El Gouna & Hurghada deliver sunshine, style and serious value. 

For many, winter sun and Easter beach breaks have long meant heading to the Middle East favourites like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, or the reliable Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote. But with travel to parts of the Middle East currently off limits for many clients due to ongoing tensions, people are actively seeking alternatives that still deliver reliable sunshine, style, adventure, and excellent value, without the usual crowds or resort routine.

That’s where El Gouna and Hurghada on Egypt’s Red Sea coast come in.

“We’re seeing a real resurgence in interest for travel to these destinations this month. So, if you’ve previously ruled Egypt out, I’d strongly encourage you to think again. Many of our clients are now choosing these destinations as standalone beach escapes, while others are pairing them with a broader Egyptian journey that includes Cairo and Luxor, blending modern relaxation by the sea with ancient historical wonders.”

Gilly Bachelor

A Unique Winter Sun Setting And A Smart Alternative

El Gouna is often called the “Venice of the Red Sea” for good reason. This purpose-built resort town spreads across interlinked islands connected by sparkling lagoons, golden beaches, and vibrant coral reefs just offshore. As a gated, well-managed community, it offers a peaceful, exclusive atmosphere with minimal hassle. You can explore the marina, beaches, and town centre via electric tuk-tuks or water taxis in complete safety and comfort.

It’s proving to be an excellent alternative to Dubai and Abu Dhabi right now, delivering that same winter sun reliability and upscale resort feel, but with the added bonus of world-class Red Sea snorkelling and diving.

Nearby Hurghada adds even more choice, it offers a slightly more vibrant, larger-scale resort experience with direct access to the open Red Sea, bigger aqua parks, lively entertainment, and easy boat trips to the Giftun Islands for superb snorkelling and diving. Sharm El Sheikh (a little further south) also provides excellent family options with some of the region’s most impressive aqua parks.

Sunshine You Can Count On

While the UK shivers, El Gouna and Hurghada offer dependable warmth and very low rainfall:

  • November: highs around 26–28°C, sea ~25°C
  • December: highs around 24°C, sea ~23°C
  • January: highs around 22°C, sea ~22°C
  • February: highs around 23°C, sea ~22°C
  • March: highs around 25°C, sea ~23°C

The sea stays invitingly warm for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports right through Easter. Perfect for hassle-free beach holidays when other destinations feel uncertain.

Great Value For Money

One of the biggest advantages is the outstanding value compared to traditional winter sun spots. A week’s all-inclusive holiday here for a couple or family is frequently 30-50% less expensive than comparable packages in Dubai/Abu Dhabi or the Canary Islands, while often offering more generous inclusions.

Something For Everyone With Excellent All-Inclusive Options

El Gouna balances relaxation and activity beautifully. Families enjoy the calm, shallow lagoons ideal for young children, plus kids’ clubs and pools. Couples love the romantic marina dining, beach clubs, and serene atmosphere.

A big draw at the moment is the strong range of true all-inclusive packages across both areas, which keep things simple and great value for clients wanting worry-free beach breaks.

In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, families particularly love the aqua park hotels, which deliver non-stop fun with extensive water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and multiple pools; all included in the all-inclusive rate.

Sharm El Sheikh has seen some impressive developments recently, with resorts like the Rixos Premium Seagate (and its dedicated Family Seagate Aqua section) standing out for their large, thrilling aqua parks featuring dozens of slides, towers, and family-friendly zones.

These resorts also excel with their spacious room setups, including large family rooms (often with separate sleeping areas) and affordable two-bedroom suites or family bungalows that comfortably sleep 4–6 people, complete with extra living space, balconies or terraces, and added privacy. This makes them ideal for bigger families or multi-generational trips without breaking the bank.

We particularly rate the Rixos, JAZ, and Steigenberger hotel brands. All three have multiple excellent properties across the Red Sea coast, so we can recommend the one that best matches your brief, whether you’re after family fun, luxury, or a more relaxed vibe.

A nice recent addition for extended families travelling together is the Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle (Adults Only) in Hurghada. This stylish, all-suites boutique hotel is connected to the larger Steigenberger ALDAU Beach resort, allowing grandparents seeking a bit of sanctuary to enjoy a peaceful, adults-only atmosphere while still having easy access to the family hotel’s pools, beach, restaurants, and facilities.

Hotels & Dining

El Gouna has around 18 hotels ranging from boutique luxury to large family resorts. Here are some current standout options:

Luxury Highlight:

  • The Chedi El Gouna — A stunning, high-end resort with beautiful Asian-inspired design, private beach, sublime pools, and impeccable service. While it focuses on à la carte dining and flexible meal plans (breakfast or seasonal half-board), many clients love combining it with the town’s excellent marina restaurants for a refined, customised stay.

Adults-Only Favourites:

  • Cook’s Club El Gouna — Modern, vibrant beach and lagoon club with its own private beach and jetty. Lively yet chic, with great food, drinks, and atmosphere. Ideal for couples.
  • Three Corners Ocean View Hotel (Prestige) — Elegant marina location with panoramic views, pools, and strong all-inclusive dining.

Family-Friendly Standouts In El Gouna:

  • Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna — Reliable beachfront classic with multiple pools, kids’ club, family rooms, and solid all-inclusive service.
  • Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna — Beautiful lagoon and marina setting with private beach areas, several pools, and good variety (including dine-around options).
  • Panorama Bungalows Resort El Gouna — Excellent value all-inclusive with a private island where food and drinks are included. A favourite for families.
  • Three Corners Rihana Resort — Action-packed family option close to the town centre with pools, entertainment, and reliable all-inclusive packages.

With over 100 restaurants and bars across El Gouna (many participating in dine-around programmes), you’ll enjoy everything from fresh Egyptian seafood to international cuisine, far more variety than a standard resort buffet. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh add even more dining choice within the larger resorts.

Quirky, Sustainable & Welcoming

El Gouna’s charm lies in the details: electric tuk-tuks, strong environmental initiatives, and cultural events such as the El Gouna Film Festival. The gated exclusivity keeps it feeling safe, clean, and relaxed, promising a fresh, modern take on winter sun that feels different from the usual offerings.

If you’re ready to escape the UK weather and chase some proper warm Red Sea sun at great value, get in touch! Give us a call on 01902 288104, send us an email or book a holiday planning appointment today!