Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The hotel is a haven of peace at the end of Ras Nasrani, ideal for couples. The small size and the decor of the rooms in such a charming atmosphere is unfortunate.
Melia Sinai - © EASYVOYAGE
Melia Sinai - © EASYVOYAGE
The hotel is located in Ras Nasrani facing Tiran Island, two miles from Sharm el Sheikh airport, nine miles from Naama Bay and 11 miles from the old quarter of Sharm.
The hotel has 197 rooms, from standard rooms to suites, and can accommodate approximately 400 guests. The only problem with this 5-star hotel is the standard rooms whose decor is heavily marine with a mixture of colour, light blue curtains, yellow bedding and green furniture. The rooms have a balcony or a terrace, a safe, a fridge (full upon request), a television with 14 channels and 24/24 room service. The hotel also has four suites, 10 family rooms without a balcony and 36 rooms with communicating doors.
The hotel is a place of tranquility and serenity, which revolves around a lighthouse located in the middle of the main building. The mountain hawk, a unique species in southern Sinai, dwells in this area. The hotel, opened since October 2004, has five swimming pools, including one that is reserved exclusively for diving, seven bars, including one working 24/24 hours and a very discreet team respecting the peace of its international clientele.
The main restaurant is run by a Tunisian chef who is familiar with the tastes of Europe and offers a buffet with different themes in a warm and peaceful atmosphere. The hotel has two other restaurants serving à la carte, one open only in the evening for romantic dinners by candlelight and a second beside one of the swimming pools for a lunch of seafood specialties. The hotel also contains seven bars each featuring a different atmosphere, such as a lounge bar at the foot of the lighthouse, whose pianist takes care of the ambiance, an oriental bar serving mint tea and Turkish coffees and a cocktail bar.
The beach is very long but not very large, equipped with sunbeds and sunshades. Beinf on the edge of a coral reef, it does not allow direct access to the sea so a pontoon is in place to allow you to bypass the coral and the rocks. At the end of the pontoon there is a water sports centre offering numerous activities, such as parasailing, diving, canoeing, wake-boarding or wind-surfing depending on the climatic conditions.
You can enjoy a massage in a tent on the beach, with a view of the Red Sea and Tiran Island. Our advice about accommodation: The rooms starting with the number 4 are situated at the far left end of the hotel, which are quieter than those in the front.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, hammam, keep fit, Turkish bath, wellness
tennis, water skiing, gym, aqua gym, aerobics, football, volleyball, beach volley, basketball, sailing, paddle boats, canoe, dance, windsurfing, fitness, sports
Of an imposing size, the Reef Oasis is an establishment located closest to the underwater natural park of Ras Mohammed. It is ideally suited to families wanting to be entertained (the hotel has nearly 40 animators) and athletes who wish to have an active vacation.
Facing Tiran island, this hotel offers ideal conditions to practice diving. Unfortunately, the beach is poorly adapted to "simple bathers".
The Crowne Plaza is a grand hotel offering tranquility, which is very pleasant for families. The one negative point is the main restaurant's bad reputation.
Part of the Spanish hotel chain, Sol Melia, Sol Sharm opened in June 2003. The resort has great sea views and well-maintained gardens. Clean, neat, bright and airy, the Sol Sharm is a pleasant resort of white walls and terraces decorated with Bougainvilliers plants. It is a fairly small resort for the area and has good facilities for children.
Opened in July 2005, the Sol Verginia hotel is a simple and friendly hotel that is convenient for youth and family guests, perfect for tight budgets.
Families and couples alike are sure to feel welcome in this hotel, with its balanced combination of colour and class.
The Falcon Hills is another small, budget option in the Hadaba zone of Sharm el Sheikh. It is a compact, rather quiet place which is suitable for friends, couples or families where the needs of each would be modestly met. Expect nothing exceptional at this hotel, but here and there are little touches which stand out making the place a little more appealing. If money is a little tight, or you are looking for a cheap base for pursuing activities such as diving or lazing around, the Falcon Hills is a good bet.
The Ocean Club is one of the most basic hotels in Sharm el Sheikh and from what we saw, it is really somewhere to stay while you are taking diving lessons at its excellent TUI-run Ocean College. It is important to mention that while we were staying the hotel was building up to a month of renovation work (see To Know section) so there may now be (much needed) improvements in place. If for you a hotel is just somewhere to sleep between going to the beach and eating then you'll be fine at the Ocean Club. Otherwise you may want to look elsewhere for something a little more comfortable.
Perfectly maintained, this hotel facility offers luxury and refinement. With its shaded gardens, many fountains and outdoor jacuzzi, it is the ideal place to relax.
The Jaz Belvedere Hotel is easily one of Sharm el Sheikh best quality resorts. With its beautiful interiors and very well maintained exteriors, the Belvedere is more of a hotel than a resort. Directly on the beach, the hotel is small enough to retain intimacy and large enough not to feel claustrophobic after a week. The Belvedere is definitely one of our favourites.
This gargantuan complex is quite simply in a class of its own. You can take any aspect of the hotel, its rooms, its spa, its eateries, its views or its staff and you'll find everything is top draw. If it is top of the range you are after for in Sharm then you can't go far wrong in choosing the Royal Oasis, perfect for couples and families looking for the very best in service and facilities in a setting to die for.
Fully equipped, this hotel offers exclusive comfort in a pleasant setting. Ideal for a week of relaxation.
Quiet and pleasant, this hotel is ideal for couples and diving fans. However, it is poorly adapted for a family-style vacation due to the absence of a kid's club.
An all-round good quality hotel compared to most hotels in Sharm el Sheikh. The extension of the Hilton Shark's Bay is neat and well maintained and is separate from the original part of the resort. There is also nothing Egyptian about the place; one could be anywhere in the world. This part of the hotel lacks in atmosphere but is relaxing and guests are guaranteed a fairly good quality room.
One of the classier outfits in Sharm el Sheikh, the Royal Grand Sharm offers the complete package to guests looking for that little bit extra from their hotel. Perky staff, a beautifully kept environment and convivial atmosphere make this a natural choice for both couples and families. This mid- to high-end establishment is extremely comfortable and is recommended wholly by Easyvoyage.
The Oriental Rivoli is without doubt one of the classiest hotels in Sharm el Sheikh. Its sumptuous decoration must be the finest in the resort and all of its services exude quality, from its staff to its food. Best suited for couples or groups of friends, due to its lack of animation or a kids club, it is the perfect place for relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation. Recommended whole-heartedly by Easyvoyage!