Craving a little winter sunshine? With January now well underway, it’s the perfect time to start planning that next luxury break. But while it might seem like a long-haul flight is the only way to reach a destination offering all of the sun, sea and sand you’re craving, Egypt’s Red Sea, which ticks all the right boxes and some, is reachable in just four-and-a-half hours from London.
The sophisticated millionaire’s hideaway of El Gouna is but a half an hour’s drive from Hurghada International Airport, boasting ten kilometres of spectacular coastline and 20 islands surrounded by lagoons – and in 2023, it’s set to become one of the most highly sought-after short haul destinations for sun-seeking Brits. Exuding an exclusive feel that already draws in an affluent set during high season, El Gouna is home to three marinas, over 100 shops and restaurants, two championship golf courses and 18 international hotel resorts and chains. It’s known for always feeling laid-back and quiet, whatever the time of year, so if you’re eager to get away from it all this month and enjoy some much needed peace and tranquillity, then look no further.
This eco-friendly resort was brought to life some 30 years ago when entrepreneur Samih Sawiris turned a swathe of desert into a seaside oasis for his family and friends. Now, it is home to several opulent five-star hotels, but the cream of the crop is the recently renovated Chedi El Gouna – previously known as the Bellevue Beach House before it was snapped up by Orascom Hotels Management (the hotel management arm of Orascom Development) and completely reimagined.
Enjoying a privileged location directly on the sands of its own private beach, this lavish five-star property has got it all – and when I recently paid it a visit to experience all it had to offer first hand prior to its December 2022 opening, I found out exactly why it’s the new place to be in the Red Sea.
Hotel
A sumptuous, high-end hotel nestled within Egypt’s most highly-sought-after resort, The Chedi El Gouna is the latest offering from Orascom Hotels Management and joins a line-up of three other highly esteemed hotels under the same GHM brand – The Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland, The Chedi Lustica Bay in Montenegro and The Chedi Katara Hotel and Resort in Doha, Qatar.
As we arrived at the hotel after a smooth flight from London and an efficient transfer, staff were ready and waiting to collect our luggage and deliver it to our rooms – no stress or waiting around required. It was impossible not to feel awestruck by the immediate beauty of the main building and its timeless façade, which exemplifies some of the architectural traditions associated with the region whilst blending seamlessly into its surroundings.
The décor in the main lobby is minimalistic yet suitably opulent, and like the other Chedi hotels, an Asian-inspired theme runs throughout, with an undeniably chic and contemporary look and feel overall.
Having arrived during the evening, for me, it was straight to my room to unpack and get ready for dinner – but not before taking in the main sights of the property along the way.
Two spectacular tropical-style pools are the centrepiece of the Chedi, and surrounded with sophisticated Bali beds and cushioned sun loungers, they can’t help but exude the kind of effortless sophistication you’ll quickly come to know The Chedi brand for. The perfect spot for relaxing with a cocktail or immersing yourself in a good book during daylight hours – both of which I wasted no time in doing when I found some time to spare the following day – waiters will serve you right where you are, leaving you wanting for nothing during your stay. At The Chedi, it’s all about letting it all go, and nothing is too much trouble for the wonderfully attentive staff.
The pools are just steps from the beach, too, so if you’re eager to take a dip in the famous Red Sea, then you’re in luck. Guests at the Chedi can enjoy access to a private, natural cove stretch of sand spreading over an impressive 250 metres in length, with calm, clear waters gently lapping the sand and a scattering of palm trees adding to that tropical holiday vibe. There are paddle boards and kayaks available for guests to use if you’re keen to stay active, so if you’re the type who struggles to simply sit back and relax, then consider your needs covered.
Room
The Chedi El Gouna is home to 82 elegant rooms and suites across several buildings, each with a sleek and modern feel. There are a variety of different room types to choose from, but the design of my beachfront space was understated and timeless, with a neutral, earthy colour palette that instantly instilled a sense of relaxation and calm.
The king-size bed, which stands at the centre of the room, is of course made up with only the very finest, high-thread-count Egyptian linens. After all, if you can’t enjoy the feel of these sumptuous fabrics in Egypt itself, then where can you? And at The Chedi, you can expect the very best of everything.
The furnishings and fixtures throughout each room are sourced from some of the world’s leading artisans and exemplify quality and good taste. My room had a spacious walk-in shower, separate WC and plenty of wardrobe space, as well as a safe for locking away valuables – plus a huge marble vanity comprising two basins and plenty of room to spread out my toiletries and get ready for the evening ahead.
