While in Egypt, I took a relaxing diving break at the Four Seasons Sharm el-Sheik. Read my Four Seasons Sharm el-Sheik review to find out if it is really one of the best luxury resorts Egypt has to offer and the most luxurious way to experience Luxury Red Sea diving.
I have been lucky to experience a few Four Seasons Resorts in the past. I have stayed at the Four Seasons in Vietnam, Costa Rica, Dubai, St Kitts, and Bali. I was curious to see how the four seasons Egypt, Sharm el-Sheik would compare.
Flying to Sharm El Sheikh from Europe
Sharm el-Sheik, one of Egypt's Red Sea resort towns, is convenient because it is easily accessible from Europe.
There are direct flights (albeit often charters) from many European cities.
It is one of the closest destinations from Europe to the winter sun and some of the best Red Sea diving. In my opinion, the best diving is accessible from Europe within a 6-hour flight range. Staying at the Sharm el Sheikh Four Seasons makes this very accessible.
If you fly from the US or Asia, Turkish Airlines is a good option, as they have many flight connections. If you have a long transit in Istanbul airport, read my review of the Istanbul airport hotel here as it is the most comfortable way to do a stopover.
Transfer from Sharm Airport to Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH).
I took a taxi directly from the airport. Taxis are waiting just outside of the terminal. For Sharm airport taxi prices, expect to pay between 100 and 200 Egyptian pounds for the trip and have to negotiate a bit with the driver.
Tip: there is a sign with overinflated prices at the exit of the airport. Taxi drivers will try to use that as a reference but please be aware that this is not an official sign and doesn't not represent Sharm El Sheikh's taxi prices.
Checking In: Arrival at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Taxis are not allowed inside the hotel grounds. I was let outside the gate, and the security guard had to call a golf cart to take me inside. It was not super convenient for arrival at this Luxury resort Sharm El Sheikh.
The first impression of this Four-Season resort, Sharm el Sheikh, perched on the edge of the Red Sea, is of an oasis in the middle of the desert. The combination of simple Middle Eastern architecture, palm trees, green grass, and lots of fragrant frangipanis gives it a magical feel.
Check-in at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh was fast. I checked in super early, as my flight landed at 6 am, but I was happy to hear that they would have a room ready for me within 10 minutes.
After signing a few papers and receiving a cold drink, I sat in the lobby and waited to be escorted to my room.
Detailed Review: Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh Property & Grounds
Resort Layout and Atmosphere
The four seasons hotel sharm el sheikh is huge, built on a gently sloping cliff by the Red Sea. It has two main focus points: the reception building with a few restaurants, lounges, and a spa, and the beachfront area which has lounge chairs, the main pool, the dive center, and casual restaurants – essential components of a top red sea resort.
The two areas are connected by a funicular railway (cable car)! So if you feel lazy, there is no need to go up and down the steps.
I actually enjoyed walking up and down through the gorgeous garden. I didn’t go to the gym while I was there, but I easily clocked my 10,000 steps a day 😊. The extensive gardens are full of singing birds.
Service Quality
The level of service is outstanding, as in most Four Seasons. They find the right balance between being friendly, proactive, unobtrusive, and professional, as expected from one of the best luxury resorts Egypt features. This high standard is typical for the Four Seasons Hotel Egypt, Sharm el-Sheik.
Activities (Limited During Visit)
Unlike most Four Seasons hotels where I stayed before, the Sharm one didn't offer group activities during my trip. I certainly enjoyed the rice field cycling tour in Bali, the catamaran sailing in Vietnam, the bird-watching tour, or the tequila tasting in Costa Rica, so I was a bit disappointed not to find any group activities here. I was in Sharm only for three days and kept busy diving and relaxing by the sea.
I will focus on the beach and the pool, as most people visit a luxury resort in Egypt to enjoy the beach.
The Beach Experience at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
As the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is on a cliff, its beach is relatively small. The advantage is that it is totally private, as there is no way for people from the other resorts to access it.
The beach was quite densely packed with lounge chairs. But fear not—if you want more space and privacy, there are plenty of lounge chairs by the cliff, which also afford a wonderful sea view. The terraced cliffside garden had an abundance of lounge chairs and cabanas, which quickly became my preferred spot to relax. The lounge chairs had super thick cushions that were oh so comfortable.
