Are hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh overcrowded — can you find sun loungers and restaurant seats?

At Nubian-style hotels (Nabq area), the pier is shared by three hotels and gets extremely crowded — described as busier than a subway at rush hour. The shore lagoons are shallow, and red flags due to wind occur almost daily, though usually for just a few hours.

At some hotels, certain areas see very few guests — there's no crowding or queues, and other holidaymakers won't get in your way.

At one hotel, guests can pay to reserve a first-row umbrella and loungers for their whole stay; the service includes a daily box with ice and drinks. Unreserved loungers are usually still available, though likely not right by the water.

One review of a budget hotel notes that first-row sun loungers are claimed by 5-6am, but loungers can usually still be found on the second and third rows. Other issues at this hotel: a run-down pontoon, only one ladder into the sea, a worn-out pool, and unreliable elevators/AC in the dining hall.

Maritim hotel is described as calm in every respect — guests specifically choose it when they want to avoid a lively, party-oriented hotel.

Around the August 25 holiday, budget hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh tend to fill up almost completely with local guests. At such times, getting into the restaurant right at opening can be impossible.

Monte Carlo is described as quiet, with limited entertainment; children may find little to do. Its beach is not crowded, and the loungers are spaced well apart.

Tip for crowded hotel restaurants: don't go right at opening — come about an hour later, when tables free up as early diners finish and staff bring out fresh food. By the end of lunch or dinner, meat dishes (including grill items) are usually still available.

At one hotel, when more than half of the guests were local residents, it was impossible to find free spots by the pools. This can be an issue during high-occupancy periods even if the food, service, and rooms are generally good.

At hotels with a large territory, crowding is barely noticeable: restaurants always have free tables and there are no queues. The only spot that gets genuinely crowded is the sea/beach area closer to lunchtime.

Some hotels share a single beach between 3 hotels. Sun loungers are almost always available in the area where the shuttle bus drops guests off, but finding a free lounger near the bar is difficult.

The beach at Nama Bay Hotel Resort is extremely crowded — guests are packed in very tightly. Worth keeping in mind when choosing a hotel.

Moreno hotel has poor service quality: weak food, dirty rooms and dishes. The only upside is a decent sea entry.

Some Sharm hotels (such as Serenity) can be overcrowded, with issues at reception, food quality, and rooms. In such cases it is worth paying more for a higher-tier hotel.

Hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh are rarely fully booked — there are almost always a few rooms available. You can book at most hotels without worrying about availability.

Even when a hotel is at high occupancy, there are no issues finding sun loungers or restaurant seats. A family of 4 can always find spots by the pool and at meals.

For families with children, it's better to choose dedicated family-friendly hotels such as Sunwing Waterworld or Sunrise Royal Makadi, located near Fort Arabesque. Standard Sharm hotels are less child-oriented.