A highlight of this particular room type is the private balcony, which is accessible via a set of sliding wooden doors and affords guests panoramic vistas down over the palm-fringed beach and the sparkling Red Sea below. I made it a morning ritual to make myself a coffee using the state-of-the-art in-room espresso machine and sit out here to enjoy a moment of calm before the day began, and I must say, it was a blissful experience I quickly found myself starting to look forward to.
When it comes to the best luxury hotels, it’s the little extra touches that make all the difference, so after a long day’s travel on that first evening, I was pleased to find a decadent array of tasty treats waiting for me on my arrival, including crunchy raspberry macarons – my favourite. The mini bar was well-stocked with bottled and canned lagers, still and sparkling water, and other soft drinks to keep you hydrated, and there were even a couple of bottles of wine in the room – one red, one white – to enjoy at leisure. Needless to say, I soon found myself cracking one open and raising a toast to the beginning of what would be a memorable few days at The Chedi El Gouna.
The plush terry cloth robes and slippers and opulent Elemental Herbology toiletries made returning to my room after dinner feel like quite the treat – and I slept soundly amidst peaceful surroundings that first night, and every other night thereafter.
Food and drink
The Chedi is home to four decadent food and drink offerings, ensuring there’s plenty of variety to choose from throughout your stay.
We enjoyed breakfast at the aptly named ‘The Restaurant’ each morning, where the menu was quite simply sublime, and the setting, just breath-taking. Centred around international cuisines and presented within a chic space featuring natural stone flooring, teak wood, and local marble, it can be found just opposite the hotel’s two beautiful pools, with wonderful views of the ocean.
Fresh juices, coffees and a basket of fresh breads and pastries invariably come out first, accompanied by an Instagram-worthy butter board beautifully decorated with fresh figs, honey, cinnamon and nuts. Then, you can choose from a vast array of a la carte dishes – whether you fancy something light, such as the Greek yoghurt with pomegranate, mint and honey or homemade bircher muesli with fruit and yogurt, or something a little more decadent, like the cured salmon with honey-mustard sauce and lime or the sumptuous blueberry pancakes.
There was so much choice that I made it a priority to try something different each morning. The light and refreshing peach salad, featuring tender organic spinach and juicy grilled peaches with avocado, goat’s cheese, crushed pistachio and fresh mint was a favourite though, and was so good that I had to have it twice. The Shakshuka, too, was a real morning treat – and there were plenty of other traditional dishes like Eggs Benedict and omelettes on offer, too. Truly, something for everyone, whatever you happen to fancy on the day.
The Restaurant is equally impressive when it comes to lunch and dinner, too and offers up both buffet style, à-la carte menus and set menus based around creative international and local techniques and ingredients. Again, such is the amount of choice that you could eat here every day for two weeks and still not sample every dish. There’s an entire salad menu, featuring favourites like the classic Caesar or the indulgent burrata and heirloom tomatoes – as well as Egyptian-inspired alternatives like the cold mazzeh with alrahib, muhammara and kashak libanh (you might want to do some googling!) and the smoky moutabal salad with grilled smoked aubergine puree, tahini and minced beef.
Then, there are appetisers, soups and Italian-inspired mains – highlights of which include the classic shrimp cocktail, wild mushroom soup and black squid-ink spaghetti – as well as various sandwiches, burgers, grilled dishes and more Egyptian-inspired mains – all rounded off with a choice of sumptuous desserts, if you can possibly find the room. Pineapple carpaccio or mango kunafa, anyone?
Elsewhere, The Chedi’s Nihon restaurant offers stand-out Japanese and pan-Asian style cuisine on the rooftop, with ocean and pool views and the same impeccable service you’ll find downstairs. As a big fan of Japanese food, I was looking forward to having dinner here, and suffice it to say, it did not disappoint.
Nihon is a celebration of old-world flavours and techniques, and the dedication to excellence here is evident. The atmosphere is chic and sophisticated, and each dish that arrived on our table had us nodding in approval at the artistic presentation. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic meal for two, but also for a special family meal, and like The Restaurant, there is plenty of variety when it comes to deciding what to eat!
From cold starters like the Thai beef or kani salad to Asian miso or Tom Yung Kung soup, and hot starters like the edamame with sea salt or tempura prawns, some of the lighter dishes on offer will give you a taste of what’s to come. Then, it’s a sushi lover’s dream, with a plethora of spectacular sashimis, nigiris and maki rolls to choose from, followed by hot main dishes like miso salmon, black pepper beef and yakisoba and of course, some suitably decadent desserts.
