Why go?
Set on a peninsula with a coral reef on one side and a gentle, natural bay on the other, the resort of Soma Bay would be perfectly placed but for one thing: it’s on the Hurghada side of the Red Sea, which, until recently, suffered from poor UK connections. Direct flights now might come courtesy of easyJet, but don’t let that put you off: Soma Bay’s seclusion has done it a serious favour.
The resort’s white sandy beaches boast space and warm shallow water aplenty – protected by shark nets – in which smaller children can play.
There are daily trips out to the coral reef, kite surfing and regular excursions to the historical treasures at Luxor and Karnak. There’s also golf for Dad and a huge spa for Mum, not to mention a kids club where children can be safely left while their parents indulge in a spot of R&R.
Don’t miss: The best part of Soma Bay is to be found below the waves and even the youngest children can get involved thanks to the resort’s glass-bottomed ‘submarine’. An upgraded version of the glass-bottomed boat, it lets you get close to the rainbow residents of the resort’s reef without getting wet. The utterly cute Nemo fish and the endearingly gawky parrotfish will be favourites, and inspire numerous re-runs of the Disney film. Whether you find Nemo or not; it’s brilliant fun and about as energetic as it gets at Soma Bay.
Accommodation
Although guests can use facilities at all of the resort’s four hotels, the distances between them are large and not all have a child-friendly beach.
The cheapest, Breakers, has no beach at all and caters for those who want to learn to dive – great if you have a budding scuba enthusiast, not so much fun with a toddler who just wants to splash about.
For that, there’s the good value Sheraton.
The gorgeous Kempinski is more expensive than the rest, but it does have a useful Italian restaurant where even the fussiest eater will be hard pressed not to find something they like.
The lowdown
Travel time: 5 hours 20 minutes and a short 20 minute journey by car from the airport to Soma Bay.
How to get there: easyJet flies direct from London to Hurghada; from £157 return.
The hotel: Prices start at £70 per night per person depending on which hotel you choose. For more information, see somabay.com.