Do you need to tip the hotel reception for a room upgrade in Hurghada?

A sea view is open to bargaining. In April 2026 one group of travelers was offered sea-view rooms at 90 dollars for each of their two rooms and talked it down to 70 dollars for both. Other guests who arrived in late August 2026 were asked by the receptionist how much they were willing to pay, said 5 dollars and settled on 10 dollars for a sea-view room for the entire stay; the room they got was clean. In the same thread, 100 dollars for an upgrade was called too expensive.

A tipping guide suggested in July 2026: 1–2 dollars to staff for small requests and 10–20 dollars at check-in. If they refuse the money, the person said, it means they cannot help or the matter goes through the cashier. In September 2026 another participant suggested giving 10 dollars at the start of the stay so that staff remember you, and tipping again at the end.

Another July 2026 tip was to speak not to reception but to the housekeeping staff who clean the room, offering a couple of dollars or 100 Egyptian pounds; the participant thought they might help sort out the room problem. Another participant advised bringing plenty of small banknotes to tip staff.

If the room is really unacceptable, a July 2026 suggestion was to approach the guest relations staff and ask for a different room.

One traveler observed in June 2026 that reception may give you a superior room with a mediocre view and say nothing else is available — until dollars appear, at which point good rooms turn up. In July another participant noted that experiences vary: some people give nothing and still get a good room, while others wait even after paying. These are personal observations, not a rule for every hotel.

In late June 2026, asked whether 100 dollars was needed for a room, one participant answered firmly: no, and nothing has to be paid in advance at all — in her view, the rooms are more or less the same. Another participant disagreed: a good room does require an extra payment, but the amounts are small.

Advice not to rush with money: in June 2026 a traveler wrote that both she and her friends were given a good room without paying extra. If you want to thank reception, another participant suggested doing it after check-in rather than before — you can let them know you will show your appreciation for a good room.