The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is a popular choice for travellers who want to experience the beauty of the Red Sea in Egypt. As part of the renowned Hilton Group, the hotel combines a versatile all-inclusive offer with stunning access to nature - especially the colourful house reef right on the hotel beach. In this review, we share our impressions of our stay, including highlights such as snorkelling on the reef, the various pools and the culinary offerings. Find out if this resort is the perfect place for your next holiday!
Booking, arrival and check-in
As always, we booked our stay at the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort directly via the Hilton website. This booking option has many advantages, especially for Hilton status members. Firstly, direct booking often offers the best price and allows you to take advantage of status benefits such as room upgrades or free breakfast. In addition, the overnight stays count towards the status and valuable points are collected which can be redeemed for future free nights with the Hilton Group. Alternatively, the resort can also be booked as a package holiday via various tour operators. With this option, however, the Hilton status benefits are not guaranteed, which can be a decisive disadvantage for frequent travellers.
We travelled individually from Cairo to Marsa Alam airport with Egyptair. After landing, we used a private transfer that took us directly to the resort in around 25 minutes. This short transfer time is a plus point for travellers who want to start their holiday quickly.
Check-in went smoothly as we had already checked in beforehand via the Hilton app. We were originally allocated a smoking room, but we were able to decline this in advance via the chat function. Instead, we were upgraded to a King Deluxe Sea View room. Given the high occupancy rate of the hotel, as stated on the Hilton website, this upgrade was more than acceptable. The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is an all-inclusive hotel that can also be booked with half board. As all-inclusive guests, we were given the obligatory wristbands at check-in to indicate which board option we had booked. As Hilton Diamond members, we were given a black wristband, which comes with additional benefits, which I will go into in more detail later.
Where is the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort located?
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is located on the beautiful Red Sea coast in Egypt, about 30 kilometres south of Marsa Alam International Airport. Nestled in a picturesque bay, directly on Abu Dabbab Bay, the resort is known for its fine sandy beach and crystal clear waters. The region is a paradise for snorkellers and divers, as the house reef and the surrounding coral reefs are among the best diving areas in Egypt.
What are the rooms like at the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort?
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort impresses with its extensive hotel complex, which is spread over several buildings. The charming bungalows are mostly one or two storeys high and, depending on their location, offer either a view of the sea or the well-tended gardens. We were lucky enough to get an upgrade to a King Deluxe Sea View room in building 33, which is located in the second row to the beach and therefore offers a beautiful sea view.
Our room was on the second floor and immediately impressed us with its large balcony, which was perfect for relaxing. The balcony was furnished with comfortable chairs, a sofa and a small coffee table - ideal for ending the day with a coffee or a glass of wine. The room itself is very spacious at 40 square metres and offers more than enough space for a relaxing stay. The large king-size bed promises good sleeping comfort, even if it is a little outdated. The squeaking and shaking with every movement didn't bother us at night. The furnishings with armchair and ottoman as well as an additional sofa invite you to linger. There is also a small table and a sideboard with a TV on it.
There is a large wardrobe in the entrance area, which offers plenty of storage space and is equipped with a safe, an empty minibar and a tea station. Here, guests can safely store their valuables and enjoy a hot drink at any time. The bathroom is also spacious and has a large walk-in shower, which makes the showering experience particularly pleasant. The shelf space at the washbasin could be a little larger. The bathroom is completed by a toilet and a bidet.
On the whole, the room was clean and well-maintained, even if it was showing signs of age. The loud air conditioning was a particular negative. We had to switch it off at night due to the volume, which meant that it was often too warm in the room. Despite this small drawback, the room at the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort offered everything you need for a relaxing holiday.
How is the food at the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort?
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is a classic holiday hotel for all-inclusive guests. Those who book through a tour operator usually automatically receive an all-inclusive package. Guests who book directly with Hilton, on the other hand, can choose between various catering options, including half board.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served buffet style in the main restaurant Marsa. Here guests will find a solid selection of salads, bread, pastries, fruit and hot dishes such as egg dishes or pancakes. The variety is sufficient, even if there are no particular highlights on offer. Breakfast provides a good basis for the day, especially for those planning excursions or an active day at the beach.
Lunch and dinner
Lunch and dinner are served buffet-style in the Marsa restaurant. The menu changes daily and offers a mixture of international and local dishes. However, the menus repeat themselves after a week at the latest. Fresh salads, hot main courses, bread and fruit will fill you up. Nevertheless, the overall culinary experience remains unspectacular - perfect for families or guests who do not expect haute cuisine.
Snacks for in between
In addition to the main restaurant, there are two snack bars, one by the main pool and one on the beach. Small dishes such as pizza, sandwiches and other snacks are offered here at lunchtime and in the afternoon. The offer changes regularly. We particularly liked the offer on the beach, as the selection and quality were slightly better than in the main restaurant.
Bars and drinks
There are several bars on the hotel grounds that offer all-inclusive guests a selection of drinks from early morning until midnight. Alcoholic drinks are also served from 11 a.m., but only local products such as beer, wine and spirits. Various cocktails, mocktails and long drinks are also on offer. It must be said that the juices are not branded quality.
The culinary offering at the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is generally satisfactory and covers the needs of all-inclusive holidaymakers. However, those looking for an exceptional gastronomic experience are unlikely to find what they are looking for here. On the other hand, the resort scores with uncomplicated catering and a variety of food and drink options, which are available from morning until midnight.
What does the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort offer for relaxation?
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort offers many ways to relax and enjoy your holiday. Whether at one of the pools, in the fitness centre or on the beautiful beach - there is something for everyone. The resort has a total of four pools, each catering to different needs:
- Main poolThe central meeting point with entertainment and adjoining pool bar. There is a lot of activity here and guests can take part in various activities or simply enjoy a drink. The animation music was sometimes too loud and too lively for us.
- Three quieter poolsFor guests who like it a little quieter, there are three more pool areas available. These offer a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for reading, sunbathing or a refreshing dip.
A sufficient number of sunbeds and parasols are available at all pools. Towels are handed out directly at the pools and the friendly staff are always ready to prepare sunbeds and parasols on request. There are also regular salespeople around the pools and on the beach selling massages, excursions etc., which can be a bit annoying in the long run.
The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the hotel's own beach on the Red Sea, which is just a few minutes' walk from the resort. Alternatively, a small funicular railway takes guests there in comfort. Sun loungers and parasols are available free of charge on the beach, and towels are also provided. The highlight, however, is the reef, which is located directly in front of the hotel beach. To protect the reef, direct access is not possible, but there is a sandy entrance about 100 metres further along the beach, which makes snorkelling at the edge of the reef easier.
The reef is a paradise for snorkellers and delights with an impressive array of colours and a variety of fish of all sizes. During our stay, we snorkelled along the edge of the reef several times and discovered something new every time. Snorkelling in the early morning after sunrise is particularly recommended: the sun illuminates the reef edge perfectly and the water is still pleasantly empty and calm.
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Review of the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort
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Summary
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort impresses with its location on the picturesque Abu Dabbab Bay, which is not only characterised by its fine sandy beach, but above all by its impressive house reef. With its varied pool offerings, well-equipped rooms and solid catering, the resort offers everything you need for a relaxing all-inclusive holiday. Although there are small weaknesses, such as the rather average cuisine and the loud animation at the main pool, the exceptional snorkelling experience and the relaxed atmosphere more than make up for these points. For beach lovers and underwater fans, the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is a clear recommendation.