Soma Bay - Undiscovered, but not for long
by dereenb about La Residence des Cascades
A fully relaxing stay at this luxurious resort. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, La Residence des Cascades is a lovely vacation for golfers, spa-goers and Red Sea enthusiasts. Highly recommended!! The most unique feature of the resort are the lovely views from every angle. Overlooking the championship golf course, designed by Gary Player, as well as the Red Sea and distant desert mountains beyond. The adjacent Thalasso therapy center is the largest I've ever seen and is very beautiful.
Luxury in the middle of nowhere !
by WStat about Sheraton Soma Bay
If you like a holiday in the middle of the desert, in an opera-like environment (the Soma Bay hotel and resort resembles the scene of "Aida", with all the Sphinxes, Pyramids etc), than you are exactly right to stay there.Do not try to look for any outside taverns or restaurants, within a perimeter of 5-10 km you won`t find any.So you will have to concentrate on the many opportunities, the hotel offers, from Scuba diving to snorkeling, join one of the organised excursions (be careful, most of them start in Hurghada, some 50 kms from the hotel!) or just savor the plentiful of sun and the excellent Spa, the resort offers.
Food is somewhat above average, excellent breakfasts and barbecues, spoilt a little by the many kids present (although there is a kids program )
Rooms rather small, beware of the ones with a connecting door to the next, if you definitely do NOT want to listen to midnight discussions of the many Italian couples or to savor CNN by 02 am! Soma Bay Resort offers one of the biggest, most spectacular pools I`ve ever seen.All sports, Golf included, are easily possible if you can stand the heat.
Hurghada in Egypt
by miman
"Hurghada"
Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago, remained a small fishing village. But today, it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road. While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea.
Today, Hurghada is known as a party town, particularly among Europeans. Locals and others will tell you that life begins at night in Hurghada, with the many, many clubs. They are particularly frequented by the young, but certainly many others of all ages. One may often find a rousing party centered around the visitors from a tour group taking over the action of a particular bar. They are easy to find along the main street, along with loads of inexpensive and expensive hotels.
Hurghada is also a city under development. Many new hotels and construction are taking place, and we can expect to see some great new hotels, restaurants and other facilities in the near future. Actually this is a busy section of the Red Sea in general. Safaga is just south of Hurghada, and Soma Bay with its beautiful Sheraton is even closer to the South. To the North is El Gouna, a highly organized resort community. Together, these communities and resort areas offer just about everything a visitor might wish for, from raucous parties to isolated scuba diving, with golf, bowling and fishing in between.
Islands near Hurghada offer all kinds of fun and excitement. Take a day trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling and a fish barbecue, or view the Red Sea from a submarine! When you're not in the sea you can shop in the boutiques, relax in the luxury holiday villages or visit the Roman Mons Porphyrites (mountain of porphyry) remains at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan (Father of Smoke). Day-trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea Mountains by camel or jeep are also available. Other nearby islands and destinations include the Shadwan Island (Diving, snorkeling, fishing but no swimming), Shaab Abu Shiban (Diving, snorkeling and swimming), Shaab el-Erg (Diving, fishing and snorkeling), Umm Gammar Island (Diving and snorkeling), Shasb Saghir Umm Gammae (Diving), Careless Reef (Diving), Abu Ramada Island (Diving), Shaab Abu Ramada (Fishing), Dishet el-Dhaba (Beaches and swimming), Shaab Abu Hashish (Beaches, diving, snorkeling, swimming and fishing), Sharm el-Arab (Diving, swimming and fishing and Abu Minqar Island (Beaches and swimming).
"Diving in Hurghada"
Hurghada has become an international center for aquatic sports like windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, and above all snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats.
The city provides a gateway to prime diving sites throughout the Red Sea. Its central location provides favorable access to very famous dive sites. In addition, Hurghada is known for providing access to many uninhabited offshore reefs and islands.
Hurghada, Soma Bay
