Dreams Beach Resort

The rather grand fountain fronting the entrance of the Dreams Beach Resort wouldn't look out of place in Rome or Florence, and the inside is a stylistic hodgepodge, with neoclassic touches, a modern centerpiece water feature, and old-fashioned streetlamp-style lighting. The 18 acres of grounds are nicely designed and well-maintained with golf buggies transporting guests to over a dozen buildings. Built on a cliff, the edge of the resort has pleasant views over the Red Sea and features tiered levels that lead down to the hotel's private, man-made beach. You'll find a mixture of largely Russian and British vacationers lounging around the central free-form swimming pool, and an equal mix of couples and families with kids. 

This resort is located in the relatively quiet Om El Seed Hill area in the southeastern end of the popular Sharm el Sheikh. There's little else in the immediate surroundings besides other similar resorts, though it's just a 10-minute drive to the bustling Sharm Old Market. Naama Bay -- the central tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh that is full of restaurants, bars, and buzzing nightlife -- is also about 10 minutes away (a hotel shuttle bus is available). Sharm El Sheikh Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

The hotel's 468 rooms are all bright and spacious, with glass sliding doors that open out to furnished terraces or balconies with garden, pool, or sea views. While rooms are generally clean and well-maintained, decor is fairly basic and a bit dated. Picture white tile floors with dark grout, blonde wood furniture, and fabrics in beachy whites and blues. Standard amenities include minibars, tea/coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs with a few international channels, while bathrooms all have shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers. Suites are a little larger, while the Family Rooms consist of two interconnected units.

The resort has a total of five restaurants and three bars on-site, though most of the breakfast, lunch, and dinner service takes place at the main L'Opera buffet restaurant, which can get busy at peak times. Other eateries include Italian, Mexican, and a steakhouse (some of which require pre-booking), as well as the Love Boat seafood restaurant and Bedouin-style tent offering shisha pipes. There are a total of five swimming pools to choose from, including a scuba-diving pool and pool for kids. Two of the pools are heated over the winter, but otherwise can get chilly. Background poolside music can be loud and might annoy some guests. The hotel's small beach is man-made and consists of tiered levels that are lined with sun loungers and a jetty leading to the edge of the reef with good snorkeling.

There's plenty in the way of activities and entertainment, with daily animation programs and shows as well as a kids' club and mini-disco (for four- to 12-year-olds). An on-site spa provides massage treatments, a hot tub, and a sauna, though facilities and ambience aren't up to scratch. Sports facilities include two clay tennis courts, mini-golf, and table tennis, while guests can also use all of the facilities of the sister hotel Dreams Vacation Resort.

The all-inclusive plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the L'Opera buffet restaurant, as well as any of the other restaurants (though usually with prior reservation). A range of mid-morning and afternoon snacks are also available including sandwiches, fruit, and jacket potatoes. Unlimited local alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, and spirits) and the usual range of soft drinks are also included and served in the restaurants during mealtimes and most of the bars until closing (the lobby bar is open 24 hours a day).