In a quiet spot beside St Katherine School, the Alex might not have grand harbour views, but its squeaky-clean rooms are a breath of fresh air compared to most of Alexandria's hotels. Here you get bright and breezy contemporary style thanks to lashings of white paint, Islamic-design art prints on the walls, new furniture, modern bathrooms and even in-room kettles.
Try to bag room 205 or 206, with balconies overlooking St Katherine Church, and you won't miss the Mediterranean vistas at all. The hotel is near Midan Tahrir (with its big statue of 19th-century Egyptian ruler Mohammed Ali) but can be tricky for taxis to find. Ask for Sharia Sant Katrin. When you're next to the church, you'll spot the hotel signs.
