Movenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh

Arabesque lines, wide views and a resort spread above the water rather than pressed against a single strip of sand: Mövenpick Resort Sharm el Sheikh is built for divers who want the sea close, but also want somewhere substantial to spend the rest of the day. You have a choice of beaches, restaurants, bars, a heated pool and a spa, so the evening does not depend on finding the energy for another taxi ride.

The scale is useful if you are travelling as a couple, with friends or with family. There are 298 rooms and villas, family rooms, a children’s club, a kids’ pool and a games room, alongside the more grown-up business of a massage, a cold drink or a proper meal. In other words, the resort can absorb different rhythms without asking you to share every minute of the holiday.

You are in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, at Naama Bay, on the Red Sea coast. The resort sits above the bay with direct access to the seafront and five private beaches, while the elevated position gives the rooms and public areas broad views across the water. The geography does the hard work here: you can stay within the resort for the sea, the sand and the sunset, then head into town when you fancy a change of scenery.

Naama Bay Beach is an eight-minute walk away, and Sharm El Sheikh city centre is about a ten-minute drive. Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport is also around ten minutes by car, which keeps the arrival and departure days relatively civilised. Gardens Bay Beach is nearby as well, at roughly 0.1 miles by road, although the resort’s own beachfront is the more obvious place to start.

The room choice ranges from straightforward twin or king-bed accommodation to sea-view suites and very large duplex villas. For two people who simply want a comfortable base between dives, a Classic room keeps things uncomplicated; a Deluxe or Superior room gives you more breathing space, and the sea-view versions make the most of the resort’s position above Naama Bay. The Executive Suite is the couple’s choice when the view matters as much as the bed.

Travelling with a larger group changes the calculation. The duplex villas sleep up to six and come with four bathrooms, making them the practical option when several people are sharing rather than queueing for one shower after a long day outside. The side-sea-and-garden-view villa is the less exposed choice; the sea-view villa puts the Red Sea more firmly into the picture.

Inside, air conditioning matters in Sharm El Sheikh, particularly when you return warm, salty and ready to stop moving. Rooms have a private bathroom with a shower or bath, towels, toiletries and a hairdryer, plus a wardrobe, kettle, minibar, flat-screen television and free WiFi. Daily housekeeping keeps the routine simple, while room service and breakfast in the room are there for mornings when getting dressed feels like an overambitious project.

Food is one of the reasons to choose a resort of this size. Liwa is the main buffet restaurant, serving international dishes with themed evenings each day. El Kebabgy works in a more regional direction, with oriental grills and traditional Arab mezzeh, while Rangoli brings Indian cooking to the table. La Brise adds Italian food to the line-up, giving you a useful alternative when another buffet feels like one buffet too many.

There are six named bars and lounges, including the Pool Bar, Horizon Cocktail Bar & Lounge, La Brise, Moods Bar & Lobby, Pool Bar-Snack Bar and Zeno Café. The Pool Bar handles lunch with fresh seafood and barbecue, while Moods Bar & Lobby has a daily Chocolate Hour. That is a reasonably clear post-dive plan: eat something substantial, find a seat with a view, and let somebody else worry about the washing-up.

Breakfast is served as a continental buffet. You also have a snack bar, a coffee house, fruit, wine and champagne, special-diet menus on request and breakfast in the room. The available information does not set out one single board formula, so the sensible approach is to check the meal arrangement attached to the room you choose rather than assume that every restaurant falls under the same plan.

A heated outdoor swimming pool gives you an easy alternative to the sea when you want a few lengths without dealing with sand, fins or a timetable. Around the resort, five private beaches come with sun loungers, beach chairs and umbrellas, while gardens, terraces and a sun terrace provide places to sit when lying flat has done its job. Pool and beach towels are available, which is the sort of small detail you appreciate more when your own towel is already losing the battle with salt.

The Lotus Spa is the main recovery option. It includes a gym, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi and a range of body treatments, with massage options including full-body, back, neck, head, hand, foot and couples’ massage. The fitness centre has cardiovascular equipment, and the sports facilities extend to four tennis courts, table tennis, billiards and darts. Some facilities and treatments carry an additional charge.

For a more active afternoon, horse riding takes you towards the desert and beach landscapes, with trips for beginners and experienced riders. The resort also offers water-sports facilities, canoeing and windsurfing, alongside live music, evening entertainment, cooking classes, themed dinner nights and broadcast live sport. Families have a kids’ pool, indoor and outdoor play areas, a playground, children’s meals and a games room; adults can retreat to the spa afterwards, which is how diplomacy is maintained.

Arrival starts from 14:00 and departure is by 12:00. At check-in, you need photo identification and a credit card, and the resort asks you to share your expected arrival time in advance. Cash is not accepted, so plan to use a card for the practical parts of the stay. A 24-hour reception, concierge service, tour desk, currency exchange and an on-site cash machine cover the small administrative chores that tend to appear between flights and dives.

Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport is about ten minutes away by car, and an airport shuttle can be arranged with the hotel, either privately or as a shared service where available. Free on-site parking is available without reservation, and car hire can also be arranged. WiFi is free throughout the hotel, while laundry, ironing and dry-cleaning services are available for a separate charge.

Children of any age are welcome. Children aged 12 and over are charged as adults, cots for younger children can be requested, and extra beds are not available. Pets are not allowed. Cancellation and prepayment rules vary with the accommodation category, so the conditions attached to your selected room deserve a proper look before you confirm.