Excellent Surprise and other Alexandria, Egypt Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Stayed here this past July on a whim during a break from Cairo (spent several months in Egypt) after briefly researching hotels online, finding this hotel happened to have the cheapest rates and seemed near to the beach. An older version of Fodor's described this hotel under its previous management (Ramada I believe) as being a disastrous mess with these bells that sounded like air-raid sirens. Very wrong.

Hotel was totally renovated in 2004, and is GORGEOUS with all the amenities. Hotel staff, like most staff in Egypt, is incredibly helpful and hospitable with excellent English skill. The hotel restaurants are pricey, as usual, as is the shop, so steer clear, but at least there is the convenience factor if you don't want to go out into the city. Also, awesome pool on the rooftop and wonderful, fully-equipped gym along with sauna, steam room, the works. All of which were totally EMPTY when I was there for some reason. Additionally, rooms are spacious, new and there is internet access, for a fee, surprise, surprise. You have to walk across the street to reach the hotel's PRIVATE strip of sand (substantial, with changing areas and bar and small restaurant, with towel boys and lifeguard). This was the winning feature for me on this hotel, as all I really looked to do was relax on the beach. You are sandwiched between other beach clubs, which are packed on either side, the Renaissance's lot is empty basically. Men will gawk at women though on the other side, so I stuck to a tee shirt over my swimsuit and it was a constant verbal battle between the lifeguard and men on the other strip of sand.

The downside? Location. It's out of the way, on Sidi Bishr, and about twenty minutes from the downtown and fifteen to the train station by taxi. You can stroll the Corniche at night which is buzzing like mad and there are numerous restaurants parallel to the beach, but not much compared to other parts of Alex. So, if you are looking for beach and relaxation and don't mind a hike into town, go for the Renaissance.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 20-3-549-0935
Address: 544 Ave El Geish At Sidi Bishr

Awesome. Stayed here this past July on a whim during a break from Cairo (spent several months in Egypt) after briefly researching hotels online, finding this hotel happened to have the cheapest rates and seemed near to the beach. An older version of Fodor's described this hotel under its previous management (Ramada I believe) as being a disastrous mess with these bells that sounded like air-raid sirens. Very wrong.

Hotel was totally renovated in 2004, and is GORGEOUS with all the amenities. Hotel staff, like most staff in Egypt, is incredibly helpful and hospitable with excellent English skill. The hotel restaurants are pricey, as usual, as is the shop, so steer clear, but at least there is the convenience factor if you don't want to go out into the city. Also, awesome pool on the rooftop and wonderful, fully-equipped gym along with sauna, steam room, the works. All of which were totally EMPTY when I was there for some reason. Additionally, rooms are spacious, new and there is internet access, for a fee, surprise, surprise. You have to walk across the street to reach the hotel's PRIVATE strip of sand (substantial, with changing areas and bar and small restaurant, with towel boys and lifeguard). This was the winning feature for me on this hotel, as all I really looked to do was relax on the beach. You are sandwiched between other beach clubs, which are packed on either side, the Renaissance's lot is empty basically. Men will gawk at women though on the other side, so I stuck to a tee shirt over my swimsuit and it was a constant verbal battle between the lifeguard and men on the other strip of sand.

The downside? Location. It's out of the way, on Sidi Bishr, and about twenty minutes from the downtown and fifteen to the train station by taxi. You can stroll the Corniche at night which is buzzing like mad and there are numerous restaurants parallel to the beach, but not much compared to other parts of Alex. So, if you are looking for beach and relaxation and don't mind a hike into town, go for the Renaissance.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 20-3-549-0935
Address: 544 Ave El Geish At Sidi Bishr