Serenity and Tranquility in Egypt’s Taba

There wasn’t a single person that didn’t raise an eyebrow in astonishment when they heard I was on my way for a vacation in Taba, Egypt. Obviously the political environment in the Middle East nowadays is far from being calm and relaxing. However my curiosity overcame the anxiety. How does it feel to spend a vacation on Egyptian soil?

The recollection of enchanting Red Sea beach resorts on the Sinai peninsula is still vivid in my mind. A familiar scenery following my long time work for Hilton Hotels. With long gone properties all over the coast in magical locations like Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuwiba and Taba, great memories arise. Mostly for work during my career with the company, but I also enjoyed time for pleasure. My assignment at the time was to persuade Israelis to feel comfortable while crossing the border and enjoy the magical environment and the Egyptian hospitality. I have conducted endless press trips at the time and the content journalists returned and reported favorably. Sparked tourism followed.

Decades passed and I found myself again at the beginning of spring with a fellow companion at the Begin Terminal on the southern point of Eilat. It was just us. Crossing border to Egypt was swift and easy. Both officials on the Israeli and the Egyptian side were cooperative and friendly. After 30 minutes we marched by foot to our destination. The Mövenpick Taba Resort.

Apparently this Swiss brand is extremely popular in Egypt with no less than 17 operations. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is fully owned by Accor since 2018. It operates over 80 properties, including hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers, with another 30 resorts planned or under construction across the Middle East and Asia. My memorable experience at the Mövenpick Aswan and the Mövenpick Nile Cruise two years ago was still fresh.

It was reassuring to check-in this globally branded Taba hotel. The property is surrounded by a fence covered with flowers to ensure entrance will be possible by the main gate only, where our belongings were screened and checked. This procedure guaranteed a genuine safety feeling and when a buggy was waiting for us for a quick 2 minute ride to the hotel lobby the vacation mood arose in full gear.

Crossing the border to Egypt was swift and easy (photo by Motti Verses)

The Mövenpick Taba Resort – a bird view (photo by Mövenpick Taba)

An inviting large lobby area with a view of the resort (photo by Motti Verses)

An endless passion for gardening and an environment friendly surrounding (photo by Motti Verses)

A friendly camel also relaxes under the palm trees in the resort (photo by Motti Verses)

With General Manager, Moheb Goneid(left): ”By summer two thirds of our 420 guest rooms will be totally renovated” (photo by Motti Verses)

424 well-appointed and elegantly furnished rooms are offered to guests (photo by Motti Verses)

This Mövenpick is full of surprises. In the meeting point of 4 countries with views of Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia across the Red Sea we found a relaxing seaside oasis, surrounded by magnificent landscapes, breathtaking mountains and alluring turquoise waters. The 200,000 square metres property guarantees that each of its guests will find a place to relax and unwind. A 400-metre private beach is inviting. Just choose your own sun bed and within seconds you are in another world, especially while snorkeling to explore the reefs here that are indeed magical. The view of Edom and Sinai mountains ahead and behind us look spectacular. Rest assured – tranquility is guaranteed.

This Resort also has three large swimming pools, spread across this endless estate, including an indoor heated pool that offers a pleasant whirlpool section that was our favorite. We loved the endless passion for gardening here, turning this resort’s desert land to spectacular blooms. An environment friendly surrounding around the 424 well-appointed and elegantly furnished rooms, particularly ours that was recently refurbished. Relaxing on our balcony was rewarding, especially during sun down before exploring the gastronomy options here. In different structures, Lebanese and Chinese restaurants look attractive. The main building dining room features a popular buffet for breakfast, lunch and Dinner. The oriental pastries in the morning were delightful. Above all, the friendly service of team members eager to please, was noticeable. Among others,ֶ the fish ‘Sea Shell’  restaurant was our choice, with extraordinary sea food options. Enjoyable captivating performances by the indoor pool, including enchanting belly dancers, are creating a buzz each evening.

