Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort Review | Marriott Bonvoy

Item: Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort
Rating: 7
Author: Jean-François Léveillé

The Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort is not the most spectacular hotel in Egypt, but its position directly on the marina makes it an almost perfect base for Red Sea diving. After a stay focused on a week-long cruise aboard a liveaboard, here is my honest review of this Marriott Bonvoy resort.

In this detailed review, I share my complete experience: booking with Marriott Bonvoy points, suite upgrade thanks to Titanium status, room, restaurants, facilities, and diving cruise departing from the marina. To accumulate points for this type of stay, also consult our selection of the best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$120	Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months Up to 70,000 points After $3,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare

Booking and points rates

With our boat directly moored at the Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort dock, choosing this hotel was a natural fit. We opted to arrive two days in advance, both to absorb any potential baggage delays (always a risk with diving equipment in checked luggage) and to acclimate to the time difference before an intensive week at sea. A simple approach that removes a lot of stress at the start of a trip.

At the time of our stay, rates were around $130 USD or 14,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, which represents very good value in this hotel category. The cost in points generally varies between 13,000 and 24,000 points per night, depending on the season.

Element	Value
Cash Rate (per night)	≈ $130 USD
Points Cost (per night)	14,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Milesopedia Value of 14,000 points	≈ $126 CAD
Seasonal Range	13,000 to 24,000 points per night
Room Obtained	“Cupid” Suite (Titanium upgrade)

Thanks to my Titanium Elite status, we were upgraded to a “Cupid” suite, a more spacious configuration that clearly improved the comfort of the stay, especially with all our diving equipment.

Location and arrival at the hotel

The hotel is located about fifteen minutes from Hurghada International Airport, making it a very convenient option for both arrival and departure. But the real advantage here is its location directly on the marina. For a diving trip, it’s hard to make it simpler: on the day of boarding, you literally just walk a few minutes to reach the boat.

Contrary to what one might think for this type of resort, it is also possible to go out and walk around the area. We did so without difficulty, and the experience is quite pleasant, which adds a bit of flexibility to the stay.

Arrival and Check-in

Arrival was simple and efficient, with attentive and well-practiced service. We also obtained a late checkout without difficulty, which proved particularly useful since our cruise boarding was scheduled for late afternoon. This kind of flexibility makes a real difference in this type of logistics.

“Cupid” Suite: Functional Comfort

The “Cupid” suite offers generous space, with a distinct lounge, a bedroom enclosed by glass French doors, and a Juliet balcony overlooking the marina and the sea. The whole is comfortable and functional, with good natural light and, above all, pleasant air circulation when the doors are open to the outside.

That said, the room’s style remains clearly dated. The furniture is heavy, the woodwork very prominent, and the overall look lacks modernity. Nothing problematic in itself, but it’s far from a contemporary or inspiring product. It’s a room that perfectly fulfills its function, without trying to impress.

Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort – Suite – Room 01

Bathroom

The bathroom follows the same logic as the rest of the suite: functional and well-maintained, without any particular quest for modernity. The space remains sufficient for two travelers and their equipment.

Restaurants and Dining

The dining options are well-structured and easily cover on-site meals, which is convenient for a short stay. Breakfast is comprehensive and well-executed, with enough variety to meet expectations. We also tried the dinner options, which proved solid, without being particularly outstanding.

Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort – Breakfast Restaurant 01

There is no dedicated lounge, but a 5 to 7 type formula is offered to elite members, with non-alcoholic drinks and small bites in the central atrium. The experience is pleasant, even if it remains quite simple. The Tuscany restaurant completes the dinner offerings.

Services and Facilities

The resort offers a particularly comprehensive range of facilities, which is one of its strong points. The whole really gives the impression of a complete resort, well beyond a simple transit hotel.

Pools, Beach, and Islet

The main pool is large, heated, and well-appointed, with numerous sun loungers allowing full enjoyment of the surroundings. The hotel opens directly onto the sea, with access to a pleasant private beach. A small bridge even leads to an islet equipped with additional sun loungers, which adds an interesting touch to the whole. In March, the sea temperature was around 22 degrees Celsius, which is swimmable, but rather cool.

Heated main pool, open to the Red Sea.

Private beach and islet accessible by a small bridge.

Annex, Gym, and Yoga

The complex also includes an annex accessible via a footbridge over the road. There you’ll find a second, quieter pool, a large fitness room, and a yoga studio.

