Wadi Sabarah Lodge is unlike other players in the Red Sea game. Taking over a decade to build and truly sensitive to its surroundings, the lodge’s 50 or so rooms blend into the landscape, with most of the hotel painstakingly crafted from repurposed fossilised coral limestone. Despite its size and generous acreage of botanical desert gardens, the lodge still feels small and intimate in an unparalleled and isolated location towards the south of the country.
Guests here are laid-back and informal, reflected in the atmosphere of the lodge, run by a really friendly team. The adjacent diving centre attracts many diving guests but, despite our best laid plans to become scuba pros, we filled our days lounging out, reading by the vast infinity pool and looking out onto the Red Sea. Boat trips to wild untouched beaches and uninhabited islands are also a draw. Discover the breathtaking beauty of the desert on a jeep safari or quad bike, or head further afield for more fantastical arid landscapes in the National Park. The lodge boasts great lighting both naturally, throughout the day, and into the evening, through considered uplighting. Make sure you’re back in time for golden hour when the limestone best reflects the final rays of the sun, and as night falls, the garden’s papyrus plants are illuminated whilst having dinner from the hotel’s lofty terrace. It’s the perfect antidote to the bustle of busy tourism in Luxor, Aswan and Cairo.
Highs
- The hotel’s connection to nature is special, with eco measures including solar energy and reverse osmosis, natural materials and sensitive design throughout, plus the surrounding botanical garden of local plants
- A 3-minute walk takes you down to turquoise waters on a stretch of sand that only we seemed to know about. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place
- The friendly staff and a small team meant faces became familiar but not at all overbearing
- The diving at Marsa Alam is world-class, and the dive school is long-established
- The chance to explore Egypt's lesser-visited Eastern Desert at very reasonable prices
Lows
- There isn’t a huge amount nearby and certainly not much in walking distance. You need a driver or car to get around
- Its laid-back service can sometimes be a little too laid-back and we had to ask twice for a couple of things
- Excursions are expensive, as are transfers
- You're likely to be eating in every evening but there’s not much choice in food and meal times are slightly regimented
Best time to go
Late September to early May is best, before it gets blisteringly hot in the summer.
For divers, the hotter months of June, July and August are good, but don’t expect much time out of the water or not in your room. It reaches 45+ degrees celsius.
For divers, the hotter months of June, July and August are good, but don’t expect much time out of the water or not in your room. It reaches 45+ degrees celsius.
Our top tips
Almost all rooms overlook the sea but do ask specifically for a sea view room upon booking to be sure of the view we enjoyed.
Consider this as your final stop in Egypt after a hectic week of history and adventure in the more touristy spots. We left feeling totally rejuvenated.
Consider this as your final stop in Egypt after a hectic week of history and adventure in the more touristy spots. We left feeling totally rejuvenated.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
The food and service were exceptional. A beautiful oasis on the Red Sea, well designed and calm - the pool was gorgeous, loved it all!
The room had an amazing view of Desert Garden and the sea. We ventured into the desert on one of the many tours offered and it was excellent. Beautiful landscape! Snorkelling off shore with the diving center was amazing. Overall it’s a great place to full your day!
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape