The Best Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh

 

Since my last trip to Egypt, I have had one question asked over and over:

"Which is the best hotel you stayed at in Sharm?"

And I must be honest, it's really tough to answer that. It's not because I don't have an opinion, but rather, I have favourite bits in all of them. That includes the budget hotel which I would never (?) return to.

"What do you like?" is my usual response. 

If you like quality food, a serene atmosphere and quieter music, I would suggest the Tui Blue Sensatori (Coral Sea). 

The hotel was exquisite in every way. The pool was well heated, the food was the best I have tasted in Sharm. For me, travelling as a celiac, the food labelling is important. I should share something on another post - insider information - I found out something pretty significant. I will go into more detail about this hotel in its own blog post. 

Incredible room with a jacuzzi bath

Stunning sunsets and beautiful fairy lights for New Year

The pool at night, engulfed with bouganvilla

If you want fun, Coral Sea Water World (CSWW) is your jam. The place has my heart. I totally fell in love with CSWW over the years and it feels like home for so many people. The food seems a little more basic these days which is a pity, but it is completely edible. 

One of the pools is heated and that's the place to go for all the action during the cooler months.  We fondly refer to it as the 'little swimming pool'.

No words can describe this sunrise

The little swimming pool is heated in winter

Incredible jaccuzi room

The rooms are big at CSWW and I would have thought the entertainment would be better suited to children there, although one Mum shared how much her little ones loved the Tui Blue. The staff kept them entertained nicely. 

The Budget hotel was called the Rehana. I stayed there as a base while I ventured out to the other hotels to film and take photos and that was a good idea. Booking through Love Holidays was a new adventure to me.  I only paid £420 for the entire two weeks. The cost included flights from Gatwick, 14 nights accommodation in a single room (there were very comfy twin beds) and food and drinks for the duration of the stay. I will go in to more details on another blog post about the finer details of this hotel. I have a lot to say. Not all good; but some was good, and for the price I paid, I can't complain overly. It's hard to recommend this hotel because the quality just wasn't up to scratch. I'm sad to say this about any place in Egypt as I do feel the place carries some magic, no matter what. 

Back in 2009, I visited Sharm for the first time. I stayed at a place called the Royal Albatros Moderna back then and I decided I wanted to go back again. The main reason was to research for my upcoming book "This time in Africa". 

The management of the hotel overdelivered and far exceeded my expectations. I was met by the booking.com manager, Luca, who showed me to my incredible suite for the next couple of days. 

The hotel is now called the Pickalbaros Royal Moderna. Let's call it Moderna. I felt as if there was something for everyone there. The family areas were bustling and exciting with music and dancing woven throughout the daytime and the quiet areas were certainly snoozeworthy. Play areas for the children were dotted around the grounds and there were games galore, including mini golf. 

One of the longest piers in Nabq

This shower came at me from all angles! Incredible.

This one wasn't gluten free - but how pretty

Stunning cafe area with a real barrister

Happy me. 

Food in the Moderna was more than adequate, but seldom are you able to expect Michelin star standards in Sharm. The Tui Blue concept was the best show of food, and I found it hard to improve the food suggestions there. Tasty, pretty, well-labelled food was in every restaurant and the service was second to none. 

I will detail these four hotels, and what I have found in each of them, in their own individual blog posts, so come back for more. 

To answer the question of which was my favourite or which was the best, is impossible. What do you like? Which would I go to again? It really depends on the wants and needs at the time.

Something you mustn't miss is the extensive videos I created about these hotels. They will show you everything you could wish to know and more - I hope you find them useful.

Do reach out to me if you have questions - but there will be plenty more information upcoming.

As always

Louise xoxo

PS - this post may include affiliate links, which means if you book with the links, the company may pay me a few pence for the introduction.

Review of Tui Blue Marmaris

My second visit to this wonderful resort (can you even call it a resort? – it’s like another world) and I’ve so much to say.

You search for a holiday and hope a few boxes are ticked.  This place has it all.

The beach is peaceful, swept constantly, stocked with comfortable beds and towels are provided (you can change these daily too). There is shade if you want it too and I chuckle how some of us move our beds to chase the sun and some chase the shade. Fish can be seen in very shallow clear water.  Even a beautiful blue kingfisher was seen early in the morning (I’m always up early!)

Two pools are spotlessly clean. One is the relax pool where folks reside to read and sleep.  I didn’t use that one.  The other pool is the activity pool and there is a little music and some games on occasions.  This was a great place for early morning sun.

