The first thing you notice when you walk into the lobby of the Renaissance Golden View Beach Resort in Sharm El Sheikh is, well, the view. Perched atop the rocky cliff of Ras Um El Sid, this newest jewel in international hotel chain Marriotts crown doesnt hide the sea behind a concrete jungle of multi-level hotel rooms. Instead, it lets the gentle waves of the Red Sea be the first thing to greet you through the wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor glass panes of the resorts cathedral-like domed reception area.

As soon as you are able to peel your eyes away from the great blue beyond and finally manage to check in, you can get right back to the serious business of sea-gazing at most of the hotels 296 rooms, built over 95,000 square meters in modest two-level complexes. While the standard rooms are more than comfortable if you are vacationing solo or with a friend, families might do better to check into one of the resorts 24 suites. These six-person suites are a virtual home away from home, fitted with a living room-cum-bedroom in addition to a master bedroom, as well as a dining area, two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen that has everything from a microwave to a washing machine.

Not that you will feel much like cooking when you see what the Golden View has to offer in terms of dining options. Aptly named, the Coast has a 180-degree view of the beach that makes breakfast a breathtaking experience. For lunch and dinner, the Coast offers an international buffet, an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern, European and Far Eastern cuisines. It also boasts the only open kitchen in Sharm, allowing picky diners to see their dishes being prepared and even request special garnishes.

If you dont feel like changing out of your bikini to eat between your sun-and-beach sessions, then head to Acapulco Joes. Strategically nestled between the beach and the pools, the restaurant is a Tex-Mex affair of tacos, cacti and Spanish guitar music all out in the open air. If you are hungrier for a taste of Italy than American border cuisine, gorge on pizza and pasta at the intimate Il Palio. In between lunch and dinner, you can also nibble on finger foods and drink away the heat at any of the resorts poolside bars. At the Aqua Bar, you dont even have to get out of the pool you can just swim right up to the counter and sip cocktails while you tread water.

Between all this stationary sea viewing and eating, the pounds will begin piling up before you know it. Work off unwanted waistline expansions at the rather smallish gym where you can do a Ruby on one of the exercise machines. After sweating it out on the bikes and treadmills, relax with a steam-bath, take a quick dip in the Jacuzzi, or enjoy a game at the resorts outdoor tennis court.

Food and sport aside, the highlight of your stay at Golden View will no doubt be an underwater visit to the coral reef framing the waters edge at the resorts beach. While the beach is 400 m long, it is barely a meter wide. This sand shortage is common in Ras Um El Sid, which is located on top of a 30-meter-high cliff that has right at its base the spectacular coral that has made this part of Sharm one of the hottest dive spots around. Renaissance makes up for the lack of beach space width-wise by developing it in tier-fashion, so that there are three beaches at differing elevations.

Once the sun sets, the animation team keeps you entertained with a live band, belly-dancing and yes, the inevitable Russian show where tall blond Muscovites razzle and dazzle the audience with their energetic dance numbers. The hotels motto is relax on the reef, not get jiggy on the reef, so if you want to enjoy Sharms nightlife, take the hotel shuttle bus to nearby Naama Bay. But if loud music and overexcited teenagers are just not your thing, wile the evening away with your favorite drink in one of the lobby lounges and simply enjoy the view. Its golden. et