10 Best Hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Families love this resort's water-park-like selection of outdoor pools, couples and singles are drawn to it for its location near all the action, and everyone appreciates its clean beach and rates that are more affordable than other properties in the same category.

At this simple but clean hotel, you'll find the headquarters of Reef 2000, one of the best dive centers in Dahab. Some rooms have fridges, air-conditioning, and balconies, but not all have these features, so ask when you book; however, at this writing there were plans to add air conditioners to all rooms by 2011. You'll stay here for the international client mix, mostly gregarious divers who are repeat customers, and for the pool area, which is excellent for hotels of this standard in the Sinai. The hotel has a resident yoga instructor and offers classes twice daily.

Designed along the lines of a grand Arabian family living complex, the shady courtyard with its cooling fountain that greets your arrival at El Wekala draws you into its Moorish appeal while the decorated domes, curved arches, wooden fretwork, and traditional Cairene tiled floors in the rooms add to the atmosphere. In "Old Town" Taba Heights, the hotel's rooms intertwine with the rest of the village, with balconies overlooking verdant squares, restaurants, and cafés that fill with guests in the evenings. An expansive terrace with panoramic views over the rest of Taba Heights surrounds the main pool.

The largest resort in Dahab, this Nubian-style, whitewashed adobe village is set dramatically against the reddish hues of the Sinai Mountains. Saltwater lagoons and palm trees create a pleasant oasis feel. Rooms are airy and modern and have balconies or terraces. Waterskiing and snorkeling trips can be arranged, and the Club Mistral has a team of windsurfing experts here that teaches all levels.

On the shores of Lake Timsah, the Mercure has a peaceful setting and a solid list of amenities. The lawns and beach add a leisured air, but lacquered wood furniture and floral-print bedding give a decidedly 1980s feel. Most rooms face the lake and have private balconies.

The stunning setting of this hotel is awe-inspiring—the peaks of the Sinai range that are reflected throughout the day in the waters of the on-site swimming pool surround it. The rooms, which are set around the pool, were completed in the late 1990s, but the interiors haven't fared as well as the exterior spaces, exhibiting careworn fittings and accessories. The Bedouin marketplace on-site has some atmosphere, selling a variety of local handicrafts as well as mass-produced souvenirs.

Rooms here are spacious, with water-view balconies, and the beach has a water-sports facility. The surrounding area has little of interest, but if you plan to spend most of your time scuba diving or sunbathing by the pool or on the shore, then this hotel is a great pick.

High on the escarpment between Na'ama Bay and downtown Sharm El-Sheikh, this family-friendly hotel is highly regarded by the British visitors who frequent it. The kitchens cater to special dietary needs such as dishes for diabetics. Rooms are simply furnished but spacious enough to store the extra equipment (strollers, etc.) that families might be toting. There are always organized activities around the busy pool, but the hotel balances this with a separate quiet pool. Enjoy the fully equipped gym and five-room spa. A shuttle bus provides access to the hotel's beach.

This large hotel is on the mountainside off Peace Road, offering comfortable accommodation and good facilities without the frills—or price tag—of the typical four- or five-star Sharm resort. Budget-minded travelers will appreciate the three discrete pool areas (ask for a room at the very top of the resort for views across the largest pool). The dive center is one of the most respected in Na'ama Bay, and clients include dive trainees and dive aficionados in addition to couples and families with older children of many nationalities. It's a three- to five-minute walk to the nearest public beach.

Usually booked up by the diving and kitesurfing crowd, Turtles Inn offers unpretentious accommodation in the heart of El Gouna marina. The hotel acts as a meeting place as the day finishes, with the roof bar being a popular place for a few beers. Rooms are modern and brightly but simply decorated, though not all have balconies. The on-site restaurant is very good, and the hotel is also walking distance from many other good restaurants. To check into the hotel, head to the neighboring Captain's Inn.