Egypt
What I loved most about the Steigenberger was the attention to detail. The resort is immaculately clean and beautifully maintained.
I have been to Egypt more times than I can easily count now. My husband has Egyptian roots, which means Egypt has become a natural part of our family life — a place we return to, a place our children are growing up knowing. And if I am honest, it took a little time to win me over completely. But it did. And now I understand why people fall in love with it.
Cairo First — and the Chaos That Comes with It
Our very first trip to Egypt was to Cairo, shortly after we got married. We went to visit family, and the city welcomed us with everything it had: warmth, noise, colour, and a pace that does not slow down for anyone.
The people were genuinely lovely. The atmosphere had an energy I had never quite experienced before. But I also had to find my footing. I have Algerian roots, and Cairo immediately made me think of Algiers — one of my favourite cities in the world, a place I find endlessly beautiful. In that comparison, Cairo had a hard time. Algiers is a city that feels composed and elegant in a particular way. Cairo is something else entirely — bigger, louder, more overwhelming.
But I have come to appreciate Cairo for exactly what it is: a living, breathing, ancient city that carries thousands of years of history in its streets. It is not supposed to be calm. And once you stop expecting it to be, something shifts.
Why Egypt Keeps Calling Us Back
What truly won me over about Egypt — and what makes it our most-visited family destination — is the coastline. Specifically, the Red Sea.
Coming from Europe, there is simply nothing that compares in terms of proximity and quality. The water is warm, crystal clear, and full of marine life. We have been to the Maldives, and the underwater world there is extraordinary — but the Maldives is far away and requires considerable planning. Egypt is a short flight, a Muslim country, and somewhere the Egyptian side of our family can often join us. For a family holiday, it is almost impossible to beat.
Most of our coastal trips have been to Hurghada. We have stayed in several hotels there over the years, and two stand out clearly — one for luxury, one for family value.
The Steigenberger Hotel Hurghada — For a Special Stay
We visited the Steigenberger in December, which turned out to be a wonderful decision. The winter prices are significantly more manageable, the resort was quieter, and the experience felt genuinely special. The water was a little cool for my husband's taste — though perfectly fine for me — but that was a small detail in an otherwise exceptional stay.
What I loved most about the Steigenberger was the attention to detail. The resort is immaculately clean and beautifully maintained. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. The food was extraordinary — the kind of hotel food that you actually look forward to rather than simply expect. And for families, the children's programming was excellent, which makes a real difference when you are travelling with young ones who need activity.
If you are looking for a more elevated experience in Hurghada — and you are open to visiting in winter when prices drop considerably — the Steigenberger is a wonderful choice.
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Desert Rose Resort — Our Go-To for Easy Family Holidays
For larger family trips, more budget-conscious stays, or simply when we want a relaxed and activity-filled holiday without too much formality, we turn to the Desert Rose Resort. It is a different kind of experience — bigger, livelier, and wonderfully geared toward families with children.
The pool area is fantastic, with plenty of space and activities for children of all ages. But our absolute favourite thing about this resort is: a small island sitting just off the main beach, separated from the shore by a stretch of shallow water. On that island, there is a restaurant and a café — and the coffee there is genuinely excellent.
What we do is swim out to it. Our eldest son can swim almost independently, with just a little support. Our youngest came along on a small float. And so we would all swim across together, settle into the café, have coffee and food, and then swim back. Back and forth, throughout the day. It sounds simple, but it became one of our favourite holiday rituals.
The area is also perfect for snorkelling, with a great spot right in front of the café. And because you are always close to the island and the shore, it feels very safe — especially with young children, where being able to see everyone at once makes all the difference.
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A Few Practical Notes:
Hurghada is easy to reach from most European cities — short flight, no long-haul stress
Winter travel (November to February) offers significantly lower prices, especially at the Steigenberger
Egypt is a Muslim country — halal food is the standard everywhere
The Red Sea offers some of the best snorkelling and swimming in the world at a fraction of the distance of destinations like the Maldives
Both hotels are family-friendly, but in different ways — Steigenberger for a more refined experience, Desert Rose for activity and casual fun
If the Egyptian side of the family can join, the convenience of Egypt makes it the easiest destination to coordinate across multiple households