Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Resort

The cavernous, heigh-ceilinged lobby of the Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Resort is full of greenery: lush plants sprout, climb, and drape the oasis-like space, which is complete with rock-lined pools crisscrossed by charming wooden bridges. An atrium ceiling and large windows fill the space with natural light, while tables and chairs are dotted about amid the greenery and water features. It's a pleasant and relaxing place to lounge in, but the rest of the interiors throughout the property show some wear and are a bit tired. The place is well maintained, however, and the palm and plant-dotted grounds offer a nice place to relax outside. The pool deck is lined with striped loungers and chic white umbrellas, and the surrounding green lawns, flowering trees, and trimmed shrubbery make for a nice backdrop. The majority of the clientele here tends to be made up of tourists -- both couples and families with kids -- but the hotel also does a good job catering to business travelers who are frequent visitors as well.

The hotel is conveniently located in Sharm El Sheikh's center, right across the street from the beach by Naama Bay. There are several other hotels in the area, and plenty of restaurants, cafes, nightlife, and shops nearby. SOHO Square, a popular hub of dining, shopping, and entertainment, is about a 15-minute drive away. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is under a 15-minute drive.

Rooms are clean and spacious, but feature rather simple and chainlike decor. Wooden floors and white walls provide the backdrop to wooden furniture and teal-colored seating that's a bit worn and could use an update. Wooden headboards frame beds topped with white linens. All rooms have work desks and some have balconies furnished with small tables and chairs, while suites add separate living rooms.

Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, and safes, but Wi-Fi incurs a fee and there's no free bottled water. Bathrooms are also typical chain design, with cream tiling, granite-top vanities, and shower/tub combos. Individual toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided.

The features are the nicest part of a stay here. Guests cross the street to a lovely stretch of public beach lined with padded sunbeds provided by the hotel. There's an attractive outdoor pool as well, which has rock features and a small bridge spanning its width, while umbrella-shaded loungers line the surrounding sundeck. There's also a kids' pool as well as an outdoor playground to occupy the young ones.

There are a couple of dining options on-site, including a buffet restaurant that's open for breakfast and lunch, a sushi place, an Italian restaurant, and a beachside barbecue restaurant. Snacks and light bites are also available at the Beach Pool Bar, and there's a bakery as well as a piano bar. Breakfast is included in rates, and room service is available 24-hours.

Wellness features include a spa that offers a variety of treatments, including massages, body wraps/scrubs, and facials. There's also a fitness center that's well equipped with a good amount and variety of machines. Other facilities include a business center as well as three meeting/event rooms. The hotel offers free on-site parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property's public areas, but incurs a fee for in-room use.