As I watch the familiar patter of rain streak across the plane window, I sink into my seat feeling rather smug.
In just five hours, I’d swap gloomy British skies for sun-kissed desert landscapes and thousands of years of history in Egypt – all experienced from two of the world’s most luxurious Four Seasons resorts.
The North African nation has long held a spot on my bucket list thanks to my childhood fascination with Ancient Egypt, with countless hours spent re-watching The Mummy, glossing over hieroglyphics and dressing up as Cleopatra.
Almost 20 years on, the little girl in me is jumping for joy – as not only am I finally connecting with this iconic country, I’m doing so in impeccable style.
My first stop: the Four Seasons Resort in Sharm El-Sheikh – the largest Four Seasons property in the world.
Our private car glides down a security-manned entrance lined with hundreds of palm trees – each individually numbered and spotlighted – before arriving at the grand lobby, where fresh guava juice and a team of dedicated concierges await me.
Hopping in one of the on-demand golf buggies, my jaw drops as my driver Jalal and I zoom down narrow cobbled roads to my Premier Sea View Room – situated at the furthest end of the vicinity near the ocean.
The resort, which features 289 rooms, a kilometre-long private beach and two vibrant house reefs, sprawled across 53,733 sq ft, is essentially a world of its own – more like an exclusive Arabian village than a hotel.
Jowena enjoying breakfast at her first stop on her Egyptian adventure: the Four Seasons Resort in Sharm El-Sheikh – the largest Four Seasons property in the world
What a difference! In just five hours, I’d swap gloomy British skies for sun-kissed desert landscapes and thousands of years of history in Egypt
The resort, which features 289 rooms, a kilometre-long private beach and two vibrant house reefs, sprawled across 53,733 sq ft, is essentially a world of its own – more like an exclusive Arabian village than a hotel
As I enter my Deluxe Sea-View room, I’m greeted with a soothing palette of creamy beige, an enormous king bed, a spacious lounge complete with a corner sofa, a private terrace and a dreamy walk-in wardrobe that has me unpacking faster than ever.
From silk hangers, accessory drawers and a velvet-lined glasses box in the wardrobe, to remote-controlled curtains, headboard lights and fresh flowers in the sleeping quarters – it’s clear no detail has been overlooked.
The premium amenities continue in the marbled bathroom with its twin sinks, three-stage ambient lighting, and bathroom TV embedded in the mirror – not to mention the shower’s stone bench and daily fresh loofah being a spa experience in itself.
Speaking of spas, the 30-minute Neck, Shoulders and Back massage I book with therapist Lala targets every writer’s living nightmare: tense traps and bad posture.
She expertly works through each area using natural coconut oil, before leading me to a relaxation lounge where I let my stress melt away with a soothing mint tea and a hot pillow draped across my neck.
Breakfast at Arabesque – a beautiful indoor and outdoor buffet-style restaurant with marbled and wooded interiors and fine China ornaments – is another standout.
Service is remarkably swift – my lovely waiter, Zaid, replaces my cutlery without me noticing, while I sip fresh mango juice and tuck into a chef-prepared omelette, along with regional dishes such as labneh, hummus, shakshuka, foul (fava beans) and flaky feteer (traditional Egyptian pie).
Most afternoons, I head to the private beach to wade in the Red Sea’s choppy blue waters (perfect for snorkelling) and marvel at the marine life buried within, as pool attendants hand out fruit skewers and ice-cold water to guests in the 32C heat.
My Deluxe Sea-View room features a soothing palette of creamy beige, an enormous king bed, a spacious lounge complete with a corner sofa
From silk hangers, accessory drawers and a velvet-lined glasses box in the wardrobe, to remote-controlled curtains, headboard lights and fresh flowers in the sleeping quarters – it’s clear no detail has been overlooked
The premium amenities continue in the marbled bathroom with its twin sinks, three-stage ambient lighting, and bathroom TV embedded in the mirror – not to mention the shower’s stone bench and daily fresh loofah being a spa experience in itself
The private outdoor terrace at my Deluxe Sea-View Room
After a much-needed massage at the resort’s spa, I kick back in a relaxation lounge where I let my stress melt away with a soothing mint tea and a hot pillow draped across my neck
At Arabesque, I sip fresh mango juice and tuck into a chef-prepared omelette, along with regional dishes such as labneh, hummus, shakshuka, foul (fava beans) and flaky feteer (pictured)
At Waha, I enjoy a crisp Egyptian white wine and mammoth double-patty smash burger, and at Zitouni, I devour a succulent spread of shorbet ads (warming lentil soup), fattoush (Middle Eastern salad) and moosa (roasted lamb shank).
