Al Alamein Hotel

Character and identity

Set on the Mediterranean shore of Egypt's North Coast, Al Alamein Hotel channels the mid-century glamour that drew celebrities to this stretch of sand in the 1960s, updated with sleek furnishings, art deco flourishes and bold pops of colour. The design carries through to a curated art programme, including a mosaic of Umm Kulthum and George Zongolopoulos's 43-foot stainless-steel Umbrellas towering over the beach. Expect a sprawling infinity pool, a private beach lined with striped umbrellas and elevated cabanas, two restaurants serving Middle Eastern cooking, and a marine-themed spa offering treatments like the Hydra Blue facial and Marine Body Wrap.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this place apart is the marriage of 1960s coastal glamour and a genuine contemporary art collection, all wrapped around a properly stylish beach and pool scene. Book a beach cabana day if you can, target the warmer shoulder months when the Mediterranean is swimmable but crowds thin, and lean into the Marassi amenities for anything the hotel itself doesn't cover.