Baron Resort Sharm El Sheikh

True to its name, there's plenty about Sharm El Sheikh's Baron Resort that exudes a feeling of upscale and old-school grandeur. Stepping into the spacious lobby, visitors are met with finely polished floors and columns clad in stone and marble, elegant traditional-style furnishings, and plenty of wrought-iron detailing including a huge centerpiece chandelier. One of four properties that belongs to the independent Baron chain, this resort opened in 1998 and remains one of the most verdant complexes in the area -- buildings occupy only one fifth of its 25 acres of landscaped gardens. The gardens are well-tended, with wide walkways cutting through manicured lawns dotted with palm trees, tropical plants, and colorful flowers. The hotel's long, low-rise building stretches the length of the grounds and overlooks its wide private sandy beach and coral reefs of the Red Sea. The hotel attracts both families with kids and honeymooners from Europe and the surrounding region, as well as being popular with package tourists.

The resort is located on the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula overlooking the Straits of Tiran Island and part of the popular Sharm El Sheikh tourist destination. There's very little in the immediate surroundings, besides other resorts and desert landscape, and there's nothing within walking distance. The central tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh -- Naama Bay -- full of restaurants, bars, and buzzing nightlife, is about 20 minutes away by car. The hotel is, however, one of the closer ones to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport at under a 15-minute drive.

The hotel has 360 rooms, all of which are spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to furnished terraces or balconies (the majority with views over the Red Sea). Decor is fresh and fairly modern, featuring neutral tones, tiled floors, and traditionally-styled furnishings, and rooms are clean and well-maintained, though lacking a little in character. Amenities include air-conditioning, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with over 40 international channels, while high-end touches include Egyptian cotton linens and fluffy bathrobes and slippers. A free laundry bag once a week is also a nice perk, however both wired and wireless Internet incur a fee (and Wi-Fi coverage is very patchy). Royal Suites are particularly deluxe as separate stand-alone units that include marble bathrooms, private bars, and plunge pools, as well as some of the hotel's finest sea views. 

The resort provides several dining options, including Indian, Egyptian, Italian, and seafood a la carte restaurants, as well as a poolside barbecue and the main buffet dining room, though guests should note that many restaurants require advance booking. Some restaurants have theme nights including traditional Bedouin dinners and regular live entertainment, while various bars and cafes provide everything from dancing and pool, to shisha pipes and Cuban cigars. The hotel has one Olympic-size main pool that's surrounded by lots of sun loungers and is heated over the cool months. There's also a partially covered pool overlooking the sea just for adults, as well as a separate splash pool for kids.

Children are generally well catered for with two kids' clubs for different ages, an indoor play area, and a beach playground, as well as supervised daily entertainment programs. There's also an on-site health and relaxation spa that provides body wraps and massage treatments, which can be enjoyed in the massage tent on the beach overlooking the Red Sea. The hotel's sandy beach has its own bar and offers lots of loungers, a floating jetty out to the gorgeous coral reef, a water sports center with a range of sea-based activities, and even camel rides. 

The resort provides a range of plans, from simple bed and breakfast to half-board to all-inclusive rates. Unreserved meal options under the plans involve buffet service in the hotel's main Sinai restaurant, which while typically prone to inconsistent quality, is generally better than your average hotel buffet. Most of the a la carte options must be reserved in advance, while the Pool Bar offers a late breakfast and afternoon snacks. The all-inclusive plan includes unlimited local alcoholic drinks and a range of soft drinks around the clock (the dance bar is open until 2 a.m., and the lobby bar is open all night), though any premium spirits or imported wines are extra.