Nestled by the sea in Egypt's picturesque Soma Bay area, the Palm Royale Resort offers a luxurious retreat with a private sandy beach overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. The hotel is located 63 km from the center of Hurghada, on the seashore. Opened in 2004, the last partial renovation took place in 2011. This spacious complex is surrounded by tropical palm trees and beautifully tended grounds and gardens.
SENTIDO Palm Royale is a beachfront resort located in Soma Bay, Egypt. The hotel was chosen based on reviews. I liked everything.
Sentido Palm Royale Soma Bay, Hurghada, Egypt
Overview
- Beachfront location in Soma Bay
- Five on-site restaurants with diverse cuisines
- Two outdoor pools
- Free children's club
- Wide range of sports and water activities
The main building looks huge from the outside, and the grand lobby is impressive. Glossy marble floors lead up to a central bar atrium with a towering domed stained-glass ceiling. The atrium is surrounded by a fish pond, glass lifts, decorative balconies, gold-framed portraits, and plush seating -- providing a lovely space to drink in the evening and listen to the pianist. However, when you start looking a little closer, the heavy, overly ornate decor can't help but appear tired and dated.
Location
This property has a prime beachfront location in Egypt's picturesque Soma Bay area. The hotel's private sandy beach overlooks the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea, which is home to many famous dive spots. The Salem Express wreckage (a passenger ship of pilgrims which sank in December 1991) can be accessed from here, and guests can explore the reef's beautiful coral gardens and rich underwater wildlife. The city is filled with shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as an impressive mosque. Senzo Mall is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel, and Makadi Bay Water World is 20 minutes away by car -- which is ideal for travelers with kids.
Rooms
This considerable property has 445 guestrooms arranged across its five floors. The hotel's 445 guest rooms are decorated in a traditional style, with dark wood furniture, antique-style furnishings, marble-finish floors, gold-framed portraits, and neutral painted walls. Styles vary slightly from room to room, but all are clean, despite an aesthetic that's tired and dated -- certainly not up to the hotel's own luxury claims. Furnished balconies come standard, offering lovely views of the sea, pool, or surrounding gardens. Swim-up balconies are also available in some rooms, offering direct access to the pool.
Read also: Hotel Expansion in Ethiopia
All rooms include modern amenities such as air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, phones, safes, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Higher category rooms add free robes, slippers, fruit baskets, and bubbly on arrival, while Suites add exclusive butler services.
While some previous guests noted that the rooms could be better maintained and updated, they also praised the cleanliness of the rooms and the breathtaking views offered. Despite some negative comments about the age of the rooms and occasional noise from reception, many guests enjoyed the lovely and curated decorations and found the rooms to be neat and clean. Some guests did note that the rooms lacked modern amenities and could benefit from updates, but overall, the rooms received positive reviews for their size, cleanliness and views.
Guests will find that coffee makers are provided and there is free WiFi available. The rooms feature furnished balconies, minibars, and deep soaking bathtubs.
Dining
The SENTIDO Palm Royale has five restaurants, offering Asian, Greek, Italian, Egyptian, and Lebanese a la carte cuisines. Breakfast and dinner buffets are also available, depending on room rate. Guests can choose between several meal plans, though previous guests have found the all-inclusive plans stingy. Expect fees added to all-inclusive bill for everything from certain snacks and breakfast extras, as well as a limited menu of included cocktails.
There are five restaurants on the grounds. Plus, there is a snack bar, beach bar, and 24-hour room service.
Read also: Experience Tolip Hotel in Egypt
Breakfast
Guests rave about the breakfast at Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay, describing it as amazing, varied and fresh with a large selection of delicious and catered-for-everyone dishes. Vegetarians also find plenty of options, including a well-stocked buffet. Some guests particularly recommend the Lebanese restaurant and the dessert buffet with its tasty oriental sweets.
While a few guests had some issues with the coffee or limited choice, overall the breakfast receives exceptional reviews for its quality, variety and decoration. The Terrace is also mentioned as a great spot for breakfast, offering super delicious and varied options. The bottom line: the breakfast at Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay is a fantastic way to start your day.
Dinner
The dinner options at Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay receive mixed reviews. Some guests note that the food and beverage selection is poor, while others rave about the delicious dishes prepared by the chefs. Many reviewers mention that the buffet can be repetitive in terms of variety, but the option to dine at one of the four a la carte restaurants provides some relief from the crowds. Guests highlight the Greek, Lebanese and Italian restaurants as standouts.
