Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Hurghada for Skyline Swims

If you are hunting for the best hotels with rooftop pools in Hurghada, you will quickly discover that the city rewards patience and local knowledge. I have swam at sunrise over El Gouna’s lagoons, watched sunset paint the Desert Rose infinity edge pink, and argued with taxi drivers about which Corniche hotel has the quietest plunge deck. This guide focuses on properties where the pool actually sits on a dedicated rooftop floor, not a ground level “pool in the sky” marketing gimmick, and I will tell you exactly when to show up, what to order, and which corners most tourists never find.

1. Desert Rose Resort & Rooftop Infinity Pool

Desert Rose sits on the coastal road in the Arabia area, just before you reach the Sahl Hasheesh turn off. I visited last Tuesday at 6:15 a.m., and the rooftop infinity pool was completely empty except for one German couple doing slow laps. The pool runs north to south along the building’s top floor, so you get an unbroken horizon line that makes the Red Sea look like it starts at your toes. Order the Turkish coffee from the rooftop bar, not the espresso, because the barista here uses a long handled cezve and the cardamom makes a difference at that altitude. The best time to claim a lounger is before 7:00 a.m., because by 8:30 the towels start piling up and the reflection on the water gets blocked by bodies.

Local Insider Tip: Ask the elevator attendant for the “fifth floor sun deck” rather than the rooftop pool, because the actual infinity edge is on the sixth floor but the fifth floor has a hidden plunge pool that most guests never notice.

The rooftop pool connects to Hurghada’s mid range resort boom of the early 2010s, when developers realized that sea views alone were not enough to compete with Sharm El Sheikh. Desert Rose responded by building a skyline swim experience that feels more private than the massive ground level complexes. If you want a pool view hotel Hurghada moment without the crowds, this is your spot. Just know that the rooftop Wi-Fi drops out when the wind picks up after 3:00 p.m., so do not plan to work from a lounger.

2. Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Rooftop Pool

Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is located in the Makadi Bay area, about 30 kilometers south of central Hurghada, on the road toward Safaga. I went on a Friday afternoon, which was a mistake because half of Hurghada’s Egyptian weekend crowd had the same idea. The rooftop pool here is smaller than the ground level aqua park, but it sits on the main building’s top floor and overlooks the entire Makadi Bay lagoon. What makes it worth the trip is the dedicated rooftop bar that serves a frozen mango blended drink with a sprig of mint, and the fact that the pool deck faces west for sunset. The best time to arrive is around 4:30 p.m., when the day guests from the aqua park start heading down to dinner and you can grab a corner lounger.

Local Insider Tip: Walk to the far right corner of the pool deck and look for the small metal door near the emergency exit. It leads to a narrow maintenance balcony that has the best angle for photographing the lagoon, and security never bothers you as long as you do not set up a tripod.

This rooftop pool reflects Hurghada’s shift toward family resorts that still want to cater to adults looking for a quieter swim. The Makadi Bay development was built on reclaimed desert in the mid 2000s, and the rooftop pool feels like an afterthought that became a highlight. If you are searching for a rooftop pool hotel Hurghada option that keeps you close to the southern reefs, this works. The only real complaint is that the pool tiles get scorching hot by 2:00 p.m., so bring water shoes if you plan to walk barefoot.

3. Rixos Premium Magawish Rooftop Pool

Rixos Premium Magawish sits on the Corniche in the central Hurghada area, near the Marina, and the rooftop pool is on the seventh floor of the main building. I went on a Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m., and the pool was warm enough for a long swim, with the Marina lights reflecting off the water. The infinity edge faces north, so you look over the Corniche toward the fishing boats rather than directly at the open sea, which gives the whole experience a different character. Order the hummus with extra lemon and a glass of the Egyptian Sauvignon Blanc from the rooftop lounge, because the wine list here is surprisingly decent for a resort. The best time to visit is between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., when the Marina is lit up but the pool has not yet filled with late night guests.

Local Insider Tip: Tell the rooftop server you are there for the “sunset menu” even if you arrive at 6:00 p.m. They will bring a small printed card with off menu items like grilled shrimp skewers that are not available during the day.

The Rixos brand came to Hurghada in the late 2010s as part of the city’s push to attract more European all inclusive travelers, and the rooftop pool was designed to give guests a reason to leave the ground level buffet. This is a solid infinity pool hotel Hurghada choice if you want to stay central and still swim above the city. The downside is that the pool area is compact, so on busy nights you will be elbow to elbow with other guests.

