Journey to the resort playground of Sharm El Sheikh to experience a luxurious getaway on the rocky coast of the Red Sea. Dreamy desert landscapes and colorful coral reefs with abundant marine life tempt travelers who desire an exotic destination with a dash of adventure. Five-star hotels with relaxing amenities, delicious restaurants, and spacious rooms await your arrival!
Location & Arrival
Due to terrorism in the upper region of the Sinai Peninsula, flying is the safest way to reach Sharm El Sheikh. Our direct Egyptair flight from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) only took an hour. Viewing the mountainous desert landscape and turquoise water of the Red Sea from above was breathtaking! After landing at the small airport, we paid $12 USD for a taxi (15-minute ride) to transport us to the resort.
The property is flanked by similar hotels and has a private gated entrance with security guards. Upon arrival, our luggage was screened and we had to walk through a metal detector. The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort, which is monitored by video surveillance, prioritizes guest safety and security.
A bellhop whisked away our bags as another staff member handed us two refreshing limeade welcome drinks to sip in the lobby. We filled out a few check-in documents before hopping in a golf cart for a tour of the pristine grounds. Hardy cacti, lush flowers, and soaring palm trees contrast perfectly against the white architecture. The driver informed us about the international restaurants, on-site amenities, and entertainment schedule as we cruised toward our room. What a fantastic first impression!
Deluxe Room
There are several room types and suites with swim-up patios at the Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort. The neutral decor is elegant with marble, wood, and golden accents. Perhaps the reason was due to low guest occupancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our deluxe room featured a sitting area, huge bathroom with walk-in shower, patio overlooking a pool, and two comfortable queen beds.
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Our favorite amenities included the terry cloth bath robes, clothesline in the shower to hang our wet swimsuits, safe to store valuables, and kettle for making cups of tea. We had no issues with the free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, or LED TV. The mini fridge was stocked with sodas and bottled water was delivered to our room daily since tap water in Egypt isn't safe to drink. We opted to forgo housekeeping, but used the affordable laundry and dry cleaning services. Our clothes were returned in pristine condition the following day!
Pools & Beach
The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort has four heated pools: main pool with swim-up bar, kid-friendly pool with slides, quiet adults-only pool, and exclusive pool with cabanas reserved for Royal Club guests. All of the impeccably clean pools have padded lounge chairs, towels, and bathrooms. The coastline around the Sinai Peninsula is full of sharp coral and some properties have artificial beachfronts with soft sand to enhance the outdoor guest experience.
The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort has a wide private beach with white thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. Grab a tasty bite or cocktail at the nearby snack bar in between dips. One of my must-haves in Sharm El Sheikh was a private pier to access the sea for snorkeling. You can rent equipment at the on-site dive center for a small fee. It was thrilling to see a variety of creatures along the vibrant coral reef! We braved the frigid and choppy water to see lionfish, parrotfish, urchins, barracudas, and angelfish.
Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab (Egypt)
Restaurants
Food, which can make or break a trip, is a crucial element to any all-inclusive resort. Fortunately, the buffets and restaurants at the Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort offer several international cuisines to satisfy your tastebuds. Churchill Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a nightcap with its extensive drink menu and comfy chairs. Cheers!
The casual buffet is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I kept my morning meals light with fresh fruit, yogurt, croissants, and coffee. For lunch, we ate salads, grilled wraps, and pizza at Basilico Beach Bar. The dinner buffet has themed nights, such as Mexican and Egyptian, to mix it up. There are several outdoor stations with grilled chicken, shawarma wraps, and made-to-order pasta dishes.
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I highly recommend making dinner reservations at some of nine signature restaurants. Try Manohar Restaurant for savory Indian fare including chicken tikka masala, shrimp curry, paneer, and coconut soup. Our bellies were stuffed after a feast of chicken satay, fried shrimp rolls, tom yum soup, pineapple chicken, and fried bananas at Mai Thai Restaurant. Take a break from the spice with a vegetable salad, spanakopita (spinach pie), and tender beef pot roast at Poseidon Restaurant.
Spa
Brad and I decided to pamper ourselves with a two-hour Romeo and Juliet couples spa package. The treatment included access to the sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi before our sugar scrub and massage. Overall, the spa facilities and staff were inviting and attentive.
Activities
The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort has yoga, nightly entertainment, pool parties, and a clubhouse for kids. Work up a sweat at the gym or schedule a scuba diving excursion with a professional instructor. Talk to the concierge if you're interested in reserving tours to hike up Mount Sinai, visit St. Catherine's Monastery, ride an ATV/camel in the desert, stargaze, or go fishing with a private charter.
We booked a boat trip via Memphis Tours to go snorkeling at three different sites around Ras Mohammed National Park. The protected reserve is regarded as one of the top coral reefs in the world. Brad and I saw pufferfish, stingrays, blue tangs, and butterflyfish with crystal-clear visibility. Cruising around the rocky coast with epic views of mountains and mosques in the distance was breathtaking!
Overall Experience
Staying at the Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort was the ideal way to visit Sharm El Sheikh. Egyptian hospitality is truly in a league of its own. Service was always fast, friendly, and delivered with a smile. Employees catered to our every need and made us feel right at home. The gorgeous grounds, endless amenities, and snorkeling opportunities in the Red Sea were memorable highlights.
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Early in the morning at the airport we were met by the hotel driver who took us to the hotel in 15 minutes, where we were immediately checked-in, even though it was only 7 am. We got a room on the 2nd floor of the Aster block of rooms with an excellent view of the territory and the sea. The double bed has a good size, moderately hard mattress, but the pillows are not very comfortable, and the linens are all in rolls, which surprised us a lot. After checking into the room, we went to the lounge for breakfast. All breakfast dishes are ordered from the menu. Eggs are served in different forms (boiled, fried eggs, omelette, like Benedict), cheese, smoked salmon, pastries, muesli, falafel, waffle, pancakes. We stayed in this hotel for 3 nights and every morning the quality of cooking was the same.
As you step into this grand establishment, you’ll immediately sense the enchanting Arabian ambiance. The entrances and hallways are thoughtfully designed to immerse you in the spirit of the region. The resort boasts an array of luxuries, from a private beach with direct access to a coral reef where you can explore the wonders of the Red Sea to a variety of pools and a rooftop garden. With 421 rooms and suites, the resort offers a range of accommodations to suit your preferences. Each room is equipped with modern amenities, including satellite TV, air conditioning, a minibar, tea and coffee facilities, and more.
Indulge in a culinary journey at the resort’s restaurants, with diverse options ranging from international buffets with daily changing themes to à la carte dining featuring Indian, Greek, Thai, Mongolian, Italian, French, and seafood delicacies. Your all-inclusive experience encompasses meals, snacks, local alcoholic beverages, minibar offerings, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and sports activities.
Summary of Verified Guests
Honeymooners and romantic travelers loved the attentive staff, excellent service, and amazing food at this resort. The resort offers a variety of dining options, including buffet and a la carte restaurants, and guests were particularly impressed with the service at the swim-up rooms and poolside. The hotel's gym was a hit, with one guest's husband visiting five out of seven mornings due to the excellent personal training. Many guests highlighted the cleanliness of the rooms and the resort overall. The beach and pools were also loved by the guests for their beauty and the availability of sun loungers.
The Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort in Sharm El Sheikh has garnered exceptional reviews from guests who praise the beautiful and spacious resort with great pools, attentive staff who provide top-notch service. The fantastic restaurants offer delicious food but could improve on menu presentation. Guests highlight the luxurious rooms, stunning grounds, outstanding facilities including a spa and gym, excellent guest comfort management to prevent mosquito issues, high security standards, faultless customer service, and an overall 5-star experience that leaves visitors eager to return.
Guest Reviews Highlights
- Staff Service: Consistently praised as attentive, friendly, and going above and beyond.
- Food Quality: Wide variety of delicious food options in both buffet and a la carte restaurants.
- Cleanliness: Rooms and resort grounds are spotlessly clean and well-maintained.
- Facilities: Excellent facilities including pools, private beach, spa, and gym.
- Overall Experience: A luxurious and relaxing getaway with a 5-star experience.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sharks Bay, Sharm El Sheikh |
| Rooms | Deluxe rooms with sea views, suites with swim-up patios |
| Dining | 9 signature restaurants, international buffets, Churchill Bar |
| Activities | Snorkeling, scuba diving, spa, yoga, excursions to Mount Sinai and Ras Mohammed National Park |
| Amenities | 4 heated pools, private beach, on-site dive center, gym |
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