Hotel IberLido

The Iberotel Lido is situated in Naama Bay at the end of both the main street through the tourist centre of Naama Bay and the bay itself. It has a great location right on the Red Sea with a view right round the bay. Sharm el Sheikh airport is just seven miles away and the neighbouring zones of Hadaba and Shark's Bay are minutes away by road.

Due to there being no animation team or kids club, this hotel is really only suited for couples or perhaps groups of friends looking for a quiet break, away from the hustle of the centre of Naama Bay and from the other hotels. If you are a family then we advice for you to take the suite as extra beds/cots can be arranged for an extra charge.

It is only from a distance that you will notice that the Iberotel Lido takes the form of a cruise ship. Yes, this is kitsch, but it is a characteristic which should be overlooked in light of what is to be found inside the structure. During our visit it was not possible to enter the hotel through the main entrance due to work being carried out (which should by now be finished). The lobby though is fresh and light, with dimmed spots on the ceiling and could well be the entrance to a Thai spa. Several styles of wicker furniture occupy the front of the marble-floored lobby with the reception desk at the far end. Just to the right of the entrance is the small business centre with PC for surfing the Internet (25EGP for 30 mins). The only pool in the hotel, which is triangular in form, is surrounded by decking and has views of the bay, the mountains and the rest of Sharm el Sheikh. It has an adjoining jacuzzi and the ensemble is served by a bar. To ensure the perpetuity of the laid-back atmosphere that comes hand in hand with a boutique hotel, chill out music is diffused through speakers around the pool. The hotel has neither a kids club or animation team, reflecting the fact that this is really a hotel for couples. There is no wellness/fitness centre either, however massages are available on the beach. If you do feel the need to get away from what is already a very peaceful environment, the hotel has a lounge with a library of books and more of the calming tunes played at the pool. The property as a whole is a breath of fresh air, with clean lines, bright colours and the perfect context in which to unwind.

71 rooms make up the inventory of the Iberotel Lido, 69 of which are standard, with two suites available right by the swimming pool. The standard rooms, which, while not the biggest in the resort are perfectly habitable for long stays, have an orange colour theme with coordinated upholstery, linen and wall paint. They are appointed in a basic fashion with table and chairs, a simple desk and a round column cabinet to accommodate the television. A minibar is stashed away in the panel next to the window. The bathroom is fairly pokey, but clean, and has toiletries, hairdryer and shower cubicle as well as pretty Moroccan style tiling. Those standards without a balcony instead have chairs outside the front of the rooms on the decking. The suites are perhaps twice the size of the standard rooms and feature a lounge area with comfortable furniture, tea and coffee facilities and a flatscreen television. Other extras include bathrobes and slippers, complimentary water and a long balcony with the bright green chairs featured elsewhere in the hotel. The bathroom is sizeable and boasts a large bathtub and long sink unit with more of the same Moroccan tiling. All rooms have a safe.

Dolphin, the hotel's main restaurant serves an international buffet for all three meals one a one week cycle. The dining room itself is nothing to write home about but the staff are very attentive and you can look out over the bay while eating. The choice at lunch time is a little less varied as guests tend to eat on the beach, but the quality remains consistent. There are two à la carte options if you don't fancy the buffet. The first, On the Deck, is built, well, on a deck! It extends into the sea and gives the impression that you ware floating. It serves a wide variety of sea food and international cuisine and cocktails against the most romantic of backgrounds. The second, La Folie, is a restaurant, lounge and bar and has an equally varied fare served to the mellowed tunes which befit its setting. Both the pool bar and beach are open during the day for liquid refreshment and snacks, with the former having a large seating area on the decking.

The hotel has its own 500ft private beach situated on a bend, which, although narrow, does go back quite a way meaning there is space enough for sunbathing. The beach is blessed with good sand and there is no descent at all while the number of loungers is sufficient. At the back of the beach is a volleyball court and there is also a tent for massages. Diving and water sports centres are located on the beach as is a snack bar serving a selection of snacks during daylight hours.