The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh

I’m a huge Oberoi fan and the Sahl Hasheesh certainly didn’t disappoint. Well away from Hurgharda’s main drag, set on a cliff above a 1.5 km long sandy beach with a couple of marked swimming areas clear of rocks and coral. Decent snorkelling straight from the hotel jetty and the onsite dive centre offers discovery sessions for adults and kids as well as dives for the qualified.

The property offers lovely large suites with private walled terrace and huge bathroom with sunken bath and indoor/outdoor shower. The Oberoi service was as exceptional as expected; whether it’s leaving out lens cleaner for the camera equipment they spotted in your room, the waiters remembering your favourite breakfast dish or the head chef sending over a pot of his ‘special recipe medicine tea’ to help fend off a nasty cold one of us was clearly suffering from, the staff always go the extra mile to delight their guests every day.

Dining is delicious and gourmet (and priced accordingly) - an international evening menu plus either Egyptian or Indian menus on alternative nights. Lunch is more casual on the pool deck and breakfast during our stay was à la carte only, but you can order as many options as you’d like. I highly recommend the spa here - some of the best treatments I’ve had for some time and as the hotel wasn’t busy during our stay all daytime treatments were 45% off which made it very affordable.

Top tip: international wines and spirits have 300-500% import taxes applied to them in Egypt, so prices can be eye watering. However Egyptian wine (Cape Bay is the best brand) is surprisingly drinkable, as is their Sakkara or Stella beer, and all at prices similar to home. You can also specify for the bar to use local spirits in cocktails to keep the price down.