‘It’s an overlooked gem for cheap luxury’ – the African lagoon island with four-star hotels for £50 a night
IN this week’s Spotlight on column, we’re shining the spotlight on El Gouna, near Egypt’s most popular resorts.
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited the resort recently.
She said: “When I talk to friends about going to Egypt, they mainly head to Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada.
“But El Gouna – just 30 minutes from Hurghada – feels like a bargain place for some five-star luxury.
“A man-made lagoon, the gated island offers safety for any nervous travellers, while the hotels are insanely cheap without scrimping/
“I spent my days chilling at Cook’s Club, which is just £50 a night, and is right on the waterfront.
“Live DJs, beach umbrellas and swings, and a huge pool as well meant it was one of the most relaxing holidays ever.”
Here are some of our other top picks.
MUST SEE/DO
This part of the world is home to some beautiful desert landscapes and the best way to take it all in is on an adrenaline-pumping quad bike tour.
Alex Safari offers excellent excursions for £46pp, taking holidaymakers across the Wadi Billy (Dry Canyon), one of the world’s largest canyons, before venturing to a Bedouin desert village for traditional Egyptian grub and tea.
HIDDEN GEM
Tandoor in Abu Tig Marina is loved by locals but you won’t find many other tourists dining here.
The fusion restaurant dishes up some of the best authentic north Indian cuisine with impressive views of the yacht marina.
Visit on a Monday or Thursday, when you’ll be able to enjoy live music with your dinner.
BEST VIEW
The golf tower at the Steigenberger Golf Resort really does have some of the best sweeping views of El Gouna’s mountain range, winding lagoons and the Red Sea.
Make sure to head there at sunset, when you will not only see the landscape bathed in an orange glow, but also get to enjoy celebrations that take place daily at the top of the tower.
Sip on top-notch cocktails and listen to tunes from a DJ while soaking up the epic scenes.
RATED RESTAURANT
Nihon, a rooftop Japanese restaurant at The Chedi hotel, has foodies returning time and time again for its delicately crafted sushi.
Diners can tuck into creative sushi rolls such as the Red Devil, a passion fruit, salmon and crab meat maki, rolled up with cream cheese and avocado.
Or there are sashimi, gyozas and Asian salads. Make sure to stay for a cocktail, too, which you can sip while admiring views of the Red Sea.
BEST BAR
You won’t regret venturing a little further to the Tap South, right on the Abu Tig marina in Hurghada.
It attracts a chic crowd, who come to watch the boats bobbing in the bay, but stay for the vast drinks menu and live music.
Singers and bands perform throughout the week and it’s a great spot to warm up before hitting El Gouna’s largest nightclub, Aurora.
It has locally produced wine, colourful cocktails and gastro-pub favourites.
HOTEL PICK
There’s a reason the Casa Cook brand is popular among Brits.
It offers trendy interiors, comfortable beds and great food at bargain prices – and the one in El Gouna is no exception.
Surrounded by beach and desert, the 5H adults-only Casa Cook offers a traditional Nubian design, blending earthy grey tones with rustic wooden features and modern amenities.
On site there is a spa with a pool, two saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools plus a hammam, beach club and even a kiteboarding centre.
Double rooms cost from £85pp per night. See casacook.com.