El-Salam, Nabq Bay, Egypt | 2 069 3710 611
Kid-friendly resort with modern decor and nearby beach access
Stylish rooms with minibars; some with private pool terraces
Wave pool, freshwater pool, three-slide pool, kiddy pool, and lazy lake
Four international restaurants and five bars
Spa with a hot tub, sauna, and beauty salon
Small gym offers modern equipment and weights
Entertainment for kids, including arcade games and amphitheater
Shopping mall with souvenir, clothing, jewelry and perfume shops
Free parking, and Wi-Fi in some common areas
No direct beach access
Fee for in-room Wi-Fi
Guests complain about uncleanliness in rooms and worn fixtures
Food occasionally gets poor reviews
Party atmosphere in the off season (pro for some)
The 212-room Coral Sea Aqua Club Resort provides an upscale family-friendly beach vacation, with plenty of fun activities: four pools, multi-lane slides, a wave rider, and a lazy lake. There are also a spa, a kids’ club, on-site shops, casual buffet dining, and 24-hour cocktails. Sleek, modern rooms have flat-screen TVs and balconies or terraces; some have private pools. Beach access, however, is a bit of a trek through the sister hotel. For rooms closer to the beach, try the Sensatori Sharm El-Sheikh by Coral Sea.
Scene
Upscale South Sinai beach hotel with a lively water park
The Coral Sea Aqua Club Resort suits families seeking a beach vacation with kid-friendly entertainment and a lively on-site water park. Beige marble flooring, large windows, white and sand-colored chairs, and pops of blue furnishings give the vast lobby a sleek yet beach-y feeling. Restaurants are similarly minimalist-chic, in dark wood and gray, with pops of bright white, and lots of large windows to let in the sunshine. Most of the action at this three-floor hotel happens at the Aqua Park, with multi-lane slides, speed slides, a boomerang, a space bowl slide, a lazy lake for inner tubing, a FlowRider, a tiki water playground, and kiddy slides. Throughout the park are sand-colored decks lined with simple, black loungers and white umbrellas. There is more space for sunning around the free-form freshwater pool, though guests shouldn't expect to get much privacy whilst working on their tans, as the resort tends to be quite full. Seafaring decorations and faux sandy shores add to the lively atmosphere, which continues into the night at the 24-hour lobby bar.
Location
In South Sinai, close to the beach
The resort is situated in Nabq Bay, a 10-minute walk from the beach, through sister hotel Coral Sea Holiday Village. Nearby attractions within a five-minute walk include La Strada Mall, and various fast-food and casual restaurants, including Hard Rock Cafe Nabq. El Khan Bazaar and Naama Bay are both about 25 minutes by car. The Ras Mohamed National Park is 50 minutes by car, and it's about a half-hour drive to Sharm Papyrus Museum or Sinai Safari Adventures. It’s a 15-minute drive to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.
Rooms
Stylish rooms and suites offer flat-screen TVs and balconies; some with private pool access
The resort offers Standard, Family, Swim-up, and Family Superior rooms. Family Suites are also available. Decor is serene and stylish, in shades of pale gray, bright white, and warm beige. Sand-colored walls and tiled floors, wood-paneling behind the beds, and simple wood-laminate furnishings complete each room. All have balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, tea kettles, and air-conditioning. Modern bathrooms are decorated with light brown tile and candle-style lamps; stall showers come as standard. Swim-Up rooms have terraces overlooking a private pool, which is shared with other rooms. Family Superior rooms have two bedrooms, while two-bedroom Family Suites have living rooms and can accommodate up to six people. Connecting rooms and cribs can be requested.
Features
International dining options, 24-hour cocktails, and a shopping arcade
With four restaurants and five bars, there are plenty of on-site dining and drinking choices to suit couples and families. The casual Dine Around buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; The American Diner serves contemporary Western cuisine for dinner; the Oishii restaurant serves Asian fare, and has pool views; and the open-air Stonegrill offers meals prepared on hot stones. The resort offers a 24-hour lobby bar, pool bar with light meals, water park bar, and sports bar with flat-screen TVs and an adult-only terrace. The poolside shisha bar offers hookahs. In the shopping arcade are stores selling clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, photos, and perfume. The spa has a hot tub, steam room, sauna, treatment rooms, and beauty salon; there's also a small, modern gym. Kids can play in the open-air game room with air hockey; catch shows in the wooden amphitheater; play in the colorful kids' club area; or swim in the kiddy pool. Wi-Fi is free in some common areas, including a Cyber Cafe. Parking is free in the on-site lot.