Mövenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh

Set high above Naama Bay, the resort's terraces catch the Red Sea in a wide, unbroken sweep, turquoise water giving way to reef shallows where fish move in colour beneath the surface. Five private beaches sit below the ridge, reached down through gardens built in an Arabian style that runs through all 298 rooms and villas. Balconies face the bay directly. Duplex villas run to 260 m² over two floors, each with its own heated pool and a private balcony over sea and garden. Classic rooms are smaller, at 24 m², done out in arabesque style with a partial sea view. Ten restaurants and bars cover the ground between them: Rangoli for Indian cooking, El Kebabgi for oriental grills, Liwa for an international buffet, and a pool bar for seafood and grilled lunches by the water. A dedicated diving centre runs trips out to the reef, and the grounds hold four tennis courts, a heated pool, and Lotus Spa, with its gym, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. You can hear the bay before you see it, from the path down through the gardens. The airport lies ten minutes away, and Sharm's old market is close enough for an evening out.