Best budget 5-star hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh — honest reviews

One traveler had booked Regina hotel, but the tour operator reported overbooking on arrival and placed them in Sunny Days instead — they stayed there the whole week.

When booking some budget 5-star hotels, you can choose the meal plan at booking time — standard all inclusive (AI) or upgraded ultra all inclusive (UAI).

A guest who stayed on the second line last year notes it's calm and relaxed, while the first line has more activity and buzz; if returning, they'd choose the second line again.

Price example: a budget 5-star stay for 2 people over 8 nights cost about 97,000 RUB; the travelers didn't expect a 'wow' experience since this was their third trip to Sharm this year, with another planned in November.

For a family of four, standard rooms in a budget 5-star can feel cramped, with little free space beyond the beds. A more practical option is a two-bedroom room in the second-line section if space matters more than being closer to the beach.

At one budget 5-star hotel in Sharm, seafront/first-line placement is not guaranteed: it is more often offered when the second-line section is overbooked or as a perk for repeat guests. If you are offered a free move, confirm the room view first — some rooms face construction, the road, or a guard post.

At Jaz Palmariva, 120 of 339 rooms were renovated in 2023. Guests booking a Superior Garden View room may be placed in Block A, which has older rooms with uncontrollable air conditioning, dated plumbing, and midges. The renovated rooms are in Block B (on the left). It's worth specifying the block at check-in to avoid having to request a room change.

Sentido hotel (Sharm el-Sheikh): rooms are dated but cosy — ground-floor rooms with a terrace and side beds for children are available. Food quality is good in the Sentido building, simpler in the adjacent Reef (rated 4-star). A shuttle runs between buildings. The rock-shaped water park was impressive in its day but now needs renovation. The beach transitions quickly to reef — sea urchins and rays come close to shore.

Long Beach Hotel impressed enough for a repeat visit — the family switched their booking from another hotel when the price dropped. Excellent value compared to other 5-star properties; a 20-day stay went very well.

Aladdin Hotel is a solid pick if you don't need easy city access. The reef is present but not spectacular — fine for casual snorkelers. Rooms are dated but the overall experience is good.

A budget first-line hotel in Nabq cost around 200,000 RUB (~$2,200) for 4 people for 7 nights. Realistically it's more of a 4-star: rooms are dated and haven't been renovated in years. The main draw is the beachfront location.

Food at budget 5-star hotels is basic buffet style: fish, meat, and chicken daily. You won't go hungry, but don't expect seafood. Watermelon and melon are always available — a nice touch. Alcohol quality is poor: wine is undrinkable, beer is average, whisky with cola is passable.