Review of Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Journey to the resort playground of Sharm El Sheikh to experience a luxurious getaway on the rocky coast of the Red Sea. Dreamy desert landscapes and colorful coral reefs with abundant marine life tempt travelers who desire an exotic destination with a dash of adventure. Five-star hotels with relaxing amenities, delicious restaurants, and spacious rooms await your arrival!

Brad and I booked four nights at the all-inclusive Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort after our busy jaunt in Cairo. We were eager to recharge our batteries on a picturesque beach with a few tasty cocktails before heading to Luxor. Below I review our stay, plus snorkeling excursion to Ras Mohammed National Park, to help you decide if this hotel is right for you.

Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort

Sharm El Sheikh has a variety of accommodations to fit every budget and preference. Most visitors either stay in Sharks Bay for tranquility or Naama Bay for downtown nightlife. Brad and I chose Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort in Sharks Bay after reading stellar reviews about its friendly staff, prime location, and peaceful atmosphere. We enjoyed sunny weather and zero crowds during our trip toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in early January 2021.

Location & Arrival

Due to terrorism in the upper region of the Sinai Peninsula, flying is the safest way to reach Sharm El Sheikh. Our direct Egyptair flight from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) only took an hour. The Egyptair website can be a bit confusing about luggage allowance, but each passenger can bring a traditional carry-on suitcase/backpack and personal item on board. Our luggage was never weighed, but we stuck to the guidelines just in case. Keep in mind electronics and realistic souvenirs may be scrutinized.

Viewing the mountainous desert landscape and turquoise water of the Red Sea from above was breathtaking! After landing at the small airport, we paid $12 USD for a taxi (15-minute ride) to transport us to the resort. The property is flanked by similar hotels and has a private gated entrance with security guards. Upon arrival, our luggage was screened and we had to walk through a metal detector. The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort, which is monitored by video surveillance, prioritizes guest safety and security.

A bellhop whisked away our bags as another staff member handed us two refreshing limeade welcome drinks to sip in the lobby. We filled out a few check-in documents before hopping in a golf cart for a tour of the pristine grounds. Hardy cacti, lush flowers, and soaring palm trees contrast perfectly against the white architecture. The driver informed us about the international restaurants, on-site amenities, and entertainment schedule as we cruised toward our room. What a fantastic first impression!

Deluxe Room

There are several room types and suites with swim-up patios at the Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort. Brad and I reserved a superior room, but were upgraded to a deluxe room with a view of Tiran Island! Perhaps the reason was due to low guest occupancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The neutral decor is elegant with marble, wood, and golden accents. Our deluxe room featured a sitting area, huge bathroom with walk-in shower, patio overlooking a pool, and two comfortable queen beds.

Our favorite amenities included the terry cloth bath robes, clothesline in the shower to hang our wet swimsuits, safe to store valuables, and kettle for making cups of tea. We had no issues with the free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, or LED TV. The mini fridge was stocked with sodas and bottled water was delivered to our room daily since tap water in Egypt isn't safe to drink. We opted to forgo housekeeping, but used the affordable laundry and dry cleaning services. Our clothes were returned in pristine condition the following day!

Pools & Beach

The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort has four heated pools: main pool with swim-up bar, kid-friendly pool with slides, quiet adults-only pool, and exclusive pool with cabanas reserved for Royal Club guests. All of the impeccably clean pools have padded lounge chairs, towels, and bathrooms. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit too chilly for us to swim and there were no hot tubs.

The coastline around the Sinai Peninsula is full of sharp coral and some properties have artificial beachfronts with soft sand to enhance the outdoor guest experience. The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort has a wide private beach with white thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. Grab a tasty bite or cocktail at the nearby snack bar in between dips.

One of my must-haves in Sharm El Sheikh was a private pier to access the sea for snorkeling. You can rent equipment at the on-site dive center for a small fee. We braved the frigid and choppy water to see lionfish, parrotfish, urchins, barracudas, and angelfish. It was thrilling to see a variety of creatures along the vibrant coral reef!

Restaurants

Food, which can make or break a trip, is a crucial element to any all-inclusive resort. Fortunately, the buffets and restaurants at the Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort offer several international cuisines to satisfy your taste buds. Churchill Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a nightcap with its extensive drink menu and comfy chairs. Cheers!

The casual buffet is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I kept my morning meals light with fresh fruit, yogurt, croissants, and coffee. For lunch, we ate salads, grilled wraps, and pizza at Basilico Beach Bar. The dinner buffet has themed nights, such as Mexican and Egyptian, to mix it up. There are several outdoor stations with grilled chicken, shawarma wraps, and made-to-order pasta dishes.

I highly recommend making dinner reservations at some of nine signature restaurants. Try Manohar Restaurant for savory Indian fare including chicken tikka masala, shrimp curry, paneer, and coconut soup. Our bellies were stuffed after a feast of chicken satay, fried shrimp rolls, tom yum soup, pineapple chicken, and fried bananas at Mai Thai Restaurant. Take a break from the spice with a vegetable salad, spanakopita (spinach pie), and tender beef pot roast at Poseidon Restaurant.

Spa

Brad and I decided to pamper ourselves with a two-hour Romeo and Juliet couples spa package. The treatment included access to the sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi before our sugar scrub and massage. Overall, the spa facilities and staff were inviting and attentive. However, the large stone bed where we received our sugar scrub was extremely hot and uncomfortable. We had some red marks on our backs afterward, which thankfully disappeared the next day. It was also difficult to relax on the massage table because there were rough towels instead of soft sheets.

Activities

The Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort has yoga, nightly entertainment, pool parties, and a clubhouse for kids. Work up a sweat at the gym or schedule a scuba diving excursion with a professional instructor. Talk to the concierge if you're interested in reserving tours to hike up Mount Sinai, visit St. Catherine's Monastery, ride an ATV/camel in the desert, stargaze, or go fishing with a private charter.

We booked a boat trip via Memphis Tours to go snorkeling at three different sites around Ras Mohammed National Park. The protected reserve is regarded as one of the top coral reefs in the world. Brad and I saw pufferfish, stingrays, blue tangs, and butterflyfish with crystal-clear visibility. Cruising around the rocky coast with epic views of mountains and mosques in the distance was breathtaking!

Overall Experience

Staying at the Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort was the ideal way to visit Sharm El Sheikh. Egyptian hospitality is truly in a league of its own. Service was always fast, friendly, and delivered with a smile. Employees catered to our every need and made us feel right at home. The gorgeous grounds, endless amenities, and snorkeling opportunities in the Red Sea were memorable highlights. This opulent resort is the definition of a desert oasis and a relaxing addition to any Egypt itinerary!