The first hotel we will investigate in this series is the four star Arabella located in Hurghada and operated by Iberotel. Hurghada is a very popular beach resort community located on the Egyptian mainland Red Sea coast. For many Europeans particularly, it is one of the most economical choices for a warm beach vacation. This is a city that is not only known for good Red Sea scuba diving, but also carries a bit of a party town reputation among the younger set. Therefore, a wide variety of hotels exists covering the complete price spectrum. Some facilities are very normal, offering standard but reasonable accommodations to those who will most likely find their entertainment elsewhere.  On the other extreme are the hotels that offer simply everything, and where guests have very little inclination to leave the facility grounds. Regardless, hotels in Hurghada in general range between three and five-plus stars.

Interestingly, the Iberotel chain offers a mix of hotels in or near Hurgada that fall into the four and five star ranges. This is interesting because many chains build hotels, for example, that are exclusively five star, but with Iberotel, one has a choice. 

While some of our readers may have never heard of Iberotel hotels, we should first note that the company is a part of the world's largest tourism corporation, the TUI Group. The chain originally began doing business in 1970 and expanded their operation to Egypt in 1994. By the year 2000, they were operating twelve different facilities in Egypt and Turkey. Today, Iberotel operates four hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, one in Marsa Alam, the Arabella in Hurghada, and five more hotels at Makadi Bay near Hurghada. 

Left: A standard room

Providing superior holiday destinations in Egypt, Iberotel effectively blends traditional hospitality and local structural design with a very high level of luxury. Furthermore, In all its establishments, Iberotel strongly emphasizes environmental protection and quality
standards. Winning several prominent green awards, Iberotel's unceasingly eco-friendly efforts have, at numerous times,  bore fruits. 

The Arabella, Iberotel's first hotel in Egypt, is located directly on the beach of the Red Sea about three kilometers from Hurghada's city center and about ten kilometers from the local airport. A fair sized hotel, this four star facility includes 294 double rooms and a wide variety of entertainment and sports diversions. 

Right: The Arabella private beach

While many vacationers may not see much of their rooms for all the available outside activities, nevertheless the accommodations feature most every convenience one might expect in even a five star hotel.  All of the rooms at this hotel are well air-conditioned, and include a telephone along with a private bathroom with shower, and for that evening in, satellite color TV. Each room also features a balcony or terrace with either a sea pool or garden view, great for an morning breakfast or a late evening libation. But for many, little time will be spent sitting about in the room.

Doubtless, many people will spend some of their time at this hotel along their private beach amongst the thatched huts, soaking up sun with a drink in hand.  But getting active is easy, with two tennis courts, four squash courts, a fitness room, a volleyball court, and any number of water sports, including surfing, sailing, snorkeling and of course, scuba diving. The scuba diving center is operated by Blue-Water-Dive, where one may also receive instructions leading to PADI, SSI and CMAS certification. 

If somewhat less strenuous activities are called for, there is also table tennis, billiards, and of course, the two large swimming pools.

But don't head back to the room yet. As the evening casts a warm glow on the gentle Red Sea, the evening entertainment is just beginning. After a day full of activities, perhaps a relaxing dinner with a number of restaurants to choose from.  Four different buffet restaurants, called the Obba, Caio, Grill and Cateanos await you, or you may also choose from the Little Venice pool restaurant, the Oasis beach restaurant or the Bierkeller, offering German cuisine.  

Left: One of the main restaurants

Now its time to choose between live music, dancing and various shows including folkloric and an animation (stage) show. If a little less structured nightlife is in order, rather than the disco, one may also choose the pool bar, the beach bar, a reef bar or the main El Khan Bar.

In addition, there is no need to worry about bringing along the whole family.  For smaller children, there is a children's swimming pool, a mini-club, playground and various programs for children during the day, as well as an available babysitting service. 

Right: A pub in the Arabella

Putting it all together, the Arabella Hotel is a reasonably priced complex where one may spend a few days or a few weeks with never a hint of boredom. Certainly one may venture into the nightlife of the main city, but for many, there will be little reason to do so, as this hotel provides just about every sort of entertainment. 

Contact Information:

Arabella Hotel

Reservations
Huyrghada, Red Sea, Egypt

Phone: +20 6 554-5086
Fax: +20 6 554-5090

Email: info@iberotelarabella.com