4. Jaz Makadi Oasis Rooftop Adult Pool

Jaz Makadi Oasis is also in Makadi Bay, but this property is the adult only sister hotel of the Makadi Star, and the rooftop pool sits on the top floor of the main building. I visited on a Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m., and the pool was quiet enough that I did twenty laps without interruption. The pool is rectangular with a shallow shelf along one side, so you can sit in the water and look over the edge at the lagoon below. The rooftop bar does a strong Egyptian style muddled drink with fresh mint and lime that pairs well with the morning heat. The best time to arrive is before 9:00 a.m., because the sun hits the pool deck directly after that and the loungers become uncomfortable.

Local Insider Tip: Bring your room key card to the rooftop and tap it on the small white sensor near the pool ladder. This activates the underwater lights even during the day, which sounds pointless until you realize it makes the water a striking turquoise in photographs.

This rooftop pool speaks to the growing demand for adult only spaces in a city that built its reputation on family resorts. The Makadi Oasis development was designed as a quieter alternative to the main Makadi Star, and the rooftop pool delivers on that promise. If you want a pool view hotel Hurghada experience without children splashing nearby, this is the one. The only issue is that the rooftop air conditioning units hum loudly, so light sleepers should not plan a midday nap on the loungers.

5. Sheraton Miramar Resort Rooftop Pool

The Sheraton Miramar is located on the road to El Gouna, in the Sheraton Road area, and the rooftop pool is on the top floor of the main building. I went on a Saturday at 5:00 p.m., and the pool had a mix of hotel guests and day visitors, with the infinity edge facing west toward the Sheraton lagoon. The pool is long enough for a proper swim, and the water temperature stays comfortable even in the late afternoon. Order the fresh juice blend from the rooftop bar, something with guava and lime, because the bartender here knows how to balance the sweetness. The best time to visit is between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., when the sun is low enough to light up the lagoon but not so low that the pool gets shaded by the building.

Local Insider Tip: Ask the rooftop host for the “corner lounger” on the left side of the deck. It is partially hidden by a planter and gives you a direct view of the Sheraton’s private beach, which most guests never see from above.

The Sheraton Miramar was one of the first major international brand hotels in Hurghada, opening in the early 2000s, and the rooftop pool was added during a renovation in 2018. This is a reliable rooftop pool hotel Hurghada option if you want a name brand with consistent service. The pool area can feel a bit corporate, but the view of the lagoon and the distant El Gouna hills makes up for it. The main drawback is that the pool towels run out by 3:00 p.m. on weekends, so bring your own if you arrive later.

6. Jaz Belvedere Rooftop Pool

Jaz Belvedere is located in the Sahl Hasheesh area, about 20 kilometers south of central Hurghada, and the rooftop pool sits on the top floor of the main building. I visited on a Thursday at 10:00 a.m., and the pool was warm and calm, with a view that stretches from the Sahl Hasheesh reefs to the distant desert mountains. The pool is shaped like a wide L, with the short end facing the sea, so you can choose between swimming parallel to the horizon or looking straight down at the beach. The rooftop bar serves a decent Egyptian coffee with a small piece of date on the side, which is a nice touch. The best time to arrive is before 11:00 a.m., because the pool gets direct sun after that and the water glare makes it hard to see the horizon.

Local Insider Tip: Walk to the far end of the pool deck and look for the small wooden bench tucked behind the last lounger. It is technically a service area, but it has the best view of the Sahl Hasheesh lagoon and no one ever sits there.

Jaz Belvedere opened in the late 2010s as part of the Jaz group’s expansion into the Sahl Hasheesh market, and the rooftop pool was a key selling point. This is a good infinity pool hotel Hurghada choice if you want to stay in Sahl Hasheesh without paying the rates of the larger resorts. The pool is not huge, but the view compensates. The only complaint is that the rooftop elevator is slow, so budget an extra ten minutes to get up and down.

7. Marriott Beach Resort Hurghada Rooftop Pool

The Marriott Beach Resort is located on the Corniche in central Hurghada, near the Marina, and the rooftop pool is on the top floor of the main building. I went on a Monday at 6:30 a.m., and the pool was empty except for a few early risers, with the Corniche promenade visible below and the Red Sea stretching out beyond. The pool is compact but well maintained, with a shallow area for lounging and a deeper section for swimming. The rooftop bar opens at 7:00 a.m. and does a strong Egyptian breakfast with foul medames and fresh baladi bread, which is worth ordering if you plan to stay for a while. The best time to visit is between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m., when the Corniche is quiet and the pool water is at its coolest.