Taking mum this time (Stressful mistake, my fault, nothing to do with Tui) we asked for the most accessible room possible.  I was aware this resort is not the most accessible with steps and slopes a plenty.  Yet we were totally given the most perfect room we could have wished for (I upgraded to the suite) and we managed with extra help from staff when needed.  This was very much appreciated on our arrival in the early hours when Mete (The resident Dj) offered to help us with the luggage. This is not his job and he simply did it kindly out of the goodness of his heart! Definitely going the extra mile! Speaking further of Mete, as a DJ I adored his sets. Especially on our last night – we were all buzzing after the entertainment finished (Rainbow Classix – we were all in tears at the talent!) and Mete played a selection of our requests and the dance floor was on fire! One of the very best nights of my life where friendships were cemented with other families and we all left with massive smiles on our faces.

The suite was well equipped with fantastic beds which were so comfortable (the best I’ve ever slept in!) and the showers were always perfect. 

A tricky eater, as I am celiac, food was always plentiful.  I loved eating at the Purple Turtle at lunchtime and there is always a gluten free and a vegan option as well as plenty of fresh fruit and salad.  Watching the fish during lunch swimming underfoot is fab.  Thanks to Ahmet, Sparky and Imam for their service here day after day.  Remembering your drinks, even if you’ve forgotten what you want!

Breakfast is good! The omelettes are the best in the world. Literally. Thanks Mustafa!

The a la carte restaurant is lovely service and free once per visit (regardless of length of stay). Personally, I felt the food was incredible but it’s not your typical british meat and veg if that’s your thing.

Dinner time saw us eating on the Balcony which is something I struggled with before as it was super hot in July and I preferred the air con inside.  Bayram is a star who was supported by Civan and the service again was second to none.  They had mum entertained with her strange sense of humour too!

Evening entertainment is so professional and I loved every night.  Now I’m fully aware this is all love, love, love in this post and yes, to be honest, there’s not really anything bad to say which gives me an issue of where do I go next? Will anywhere measure up?  Possibly not!  I’m a fan of live music and none of it disappointed.  My favourites being the Golden Tones on a Saturday night. The place rocks! In this area Erkan is a fantastic server of drinks and remembers a massive long list somehow.  Baris and his brother on the bar inside shake those cocktails to perfection.

Anther reviewer mentioned they ran out of Baileys.  Yes, for 24 hours.  And if that is all we can complain about….

Watersports: I wish I had gone out on the jetski. Next time.  There are kayaks for free to use and many other choices and these guys down there are so super helpful and friendly.

To be honest, you could easily use this place as a health retreat too. The gym is well equipped (there are scales in there too if you want to be obessed with your weight) and outside areas to work out in.  Several sports are on offer and I would recommend the early morning Yoga which overlooks the water and mountains.  Totally perfect for Bliss and grounding.  Ella was the Yoga lady last week and her knowledge is superb. She spent a lot of time with me (I have health issues) and was so helpful for making a forward plan during my stay. 

There are juices freshly prepared for the mornings. You can chose healthy eating, there is plenty here to chose from.

My one suggestion would be to offer more gluten free dessert. Other than fruit or chia seed pudding there was not much choice and I heard others mention this too.  It was a good thing for me as I dropped 7lbs in two weeks (which was my plan).  Although really, there is absolutely nothing negative to say. This resort has it all. The gardens are beautiful. There are some amazing walks and you could watch the changing landscapes forever….

Use the link to book next time *contains affiliate link

Being a YouTuber

This trip has been more enlightening than I would have imagined.

Thinking I was bringing mum away on her last trip of her life (although I have said that before) to give her a nice time is about as far as I had thought.

Yet within just a few days of being on this beautiful peninsula, and here I was realising that there was an energy shift.  Just like I had back in Egypt in 2009.  Strange.  Unexplainable.
How does this happen?  I wasn't sure.

Julia started it! She and I were watching 'Strings at Sunset' and she spoke to her husband about me.
"I'm sure that's Louise who we watched on Youtube." And came over to ask me.  Yes it was me.  This was a little surreal.  She continued to tell me how she had found the videos helpful and watched several of them.  Wow.  I loved that.
As the week continued, other new friends came and introduced themselves as viewers too.  Often we would just pass each other and they would let me know how helpful my work has been to them.  Ha.  Work.  I love that.  Talk about the best job in the world.  So, yes it is hard work at times but such a blast.  Love it.  Knowing that it's not just out there in the ether is exciting. People are finding this helpful.  And I love making them.

So now I knew what I needed to do with my life.
Which is handy as being here and places like this are helping me to feel so much better in myself physically and mentally.

Going back home sees lots of editing needing to go on which I'm excited to upload. Especially now that this is helping people.  The future looks bright.