Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma — Hotel in Red Sea

A newer hotel (only 2yrs old?) with grand and lovely buildings and areas. An imposing lobby with plenty of spaces to sit and staff to support you. The hotel feels modern in the desert and has well maintained everything - the gardens were so well cared and the property was maintained to perfection.

We stayed there between Christmas and New Years and enjoyed the lovely New Years celebration. We booked the full board package hence got a wristband for each of us and had access to unlimited food and drink. Others had different packages and paid for meals as they consumed. This was convenient for us as it allowed the teens to eat all day and order their own items as they needed.

The rooms are large and lovely with balconies overlooking the pool or the outside perimeter where you can see the bay. I thought i preferred the pool side but the views over the property to the left were lovely as the area has not been built on yet (its Steigenberger land as well) and you can watch the kite surfers making colourful splashes in the sky. On a good windy morning - there are hundreds of kites out which is an absolutely magical affect on the bay. I watched it for hours and enjoyed the quiet and privacy of the view!

The food was something to really be hold - the buffet dinner was the largest I have ever seen (and I stay in convention hotels in Asia!) and the food options are incredible - truly something for everyone and spoiled for choice. Breakfast must have had 30 different types of pastries, with the plain croissants being made in another corner freshly baked and piping hot. The jam and honey station had so many options that I tried a different set every day.

The restaurants were also a nice option when you dont want to do the buffet - we ate lunch every day at Cabana whose agilo olio pasta was the best I have had. Maya also served some lovely food as well and being close to the beach, was a nice place to munch throughout the day. Arabesque was a bit of a let down and we felt the food at the buffet was better than at the restaurant - there was also little to no ambiance to speak of there hence a skip for next time. Make your restaurant reservations in advance during busy weeks as we could not get a reservation at the Asian restaurant which was disappointing.

The service - finally the service was excellent there at every touchpoint. Our room attendant Mohammed (room 1224) was the most friendly and helpful and made the start to each day lovely with his greetings and support. The restaurant staff and chefs attended to us quickly and efficiently and always inquired on the food and drinks. Ahmed at the Safari Bar made us laugh with his Northern English service, whilst Ali at the pool helped us every day with our towels and poolside needs. Service was of an excellent standard and you had anything you needed.

Things to know local alcohol is the standard with any international ones being extraordinarily pricy and outside the full board package tipping is not always required but of course appreciated bookings for restaurants and massages should be made early (a general rule for any German hotel you stay in) as in even before you get there to avoid disappointment there is a convenience store, and a designer replica store in front of the hotel so you need not leave the property

I am sure there is more but I hope this is helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay so much that we are thinking of coming back in April again for a bit...

Overall 4.5 from 5, we were very satisfied with our stay. We really liked the hotel – it looked beautiful and luxurious. We especially appreciated the lush greenery all around the property. The beach was nice and spacious, with plenty of room between the sunbeds. We also liked that some of the loungers were set up like cabanas, which added to the relaxing atmosphere. Beach service was excellent – there was always someone checking to see if we needed anything. In general, the staff worked hard and made a real effort to ensure guests felt comfortable and well taken care of. The only thing we noticed was that the guests from the same country as the staff sometimes seemed to receive more personal attention and better service. This creates a sense of inequality, especially considering everyone pays the same prices. The food at the à la carte restaurants was delicious – we were very happy with the meals and the overall experience there. Our only comment regarding the main restaurant is about breakfast – some items seemed a bit stale. The pools were great, with well-spaced loungers, and cleanliness throughout the resort was excellent. We were pleasantly surprised to see small suprises in our room on several days – the bed was beautifully decorated, which was a lovely gesture. We were also celebrating two special occasions, and both were acknowledged with thoughtful surprises. It was clear that the staff genuinely care about the guests. Unfortunately, our only negative interaction was with a gentleman from guest relations who had a rather arrogant attitude – possibly because we weren’t German. It left a bit of a bad impression. Another issue we experienced was the soundproofing – as we had read in other reviews, the doors are not soundproof at all, and you can hear everything happening in the hallway. This does affect the overall peace and quiet. The entertainment and activities could definitely be improved. Compared to other similar hotels, it felt quite weak. During our entire stay, only on the last day did an animator approach us to ask if we wanted to join an activity. However, the approach was not engaging at all, and we weren’t impressed. The attitude of the female animator wasn’t very pleasant – it felt like she was trying to come across as entertaining, but it had the opposite effect. There wasn’t much variety in terms of daytime entertainment, or at least we weren’t informed about it. The evening shows were also quite basic and repetitive. Despite these points, we would absolutely stay here again. The overall experience was positive, and you can truly relax here. There is a personal touch when it comes to guest care. Again, the à la carte restaurants were a highlight – both the food and the atmosphere were exceptional. One final note: the majority of the guests seemed to be families with children and older couples. This isn’t a criticism, but likely reflects the hotel’s target group. People looking for more active entertainment might find it a bit quiet. Your experience really depends on what kind of vacation you're after. We needed a peaceful escape, and that’s exactly what we got — which is why we truly appreciated...

A Truly Unforgettable Stay – A Place That Feels Like Home

I had the absolute pleasure of staying at the Steigenberger Hotel Ras Soma for the very first time in June 2024 – traveling alone, looking for peace, beauty, and a touch of inspiration. What I found was far more than I could have hoped for: a place that doesn’t just meet expectations, but exceeds them in every way imaginable.

From the moment I arrived, I was embraced by an atmosphere of warmth, elegance, and outstanding hospitality. The rooms are spacious, impeccably clean, and tastefully furnished – a true sanctuary to return to after each day in the sun. Every detail was taken care of, and the high standard of cleanliness throughout the hotel was consistently impressive.

But what makes this place so special is the people.

The service staff, whether in the restaurants, at the pool, the beach, or in the main building, are not just friendly – they are genuinely caring, attentive, and radiate a warmth that makes you feel seen and valued as a guest. Whether it was the friendly greeting in the morning or the thoughtful service during dinner, every interaction felt authentic and heartfelt.

A special shout-out goes to the poolbar team, whose service was not only professional and quick, but always accompanied by a smile and genuine warmth. Their attention to detail, their joy in what they do, and the casual conversations made every evening at the bar a highlight.

Speaking of evenings – the evening entertainment was fantastic. The program changed daily, offering variety, creativity, and high quality. One night, we were even surprised by a spectacular fireworks show right on the beach – a magical experience I will never forget.

And then there’s the heart of the hotel: the animation team. Energetic, warm, respectful, and incredibly fun – they made sure everyone, from children to adults, felt welcome and entertained, without ever being intrusive. Their passion and charisma filled the days with joy and laughter.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire animation crew – I truly felt like part of a family.

And last but certainly not least, I’d like to personally thank the hotel manager, with whom I was able to exchange a few words in German. Not only was he incredibly professional and welcoming, but also left a lasting impression with his kindness, charm, and genuine commitment to excellence. I am looking forward to seeing you again!

I had such a wonderful experience that I simply had to return – and I’m thrilled to say that from April 20th to 27th, 2025, I will be back again, this time with my lovely partner, to share this slice of paradise with her. Fun fact: I told her last year, I would definitely come back with her this year / it was a promise.

To everyone at Steigenberger Ras Soma – thank you for creating such a beautiful, safe, and heartwarming place. I’m counting the days until I see you all again.

With deep appreciation and warm...