Volume I, Number 3 August 1st, 2000

Sheraton Soma Bay

By Jimmy Dunn

One may travel all over the world without encountering a hotel as dramatic as the Sheraton, Soma Bay, a hotel built lavishly in the neo-pharaonic style.

Soma Bay is the upscale tourist village just south of Hurghada located on the Red Sea. Currently, the Sheraton is one of only two hotels in the area, but such a hotel. It is truly one of the most beautiful hotels in the world.

Driving up to the hotel, one first passes the Cascades golf course, designed by Gary Player, an 18 hole, par 72 affair. Then dramatically, the entrance to the hotel is an avenue of sphinx's which would make some pharaohs blush.

And the drama continues, as one enters the colonnaded lobby, with it's ocean view past the swimming pool and pyramid shaped fountain.

This is simply a beautiful hotel with all the luxury amenities, style, grace and service, of course, at a price.

Well, really, the Sheraton Soma Bay is more than a hotel. It is a complete resort, with its golf course, beach facilities, scuba diving center, three swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, many health programs, discotheque, bars and three restaurants and the No Mummies Club for children.

Speaking of restaurants, one has their choice of L'Abydos Brasserie, the main restaurant serving Buffet Breakfast and Dinner and a la carte Lunch, L'Emporio Ristorante, specializing in Italian food, or the Copper Crescent Grill, a poolside restaurant serving specialty grill items and Pizza.

Bars and other nightlife facilities include the Solar Bay Bar/Terrace, Al Farafra Oasis Pool Bar, the Sea Breeze Beach Bar, the Half Moon Pool Bar, and the Stars Studio Fun Pub Disco. There is also a Cobra Juice Tennis bar and Crocodile Juice Health Club Bar, both serving non-alcoholic beverages.

The 310 rooms, including 35 suites are elegant, and fully equipped, of course, with private baths, international telephones, in-room safes, mini-bars, and satellite cable color televisions. Rooms are decorated in soft, pastel colors and oak fixtures.

It should also be mentioned that the hotel has good business facilities, including a main ball room (500 seating), junior ball room (85 seating), several meeting rooms and to board rooms. There is also a small business center with basic capabilities.

Though many new hotels are being built in Egypt, currently the Sheraton Soma Bay is one of the most beautiful, exciting hotels in the country. Of course, it is not for everyone. Soma Bay is not really a good location for pharaonic sight seeing. The area is known more for water sports and great night life (Hurghada). For additional information, please contact our travel department.

Sheraton Soma Bay
P.O. Box 677 Orman
Cairo, Egypt

Phone: (065) 545 845
Fax: (065) 545 885

Reservations

Types of Travel to Egypt by Jimmy Dunn

Neil Bush Family Visits El Gouna by Hazel Heyer

Party Time in Ancient Egypt by Ilene Springer

Camel Trekking in the Sinai by Joyce Carta

Nuweiba by Jimmy Dunn

Egyptian Hajj Painting by Sonny Stengle

Where Have All the Pharaohs Gone by Anita Stratos

Marvelous Melokiyah by Mary Kay Radnich

Exploring Isis by Catherine C. Harris