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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at more than 8,000 hotels worldwide is with the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card). It is also possible to earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.
To learn everything about earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for free hotel stays, follow our guides:
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