Hotel Novotel Sharm El Sheikh

The Hotel Novotel Sharm El-Sheikh consists of two different wings as its split down the middle by the El Salam (or Peace Road) that runs right through it. The Palm wing sits on the north side and tends to be quieter and more family-oriented with a kids' pool and plenty of open green spaces. South of the road and overlooking the sea is the Beach wing where guests have direct access to the hotel's generous stretch of sand (Palm guests must cross this fairly busy road to get to the beach, but staff members are always on hand to help). The resort's numerous low-rise whitewashed buildings are exceptionally well-maintained and set in attractive tropical gardens scattered with palm trees, scented flowers, and sculpted shrubbery. Special care has also been taken in lighting the grounds whose abundant flora is illuminated by numerous spotlights and lanterns to create a rather magical ambience. 

The hotel is bisected by the main El Salam highway in the busy tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh's Naama Bay. The town center with its numerous restaurants, bars, bazaars, and buzzing nightlife is about a 15-minute walk down a pedestrianized road, or a few minutes by cab. The Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is around a 15-minute drive away, while the area's second tourist center, SOHO Square, is about the same distance. 

The hotel has 382 rooms, all of which are tastefully decorated in earthy tones with plenty of natural wood and tiled floors. Rooms are spacious, with a small seating area and sliding doors that open up to large furnished balconies or terraces with garden, pool, and sea views (sometimes all three, while other times views are obscured by trees). In-room amenities are better than most, providing free Wi-Fi (atypical of hotels in the area) as well as the usual minibars, tea/coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms are on the small side, but clean and well maintained with walk-in showers and wall-mounted hairdryers. 

The resort has three restaurants, the main one, Coral, serving breakfast, lunch, and a themed nightly buffet, and the other two offering a la carte menus of French and Italian food (room service is also available around the clock). There are just two bars, which is unusual for a resort of this size; both overlook the sea and one provides live entertainment, music, and cabaret. There are five swimming pools dotted around the complex, with each wing having at least one large pool as well as a kids' pool. There's also a kids' club (for four- to 12-year-olds), indoor play areas, and children's menus as well as baby sitting services (for a fee).

There's a nice stretch of sandy beach that's exclusive to guests and provides plenty of loungers and parasols as well as a floating jetty for snorkelers to explore the coral reef. The beach also has windsurfing facilities, a PADI-certified diving center, and plenty of other water sports such as banana-boat rides and waterskiing. A fairly decent fitness center with a sauna is also available for guests' use, but there are no spa facilities or treatments offered. 

The hotel's optional all-inclusive plan covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main Coral restaurant, as well as one meal per stay in one of the a la carte eateries. Snacks including ice cream and cakes are also provided in the afternoon at the poolside and beach bars. A range of locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks are also included at the pool bar, though wine is only available at dinner and lunch in the restaurant.