The Cheapest Tourist Hotels in Dahab
The Cheapest Tourist Hotels in Dahab, Egypt
Dahab Plaza Hotel
Location
Set in the busy Masbat area, the hotel is a two‑minute walk from the main promenade and about five minutes from the beach. Shops, dive centres and cheap eateries are directly outside the entrance.
Hotel cleanliness
Rooms are swept and mopped daily, and bedding is changed regularly. However, older furniture and worn bathroom tiles show clear signs of age. The common stairwell can be dusty during windy days.
Staff Rating
The reception team is approachable and speaks basic English. They help arrange airport transfers and can book diving trips, but response times are slower during peak check‑in hours.
Accommodation Rating
Air‑conditioned standard rooms are simply furnished with a small wardrobe and a desk. Some upper‑floor rooms have partial sea views, but street noise can be noticeable. Hot water is reliable.
Food Rating
A modest complimentary breakfast of bread, cheese, jam, and tea is served on the rooftop. There is no full restaurant, but countless budget cafés are just outside the front door.
Final Impression
Seven Heaven Hotel
Location
Directly on the central pedestrian strip, Seven Heaven puts you in the middle of Dahab’s nightlife and shopping. The public beach is a five‑minute stroll, while the famous Lighthouse dive site is a short walk south.
Hotel cleanliness
Housekeeping is consistent but the age of the building means some mould is visible in bathroom corners. Bed linen and towels are laundered frequently and general tidiness is acceptable for the price.
Staff Rating
The young front‑desk team is energetic and well‑informed about local diving packages. They provide honest advice and rarely push expensive tours. Service is generally average during the afternoon lull.
Accommodation Rating
Rooms are compact, with either a ceiling fan or an older AC unit. Furnishings are minimal – a bed, a side table, and a small rack. Some rooms share a bathroom, which is kept reasonably clean.
Food Rating
The rooftop restaurant serves affordable Egyptian staples like koshari and grilled fish. Breakfast is not included, but a simple a la carte option costs a few Egyptian pounds.
Final Impression
Penguin Village
Location
Nestled in the Mashraba area right on the sandy beach, Penguin Village offers an almost campsite‑like setting. The shallow lagoon is steps away, making it ideal for wading and windsurfing.
Hotel cleanliness
The bamboo huts and shared facilities are rustic. Toilets and showers are cleaned once daily, but sand quickly finds its way indoors. Bedding is basic but free of visible stains.
Staff Rating
Run by a relaxed local family, the service is warm yet unhurried. They willingly organise desert safaris and camel rides, but do not expect a 24‑hour reception. Overall, the service is average.
Accommodation Rating
Huts are constructed from palm fronds and bamboo, offering little sound insulation and no air‑conditioning. Electricity is available in the evenings. The experience is closer to camping than a hotel.
Food Rating
A communal bonfire dinner is offered some evenings, and simple breakfast of bread and tea can be arranged. There is no proper kitchen; nearby cafés fill the gap.
Final Impression
Bishbishi Garden Village
Location
Situated in a quiet residential pocket of Assalah, the garden village is a ten‑minute walk from the central market and a twenty‑minute walk to the main beach. Peace and quiet are its main selling points.
Hotel cleanliness
The lush garden is well watered and swept, but the rooms themselves are inconsistently maintained. Some have fresh paint, others show peeling walls. Shared bathrooms are serviced only once a day.
Staff Rating
The owner is friendly and lives on‑site, offering help with luggage and local tips. However, there is no formal reception, so the service is average and often self‑reliant.
Accommodation Rating
Basic rooms with single beds and mosquito nets; a few have old window‑type AC units. The décor is tired but the garden view from each doorway is genuinely pleasant.
Food Rating
No restaurant operates on the premises. Guests can use a communal kettle and a small fridge. Many opt to walk to the seafront for cheap fuul and falafel breakfasts.
Final Impression
Sheikh Salem House
Location
Perched on a quiet lane in the Assalah district, the guesthouse overlooks a stretch of coastline dotted with palm trees. The Eel Garden dive site is a brisk twelve‑minute walk away.
Hotel cleanliness
The rooms are scrubbed daily with a strong disinfectant, and the white‑washed walls feel fresh. Shared bathrooms are cleaned every morning, though hot water pressure can be weak.
Staff Rating
Managed by a multigenerational family, the hospitality is sincere. The grandmother often brings mint tea to guests in the courtyard. Assistance with bus bookings is willingly given.
Accommodation Rating
Simple, high‑ceilinged rooms with tiled floors and traditional wooden shutters. Most have a small balcony or terrace with partial sea glimpses. Air conditioning is not available, but ceiling fans suffice.
Food Rating
Breakfast is an optional extra and consists of boiled eggs, flatbread, and fruit. The surrounding neighbourhood has several low‑cost seafood diners popular with locals.
Final Impression
Alaska Dahab Hotel
Location
Within a two‑minute walk of the Lighthouse dive centre, the hotel is popular with divers on a tight budget. The main market and bus station are both under ten minutes on foot.
Hotel cleanliness
Cleanliness is inconsistent; some guests report dusty floors, while others find the basic room acceptable. The corridor and stairway are swept infrequently. The service in this area is average.
Staff Rating
The desk is not staffed around the clock, but the manager is reachable by phone and helps with scuba gear storage. Requests for extra towels are met, though sometimes with a delay.
Accommodation Rating
Rooms are narrow and functional, furnished with a bed, a small fridge, and an en‑suite bathroom. The air conditioning units are old and can be noisy. Hot water is solar‑heated and not always available.
Food Rating
No food is served on site. A shared microwave and a kettle are available in the hallway. Guests typically grab breakfast at nearby bakeries or street‑side fuul carts.