Charmillion Sea Life Resort

The Sea Life Resort stands out from the competition with beautiful views of Tiran Island and direct beach access to a shingle shore. The lobby is casual and comfy, with a cluster of green-patterned couches, tiled floors, and clocks above the front desk telling the time in Moscow, London, and Cairo. Manicured gardens of palms and clipped hedges; sand-colored Egyptian-style buildings; and sea views give the resort a luxurious feeling. Some furnishings in the common areas, however, are slightly outdated. Pathways, lined by wicker garden lamps, lead to the beach, where there are umbrellas and wooden lounge chairs. The resort has a clean, spacious lagoon pool and kiddy pool facing the sea. The deck includes wooden lounge chairs with blue-striped cushions, beige umbrellas, a towel stand, and showers. There’s no lifeguard. Under a terrace are pool tables and a ping-pong table. The atmosphere, while relaxing and beach-y, can become more boisterous and boozy as the day wears on; beer is served all day and night for all-inclusive guests, and the noise can be an issue for some. 

The Sea Life Resort is a quick walk to the beach, where there are a diving center and a reef that offers snorkeling and diving. Camel rides, star gazing, and boat trips can be arranged on-site. Shops, bars, and restaurants -- including the popular Ice Bar -- are at SOHO Square, a seven-minute car ride. It’s a 10-minute drive to the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. Naama Bay is an 18-minute drive. Guests have access to the facilities -- including a water park -- at the sister Sea Club Aqua Park and Sea Gardens resorts, all within about a five-minute walk of one another. Driving to Sharm Old Market takes about 25 to 30 minutes. The Blue Hole is about one-hour-and-30-minutes away by car. 

Standard rooms are simply decorated with red-striped curtains and rugs, yellow-patterned wallpaper, antique-style wood furniture, Egyptian artwork, and wooden carved designs that lend a homey feeling. Sometimes, housekeeping leaves scattered flower petals on the beds. All rooms have writing desks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, air-conditioning, tea and coffee facilities, slippers, and bathrobes. Each room also has a balcony or terrace facing the pool and/or the sea, with white plastic furniture. Four special rooms offer disability access. Beige-tiled bathrooms are basic, with magnifying mirrors, bidets, and stall showers. Adjoining rooms are also available.

Three restaurants and three bars are directly on-site, including the main restaurant serving buffet breakfast, lunch, and themed buffet dinners; a Japanese restaurant called Teppanyaki serving a la carte lunch and dinner; and the El Diwania restaurant serving a la carte Egyptian and Lebanese cuisine for dinner. The Sir Francis Drake Pub and Disco is open until 2 a.m. There are also a 24-hour lobby bar with a terrace; a pool bar serving snacks and drinks; and a seafood restaurant, Il Pescatore, serving lunch and dinner at the beach. All-inclusive packages are available. The sister properties offer yet more dining and drinking options. A kids’ clubhouse provides a grassy playground overlooking the sea. The large amphitheater and stage have live, family-friendly entertainment. There are also a business corner with four PC computers, and numerous shops selling souvenirs and jewelry. The small spa offers poolside massage rooms and canopies, and a Turkish bath. There’s also a hair salon. The gym has modern equipment and free weights.