decor is minimalist 1980s kitsch against a backdrop of plain, whitewashed walls, but the rooms and suites are spacious and many have large balconies.

With the Cecil, you're paying for history more than creature comforts, but if atmosphere is what you want you'll find it here in spades. Built in 1930 and immortalized as one of Justine's haunts in Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet, it retains few reminders of that era—just its elegant revolving door, two gorgeous old wooden elevators, and a dusty bar that's changed little since World War II. The rooms have high ceilings and large shuttered windows, and there's a richness in the burgundy and gold drapes and soft furnishings that decorate the space, which give a classical French feel. Some rooms and suites also have a sea view.

On a delightful bay, this modern hotel has international-style amenities and a resort setting not often seen in Egypt. Think business and conference spaces, special needs rooms, and a spa offering less-common treatments (in Egypt, at least) such as Thai massage, chocolate therapy treatments, and traditional Turkish hammam rituals. Rooms are in three low-rise buildings and are decorated in a sober classical Western style comprising warm woods and neutral-colored walls. Most have sea views. The private beachfront with protected shallows is a great asset and ideal if you want to combine sightseeing in Alexandria with a little relaxation.

Erected on the Alexandria Corniche in 1906, the Windsor Palace retains a period look and feel thanks to its furnishings, tapestries, and oil paintings. The rooms have been renovated recently but have not lost their character, with high ceilings and tall windows. The front rooms have elegant iron balconies and all the rooms maintain an atmosphere that harks back to the early-20th-century heyday of Alexandria.