In the evening, I’m whisked to Citadel Lounge on, perhaps, my thirtieth golf buggy ride, for a perfectly blended Long Island cocktail under the warm outdoor lights as the resort winds down for the night.
My stay ends with the ultimate cultural send-off: a private Bedouin breakfast tucked away in its own corner of the beach – with the glittering Red Sea only metres away.
After the calm and quiet experienced at Sharm El-Sheikh, my journey continues at the Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza, situated in the heart of colourful Cairo.
Though I now know what to expect at the property in terms of service, general design, facilities, and everything in between, nothing could prepare me for how different the two stays would feel.
In Sharm, time ceases to exist.
Nights at the resort are comfortingly quiet, with only the crashing of waves to be heard.
But in Cairo, life returns with a bang, and I listen intently to the sound of vehicle horns, motorbike engines and bellows from pedestrians coming together like a hurried symphony.
Most afternoons, I head to the private beach to wade in the Red Sea’s choppy blue waters (perfect for snorkelling) – there are, however, plenty of pools to dip your toes in around the resort
At Zitouni, I devour a succulent spread of shorbet ads (warming lentil soup), fattoush (Middle Eastern salad) and moosa (roasted lamb shank)
My stay at Sharm El-Sheikh ends with the ultimate cultural send-off: a private Bedouin breakfast tucked away in its own corner of the beach – with the glittering Red Sea just metres away
After the calm and quiet experienced at Sharm El-Sheikh, my journey continues at the Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza (pictured), situated in the heart of colourful Cairo
My Premium Corniche Suite on the newly renovated 27th floor features white wood panels, soft beige walls, and royal blue ornaments that reflect similar hues found in the Nile below
The layout, spacious and well-designed, consists of separate living, sleeping and dressing spaces, featuring plush carpeted floors and two large smart TVs with Chromecast to keep me entertained
The room also includes a huge bathroom with plenty of mirrors
Thankfully, my temporary home provides a slice of solace amidst the chaos while I excitedly prepare for my visits to the Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, and the Museum of Civilization.
My Premium Corniche Suite on the newly renovated 27th floor is very spacious and well-designed.
It consists of separate living, sleeping and dressing spaces, featuring plush carpeted floors, a huge bathroom with plenty of mirrors, plus two large smart TVs with Chromecast to keep me entertained.
Lunch by the pool offers more rounds of fresh fattoush, warm bread and fragrant olive oil drip, followed by spicy lamb chops with tahini, pickles and chili.
Dinner at Riviera, the hotel’s art-deco Italian restaurant, is truly a meal to remember: minestrone, lemon butter sea bass with a pea puree, and rich tiramisu with a handwritten ‘Welcome to Egypt’ note scrawled in melted chocolate.
A felucca boat ride at golden hour showcases Cairo’s skyline in all its glory, while a trip to the Pyramids – led by my brilliant private guide Eman Khairy – is the showstopper.
As the shuttle bus approached the three great pyramids, I was awestruck by the scale of each perfectly-placed stone, so much so that I convinced myself over the next hour that I was looking through a postcard rather than seeing them with my own eyes.
At the Egyptian Museum, I wander among ancient treasures as Eman shares fascinating tales of the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, periodically stopping to admire papyrus artifacts etched in hieroglyphics and grand statues of former rulers.
A felucca boat ride at golden hour showcases Cairo’s skyline in all its glory
Dinner at Riviera, the hotel’s art-deco Italian restaurant, is truly a meal to remember: minestrone, lemon butter sea bass with a pea puree , and rich tiramisu with a handwritten ‘Welcome to Egypt’ note scrawled in melted chocolate
A trip to the Pyramids – led by my brilliant private guide Eman Khairy (who took this very picture) – is the showstopper of my trip
Back at the hotel, lunch at Byblos Lebanese restaurant includes hot mezze and ouzi, followed by baklava and pistachio ice-cream
We pay a visit to a local jeweller to have my name etched in hieroglyphics on a silver charm, before heading to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to observe its remarkable collection of preserved royal mummies.
Back at the hotel, I enjoy a Lebanese lunch of hot mezze and baklava at Byblos, before watching a calm chaos unfold in the lobby as staff scramble to welcome the President of Singapore on his three-day state visit, while dozens of Egyptian soldiers and the local police stand guard at the entrance.
Breakfast at Zitouni sees me squeeze in a final portion of feteer and locally sourced mango (without a doubt the tangiest and juiciest I’ve ever tried) before check-out.
It’s a bittersweet yet perfect ending to an unforgettable Egypt stay.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .