spent last weekend on the red sea learning to kitesurf. i managed to check out a few of the resorts and developments around hurghada which is an incredibly beautiful spot with amazing beaches, mountains, reefs and weather. i stayed at la residence des cascades which i highly recommend. although the clientele was almost exclusively older continental couples, the golf course, awesome bay location (super diving and perfect kitesurfing conditions) and relatively tasteful and restrained design make it a winner. the spa was a little disappointing but the pool was splendid, the gym small but well-fitted out and the food fine. great for a peaceful, tranquil getaway – a great jubilee anniversary / 3rd honeymoon celebration type of place although i am going to try to get my dubai crew to come out there for a golf / surf boys’ trip some time soon.

these spots were avoidable at all costs:

sheraton
marriott (or anywhere else really) in hurghada

other solid options:
oberoi sahl hasheesh
el gouna
kempinski soma bay opening soon looked nice

my kitesurfing instructor was a bedouin from sinai who had only visited cairo once and only because he had had enough tourists asking him what the pyramids were like. he said he would probably never go back. i get the sense the sinai’ans are a lot more laid back than their cairenne cousins.

overall the red sea tourist experience is miles better than the cairene one. which is not to say it couldn’t be improved upon.

if dubai was in charge of the red sea, it would be a truly global destination with 15 million tourists a year, eco-resorts, impressive infrastructure and plenty of hedonistic nightlife.

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