WITH 14 restaurants serving five-star cuisine, a luxurious infinity pool, and enough activities to keep the family entertained for weeks, you might think there’s nothing more a high-class resort could offer.
But in a showbiz coup megastar Jennifer Lopez is set to headline a one-night-only concert at Rixos Radamis on July 4. The global icon will perform on the resort’s jaw-dropping beachfront stage in what’s expected to be one of the most glamorous live shows the Red Sea has ever seen.
She’s not the only star making waves. Spanish sensation Enrique Iglesias will take to the same stage on May 4 to kick off the summer at Rixos Radamis hotel, Egypt in serious style.
And yet, even this A-list lineup can’t quite outshine the natural wonder just below the surface of the Red Sea.
The jewel in the crown of this luxury all-inclusive hotel in Sharm El Sheikh lies 20 feet below the surface of the Red Sea, where vibrant coral in its natural aquarium is not just surviving — but flourishing.
In an age where headlines brim with environmental despair — bleached reefs, vanishing biodiversity, oceans choking on plastic — it feels almost rebellious to witness an ecosystem fighting back. And yet, here it is: a living, breathing reef system in full colour. Electric purples, sunburst oranges, and neon blues shimmer just below the waves, home to moray eels, puffers, butterflyfish, and the occasional turtle cruising by like royalty on parade.
This underwater Eden fringes Ras Mohamed National Park — a protected marine reserve famed for its astonishing biodiversity and crystal waters. The hotel arranges trips here with local divers who know the area intimately. One guide, a cheerful Sudanese man affectionately dubbed “Aqua Man,” proudly scooped up a fistful of soft white sand from a remote sandbank and held it aloft like treasure. “This,” he said, grinning, “is pure.” Then, without hesitation, he rubbed it across his teeth. “Nature’s toothpaste,” he laughed. And he wasn’t joking — his smile sparkled.
It’s these moments — spontaneous, sincere, and a little surreal — that make Rixos Radamis more than just another luxury getaway.
The resort itself doesn’t shy away from its environmental responsibility either. The hotel knows that its location is its greatest asset — and it’s invested in protecting it.
Erkan Yildirim, the resort’s MD, told me: “We’re blessed with this location, but we’re guests as well and we have a responsibility to look after the environment which we take very seriously.”
But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all barefoot sanctity and coral-hugging. The resort dazzles above sea level too. Brightly lit gondolas glide through a pristine man-made canal system that’s so surreal, it feels like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And if that sounds whimsical, wait until you see its largest outdoor stage by the beach — a 6,000-seat amphitheatre where international acts perform under the stars.
The hotel has 300 dancers dedicated to the resort, as well as DJs and musicians that entertain night after night as well as attracting super star names to play.
During the day there’s sunrise yoga, paddle tennis, a serene spa and beach bars with unbeatable sunset views. But children are the true VIPs here. Rixos Radamis has constructed a miniature town just for kids — a bustling, scaled-down city where children take the lead. There are mini supermarkets, police stations, fire stations and hair salons, all run by and for children under the watchful eyes of cheerful staff. They can earn ‘Rixy currency’ for completing tasks and spend it on toys or treats — a brilliant blend of education, empowerment and sheer fun.
From science experiments to cooking classes, DJ workshops to theatre rehearsals, the “Rixy Kids Town” is not just childcare — it’s an imaginative world where independence and creativity thrive.
The service is attentive without being invasive, and the staff genuinely warm. One night, we found ourselves in the cocktail lounge, where a barman named Ahmed entertained our 19-year-old daughter and her boyfriend with slick card tricks and cheeky humour. He had us in stitches, making us feel like old friends rather than guests.
There’s a broader family behind the magic, too. Nearby sister resorts like Rixos Premium Seagate and Rixos Sharm El Sheikh — each with their own style — offer everything from beachside cinemas and aqua parks to foam parties and science labs for kids. Rixos Seagate even boasts a 24-hour patisserie and exclusive adults-only zones. No matter which Rixos you choose, you’re wrapped in comfort, colour and that unmistakable sense of Red Sea wonder.
Evenings are a highlight. As the sun slips behind the Sinai mountains, the resort transforms. Soft lighting lines the palm-shaded walkways, live oud music floats across the air, and there’s always a chance you’ll stumble into a surprise performance — fire dancers one night, a traditional Egyptian wedding procession the next.
Yet somehow, despite the sensory overload, it’s those quiet moments under the water that stay with you. Drifting over coral heads, arms loose by your side, heart slowed by the rhythm of the sea — it’s impossible not to feel humbled. The reef doesn’t demand applause. It simply exists, defiantly alive.
I wouldn’t be so gauche as to suggest this proves you can have it all — the white robes, the room service, the Instagrammable sunset, and a halo of green virtue. But I will say this: Rixos Radamis makes a compelling case for the possibility. Luxury with a conscience. Leisure with a legacy. The kind of holiday that leaves you not just tanned, but strangely hopeful.
And if you’re wondering how to get there? Flights to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport from the UK take just over five hours and run regularly from most major airports. From the airport, it’s a smooth 15-minute drive to the resort, nestled along Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula coast — where golden sands meet the sapphire sea, and something special is always waiting just below the surface.
At Rixos Radamis, indulgence meets intention. And every now and then, if you’re lucky, you come away with a suntan, a story — and the faint taste of coral reef magic on your lips.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
