While in Egypt, I took a relaxing diving break at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh. Read my review to find out if it is really is one of the best luxury resorts in Egypt and the most luxurious way to dive the Red Sea.
I have been lucky to experience a few Four Seasons Resorts in the past. I have stayed at the Four Seasons in Vietnam, Dubai, Jordan, Vietnam, and Ubud in Bali. I was curious to see how the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt would compare.
Content of this article:
Flying to Sharm El Sheikh from Europe
The beauty of Sharm El Sheikh, one of Egypt’s Red Sea resort towns, is that it is very easy to access from Europe.
There are direct flights (albeit often charters) from many European cities.
It is one of the closest destinations from Europe to access the winter sun and some of the best Red Sea diving. In my opinion, it is the best diving accessible from Europe within a 6-hour flight range.
If you fly from the US or Asia, Turkish airlines is a good option, as they have many flight connections. If you have a long transit in Istanbul airport, read my review of the Istanbul airport hotel here as it is the most comfortable way to do a stop-over in Istanbul airport.
Transfer from the Sharm airport to the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from the airport.
I took a taxi directly from the airport. Taxis are waiting just outside of the terminal. For Sharm airport taxi prices, expect to pay between 100 and 200 Egyptian pounds for the trip and to have to negotiate a bit with the driver.
Tip: there is a sign with overinflated prices at the exit of the airport. Taxi drivers will ty to use that as a reference but please be aware that this is not an official sign and doesn’t not represent Sharm El Sheikh’s taxi prices,
Checking in at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Taxis are not allowed inside the hotel ground. I was let outside the gate, and the security guard had to call a golf cart to take me inside. Not super convenient…
The first impression of this luxury resort perched on the edge of the Red Sea is an oasis in the middle of the desert. The combination of simple middle eastern architecture and Palm trees, green grass, and lots of fragrant frangipanis give it a magical feel.
Check-in at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh was fast. I checked in super early, as my flight landed at 6 am, but I was happy to hear that they would have a room ready for me within 10 minutes.
After signing a few papers and receiving a cold drink, I sat down in the lobby and waited to be escorted to my room.
Review of the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
The resort is huge on a gently sloping cliff by the Red Sea. It has two main focus points: the reception building with a few restaurants, lounges, and a spa. And the beachfront area has all the lounge chairs, the main pool, the dive center, and a few casual restaurants.
The two areas are connected by a cable car! So if you feel lazy, there is no need to go up and down the steps.
I actually enjoyed walking up and down through the gorgeous garden. I didn’t go to the gym while I was there but did easily clock my 10,000 steps a day 😊. The large gardens are full of singing birds.
The level of service is outstanding, as in most Four Seasons. They find the right balance between being friendly, proactive, unobtrusive, and professional.
Unlike most Four Seasons hotels where I stayed before, the Sharm one didn’t offer group activities during my trip. I had certainly enjoyed the rice field cycling tour in Bali, the catamaran sailing in Vietnam, or the bird watching tour or tequila tasting in Costa Rica. So I was a bit disappointed not to find any group activities here. I was told it is due to COVID protocols and I am hoping the activities can resume soon. I was in Sharm only for three days and kept busy with diving and relaxing by the sea.
I will focus on the beach and the pool, as the reason most people go to a luxury resort in Egypt is to enjoy the beach.
The beach at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
As the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is on a cliff, its beach is relatively small. The advantage is that it is totally private, as there is no way for people from the other resorts to access it.
The beach was quite densely packed with lounge chairs. But fear not, if you want more space and privacy, there are plenty of lounge chairs by the cliff that also affords a wonderful sea view. The terraced cliff sides garden had an abundance of lounge chairs and cabanas, which quickly became my preferred spot to relax. The lounge chairs have super thick cushions that were oh so comfortable.
About one time a day, they would offer little cookies or snacks. A beach attendant would usually come by and give a cooler with a few complimentary bottles of water.
I was surprised that they don’t allow eating on the beach. I love eating from my lounge chair and was able to order food, but before the food came, they told me that I had to go and eat it in the restaurant area:- (
I found that weird and think it is the first resort I have ever been to that doesn’t allow food on the beach.
Snorkeling at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh
Another advantage of the beach is the reef surrounding it. The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheick is one of the few red sea hotels with a house reef. It offers an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.
TIP: Bring your snorkeling equipment, or you can rent it from the dive center for 10 USD per day.
You can see more about the house reef in my description of the dives below.
TIP: do not walk on the reef. Not only will you damage the corals, but there are plenty of animals that could really hurt you. While diving, I saw a scorpionfish at less than a meter depth. Should you walk on it, you would need to go to the hospital.
