Iberotel Palace

Stepping inside the Iberotel Palace, guests are greeted by a spacious, beautiful lobby awash with polished marble with neoclassical columns supporting a pretty domed ceiling adorned by an intricate wrought-iron chandelier. The grounds are immaculately tended as well, with neatly sculpted shrubbery, manicured lawns, and numerous palm trees, while the complex itself comprises pristine, low-rise, whitewashed buildings centered around the main two-tiered pool and sloping gently to the hotel's exclusive sandy beach. This small adult-only resort maintains a serene and relaxing vibe that attracts vacationing couples of all ages and is particularly popular with honeymooners (though the neighboring resort sometimes produces unwanted noise).

The hotel overlooks Sharm El Maya Bay on the southern end of Sharm El Sheikh. Although the surrounding area isn't particularly attractive, there's plenty within walking distance (not the case at many similar properties), including Old Sharm's spice market, which is just a five-minute walk away. Naama Bay -- the central tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh that is full of restaurants, bars, and buzzing nightlife -- is about a 10-minute drive from the resort (the hotel provides a free shuttle service). It's one of the more distant hotels from Sharm El Sheikh's International Airport at around 25 minutes by car. 

The hotel's 263 rooms are bright and spacious with fresh neutral tones and natural wood and stone-tiled floors. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with tea/coffee facilities, free bottled water, minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi -- though minibars aren't very well stocked. Bathrooms are smart and clean with marble-topped vanities, wall-mounted hairdryers, and walk-in showers, while waffle-towel bathrobes are also provided. Sliding floor-to-ceiling windows open on to furnished balconies or terraces overlooking the garden, pool, or sea.  

There are four restaurants on-site, the main one being La Coupole that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style and has an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining. Two a la carte options provide Italian and Asian cooking, while the Blue Marine restaurant serves buffet dinner with lovely sea views (all dining has a dress code, though it is fairly relaxed). There's also a good selection of bars on-site, including pool, beach, and pub-style bars with singers, belly dancers, and other professional live acts.

The hotel's main swimming pool is split over two levels and has views over the sea and a swim-up bar (though a shortage of loungers at high occupancy times can result in some early-morning towel reserving). There's also an indoor pool as well as an on-site spa with sauna, massage treatments, and a modern gym. A private sandy beach provides direct access to the water (unlike many similar resorts where the coral comes right up to the sand) and offers a range of water sports including scuba diving and waterskiing, and although there's not much snorkeling off-shore, the hotel provides a speed boat shuttle to a nearby coral reef. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the resort (it even reaches the beach), and there are also two tennis courts for guests' use.

The hotel's optional all-inclusive plan covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main restaurant as well as one dinner per stay in the Italian a la carte restaurant and one gala dinner buffet. Snacks and ice cream are provided in the afternoon, while a range of locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks are also included until midnight -- minibar soft drinks are also free of extra charge.