So why do visitors, mainly Israelis, hesitate to come here and enjoy rates which are a third of the cost of accommodations in a 5 stars hotel in neighboring Eilat? Obviously the unrest in the Middle East is a major factor. No one can argue with that. So how about some reassuring and encouraging observations?

Not many know but strategic investment plans in this tiny strip are well on the way. Egypt plans to construct a seaport in Taba, within a larger plan to turn Sinai into a major logistical hub and accelerate the movement of trade between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The Egyptian Railway Authority plans a line from Al- Arish in northern Sinai all the way to Taba to complete a 500 kilometers rail that starts in Ismailiyah on the Suez Canal. Advancement is always great for tourism as well.

The Taba Tourism Development Company (TTDC), formed of numerous shareholders like EgyptAir, Misr Bank,The National Bank of Egypt and additional partners own the Mövenpick property and currently invest in extensive renovations. It is so encouraging to discover that even in times of unrest and slow demand, as the border crossing is relatively deserted, money flows in order to upgrade this pleasant hospitality estate. “By summer two thirds of our 420 guest rooms will be totally renovated and refurbished”, says hospitable General Manager, Moheb Goneid. “This will be the most significant upgrade of the resort since its opening in 2006 and with a market aimed mainly on families from Israel it will be an important incentive to attract this important leisure market for us”, he says.

At breakfast I meet Reta Sliman, a Chirstian-Arab  travel agent from the village Eilabun in north Israel. She arrives here with her family 6-7 times a year even nowadays. Reta constantly praises the resort. “It is a true paradise here and because of the location and the rates it is a popular destination mainly for Arab–Israelis, but also for jewish”, she says. “Security here is uncompromised and politics is never discussed. Numerous times a year famous popular Syrian singers are conducting concerts here and it is a cause for celebrations for Arab–Israelis to arrive, fill the resort rooms and enjoy the celebrations”.

On another corner of the huge breakfast room I notice a relaxed red-headed lady sitting with other adults.  Sigal Beeri-Habibi is a kibbutz member from Merom Golan and I joined the group for coffee. “For years my husband Rami and I have traveled in Egypt and the Sinai peninsula. Camps by the beaches are our favorite, but since October 7th we didn’t dare to arrive. It is our first time ever since and we decided that Taba, close to the border, is safe enough. We are so happy we did it. The atmosphere, the friendly staff and the feeling of security are reassuring. We are adding an extra night for sure”, she reveals.

An indoor heated pool with a pleasant whirlpool section that was our favorite (photo by Motti Verses)

The ‘Sea Shells’ restaurant was our choice, with extraordinary sea food options (photo by Motti Verses)

The Mövenpick Taba Resort – a night view (photo by Motti Verses)

Each evening captivating performances by the indoor pool are offered (photo by Motti Verses)

The Taba Casino is bustling during all times (photo by Motti Verses)

A major attraction in Taba are the casinos in neighboring hotels. Whether slots or table games, gambling is a popular form of entertainment for many guests staying in this part of Egypt, proving that even here, the leading dominant entertainment is gaming. The veteran 35 year old Taba Casino was bustling at midnight during our visit. Not a single table was empty. Unlike the common knowledge that only Arab-Israelies arrive here, we met some jewish-Israelis from the Sharon area that wished to stay anonymous.

Together we crossed the border back to Eilat. The journey was again quick and smooth. Two elderly gentlemen that left the Casino accompanied us. They knew by heart every encounter with officials on both sides, including the procedure on how to quickly receive back the Israeli border fee charge (available if you stay in Taba hotels only). “We arrive here once a month, park our car in the empty parking lot by the border, stay the night in Taba and enjoy gambling”, says D. from Kfar Saba.

I wasn’t sure if they were on the winning side. I know I was. 3 days in a relaxing friendly oasis overlooking 4 countries bordering the Red sea was an adventure to cherish.