However, some diners note that the quality of the meals is not consistently up to five-star standards and the atmosphere in the main restaurant can be loud and run-down. Overall, while there are some drawbacks, the dining experience at Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay delivers tasty food in a range of settings.
Amenities and Activities
The main attraction at this hotel is its beach, a private stretch of sand offering free towel service and palapa-covered sun loungers. Guests can also relax at the hotel's two swimming pools, one of which includes a swim-up bar.
Read also: Your New Cairo Retreat
The SENTIDO Palm Royale offers a wide range of sports activities and entertainment. There's a well-equipped fitness room with modern cardio equipment, plus myriad outdoor activities such as tennis, mini-golf, beach volleyball, water aerobics, and water polo. There's a PADI dive school on the beach, which also offers kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing. Guests can arrange riding excursions with Arabian horses from the hotel's own stables.
There's plenty in the way of nightly entertainment, with a disco, several bars, and free Live shows. The hotel caters well for kids too, with a free Kids' Club, outdoor playground, and heated children's pool that's open year round.
- Two outdoor pools (though the main one isn't heated)
- Full-service spa
- Modern fitness center
- Nightly entertainment
- Several bars and a disco
Spa and Wellness
The Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay boasts a good spa that offers massages at reasonable prices. Guests can also enjoy the sauna and the warm pool in the spa area. The access to the spa is complimentary and a real plus at the end of the day. While some guests found the spa prices to be more expensive than in Europe, others highly recommended the massages, which they described as a true pleasure.
Gym
One of the highlights of Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay is its gym. Guests rave about the many facilities and activities offered, including horse riding, tennis and a spa. The gym even features a pool for workouts. Yoga and fitness classes are also available. Guests have particularly praised the helpfulness of Mahmoud, a staff member at the gym.
Pools
The Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay boasts a great selection of pools, including a heated outdoor pool and a children's pool. Guests can enjoy swimming in the lovely pool area or relaxing on the numerous sunbeds at the beachfront. The quiet zone is especially popular for those seeking a little peace and tranquility.
Beach
The Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay boasts the best beach in the area with a beautiful stretch of clean sand that gradually flattens into the crystal clear sea. The beach is perfect for kiting and diving activities with a nearby kite station and equipment rental options. For those looking for a more peaceful experience, there is a quiet zone equipped with high-quality wooden sun loungers and reserved beach chairs.
Tennis Courts
One of the many facilities and activities available at the Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay are the excellent tennis courts, which guests have praised for their quality and evening lighting. Guests can even play with a trainer, adding an extra level of enjoyment to their game. Alternatively, those who prefer water sports can take advantage of the kite center located nearby.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay is a fantastic choice for families, as it offers many activities and facilities especially suitable for kids. The Aqua Park center is a highlight and Mr. Raslan does a great job involving both children and adults. The resort is family-friendly and even has a children's club and disco. The educators in charge of the kids' activities are good and the playground with grass is perfect for young ones.
Cleanliness and Staff
The Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay is a well-maintained and clean hotel according to many of its guests. The rooms are clean and well-equipped and the entire resort is in good condition. The beaches and pool are spotlessly clean and the sea is very clean.
Many travelers describe the staff as friendly, courteous and attentive. They note how the staff goes above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay and make guests feel like family. Overall, guests highly appreciate the dedication and professionalism of the Palm Royale Resort staff.
Internet Access
The Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay has received mixed reviews regarding their wifi connection. Several guests have reported problems with the wifi in their rooms with some experiencing no connection at all. However, there are options to upgrade the connection by renting a mobile router or purchasing a hotspot, which several guests found to be a great solution.
Some guests reported that the wifi only worked in the lobby area. Despite this, there were some guests who did not face any issues with the wifi and reported a good connection. Overall, the wifi issues at Palm Royale Resort - Soma Bay are easily solvable and several guests have found viable solutions during their stay.
Overall Impression
Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay is a top-rated hotel that lives up to its reputation, even if it may not be the newest property in town. While some have called it a "fake 5-star hotel" due to its Egyptian rating system, others have hailed it as the best choice in the area. Despite some negative reviews, the majority noted that their experience was phenomenal.
The hotel is more than 17 years old, when the hotel was opened in 2004, it was part of the InterContinental hotel chain, after 8 years the hotel entered the German SENTIDO hotel chain. Everything about this hotel is perfect! Everything is awesome. You can safely go, including with children! This is a place where you definitely want to come back!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Overall, the Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay is an exclusive hotel that caters to all types of travelers with various needs for activities and relaxation in a comfortable and enjoyable environment.