About once a day, they would offer little cookies or snacks. A beach attendant would usually come by and give a cooler with a few complimentary bottles of water.
I was surprised that they don’t allow eating on the beach. I love eating from my lounge chair and was able to order food, but before the food came, they told me that I had to go and eat it in the restaurant area:- (
I found that weird and think it is the first resort I have ever been to that doesn’t allow food on the beach.
Snorkeling & House Reef at Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh
Another advantage of the beach is the reef surrounding it. The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is one of the few Red Sea hotels with a house reef, which offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. This makes it a notable Sharm El Sheikh house reef hotel.
TIP: Bring your snorkeling equipment, or you can rent it from the dive center for 10 USD per day.
You can see more about the house reef in my description of the dives below.
TIP: Do not walk on the reef. Not only will you damage the corals, but there are plenty of animals that could really hurt you. While diving, I saw a scorpionfish at less than a meter depth. Should you walk on it, you would need to go to the hospital.
The resort has installed a floating jetty to take you over the reef in the deeper area where you can swim. The Red Sea is slightly more saline than what we are used to, so it is easier to float.
The Pool Experience at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
The main pool was large but was often occupied by families and loud kids, so I didn’t spend much time there. I wished the resort had an adult-only pool, but it was not a big problem. I looked for peace and was always able to find a silent area near the cliff with a delightful sea view at this luxury resort Sharm El Sheikh.
Room Review: Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh One-Bedroom Suite
I stayed in the one-bedroom suite number 154 for this Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh review, and I loved it. It is located in the middle of the resort, near the spa.
It has a separate living room, a bedroom, two bathrooms, and two walk-in closets. The color scheme is natural stones, beige, and light blue. It was appealing and matched the color of the sea.
The suite is simply elegant. It doesn't look flashy or fancy, but it is comforting and serene. It has been designed for relaxation and peace of mind. Also worth noting is that, unlike other places in Egypt, I never found a single mosquito in the room or in the resort, so I didn't need any mosquito repellent while at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm el Sheikh.
One-Bedroom Suite Living Room
The living room has a comfortable sofa and a dining table.
It leads onto a spacious balcony with a mesmerizing view of the sea and the Tiran Islands. Plush cushions cover the balcony chairs and are very comfy.
I ended up spending a lot of time on this balcony :-)
There is a massive TV in the living room and another one in the bedrooms. Many TV channels are available, including sports channels if you are into that.
The second bathroom has a smaller walk-in closet by the entrance. The sofa can be converted into a bed, which could be a good option for families. Nearby is a desk if you need to work. I personally prefer to work on the terrace and enjoy the splendid sea view.
One-Bedroom Suite Bedroom
The bedroom also has an agreeable sea view.
The center of the room is clearly the bed, which was so soothing. I still don't know how the Four Seasons can make their beds so comfortable! The duvet is plush, and the sheets are so soft.
I was surprised to find a beach bag, hat, and sun products in the large walk-in closet.
Four Seasons are usually nice-looking hotels, but what, in my opinion, makes them genuinely luxurious is what you can’t see. I was amazed by how quiet the room was. They have done a fantastic job on the sound insulation. I saw the room next door was occupied, yet I couldn't hear a sound. They have also managed to hide all the ventilation exhausts so you can’t see or listen to them.
That, combined with the full blackout curtains, gave me the best night’s sleep I had during my three-week trip to Egypt.
One-Bedroom Suite Bathroom
The Master Bathroom is small for a suite but has everything you need: a small bathtub with loofahs, a shower, and two sinks. The toilet is separate from the bathroom.
Amenities provided include toothbrushes and a comb. Elemis Shampoo, conditioner, and body lotions are a nice touch.
I liked the direct access to the terrace from the bathroom.
What Room to Choose at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh?
The entry-level room is called the superior room. It is the same as the premier room, except it is located on the ground floor and has no sea view. Premier rooms have a balcony with a sea view.
Accordingly, if you plan to spend much time in your room or on your balcony, you might want to book a premier room or a suite at this Red Sea resort, Sharm el-Sheik. A superior room might be enough if you are out of your room during the day.