Annex fitness room.

Around the Hotel

Hurghada is primarily a seaside destination, with less interest for cultural exploration than Luxor, for example. In this context, the hotel mainly functions as a logistical base before or after a main activity, such as a diving cruise. That said, the surroundings remain accessible, and it is possible to move around easily, especially on foot for short distances. To plan your entire trip, consult our complete travel guide to Egypt.

The surroundings of Hurghada, accessible on foot.

Diving Cruise from the Marina

For many travelers, the Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort primarily serves as a starting point for a Red Sea diving cruise. The marina located directly in front of the hotel makes logistics extremely simple: on the day of boarding, you just walk a few minutes to reach your boat. The Red Sea is also recognized as one of the best diving destinations in the world, a point we detail in our article on the 10 best scuba diving sites with points.

For our part, we took our cruise aboard the Altaïr vessel from Diving Attitude, a French-speaking operator renowned for its Red Sea cruises. The experience on board was exceptional: very professional organization, passionate guides, and a friendly atmosphere. The entire cruise takes place in French, which greatly facilitates exchanges and diving briefings. If you are considering a diving cruise departing from Hurghada, this is clearly an option we recommend.

Diving cruise aboard the Altaïr from Diving Attitude, departing from the marina.

Pros and Cons of the Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort

Strengths

Direct access to the marina: liveaboard boarding just a few minutes’ walk away
Comprehensive facilities: two pools, private beach, islet, gym, and yoga
Excellent value for money: 14,000 points per night for a beach resort
Simple logistics: 15 minutes from the airport, late checkout easily granted

Weaknesses

Dated rooms: heavy furniture and old-fashioned style
Average culinary offering: decent, but nothing truly outstanding
Little interest as a destination in itself: mainly relevant before or after an activity

Overall impression and final rating

The Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort is a consistent, well-positioned hotel particularly relevant in the context of a diving trip. It does not aim to offer a striking high-end experience, but it fulfills its role very well: providing a comfortable environment, comprehensive facilities, and simple logistics.

Its location, directly linked to diving activities, is clearly its main asset. Added to this are a beautiful pool, a pleasant beach, and excellent value for money. On the other hand, the outdated style of the rooms and an average culinary experience limit its potential as a destination in itself.

A functional and well-located resort, ideal before a diving cruise departing from Hurghada. Comfortable and complete, without a real “wow” factor, but in this specific context, I would return without hesitation.
Jean-François Léveillé, Milesopedia contributor

To maximize this type of experience, check out our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada, and more specifically the Marriott Bonvoy cards, which allow you to earn points quickly for this kind of stay.

Earn Marriott Bonvoy points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at more than 8,000 hotels worldwide is to hold the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card). You can also earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.

To learn all about earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for free hotel stays, check out our guides:

Compare

Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,210

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort – Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a night at the Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort cost in Marriott Bonvoy points?

The points rate generally varies between 13,000 and 24,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, depending on the season. During our stay, a night cost 14,000 points or approximately $130 USD.

Is the hotel well-located for a diving cruise?

Yes, it’s even one of its best uses. It is located directly on the marina and about 15 minutes from Hurghada airport, which greatly simplifies logistics, rest, and boarding.

What are the main facilities of the resort?

Heated main pool, private beach, equipped islet, second pool in the annex, fitness room, and yoga studio.

Is the dining quality good?

Good and reliable, with a comprehensive breakfast and several dinner options, without being particularly outstanding. A 5 to 7 formula is offered to elite members in the central atrium.

Is the Hurghada Marriott a destination in itself?

No, it is more of a functional hotel, ideal at the beginning or end of a stay, but not a destination in itself. Hurghada is primarily a seaside resort, unlike Luxor and its cultural richness.

Which credit cards allow you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada?

In Canada, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card are the two options dedicated to the program. To compare all options, see our guide to the best Marriott Bonvoy cards.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$120	Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months Up to 70,000 points After $3,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare

Booking and points rates

Element	Value
Cash Rate (per night)	≈ $130 USD
Points Cost (per night)	14,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Milesopedia Value of 14,000 points	≈ $126 CAD
Seasonal Range	13,000 to 24,000 points per night
Room Obtained	“Cupid” Suite (Titanium upgrade)

Thanks to my Titanium Elite status, we were upgraded to a “Cupid” suite, a more spacious configuration that clearly improved the comfort of the stay, especially with all our diving equipment.