Many tourists visiting Egypt head straight for Cairo and the pyramids or to the Sinai beaches of Sharm El Sheikh, but those in the know are consistently hitting up Alexandria. The city features fantastic shopping, pristine Mediterranean beaches, and a thriving culture worth exploring. And when visiting an exotic city like Alexandria, travelers are often looking for a luxurious stay where they can relax and rejuvenate in style. Luckily, the city has plenty of offerings where tourists can do just that. Here are our picks for the best luxury hotels in Alexandria, Egypt.

Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria

Located on the Mediterranean coastline, the Four Seasons is one of the most fashionable hotels in Alexandria, offering guests a truly luxurious experience. The 19-story hotel is European-inspired and offers several al fresco dining locations throughout the grounds. Guests will love getting brunch at the Kala restaurant or lounging at night in the Le Bar Lounge. All of the 118 rooms feature a private balcony with views facing the sea or the shimmering cityscape.  Other amenities include two gorgeous pools, a private beach for sunbathing, and a squash court for staying in shape. Guests can relax and energize themselves with the hotel’s special spa package that includes ginger tea, a one-hour massage with essential oils, and a 30-minute coffee scrub.

Hilton Alexandria Corniche

This hotel also offers equally fantastic views of the Mediterranean and stylish accommodations. Travelers will marvel at the hotel’s panoramic pool where they can waste the day away at the poolside bar. The Hilton also has a pristine private beach with a complimentary shuttle to make it easy on guests. The rooms are stylish and sophisticated, and for travelers who want more space, the hotel also offers fantastically decorated suites with views of the sea. If you’re up for nightlife, there’s no need to leave the hotel grounds, as one of the city’s trendiest lounges, Club 35, is on the premises. For a special evening, you can dine at the Sahar El-Laialy Lebanese restaurant overlooking the crashing waves below. For guests who want to shop, the hotel is conveniently located near several malls and the Attarine souk.

Radisson Blu Hotel

The Radisson Blu is located in the trendy Alex West district and offers a premier location equidistant from the city’s beaches and city center. The 262 plush rooms (all with private terraces) feature gorgeous views of Lake Mariout, or the hotel’s lavish pool and gardens. The luxurious suites offer separate dining and living areas, along with sweeping views of the area. Guests will love hanging out at the COSMO Cafe while sipping on cocktails before heading over to one of the hotel’s several restaurant offerings, including Egyptian and Italian fare. Relaxation is easy at this hotel, as there is a fantastic spa, jacuzzi, sauna and large wellness area. All things considered, the Raddison Blu is one of the best luxury hotel’s for the value in the city.

Sheraton Montazah Hotel

Located next to the beautiful Montazah Palace and Gardens, this hotel is one of the ideal locations to luxuriate and relax while enjoying the best Alexandria has to offer. The 290 rooms all have fantastic views of the gardens or sea, and the seven Presidential suites will leave luxury travelers pampered. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool while they bask in the sun, then walk down to the sea to take a swim in the cool ocean. Dining is top notch, and offers a choice of seven restaurants, lounges and cafes to choose from. To keep in shape, the hotel offers a great fitness center, or better yet, just walk down to take a stroll through the gorgeous gardens next door.

Tolip Alexandria

Travelers looking for elegance and comfort will simply love the Tolip. As soon as they walk through the luxurious white lobby, they’ll know they picked the right place. The large hotel features 477 rooms offering five-star service, and the penthouse features two magnificent rooms with incredible views and marble bathrooms, with a jacuzzi in each. Travelers will love winding down the evening at the hotel’s Jazz Bar, featuring belle époque ambiance and delicious cocktails. The hotel also offers another eight restaurant and bars to suit everyone’s taste. Guests definitely can’t leave before checking out the hotel’s health club and spa, offering exclusive pampering treatments such as deep muscular massages, aromatherapy, and detox wraps.

Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza

Yet another Hilton makes our list, and rightly so. While this hotel doesn’t have a view of the beach, it’s conveniently based in the city’s Green Plaza Mall. While at the hotel, guests can step outside and get their shop on at any of the 380 stores or catch a movie at the cinema complex. All the rooms are tastefully decorated and comfortable, with around the clock room service for anything you could want. Travelers will enjoy laying in the sun all day at the hotel’s large pool, where they can lounge under a waterfall or swim up to the pool bar and sip cocktails. There are also five great restaurants and bars on site. And if that’s not enough, the hotel’s central location is close to many of the city’s top restaurants.

More from AFKTravel:

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Alexandria, Egypt

10 Things To Do In Alexandria, Egypt’s Second City

Relaxation, Egyptian Style: The Best Hotel Spas In Cairo

This article was originally published on July 20, 2015.

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