I stayed in a suite with a picturesque sea-view balcony and enjoyed the view much.
TIP: when you book, request a room with a private balcony. Some balconies face the pathways and even the cable car, meaning that anyone passing by can see straight onto your room and onto your balcony.
Also, the resort is enormous, and it takes 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other. The resort has two focus points. The upper section of the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh resort has a reception, a few restaurants and bars, a gym, and a spa.
Near the beach is the main pool and all the beach lounge chairs. Depending on your preference, you can request a room in the upper or lower sections of the resort.
TIP: If you are traveling with kids, you might want to ask for a room near the main swimming pool, as this is where many families would play and relax.
Diving Review: Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh Experience
My main goal for this trip to Egypt was diving, specifically Luxury Red Sea diving. I have done 35 dives all over the Red Sea during this trip. I started with a liveaboard of the North Red Sea with Blueforce 3, then went to the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh and finished with another diving cruise on the Aggressor Red Sea 3 to South Egypt.
I can confirm that diving in Egypt is terrific!
The Four Seasons is probably the most luxurious way to dive the Northern Red Sea, especially if you only want to do a few dives during your trip or are traveling with non-diving friends. The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh diving operation is top-notch.
If you are an advanced diver, you can reach world-class dive sites like Ras Mohamed, Thistlegorm, and Jackson’s Reef with their speedboat, allowing you to dive in the morning and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the resort. This level of convenience is rare, even among the best luxury resorts Egypt has.
If you are a new diver, they also offer discovery diving or open water classes, and their house reef is the perfect place to learn to dive. It has almost no current, is pretty, and has plenty of sandy areas for you to practice your underwater diving skills. This accessibility makes it a prime Sharm El Sheikh house reef hotel.
It’s worth mentioning that the service is five stars. They helped me carry and put on my gear, wash, dry, and return it to my room.
The dive center offers three dives a day: one morning dive, one lunchtime dive, and one afternoon dive. Night dives and private dives are also possible.
During my stay at the Four Seasons Sharm el-Sheik, I went on two dives, which you can read below.
Diving the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh House Reef
The house reef is just in front of the Four Seasons Jetty. It’s a sandy area interspersed with coral bommies and is the ideal dive site for beginners. The Four Seasons is one of the few hotels in the Red Sea blessed with a house reef that you can snorkel or dive on.
The small pinnacles are beautiful and covered by soft and hard corals. There are anemones and clownfish (Nemos) everywhere. The Nemos are very protective of their homes. I got bitten by a Nemo for the first time ever as I came too close to take a photo. So beware, they are fierce :-)
Fortunately, the bite is small, but I still have the mark.
Don’t forget to look into the cracks for moray eels and shrimps. Stonefishes and scorpionfishes live on the reef and can sometimes be seen.
There is a coral restoration project with metal cages used to regrow corals.
Diving Jackson Reef via Four Seasons Speedboat
You can reach the Jackson reef site in 10 minutes with the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh diving speedboat!
It might be 10 km from the resort, but they have a super-fast speedboat with 500 HP that can travel up to 70 km per hour!
The ride to the dive site is an adventure in itself. The boat speeds through the sea and jumps on the waves. It is very James Bond-style and not for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, the boat has hydraulic seats that cushion the jumps over the waves.
Jackson Reef is one of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea. It is part of a group of four reefs located by the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The Gulf of Aqaba goes down to 2000 or 3000 meters and comes up near those reefs. This is why big pelagics like hammerheads, whale sharks, and mantas can often be seen near Jackson Reef.
We dove the protected side of the reef. It goes down to a wall that sometimes becomes a gentle slope. The wall is absolutely covered with hard and soft corals. Millions of tiny fish live on those corals. The number of fish everywhere on the reef was genuinely astonishing. We didn't see sharks or big fish, but we saw three turtles that were not shy.
Jackson Reef is a terrific dive site with many fish and stunning corals. If you go to Egypt, don't miss it. It's a highlight for any Luxury Red Sea diving trip.
