Since its formation in 2007, the Green Star Hotel Initiative has awarded its Green Star Certificate to 16 hotels in El Gouna and 4 hotels in Taba Heights. These hotels have been recognised for their dedication to sustainability and for their commitment to protecting the local environment. Local hotels, businesses, residents and visitors to El Gouna and Taba Heights all work together to minimise any negative impact the resort’s ever expanding tourist industry may have on the local environment.

El Gouna

El Gouna is a popular destination for last minute holidays and is officially recognised as Egypt’s most environmentally-friendly holiday destination. The resort was chosen as the first location for the initiative because of its sustainable development concept, internal recycling and water treatment plants and its authentic architecture.

The scheme aims to improve environmental standards in the Egyptian hotel industry and is the first of its kind in Egypt. Hotels are awarded 3, 4 or 5 Green Stars based on the measures put in place and the hotels commitment to improving their environmental performance, saving of valuable resources and increasing the use of renewable energy.

Nine hotels in El Gouna hold Five Green Stars – Ali Pasha Hotel, Dawar El Omda Hotel, Mövenpick Resort & Spa, Sheraton Miramar Resort, Steigenberger Golf Resort, Sultan Bey Hotel, The Three Corners Ocean View Hotel, The Three Corners Rihana Inn and The Three Corners Rihana Resort.
The Intercontinental, Marriott and Sofitel hotels in Taba Heights have also been awarded Five Green Stars.
Seven hotels in El Gouna hold Four Green Stars – The Arena Inn, Captain’s Inn Hotel, Club Med, Fanadir Hotel, Mosaique Hotel, Panorama Bungalows Resort and Turtle’s Inn Hotel.
The Three Corners El Wekala Golf Resort in Taba Heights has also been awarded Four Green Stars.

El Gouna is an upmarket holiday resort renowned for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, peaceful lagoons and picturesque islands. Offering a quieter atmosphere than resorts like Sharm el Sheikh, El Gouna offers amazing diving opportunities in its crystal clear waters which are rich in marine life. Cheap holidays during the warm and sunny winter season are popular with golfing fans and visitors just wanting a relaxing holiday with some winter sunshine. Many people holidaying in El Gouna find it hard to drag themselves away from their top class hotels but there is a lot to do and see in the surrounding area. Sightseeing excursions to places like Hurghada, Luxor and Aswan are very popular.

Taba Heights

Taba Heights is also an upmarket holiday resort with beautiful beaches lapped by crystal clear waters and a backdrop of mountain and desert scenery. The sheltered waters and shallow dive sites here make the resort very popular with divers of all levels, from beginners to the more experienced. Taba Heights offers great value for money holidays which can include a round or two of golf, nightclubs, casinos, a good choice of restaurants and private beaches. The quieter months of April and June are an ideal time to visit Taba Heights along with the warm winter months which are great for a perfect family holiday in the sun.

Due to the ever increasing popularity of El Gouna and Taba Heights there is a surge of hotel developments in these Red Sea resorts.

El Gouna

El Gouna has over 6 miles of coastline, complete with hotels, spa and fitness facilities, restaurants, bars, marinas and an 18-hole golf course. The resort is home to the first hotels in Egypt to be awarded the Green Star Hotel Certification.

In El Gouna there are two new Orascom Development boutique hotels due to open in November and a new Four Seasons hotel is due to open in 2014.

Orascom Developments already operate 21 hotels with more than 5,000 rooms in El Gouna and Taba Heights. They already have 14 established hotels in the resort of El Gouna. The two new four star hotels, Fanadir and Mosaique, will be located on the resort’s new marina. Every hotel room will have a private terrace and will overlook either the marina or the hotel swimming pool.

When the new Four Seasons hotel opens in 2014 it will have 150 rooms and will offer guests pure luxury.

Taba Heights

The beautiful Taba Heights overlooks four countries, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia and has over 3 miles of natural beaches. The resort offers excellent diving sites and an 18-hole championship golf course.

A fourth new hotel is due to open in December and will be located in Taba Heights.

The multi-million pound Club Med in Taba Heights is it’s sixth luxury hotel and will come complete with a spa, fitness centre, restaurant and two bars.

Summer temperatures here are always in the 30′s during the summer months, hitting the high 20′s and enjoying 7 to 8 hours of constant sunshine a day during the winter months. Because of it’s great all year round weather package holidays to Egypt can be taken whenever you desire. The Red Sea resorts boast some of the warmest waters and best beaches in Egypt.

For bargain late deals the internet is the place to look, you won’t be disappointed.

Egypts first ever Salt Cave is due to open later this month in the Red Sea resort of Taba Heights.

The Salt Cave will be located in the uptown area of Taba Heights.

The cave will be made entirely of salt from the Dead Sea which has a high concentration of minerals and the Siwa Oasis which aids health and beauty. The air inside the cave will be benificial to health as it is charged with calcium, iron, magnesium, bromine, iodine, potassium and selium. The lighting in the cave will promote positive feelings, along with the colour therapy that will create calm and soften the mood. The floor of the cave will be covered in a thick layer of salt crystals while the ceiling will have salt stalactites, so creating a unique microclimate.

A 45 minute stay in the cave will have a beneficial influence on mood and wellbeing, and will also revitalise strength and good health. A session in the cave can also aid the treatment of nervous system disorders, digestive tract problems, heart disease, repiratory problems, dermatological diseases, metabolic problems and underproduction of hyperthyroidism.

Why not treat yourself to a visit to the new Salt Cave when on your next holidays to Taba Heights, you know you deserve it!

Sofitel Taba Heights

From its unique position in the mountain ranges of the Sinai Peninsula, Taba Heights overlooks four countries, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. With 5kms of beautiful, natural beaches, some of the worlds best dive sites, first class hotels and an 18 hole championship golf course, Taba Heights won’t disappoint you.

For more information on Egypt and to view my latest articles please visit my Egypt Blog.