Sun International’s first resort outside Southern Africa - The Sun International Resort at Port Ghalib, Red Sea, Egypt - is due to open in November, 2007 and is set to be one of the most exciting new destination developments this winter.

Located in Marsa Alam along the south of the eastern desert in Egypt, this luxury world class resort is a tropical paradise on a pristine beachfront with mangroves and palm trees, offering magnificent views and of courses the world famous coral reefs of the Red Sea.

LUXURIOUS HOTELS

The resort will be home to three luxurious Sun International hotels, an international convention centre, a sal*censored*er palm-oasis swimming lagoon, several fresh water swimming pools, landscape gardens, tennis courts, international marina, activities centre, a health spa, a kiddies club as well as a bustling Souq and Corniche with shops, bars and restaurants to tantalise the senses.

Each of the three hotels has its own individual style:

* The Palace at Port Ghalib is a magnificent architectural wonder owing its style to the vision of the Egyptians and will offer the ultimate indulgent escape. It is a deluxe 5-star hotel with 309 rooms including 13 Royal suites each boasting a private balcony or terrace.

* The elegant Sahara Sun Sands is a 5-star hotel with 347 rooms reminiscent of a romantic era. Its 12th century traditional Egyptian style design is a secluded haven, styled in distinct desert tones of white, amber, ochre and tourmaline.

* The Sahara Sun Oasis is also 5-star with 292 rooms designed with a soothing tranquillity that will satisfy families, for an idyllic beach holiday.

TANTALISING DINING

Dining at The Sun International Resort at Port Ghalib will be nothing short of excellent, as Group Executive Chef for Sun International, Conrad Gallagher will be designing all the menus and offering a culinary adventure. The Palace at Port Ghalib’s signature Olive Restaurant will offer a wonderful fusion of Arabic and Mediterranean cuisines in a luxurious outdoor setting. The Look Out Bar with its magnificent vistas over the lagoon is the perfect venue for cocktails or traditional English High Tea, and the hotel also has a Pool Bar serving light snacks. A short scenic walk along the Corniche leads discerning diners to a Moroccan feast at Budour’s Court.

Centred between the Sahara Sun Sands and the Sahara Sun Oasis, Souq Al hana Restaurant offers a range of dishes expressing the rich influence and traditions of the Mediterranean, Cathay, Kandahar, Arabian and Mezze - each served from live interactive cooking areas. The Cardamom Restaurant is nestled between the bedroom blocks of the Sahara Sun Sands and will provide guests with a dining experience on the beach, serving an à-la carte lunch menu and a beachcomber dinner menu. For a relaxed dining experience Shamlula’s Fast Food Court is ideal for a quick lunchtime meal and overlooking the lagoon is The Lobby Lounge and Bar, a place to escape the sun while enjoying a light snack.

SHOPPING AND NIGHTLIFE

The energy of Port Ghalib is centred round the Corniche, a half-mile stretch of restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, designer retail outlets and a traditional Egyptian Souq selling all manner of precious and semi-precious gems, perfumes in ornamental jars, ceramic pots and traditional bottles.

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

One thing Port Ghalib does not hold back on is activities, ranging from the ultimate in sun-drenched adventure and fun to luxury and relaxation. For those seeking a good workout there is a state-of-the-art Gym with a spectacular view over the lagoon.

For water enthusiasts there will be jet skiing, windsurfing, water-skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kite-surfing, body boards, an extensively equipped dive shop and a water taxi. Guests wanting a leisurely sunset-cruise can jump on a barge to take them around at Sundowner time. Guests will also be able to enjoy deep-sea fishing expeditions and special boat charters.

The Red Sea Desert also presents a rare and adventurous opportunity for tours of all kinds, ranging from exhilarating all-day jeep treks, camel rides, quad biking and Arabian horse riding. Other invigorating activities will include paint balling in the desert, archery, abseiling, rock-climbing and clay-pigeon shooting. When the activities get too much, guests can retreat to the luxury spa for a relaxing therapeutic treatment.

Children can also join in the fun at Lulee Kid’s Club where supervised activity programmes are offered for children from 2 to 12 years (seasonal period) and 4 to 12 years (out of season).

Port Ghalib also offers a perfect base for exploring Luxor, Edfu and Aswan.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

The Red Sea is set to welcome a major player in the conference industry and the Sun International resort will be portrayed as the ideal venue for conventions, exhibitions, conferences and international incentives offering the International Convention Centre at Port Ghalib, built with a capacity for 1500 guests and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. An additional 18 meeting rooms will adjoin the pre-function area of the Convention Centre ballroom with a capacity for 20 to 150 delegates.

Sun International has the experience to manage and coordinate state-of-the-art conferences. Whether it is a conference for 20 or 1500 delegates or whether it requires hi-tech staging or unusual venues, Port Ghalib will offer the most extraordinary conference and incentive destination in the world.

The main conference area will be a versatile and flexible venue suitable for anything from banquets to exhibitions to fantasy theme evenings. Specially created functions will be designed by the banqueting department and could include themes such as ‘Pharonic Nights’ or ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.

INTERNATIONAL MARINA

The Port Ghalib International Marina is the very heart of the resort and is the nucleus for the entire community. With a 5-metre harbour basin, harbour master control, full customs and immigration facilities, ships chandlery, slipway, full service ferry terminal and fuelling facilities, the Marina is a fully serviced and functional port of entry to Egypt.

The Port Ghalib International Marina is the first official privately owned international touristic port in Egypt and has been operational since 2002, accommodating 1000 yachts of up to 50 metres in length.

How to get there:

Port Ghalib served by nearby Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF). Charter flights operate once a week with flythomascook or thomsonfly from Gatwick and Manchester (during the winter months). Egypt Air Express also provides a service from Cairo. Tour operators featuring Port Ghalib include Thomas Cook Signature.
——-