Le Royale Luxury Collection Resort Sharm EI Sheikh

Visitors pass along a pathway aptly lined with royal palms to arrive at the elegant and impressive -- and unmistakably upscale -- Le Royale Sharm El Sheikh. Water features and elegant fountains lead guests into the lobby where polished wood paneling blends with Spanish marble floors, Art Deco-style furnishings, and original artworks to create a refined ambience. The more deluxe enclave of the Sonesta Beach Resort, the complex comprises a number of attractive low-rise buildings set in immaculate gardens complete with manicured lawns, sculpted topiary, and tropical plants. At just 165 rooms, it's one of the smaller hotels in the Sharm El Sheikh area, giving it an air of boutique exclusivity, while high surrounding hedgerows create a feeling of seclusion. This makes it particularly popular with couples -- especially honeymooners -- while also attracting families with older children.  

This hotel is located just off the main El Salam Highway in Naama Bay -- the central tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh on the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula -- and about a five-minute drive or a 10-minute stroll along the beachfront boulevard to bars, shops, and restaurants. Soho Square, an entertainment and nightlife center, is about 15 minutes by car, while Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is around the same distance.

The hotel has a relatively modest 165 rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and decorated in smart, conservative style with an Art Deco edge. (Though it's worth noting they don't quite live up to advertised five-star standards.) Beds are particularly comfy with memory foam mattresses and Egyptian cotton linens, while Carrera marble-clad bathrooms -- many with both showers and separate soaking tubs -- are a highlight. Amenities are outstanding too, with free Wi-Fi (for up to two devices), 42-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, and coffee/tea facilities. All rooms extend to furnished balconies or terraces, while swim-up rooms give direct access to exclusive pool areas (though these can be cold in winter).

Most of the dining takes places at La Gondola restaurant, which serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's also Indian or Italian a la carte eateries, though all restaurants are located at the neighboring sister hotel that's a short walk away. The hotel features several excellent and relaxing swimming pools which are finished in Spanish mosaic and lined with plenty of padded loungers -- though lack of poolside service is a let-down. Guests also have access to an exclusive section of a sandy beach connected to the Sonesta resort, though it's a stroll away and quite small so can get busy at peak times. As well as the restaurants and bars, guests also have access to all of the Sonesta Beach Resort's facilities, including a health club, casino, shopping arcade, and recreation center offering scuba lessons and snorkeling trips.