Something Old, New & Blue at Palma Bay Rotana on Egypt’s North Coast

For those who are blissfully unaware, over the past few summer seasons a vivacious debate has swept over the Land of the Pharaohs, dragging residents old and young, social and secluded, sun-loving and sun-fearing into its divisive fold. As you may well know, Egypt’s North Coast has been expanding year by year, beginning at the coastal city of Alexandria and stretching beyond the breathtaking Marsa Matrouh. But, what you might not know is that the coast has been unanimously split by the grander population into two distinct halves – the “good Sahel” and the “bad Sahel”. Or, in other words, the “old coast” and the “new coast”, respectively. 

The debate about which of the two is the superior summer destination is a long-withstanding one and shows no signs of waning, annually coming between families, friends and couples, who can’t settle on a communally appealing Sahel. Well, not anymore. 

Right at the coastal midway point in Marina El-Alamein, the locally agreed upon axis of Sahel due to its historical (and nostalgia-inducing) popularity, Palma Bay Rotana Resort rises from the sandy shores of the Mediterranean, bringing 176 lavish keys with it. 

With one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites that culminate in a selection of pool-side family duplexes fitting up to eight guests, the hotel offers all the modern amenities one might venture into the “new coast” to seek out, all within the nostalgic bubble of the “good Sahel”.

The resort’s private half-kilometre-long beach has no shortage of classic beach activities – like jet skiing, banana boats, the whole shebang –, and even goes the extra mile by throwing in padel and multi-purpose courts, beach volleyball spots, and a dedicated kids’ playground, located by one of the hotel’s three outdoor pools. 

If you’re done pampering the mind and spirit, both of which can easily be quieted with a few hours spent on the pristine beach, you can shift your attention to the body by employing the expert help of the ‘Bodylines’ Health and Fitness Centre, which is fully equipped with a sauna, massage rooms, a gym, and steam rooms. 

Once you’re done and famished, you can take your pick between six culinary establishments including Horizon, the all-day buffet-style and à la carte restaurant, Atrium, their lobby lounge serving drinks and light snacks, Nasma, an all-day shisha lounge on the beach, two relaxed pool bars (The Deck and Aquarius), and Whispers, the hotel’s beach bar. 

Finally, if you happen to be there for business instead of pleasure, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel’s Mirage Meeting Room can fit up to 30 guests (or associates) and is fully equipped with all the advanced audiovisual technologies you might need to complete your beachside business dealings. 

So, it doesn’t really matter where you fall on the “good Sahel” versus “bad Sahel” debate anymore because this year, you, your party-loving friend and your backgammon-obsessed cousin can all finally unite on the coast and enjoy the summer under one roof – the glass-and-wood one at Palma Bay Rotana Resort.