Aside from these two main dining spots, The Beach House, located just steps from the sands of The Chedi’s private beach, serves up an array of salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and seafood dishes until 6pm each day, and is the perfect spot for taking a break from the afternoon sunshine for a leisurely refuel. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, and even some VIP cabanas, with a chilled-out vibe and Caribbean soundtrack playing in the background that transitions into lively Reggae beats as the sun goes down.
The Lounge bar, meanwhile, is The Chedi El Gouna’s best-kept secret, and serves up an extensive choice of drinks in an intimate space just adjacent to the lobby. A quiet spot in which to relax during the day or enjoy the sophisticated evening vibe, it also offers up a carefully curated humidor of exotic cigars sourced from around the world – with knowledgeable staff on hand to help you choose the perfect pairing to go with your tipple of choice.
Facilities
A highlight of any stay at The Chedi El Gouna is a visit to its on-site spa, which incorporates stunning Asian influences to create a serene space designed to help you completely relax and unwind. Featuring four single suites, complete with steam showers, and two couples’ spaces with whirlpool tubs, the spa also boasts two traditional hammam baths and an exclusive guests-only relaxation area.
I had been looking forward to paying the spa a visit for a treatment, where I perused an extensive menu of options designed to help restore balance between body, mind and spirit. Eventually opting for an hour-long Balinese massage, which was nothing short of sheer bliss; for 60 minutes, I felt the aches and pains of the journey to Egypt melt away and left my session feeling completely and utterly at peace.
If massages aren’t for you, then there are also detoxifying skin treatments, beauty therapies and more to choose from – so whatever your pampering style of choice, you’ll almost certainly find something here to suit.
If you’re keen to keep up your fitness regime whilst staying at The Chedi, then you’ll be pleased to know that there’s also a 24-hour fitness centre available to visit at your leisure. Inside, you’ll find state-of-the-art equipment including the latest Technogym treadmills, a Kinesis machine and much more. Plus, there are regular scheduled yoga classes in the resort’s dedicated yoga studio if you prefer something a little more zen.
To do
If you can bear to tear yourself away from the blissfulness of The Chedi, then there’s plenty to do outside – so whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure or simply to indulge in a gentle exploration of the local area, then you’re in luck.
El Gouna is home to some spectacular coral reefs that offer amazing opportunities for snorkelling and diving – so if you’re in awe of the underwater world and keen to see a little more of it, then you’ve come to the right place.
We took a boat trip around El Gouna to get a feel for it from the lagoon, which was a great way to get a sense of just how big it really is, and a chance to check out the marina, which is lined with bars, restaurants and shops, before climbing aboard. But if you want to head a little further out to sea, the The Chedi’s concierge will be happy to arrange you a private catamaran for the day, where you can enjoy lunch on board and spend hours soaking up the sunshine and pausing for a cooling ocean dip whenever the mood strikes – another highlight of a wonderful trip.
El Gouna is also a popular destination for wind and water sports, with kite surfers and windsurfers regularly seen out on the water – so if you’re keen to keep active, then lessons can be arranged through the hotel. There are also nine PADI-certified dive schools in the town – and where could be better to learn to scuba than in the biodiverse Red Sea?
And finally, there’s what was for me an unmissable experience whilst visiting the region: the desert safari. Journeying across endless sandy plains on the top of an off-road four-by-four, coming face to face with unusual wildlife and climbing and caving through rocky outcrops to reach the vast expanses of sandy desert that could be found above was the perfect way to feed my own craving for adventure – and the views from the top were quite simply breath-taking.
Sitting around a campfire and sipping traditional Bedouin coffee as the sun went down, it was the perfect way to end a special trip, and one I’ll remember for a lifetime.
In a nutshell
An opulent and stylish hideaway in Egypt’s spectacular Red Sea, The Chedi El Gouna is El Gouna’s hottest new five-star resort. If you’re looking for a dream location and a hotel offering stand-out luxury facilities that’s perfectly placed for exploring this fascinating region, then look no further.
Fact box
Address: The Chedi El Gouna Red Sea El Gouna, 84513, Hurghada, Egypt
Phone: +20 65 354 5161
Email: reservations@elgouna.com
Website: chedielgouna.com
All imagery provided by The Chedi El Gouna
