Private itineraries in Alexandria
Choosing a hotel in Alexandria depends directly on your interests and the kind of holiday you want
For some, it will be a relaxing stay with a sea view, while for others it will be a packed sightseeing program and active walks around the city
Most of Alexandria’s hotels are located along the famous Corniche waterfront and offer stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and, partly, of the city itself. However, it’s important to keep in mind one particular feature of Alexandria - the waterfront is alive almost 24 hours a day. Traffic noise never really stops, day or night, so even good double-glazed windows don’t always shield you from the rhythm of the city. If quiet and complete privacy matter to you, staying on the waterfront may not be the most comfortable option
But this location also has its undeniable advantages. Waterfront hotels are ideal for sightseeing programs around Alexandria. In the evening it’s especially pleasant to walk along the sea, watch city life unfold, or take a taxi - or even one of the local trams - to the colonial part of Alexandria, where the atmosphere of the old Mediterranean can still be felt
Many hotels in Alexandria occupy historic buildings with a special atmosphere and character all their own
One of my favorite and most recommended options is Le Metropole Alexandria
The hotel is housed in a magnificent 1902 building and literally transports guests back to the era of European Alexandria in the early 20th century
On the ground floor of the building there’s a cozy bakery where you can try delicious desserts and enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee. The antique elevator inside the hotel deserves special mention - it’s a real highlight of Le Metropole and one of those rare details that create the place’s unique mood
The hotel’s terrace offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea, and the sunsets here are especially beautiful. Evening events are often held on this very terrace: live bands, belly dancing, musical evenings, and parties. The hotel offers a solid level of comfort, and room rates depend on the season and occupancy.
A second hotel of similar level and category is Steigenberger Cecil Hotel Alexandria
It’s also housed in a historic building and has the special atmosphere of old Alexandria. The interiors are decorated in a classic style, with plenty of antiques and historical details throughout the hotel. On the downside, there’s no terrace. But this minor drawback is fully made up for by the wonderful breakfasts and the overall sense of aristocratic elegance
A third hotel in this category is Windsor Palace Hotel Alexandria
It’s also located on the waterfront, in an old building. The hotel has its own terrace with beautiful views, though in terms of service and comfort it falls slightly short of Le Metropole and Steigenberger Cecil
The most luxurious hotel in the city was and remains the Four Seasons
Recently, booking systems have started offering apartments within the hotel building, which are priced considerably lower than the regular hotel rooms
10 reasons to fall in love with Alexandria
If you’re looking at more budget-friendly places to stay on Alexandria’s waterfront, it’s worth considering Romance Alexandria Hotel and San Giovanni Stanley Hotel
I especially want to highlight the San Giovanni Stanley Hotel
Even though the hotel is small and no longer new, it has its own special charm and a very convenient location. The hotel sits right next to one of Alexandria’s most beautiful landmarks - the famous Stanley Bridge
From the hotel’s terrace there’s a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea and the bridge itself, which looks especially beautiful in the evening when it’s lit up. Some rooms face the sea, others face the city. Thanks to its atmosphere and location, this hotel remains a very worthy option in its price category
The area around the royal Montaza Park deserves special attention - it’s one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in Alexandria
Many guests choose to stay in this particular part of the city, and it really is a wonderful choice for a peaceful, comfortable holiday, but keep in mind that Montaza Park is quite far from Alexandria’s historic center and the city’s main sights, so this location may not be the most convenient for an active sightseeing program
Montaza’s main advantage is its completely distinctive atmosphere. It’s much quieter, calmer, and cozier here than in central Alexandria. This place is perfect for those who want to enjoy tranquility, walks by the sea, and a more unhurried pace of rest
Most hotels in the Montaza area have magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea and offer a high level of service. Almost all of the hotels here are new, five-star category, with very good quality of service. This category of hotels can quite fairly be classified as premium
But you should understand that daily trips to the sights and the historic city center will take quite a lot of time, which is why Montaza works especially well if you’ve already completed your sightseeing program and want to spend a few more days in Alexandria in a calmer seaside atmosphere
Among the best-known hotels in this area are the Helnan Palestine Hotel, several hotels of the Rixos Montaza Alexandria chain
As well as the new Helnan Palace Hotel Montazah
There’s one more very important point to keep in mind when choosing a hotel in Alexandria. Within the city itself, swimming at the open public beaches in the usual tourist format - in swimsuits - is practically impossible. This has to do with local rules and the conservative character of the city
For a proper beach holiday, it’s better to either head outside the city - for example, to the Agami area - or choose a hotel with its own private, enclosed beach area
But there really aren’t many such hotels in Alexandria
Within the city, the Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano has its own beach
A beach holiday is also possible at the Sunrise Alex Avenue Hotel, though this hotel is most often booked directly through the front desk, as it’s practically not listed on the popular booking platforms
As for the Montaza area, the Helnan Palestine Hotel and one of the Rixos Montaza Alexandria hotels also have direct access to the sea and allow for comfortable swimming
Among the newer city hotels, the XU San Stefano Hotel Alexandria is worth mentioning
The hotel has been given a 5-star rating, though in my opinion it doesn’t quite reach a true luxury level. Still, it has everything necessary for a comfortable stay
Its main advantage is its beachfront location
The hotel offers apartments and rooms with sea views, has its own stretch of shoreline, the option to swim, and the chance to enjoy stunning views of the sea and sunsets from the café on the hotel grounds
However, the hotel also has a significant downside worth keeping in mind when booking. There is a café on the grounds that’s open not only to hotel guests but to anyone. And given that Egyptians love their nightlife, the café stays open until around two in the morning. All visitors walk past the rooms both on their way to the café and back, which can make evenings and nights fairly noisy and not always comfortable for resting
Among the modern waterfront hotels, the Hilton Alexandria Corniche and Sheraton Montazah Hotel are also worth mentioning
Both hotels offer a good level of service, modern rooms, and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea
However, when choosing these hotels, it’s important to consider their location. They’re quite far from Alexandria’s historic center, closer to the Montaza area - essentially in the most remote part of the city. For a relaxed stay this can be a perfectly comfortable option, but for an active sightseeing program the location isn’t the most convenient
The main problem is constant traffic jams along the Corniche waterfront. Congestion is especially heavy in the morning and evening, when traffic in Alexandria practically comes to a standstill. Because of this, the drive from the hotel to the main sights can take quite a long time
So if you have a packed schedule of trips and excursions, this location may somewhat dampen the overall impression of your stay and wear you out with constant travel across the city
A VERY IMPORTANT POINT!!
On Booking.com you’ll often come across attractive price offers marked Only for Egyptians
Please note that foreigners cannot book these offers, and at the hotel you’ll be asked to pay the difference, which can sometimes be a considerable amount!!