Should I book a pool view or pool access room at an Egyptian resort?

In the pool-access buildings, room categories are typically split by floor: standard rooms are usually on the 1st floor, while superior rooms are on the 2nd. If you book a standard on a roulette basis, you may end up facing the road, so if poolside placement matters, it’s better to confirm it in advance or be ready to pay extra at check-in.

Paying extra for a private or shared pool-access room is not always worth it: guests were quoted about $20 more per day at reception, roughly $300 for a holiday, yet the private pools by these rooms often seem barely used.

If you want a better-located building but not necessarily a pool-access room, a basic room can be enough with an on-site upgrade: one guest paid $80 for 11 days and got early check-in, a sea view, and the nearest building. It helps to point out your preferred building and even floor on the hotel map at reception, as those requests may be honored.

In some buildings, pool access may not be especially useful because a large public pool is only about 15 meters away and is often quiet, with plenty of free loungers.

Pool view rooms are good throughout the resort, but for more privacy, rooms near the Cactus bar are a quieter and more secluded option.

Swimming in the pool after closing hours is strictly off-limits — staff won't allow it regardless of tips or negotiations. Pools are cleaned with electrical equipment at night, making it genuinely dangerous.

If being close to the main pool matters, book a Deluxe main pool view room upfront — it's cheaper than upgrading later and avoids hassle. That said, budget rooms often receive free upgrades at check-in, so overpaying for a higher category isn't always necessary.