The resort has installed a floating jetty to take you over the reef in the deeper area where you can swim. The Red Sea is slightly more saline than what we are used to, so it is easier to float.
The Pool at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
The main pool is large but was often occupied by family and loud kids, so I didn’t spend much time there. I wished the resort had an adult-only pool, but it was not a big problem. I looked for peace and was always able to find a silent area near the cliff with a delightful sea view.
Review of the rooms at the Four Seasons resort Sharm El Sheikh
I stayed in the one-bedroom suite number 154, and I loved it. It is located in the middle of the resort, near the spa.
It has a separate living room, a bedroom, 2 bathrooms, and 2 walk-in closets. The color scheme is natural stones, beige, and light blue. It was appeasing and matched the color of the sea.
The suite is simply elegant. It doesn’t look super flash or fancy, but it is comforting and serene. It is clear that it has been designed for relaxation and peace of mind. Also worth noting that unlike other places in Egypt, I never found a single mosquito in the room or in the resort, so I didn’t need any mosquito repellent while at the Four Seasons.
A one-bedroom suite with a homely living room
The living room has a comfortable sofa and a dining table.
It leads onto a spacious balcony with a mesmerizing view of the sea and the Tiran Islands. The balcony chairs are covered by plush cushions and are very comfy.
I ended up spending a lot of time on this balcony 🙂
There is a huge TV in the living room and another one in the bedrooms. Many TV channels are available, including sports channels if you are into that.
The second bathroom has a smaller walking closet by the entrance. The sofa can be converted into a bed, so it could be a good option for families. Nearby is a desk if you need to work. I personally preferred to work on the terrace and enjoy the splendid sea view.
An inviting bedroom
The bedroom also has an agreeable sea view.
The center of the room is clearly the bed, and it was so soothing. I still don’t know how the Four Seasons can make their beds so comfortable! The duvet is plush, and the sheets are so soft.
In the large walk-in closet, I was happily surprised to find a beach bag, a hat, and some sun products.
Four Seasons are usually nice-looking hotels, but what, in my opinion, makes them truly luxurious is what you can’t see. I was amazed by how quiet the room was. They have done an amazing job on the sound insulation. I saw that the room next door was occupied, yet I couldn’t hear a sound. They have also managed to hide all the ventilation exhausts so that you can’t see or hear them.
That, combined with the full blackout curtains, gave me the best night’s sleep I had during my three-week trip to Egypt.
A small but functional bathroom
The Master Bathroom is on the small size for a suite but has everything you need. A small bathtub with loofas, a shower, and 2 sinks. The toilet is separate from the bathroom.
Amenities provided include toothbrushes and a comb. Elemis Shampoo, conditioner, and body lotions are a nice touch.
I liked the direct access to the terrace from the bathroom.
What room to choose at the Egypt Four Seasons resort Sharm El Sheikh?
The entry-level room is called the superior room. Those rooms are the same as the premier rooms, except they are located on the ground floor and don’t have a sea view. Premier rooms have the benefit of a balcony with a sea view.
Accordingly, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room or on your balcony, you might want to book a premier room or a suite. If you are out of your room during the day, a superior room might be enough for you.
I stayed in a suite with a picturesque sea view balcony and spent a lot of time delighting in the view.
TIP: when you book, request a room with a private balcony. Some balconies face the pathways and even the cable car, meaning that anyone passing by can see straight onto your room and onto your balcony.
Also, the resort is huge, and it takes 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other. The resort has two focus points. The upper section of the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh resort has a reception, a few restaurants and bars, a gym, and a spa.
Near the beach is the main pool and all the beach lounge chairs. Depending on your preference, you can request a room in the upper or lower sections of the resort.
TIP: If you are traveling with kids, you might want to ask for a room near the main swimming pool, as this is where many families would play and relax.
Review of the diving at the Four Seasons Sharm resort El Sheikh
My main goal for this trip to Egypt was diving. During this trip, I have done 35 dives all over the Red Sea. I started with a liveaboard of the North Red Sea with Blueforce 3, then went to the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh and finished with another diving cruise on the Aggressor Red Sea 3 to South Egypt.
I can confirm that diving in Egypt is wonderful!
The Four Seasons is probably the most luxurious way to dive the Northern Red Sea, especially if you only want to do a few dives during your trip or are traveling with non-diving friends.
If you are an advanced diver, they can reach world-class dive sites like Ras Mohamed, Thiselgorm, and Jackson’s reef with their speedboat, allowing you to go for a dive in the morning and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the resort.
If you are a new diver, they also offer discovery diving or open water class, and their house reef is the perfect place to learn to dive. It has almost no current, is pretty, and has plenty of sandy areas for you to practice your underwater diving skills.
It’s worth mentioning that the service is 5 stars. They helped me carry and put on my gear. They also took care of the washing, drying, and returning it to my room.
The dive center offers three dives a day: one morning dive, one lunchtime dive, and one afternoon dive. Night dives and private dives are also possible.
I did two dives during my stay at the Four Seasons Sharm el Sheik, and you can read about them below.
Diving the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh house reef.
The house reef is just in front of the Four Seasons Jetty. It’s a sandy area interspersed with coral bommies and is the ideal dive site for beginners. The Fuur season is one of the few hotels in the Red Sea blessed with a house reef that you can snorkel or dive on
The small pinnacles are very pretty and covered by soft and hard corals. There are anemones and nemos everywhere. The Nemos are very protective of their homes. I got bitten by a Nemo for the first time ever as I came too close to take a photo. So beware, they are fierce 🙂
Fortunately, the bite is small, but I still have the mark.
Don’t forget to look into the cracks for moray eels and shrimps. Stone fishes and scorpionfishes live on the reef and can sometimes be seen.
There is a coral restoration project with metal cages used to regrow corals.
Diving Jackson Reef from the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh
By diving at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh, you can reach the Jackson reef site in 10 minutes!
It might be 10 km from the resort, but they have a super-fast Speed boat with 500 HP that goes up to 70 km per hour!!!
The ride to the dive site is an adventure in itself, with the boat speeding through the sea and jumping on the waves. It was a very James Bond style and not for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, the boat has hydraulic seats that cushion the jumps over the waves.
Jackson Reef is one of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea. It is part of a group of four reefs located by the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The Gulf of Aqaba goes down to 2000 or 3000 meters and comes up near those reefs. This is why big pelagic like hammerheads, whale sharks, and mantas can often be seen near Jackson reef.
We dove the protected side of the reef. It goes down to a wall that sometimes becomes a gentle slope. The wall is absolutely covered with hard and soft corals. Millions of small fishes live on those corals. The number of fishes everywhere on the reef was truly astonishing. We didn’t see sharks or big fishes, but we saw three turtles that were absolutely not shy.
Jackson reef is a terrific dive site with tons of fish and stunning corals. Don’t miss it if you go to Egypt.
Bad experience flying in Egypt with Egyptair business class
I flew with Egyptair from Hurgada to Sharm as I had done a liveaboard diving cruise with the Blueforce 3 the week before, and you can read about it here. From Hurghada to Sharm El Sheikh is a short 30-minute flight.
I flew Business class, and I was not happy about it. There is no difference between business class and economy. I would not book business class on Egyptair again for the following reasons:
1) My flight got rescheduled twice before the departure date.
2) The business class check-in counter was busier than the economy counter, so I checked in at the economy counter.
3)The luggage allowance on Egyptair is ridiculous. Domestic flights in business class allow you 30 kg of luggage ( vs. 20 kg for economy). I had 28 kg of luggage, yet they made me pay an extra 30 USD because you are only allowed one bag, and I had 2 bags!
It’s worth noting that they didn’t check the weight of my carry-on bags on any of my internal flights
4) There is no priority boarding for business class.
5) The business class seats and economy seats are the same.
6) There was no food or drinks offered during the flight except for a bottle of water (which is also offered in economy).
7) There is no business class lounge at the Hurghada airport.
8) I tried to change my return flight, but it was impossible to contact Egyptair. I tried calling more than 10 times. Half their phone numbers simply don’t work. The other half rang endlessly, or they had an automated system, which put me on hold indefinitely. Their email people wouldn’t help and told me to call.
I gave up trying to change the ticket and ended up buying a new ticket. After 3 weeks, I am still waiting for the refund of the original ticket…
So basically, I am still looking for the difference between business class and economy class besides the price 😊. Save your money and buy an economy class ticket if you fly Egyptair domestic.
Concluding my review of the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheik
The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is an amazing resort and probably the best resort on the Red Sea. The service is impeccable, and they hit all the marks for the perfect beach holiday. It is also a tremendous place for divers, offering luxury diving to some world-class dive sites nearby. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Four Seasons Sham El Sheikh and hope to be back for more splendid diving!
For booking, check the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh website.
For more Red Sea scuba diving, check my reviews of the BlueForce liveaboard dive trip to the Nothern Red Sea and the Agressor liveaboard to the Southern Red Sea.
Finally, no trip to Egypt is complete without a visit to the Pyramids and Luxor. I also wrote an article about the Luxor Winter Palace (Luxor’s best hotel) and what to do in Luxor.
Happy Travel!