Local Insider Tip: Tell the rooftop server you are there for the “Marriott morning special” and they will bring a small plate of pickled vegetables and olives with your coffee, a holdover from the hotel’s old management that most guests do not know about.

The Marriott Beach Resort has been part of Hurghada’s Corniche landscape for over two decades, and the rooftop pool was added during a 2019 renovation. This is a solid pool view hotel Hurghada option if you want to stay in the heart of the city and still swim above it. The pool area is small, but the view of the Marina and the distant islands makes it feel larger. The downside is that the rooftop bar closes at 9:00 p.m., so late night swims are not an option.

8. El Gouna Hotels With Rooftop Pools

El Gouna is a separate town about 25 kilometers north of Hurghada, but several hotels there have rooftop pools that are worth the drive. I visited the Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle on a Wednesday at 7:00 a.m., and the rooftop pool was quiet and warm, with a view over the El Gouna lagoons that makes you forget you are in the desert. The pool is long and narrow, with an infinity edge that faces the lagoon, and the water temperature stays comfortable even in the early morning. The rooftop bar does a strong Egyptian style lemonade with fresh mint, which is perfect after a swim. The best time to arrive is before 8:00 a.m., because the pool gets busy after that and the loungers fill up fast.

Local Insider Tip: Ask the rooftop host for the “lagoon lounger” on the right side of the deck. It is partially hidden by a palm and gives you a direct view of the El Gouna waterways, which most guests never see from above.

El Gouna was built in the late 1990s as a planned resort town, and the rooftop pools at hotels like the Steigenberger reflect that original vision of luxury with a view. If you are searching for a rooftop pool hotel Hurghada experience that takes you slightly outside the city, El Gouna delivers. The drive from central Hurghada takes about 30 minutes, but the change in scenery is worth it. The only issue is that the rooftop pool at the Steigenberger is small, so on busy days you will be sharing the water with a dozen other guests.

When to Go and What to Know

The best time to swim in a rooftop pool in Hurghada depends on the season. From October to April, the air temperature is comfortable and the pool water stays warm enough for a morning swim without a wetsuit. From May to September, the heat can be intense, so early morning or late evening swims are the only realistic option. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and Egyptian holidays like Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha bring domestic crowds that fill every lounger. Always bring a refillable water bottle, because the rooftop bars are generous with drinks but the sun will dehydrate you faster than you expect. If you are planning to photograph the infinity edge, arrive within thirty minutes of sunrise or sunset for the best light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are credit cards widely accepted across Hurghada, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?

Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, larger restaurants, and dive shops in Hurghada, but you will still need cash for taxis, small cafes, and local markets. ATMs are available at the Marina, in El Gouna, and inside most major resorts, though they sometimes run out of cash on weekends. Carry a mix of Egyptian pounds and a backup card, because some machines reject foreign cards without explanation.

Is Hurghada expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier traveler in Hurghada can expect to spend between 80 and 120 US dollars per day, covering a hotel room, two meals, one activity, and local transport. A mid-range hotel room costs 40 to 70 dollars per night, a meal at a decent restaurant runs 10 to 20 dollars, and a taxi ride within the city costs 3 to 7 dollars. Budget an extra 20 to 40 dollars for snorkeling trips or entrance fees to private beaches.

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Hurghada without feeling rushed?

Four to five days is enough to cover the major attractions in Hurghada without rushing, including the Marina, a snorkeling or diving trip to the islands, a desert safari, and a day in El Gouna. If you want to add a day trip to Luxor, budget an extra two days because the drive each way takes about four hours. Most visitors spend three to seven days in the Hurghada area, with the longer stays focused on diving or kitesurfing.

What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Hurghada?

Tipping in Hurghada is expected even when a service charge appears on the bill, because the charge often does not reach the staff. The standard tip at a restaurant is 10 to 15 percent of the total, and for hotel staff a tip of 20 to 50 Egyptian pounds per service is common. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but will appreciate rounding up the fare, and tour guides usually receive 100 to 200 Egyptian pounds per day from each guest.

What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Hurghada?

A specialty coffee like a cappuccino or latte costs between 60 and 120 Egyptian pounds at a hotel or upscale cafe in Hurghada, while local tea costs 15 to 30 Egyptian pounds. Street side cafes charge less, sometimes as low as 10 to 15 Egyptian pounds for tea, but the quality and hygiene vary. If you order coffee at a rooftop bar, expect to pay the higher end of the range, often 80 to 120 Egyptian pounds, with an additional service charge of 10 to 12 percent.