Travel snobs, feel free to hate me for what I’m about to admit: not only did I visit Egypt, the ‘cradle of civilisation’, and stay in my hotel the entire time, but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
The pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings have their place, but there’s a reason UK holidaymakers are flocking to the likes of Sharm el-Sheikh.
According to TUI, rising costs and backlash to overtourism in ‘traditional’ sun holiday destinations such as Spain have led customers to seek alternative options, resulting in a surge of bookings for package breaks to Egypt.
Not only is the weather pretty much guaranteed year-round, you can experience luxury on a budget throughout the Sinai haven. Plus Sharm is a mere 5km from the airport, and is even exempt from the visa requirements affecting travel to the rest of the country.
Newly-opened Rixos Radamis is one resort looking to entice British tourists by offering more bang for less buck with its ‘luxury all-inclusive’ offering.
The 1,642-room hotel is right on the coastline, a short distance from Sharm’s nightlife and shopping centres.
Even so, with a plethora of all-singing, all-dancing facilities at the hotel – including a fleet of golf carts ferrying you around and a 700m river complete with gondolas – you’re unlikely to need (or want) to stray far.
There can be a level of judgement towards ‘fly and flop’ all-inclusive holidays, which made me feel anxious about sharing my travel plans with friends. On top of that, I only went abroad (to Spain) once as a child, and I’ve always worried I wasn’t as well-travelled as others my age. Now I get to see the world as part of my job, but I haven’t yet managed to shake that inferiority complex.
This time though, the need to relax overrode the desire to play catch-up with urbane anecdotes of cool places I’ve been – after all, what good is a holiday if you need another once you come back?
Is an all-inclusive holiday right for you?
Some people just can’t take to the all-inclusive lifestyle. Before you go ahead and book one, bear this in mind:
Pros
- There are loads of great deals out there, and it often works out far cheaper than paying for everything separately
- With everything you need in the resort, it’s a relatively hassle-free break
- There are many tailored options – such as family-friendly or adults-only resorts. You can choose one that suits your needs
Cons
- It can tie you to the resort, which isn’t ideal if you prefer to immerse yourself in a local culture
- On the more basic end of the spectrum, the food and drink available as part of your package may be limited (or not to your tastes)
- Sometimes, it’s not quite ‘all included’. Some activities and services may cost extra, depending on the deal you chose
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, gave Metro readers some advice on how to pick a great all-inclusive deal: ‘Check what’s actually included, read reviews for food and queues, and look for hidden charges like transport or tips. A little research goes a long way to making sure your all-inclusive holiday is worth every penny, and every cocktail.’
The pyramids have stood for thousands of years, and they’ll be there when I go to Egypt again. So as the plane touched down, I vowed to see this break as exactly that; no itinerary, no stress, just great weather and all the food and drink I wanted.
And I was spoilt for choice at Rixos Radamis. Alongside three main buffet restaurants, there are 16 à la carte eateries across the resort, with everything from Mexican to Thai cuisines available.
As an all-round experience, Mangal was a standout for me, thanks to its beachfront outdoor setting and open-air BBQ cooking. Looking over the ocean, sipping a cocktail with grilled-to-perfection meats stacked high on the plate in front of me, it was hard to believe this meal was part of the all-inclusive deal.
During our visit, my partner and I were also treated to a seven-course feast, courtesy of acclaimed Swedish chef Ebbe Vollmer. As part of a series of Michelin Chef Four Hands Dinners, he put together a special menu alongside Rixos’s Omer Yalcin.
The event (and others like it) was available for all guests for no extra charge, which made the caviar and lobster tail go down even sweeter.
After dinner, you can head to the arena for some entertainment. The week we stayed, the bill featured professional-level dance and acrobatics shows, but if you’re lucky, you might catch a major star like Enrique Iglesias (who’s performing there on May 3).
For younger guests, Rixy Kids Town is easily the biggest kids club I’ve ever seen, with its own Theatre Acting Academy, play Fire and Police Department, Green House, and even a Robotic Centre to keep little ones occupied.
If you’re wondering how we managed to fill our days without a sphinx or sarcophagus in sight, the answer is, pretty effortlessly.
By the time we’d had breakfast, sunbathed by the pool and joined in the aqua aerobics, it was time to try another eatery for lunch. Then, after a couple of frozen daiquiris and a lie-down as the sun sets, you’re ready to get dolled up for dinner.
The beach at Rixos Radamis also has its own coral reef, and while the weather was a little choppy for us to properly snorkel while we were there, it was easy to spend hours paddling in the crystal-clear shallows of the Red Sea, marvelling at the array of fish, which easily rivalled the Maldives or the Caribbean.
Things to do in Sharm el-Sheikh
Visit Ras Mohammed National Park: Over 1,000 species of tropical fish inhabit this marine park, along with one of the least damaged coral reefs on earth and even historic shipwrecks. Explore by glass-bottom boat or submarine, or try a diving tour to get up close to nature.
Explore the Sinai Desert: Book a ‘desert safari’ and immerse yourself in sand dunes and Bedouin culture – you may even get to ride on a camel while you’re at it.
Do some shopping: Head to SOHO Square for modern shops, bars, restaurants and a fountain show, or try the Old Market for a taste of traditional Egypt, with spices, crafts and authentic Arabic mint tea.
Visit Sharm el-Sheikh Museum: With a huge collection of antiquities and exhibits, this small museum is described as a ‘hidden gem’ on TripAdvisor – and should help ease your guilt over an otherwise culture-free break.
And, in all honestly, there’s nothing wrong with taking it easy and relaxing in your room. Ours was massive and gorgeously bright. But it was the little touches that set it above many others I’ve stayed at.
To up the relaxation factor, you can also try a massage at Anjana Spa, or just kick back in the sauna or steam room.
The real highlight, and an experience I’ll never forget, was a day in one of the private beachside cabanas – so if you’re celebrating a special occasion while on holiday, it’s an add-on that would definitely put the cherry on top.
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For $300 (just over £230), you get a massive cabana to yourself, equipped with a hammock, hot tub and TV. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get your own personal butler, who made me feel like a total VIP.
Weather in Sharm el-Sheikh
It’s consistently warm throughout the year in Sharm el-Sheikh, but July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 33°C, while the coldest is January at 18°C.
It’s a good destination option if you are looking to escape autumn or winter in the UK.
It doesn’t rain much, but you should bring a light jacket or cardigan for the cooler evenings over winter.
My partner and I got a taste of the good life, and would absolutely do this again.
The ancient wonders of Egypt are still there on my bucket list, but I feel a lot less ancient thanks to this week of being pampered. For that, I’ll never feel guilty.
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Jess Lindsay was a guest of Rixos Radamis. Prices for a week at the resort start at £1,000 per person including flights, with packages available from TUI, easyJet and On The Beach.
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