Choosing a resort or hotel in Hurghada can be overwhelming. It’s a resort town, and there are loads, all at varying levels. To be honest, I’m not a huge resort fan and find some just plain tacky. However, if you fancy a small resort with a touch of class, less the hefty price tag while supporting local entrepreneurs, rather than the usual chains, check out Sunrise Romance Resort – Adults Only in Sahl Hasheesh.
The Sunrise brand currently owns 13 resorts (from family to adults-only) and also provide a variety of Nile cruises. Sunrise Romance is located in the bay of Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, across from Sharm El Sheikh and approximately 11 miles from Hurghada International Airport.
The location is ideal for those that don’t want to be right in the hustle and bustle of Hurghada but want something more laidback on a nice stretch of beach with easy access to Hurghada town.
Set the scene
Sunrise Romance is an elegant Arabian palace-style resort with domed roofs and marble pillars. The resort is small and feels more like a hotel. It features six restaurants, a private beach with sunbeds and cabanas, two outdoor pools, a spa and wellness centre and a gym.
The resort is rated 5-star and offers good value for money whether you choose to stay on a half-board or all-inclusive basis. Which board you choose will be dependent on the amount of time you plan to spend on-site versus out touring. Each of the 79 spacious rooms have furnished balconies with sea, pool or city view.
Location
Sunrise Romance is a 25-minute drive from Hurghada International Airport, and Hurghada town is approximately a 30-minute drive away. The property is on the doorstep of Sahl Hasheesh’s Old Town, which is small but features some cafes, shops, and restaurants and sometimes has evening entertainment on the boardwalk.
The location doesn’t pose a problem if your main aim is relaxation, but as the resort is outside Hurghada Town, tour companies often charge EGP100 (€5) to be picked up from here. If you choose to utilise the resort’s limousine service, it will cost USD 25 to go into town or an Uber or taxi costs between EGP100 – 150. The resort also provides a free shuttle service into Hurghada in the evening, but this gets booked up very quickly.
What can we expect from the bedrooms?
The rooms are spread over two floors and range from double to suite with private furnished balconies of a city, pool or sea view. For added opulence, splash out a little more for a deluxe swim-up room, jacuzzi room or signature suite.
My stay was on a half-board basis in a Deluxe Room with a pool view on the second floor. The room was well appointed, very spacious and comfortable. The beds are huge and provide a pleasant night’s sleep. What was also noticeable was that no noise emanated from rooms next door or hallway.
The overall feel is upscale, with rooms decorated softly with an elegant style and clean look consisting of warm neutral tones of beige and gold with hints of olive and wooden furniture. The modern marble bathrooms are separated by glass partitions, adding light to the room.
Bathrooms come with walk-in showers and a freestanding bathtub which is an eye-catching feature. The bathrooms come equipped with hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, mini toiletries (including toothbrush and toothpaste), bathrobes, and slippers.
Also standard are flat-screen TV (satellite), desk, minibar (stocked with soft drinks free of cost), tea/coffee maker, electronic safe, AC, blackout curtains, sitting area and a furnished balcony.
Facilities
Sunrise Romance has two outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub/jacuzzi (out of order when I attended), a spa and wellness centre with a range of therapeutic services, a sauna and a small basic gym. If you need transport from the airport, an airport shuttle and limousine service are available with an additional surcharge and, for those driving, there is free parking.
If you need cash, there is an ATM on-site, business services facilities, a laundry service, evening entertainment and a late check-out for an extra cost.
The resort is beachfront with white cabanas, sunbeds and umbrellas and offers beach towels. Additionally, if you want to chill on the beach, cocktail in hand, the beach bar offers a superb straight-to-sun lounger drinks service.
Free Wi-Fi is available, but this can be patchy and is accessible only as far as the beach bar but not on the beach itself.
If you have not already prearranged tours, the resort can do this for you, and the salesmen on the beach are very helpful. If you prefer not to be interrupted by them, you can put a red flag on your sunbed/cabana.
How about the food and drink?
My stay was on a half board basis which included breakfast and dinner. Meals were served in the main dining area and offered a buffet with an extensive and varied selection. Food was good and far from the substandard quality and selection often offered at all-inclusive buffets. It was well presented and offered some creative food displays.
The main dining area has a different theme of international cuisine each day, and I was pleased with the choice of dishes to suit my pescetarian diet. Cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, were also often included with the buffet each evening.
The main dining area itself is a little drab and could do with brightening up. Nevertheless, the staff in this area glimmer and are helpful and personable, often remembering the fine details and intuitive of customers requirements. Special shout out to Tarek.
If you would prefer to dine in one of the a la carte restaurants, there are currently six on-site (Heliodoro International Restaurant, Basilico Italian Restaurant, Oishi Asian Restaurant, Manohar Indian Restaurant, Layali Lebanese Restaurant and Felucca Fish Restaurant) with a seventh coming soon.
Dinner at any of the restaurants is included if you are staying on an all-inclusive basis. A reservation is required, and note these get booked up quickly.
The landscape bar is available throughout the day for food snacks (pizza etc.), and the Beach bar serves delicious (and strong!) cocktails at reasonable prices with exceptional waiter service (shout out to Hazem and Amr).
What about the service?
The resort is spotless, and service was exceptional from the moment I stepped into Sunrise Romance to the minute I left. The staff were faultless, at all levels, and provided a warm and professional service who were always very willing to help (especially when I nearly missed my flight – thank you, Ibrahim!). At even the mention of any problem or dissatisfaction, they are willing to fix it. Nothing is ever too much. The team is what truly makes this establishment 5-star.
What type of person stays here?
The resort is ideal for couples and solo travellers. Additionally, if you are a group of friends wanting a quieter holiday, slightly away from the action, this accommodation may also suit you.
Is it worth it?
Rates may change depending on the time of year. At the time of booking, the rate was £100 per night on a half-board basis for a Deluxe Room with a pool view. This included breakfast and dinner. Half-board may suit someone who plans to be out most days on tours etc. You can easily upgrade to full-board as needed for an extra £27 per day.
Sunrise Romance, Sahl Hasheesh offers good value whether staying on a half or full-board basis. My only criticism is that the second, older building is a little tired and in need of updating to align with the modern interior of the bedrooms.
Address: Piece 33, Sahl Hasheesh | Old Town، Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate 84511, Egypt
