The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh

Some places are beautiful enough to make you stop and admire them. Others have a way of making you wish time would stop altogether. The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh, belongs to the latter.

After travelling across Egypt, from its ancient wonders to the shores of the Red Sea, my girlfriend and I spent our very last night here. Looking back, I can think of no more beautiful way to say goodbye to this extraordinary country. And yet, my one and only regret is that we stayed for just a single night.

The setting is breathtaking, the food is wonderful, and the service is exceptional. But what truly makes this place unforgettable is something far less tangible: the feeling that, for a little while, you are not simply a guest passing through, but someone genuinely welcomed and cared for.

I would especially like to thank Ahmed Gameel, who welcomed us with such warmth and kindness. He bears a striking resemblance to Trevor Noah, which made me smile the moment we met. But it was his effortless hospitality that left the lasting impression. There was nothing rehearsed or mechanical about his welcome. He made us feel entirely at home, as though we had arrived somewhere familiar, despite being so far from home.

My heartfelt thanks also go to Hamdy at the restaurant, whose thoughtfulness and cheerful manner brought so much happiness to both my girlfriend and me. Good service makes a meal pleasant; genuine kindness turns it into a memory. He gave us the latter.

And to the wonderful bartender, whose name I sadly did not catch: thank you for making our final evening in Egypt so special. Your cocktails were exquisite, but what I will remember most is the evening itself. Sharing a drink with the person I love, knowing that our journey was coming to an end, I found myself wishing that the night might last just a little longer.

I know that more and more Chinese travellers are discovering the beauty of Egypt, each arriving with their own language, customs and expectations. As one of those travellers, I found something particularly moving about the hospitality at the Oberoi. There was such a natural openness in the way we were welcomed, such an effortless willingness to understand and embrace people from different walks of life.

It reminded me of something that is easy to forget in a world that sometimes seems so divided. We may come from different countries, speak different languages and see the world through different eyes, but kindness has a way of making those differences feel wonderfully small.

For a moment, the world felt beautifully simple. There were no barriers to overcome, no distances that truly mattered, just people treating one another with genuine warmth.

And I found myself thinking, perhaps the world really can be this beautiful.

I have noticed that some travellers mention the distances between different parts of the resort and the occasional need for a buggy. But even without one, it is only a pleasant five to ten minute walk. And I cannot help but wonder: have we become so accustomed to rushing through our everyday lives that even on holiday, we feel the need to hurry through those precious few minutes?

For me, those little walks were part of the pleasure. The gentle sea breeze, the beautiful surroundings, the simple freedom of having nowhere urgent to be. Isn't that, after all, what a holiday is supposed to feel like? Perhaps one of life's quieter luxuries is simply being able to take our time.

There is a quiet kind of elegance here, one that does not need to announce itself. It lives in the beauty of the surroundings, in the care behind every meal, and above all, in the people who make you feel that your happiness truly matters.

If I ever return to Hurghada, I will not make the same mistake twice. I will spend my entire stay here, giving this wonderful place all the time it deserves.

Egypt gave us so many memories. The Oberoi gave us a reason to return.

Thank you, from both of us, for such a beautiful farewell.

We’ve just returned from another wonderful vacation at the Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh. The location is stunning, and showcases the iconic hotel architecture we’ve had the privilege to enjoy for almost 20 years. The staff are so welcoming and friendly, and can’t do enough for you. The food is excellent, especially the Indian dishes. A varied activity program every day is there for those who want it, but doesn’t intrude on the tranquil atmosphere for those who just want to enjoy the beautiful poolside or beach. The hotel also has a 5 star Padi diving centre, where several friendly and professional dive masters will accompany divers and snorkellers on the amazing house reef where the corals and fish are still abundant. A luxurious dive boat takes us to many dive sites in the area, all fascinating even after many visits. The spa treatments are also excellent. Most of the evening entertainment is low key and enjoyable, especially the talented female vocalist Farida, (?). The downside was the belly dancer and dervish, who accompany their acts with very loud, poorly recorded throbbing electronic music, unbecoming for the Oberoi .

We would like to thank the new GM (Rathijit Dutta) for such a warm welcome. A special thankyou to Chef Pappu, Massoud and all of the F & B team. Thanks also to Maher for his organisational skills (especially arranging for us to plant a tree in the garden). Said the new Recreation Manager, is a good addition to the team. Thankyou Agata for the morning Pilates and sunset yoga classes, Khamis, Ali, Yassry, Adam and all of the diving team. As always, thanks to Mohammed, Amr and Haisham at the pool, and to all of the Oberoi team for making our stay so memorable again. Looking forward to seeing our Oberoi friends next year when we return to our “2nd home”.