JAZ Aquamarine Resort

JAZ Aquamarine is one of the best-known resorts on Hurghada's Village Road, the strip of big hotels on the way south from the centre. The resort is sold as a five-star all-inclusive, and its own page gives a distance of about 17 kilometres, which you should confirm with the hotel when you plan your transfer. It is built around the beach, large pools and a long list of restaurants and activities, which suits groups that want everything on site.

Location and getting around: Village Road is a convenient base for the marina, the aquarium and the Giftun cruises, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. Tour operators collect from the hotel for the desert safari, the semi-submarine, Dolphin House and the Luxor day trip, so you can build a varied week without hiring a car. The hotel lists an airport distance of about 17 kilometres on its page, but check the exact transfer time with the resort.

Rooms and who it suits: the resort offers a range of room types and is geared to families and groups. If you plan to spend most of the day by the pool or beach, an all-inclusive rate offers good value. Couples looking for quiet should ask for a room away from the main pool and entertainment areas. As we could not confirm full facility details from the pages we checked, ask the hotel for the current list of restaurants, kids' facilities and aqua-park access before booking.

Good to know: all-inclusive resorts vary in what counts as included, so confirm drinks, snacks and activities. The best months for the beach are spring and autumn, and winter evenings can be cool. Bring reef shoes and a rash vest for the sea, and book excursions through the hotel desk or an operator you trust. A balanced week might include a Giftun boat day, a desert safari and a morning in the old town, with the rest of the time free for the pool.