Courtesy Renaissance Sharm El SheikhA jetty extending from the resort’s private beach escorts guests directly to the reef.
The flight into Sharm El Sheikh is special: barren Sinai peaks on one side, impossibly blue water on the other, and somewhere between them, ribbons of turquoise reef visible even from 30,000 feet. The Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort sits where those elements converge, at the threshold of a spectacular underwater realm.
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Sprawling across 23 acres of Red Sea coastline in the Hadaba district, its architecture immediately sets it apart. With its low-rise white-washed buildings, the property evokes a quaint Greek village. Winding pathways lead to rooms and suites that open onto balconies with sweeping sea views. Sunrise comes early here, and sunsets linger.
Courtesy Renaissance Sharm El SheikhA picture-perfect sunset as seen from one of the four outdoor pools guests can relax by
An Energetic Vibe
The hotel attracts a young, active crowd, and divers who may want more than just time underwater. Beach volleyball and Zumba sessions happen throughout the day, while early risers gather for guided stretching and meditation. Here, there’s always something to do.
Cascading waterfalls work through the architecture, crossed by quaint bridges over gurgling water features. Perfectly manicured lawns feature whimsically sculpted trees trimmed into elephants and camels. And everywhere, these comical little birds, hoopoes, with punk-rock mohawks (which are actually blonde-tipped crests) and curved bills, can be seen hopping about, hunting insects in the grass.
The Suite Life
The 384 guest rooms and suites at the Renaissance maintain a philosophy of simple style. Modern decor meets functional comfort. The suites, at nearly 1,000 square feet, offer more breathing room, and many feature mini kitchens. Rooms on the ground floor have patios, while upper floors have private balconies; all are furnished with lounge chairs where you can sit with morning coffee or an evening drink. Views vary, with some overlooking the sea, others at the resort’s various pools or waterfalls.
Courtesy Renaissance Sharm El SheikhGuestrooms offer a simple, modern style and easy access to the beach, just steps away
Post-Dive Refuel
The resort offers several dining venues to keep divers fueled. Coast provides buffet-style meals with rotating themes, while Ristorante La Casa serves Italian dishes and Calamari Restaurant focuses on seafood, pizza and pastas.
Beyond the usual drinks and cocktails, the Beach Bar serves more locally inspired dishes as well as burgers and fries that can be delivered directly to your beach lounger. There’s something wonderfully simple about eating with your toes in the sand, the Red Sea stretching out before you, knowing your next dive is just a short walk away.
Diving the Red Sea
Stroll down to the beach, and you’re standing at the edge of some of the best diving on the planet. The resort partners with Dive In Sharm, an outfit that’s been working here since 1995 and knows every reef, wreck and current.
A 100-foot jetty reaches into the reef, leading to coral gardens teeming with marine life. But shore diving is just the beginning. Dive In Sharm maintains a six-to-one diver-to-instructor ratio, keeping groups intimate and evenly skilled. Private dives can be arranged to explore sites at your own pace.
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The dive roster reads like a greatest hits of the Red Sea: the dramatic walls and pinnacles of Ras Muhammed National Park, the vibrant reefs circling Tiran Island and, for wreck enthusiasts, the legendary SS Thistlegorm. That 415-foot British freighter, bombed in 1941 and sitting at 100 feet, remains packed with World War II cargo—locomotives, motorcycles, trucks, all eerily preserved. Dive In runs regular trips there, plus to other historic wrecks like the Dunraven and Million Hope. You could dive a different site every day for two weeks and still not exhaust the possibilities—the variety keeps even veteran divers engaged.
Recovery and Relaxation
Planet Spa at the Renaissance understands that multiple dives per day take their toll, and the spa’s menu addresses every sore spot. From traditional massages to body scrubs and facials, the treatments focus on restoration. Many divers incorporate a spa visit midtrip, finding that proper muscle care allows them to dive longer and more comfortably throughout their stay.
Sharm El Sheikh has earned its reputation as a world-class diving destination, and the Renaissance understands what serious divers need: comfortable accommodations that don’t break the bank, good food that fuels multiple-dive days, amenities that support recovery and relaxation and above all, seamless access to world-class diving.
Need to Know Diving Sharm El Sheikh, Red Sea
Accommodations
Simple, modern rooms and suites with balconies or patios overlooking pools, gardens or the Red Sea.
Insider Tip
When you book, ask for a high-number room and sea view; 5000s and 6000s are closer to the beach and facilities.
When to Visit
October through April offers the most comfortable topside temperatures.
Getting There
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is 13 miles from the resort; the Renaissance arranges transfers for about $40 each way.
Contact
marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sshbr