Note on Flying Egyptair Business Class (Domestic)
I flew with Egyptair from Hurghada to Sharm as I had done a liveaboard diving cruise with the Blueforce 3 the week before, and you can read about it here . From Hurghada to Sharm El Sheikh is a short 30-minute flight.
I flew Business class, and I was not happy about it. There is no difference between business class and economy on this route. I would not book business class on Egyptair again for the following reasons:
- My flight got rescheduled twice before the departure date.
- The business class check-in counter was busier than the economy counter, so I checked in at the economy counter.
- Egyptair's luggage allowance is ridiculous. Domestic flights in business class allow 30 kg of luggage (vs. 20 kg for economy). I had 28 kg of luggage, yet they made me pay an extra 30 USD because you are only allowed one bag, and I had two bags!
- It’s worth noting that they didn’t check the weight of my carry-on bags on any of my internal flights.
- There is no priority boarding for business class.
- The business class seats and economy class seats are the same.
- No food or drinks were offered during the flight except for a bottle of water (also offered in the economy).
- There is no business class lounge at the Hurghada airport.
- I tried to change my return flight, but it was impossible to contact Egyptair. I tried calling more than 10 times. Half of their phone numbers don’t work. The other half rang endlessly, or they had an automated system that put me on hold indefinitely. Their email people wouldn’t help but tell me to call.
I gave up trying to change the ticket and bought a new one. After 3 years, I am still waiting for the refund of the original ticket…
So, I am still looking for the difference between business class and economy class besides the price 😊. If you fly Egyptair domestically, save your money and buy an economy-class ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions about Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh
Where is the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh located?
It's situated on a cliffside overlooking the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, less than 10 minutes drive from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH).
Is the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh good for diving?
Yes, it's excellent for diving. It offers luxury facilities, a 5-star PADI dive center, a convenient house reef accessible via jetty, and speedboat trips to world-class sites like Jackson Reef and Ras Mohamed.
What is the house reef like?
The house reef is directly accessible from the resort's jetty. It features coral bommies, abundant fish life (including anemonefish), and is suitable for beginners and snorkelers due to calm conditions and sandy patches.
What are the rooms like?
The resort offers various rooms and suites. The reviewed one-bedroom suite featured separate living/bedroom areas, 2 bathrooms, excellent sound insulation, sea views, and comfortable Four Seasons bedding. Standard rooms are also available.
Is this resort suitable for families?
Yes, it caters well to families, although the main pool can be busy with children. The one-bedroom suite's sofa can convert to a bed. Requesting rooms near the main pool might be beneficial for families.
What is the service like at Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh?
The service is consistently rated as outstanding – professional, friendly, proactive, and unobtrusive, meeting the high standards expected of the Four Seasons brand.
Concluding My Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh Review
The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is a fantastic resort and arguably one of the best luxury resorts Egypt offers, especially on the Red Sea. The service is impeccable, and they hit all the marks for the perfect beach holiday. It is also a tremendous place for divers, offering Luxury Red Sea diving access to world-class dive sites nearby from a comfortable base. As a premier Red Sea diving resort Egypt, it successfully combines high-end comfort with excellent diving opportunities, including being a great Sharm El Sheikh house reef hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed my time completing this Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh review and hope to be back for more splendid diving!
Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh: Pros & Cons Summary
- Pros: Exceptional service levels, beautiful grounds and sea views, excellent on-site diving center with speedboat access to top sites, convenient house reef for diving/snorkeling, luxurious and quiet rooms (especially suites), close proximity to the airport.
- Cons: Main pool can be crowded with families (no adult-only pool), taxis not allowed directly to reception, beach area is small and can feel crowded, no food allowed directly on beach loungers, limited group activities (during visit).
For more Red Sea scuba diving, check my reviews of the BlueForce liveaboard dive trip to the Northern Red Sea and the Agressor liveaboard to the Southern Red Sea.
Finally, no trip to Egypt is complete without a visit to the Pyramids and Luxor. I also wrote an article about the Luxor Winter Palace (Luxor’s best hotel) and what to do in Luxor.
Happy Travel!
1 thought on “Is Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh the Best Luxury Resort in Egypt? (2025 update)”
No eating on the Four Season’s beach to prevent sharks hovering around! Glad they are proactive about not attracting.