The Three Corners Rihana Inn And Resort Hotel

“ We went for a week in April'2011 with my wife, 2yo son and grandma. And were all quite happy about the hotel. It had most things you would expect for this money, plus some extras. There are facilities for children, deep and shallow pools, direct access to the lagoon from the hotel and a free bus to another, "open sea" beach. Hotel staff is friendly and mostly useful. You do need to remember though that in Egypt in general for some services you are expected to pay a "tip", but since it is in the region of euro coins, it is not usually a problem (just have to have enough small egyptian notes at hand - 5EGP, 1EGP and smaller). Food was generally good, though again - a local peculiarity is that pork is skillfully avoided.

“ Top Tip: 1) There is a free bus/van going to the "open sea" beach every full hour (and back, of course). It is a convenient way of getting to kitesurfing stations on the same beach, just ask the driver to make a stop on the way and tip him a little. Or use a tuc-tuc if you want independence - it is only 5EGP per person.

2) That "open sea" beach has its own restaurant with food that is brought from the hotel, and if you have "all inclusive" option, you can have a lunch there for free. There is not a lot of choice (may become boring on the day 3 or 4), but quite tasty.

3) Downtown is very close to the hotel (3 min walk?), there is always something going on in the evenings if you get bored in the hotel itself.

4) Make sure you get an anti-insect spray on your first day from the housekeeper for a small tip. It may save you from mosquitoes and ants who visit any hotel irrespectively of their star number.

5) If you like to see coral reefs with a snorkel (a very beautiful thing to see!), you have two options: go for an expensive trip with an instructor on a shaky boat (30min ride can easily upset most stomachs) or just bring/buy a snorkel and do it yourself from the long pier on Zeituna beach. There is an interruption in the middle of the pier, which you may have to cover by swimming (5m?), and then it continues.
NB: Only a few models of cameras will work under water without a special waterproof casing.

6) Beach towels are given separately from the room towels, and can be swapped separately as well by the "beach boy" near one of the pools. You can then grab it and take with you to any of the public beaches. But the beach boy may not be near the pool when you come back in the evening. Drying it on the balcony is an option, but beware the anti-insect gassing procession every evening at 6pm. When you hear that strange noise around 6pm (you can hear it anywhere in El Gouna, it is unmistakable) just rush to your balcony, grab everything hanging there, bring it indoors AND CLOSE THE BALCONY DOOR. You can bring it all out after the air is clear again.

7) If you use internal telephones (for example, to call your kitesurfing or diving station to confirm weather/plans) be prepared that the direct "66" prefix may not work from your room. I don't know whether this is specific to this hotel or not, but sometimes it just doesn't dial directly. Don't worry: just dial 0, wait for an operator, tell him the number you want to call and he will connect you. Sounds like previous century, but it works, and for free :)