REVIEW · SHARM EL SHEIKH
Cleopatra Spa Retreat: 120 Minutes of Bliss in Sharm El Sheikh
Book on Viator →Operated by Esso Tours · Bookable on Viator
A spa day in Egypt can be simple—this one is detailed. From hotel pickup to a 45-minute aroma oil massage, you’re given a full chain of treatments that feel like a real reset. I like the way the session mixes warm-up (sauna and steam) with hands-on work (scrubs, peeling, and massage).
One more thing I appreciate: the package includes a facial mask and Dead Sea–style hand and foot exfoliation, so you don’t leave feeling half-done. My main caution is that the exfoliation and scrubs may feel strong if you’re prone to sensitive skin, and there’s an extra $5 government tax per person you’ll want to factor in.
In This Review
- Key Highlights at a Glance
- A 2.5-Hour Cleopatra Spa Reset in Sharm el Sheikh
- Pickup, Sauna, and the Warm-Up You’ll Actually Notice
- Dry Peeling with Black Loofah or Mashalka: Get Ready, Then Exhale
- Chocolate or Coconut Body Scrub: Dessert Vibes, Real Exfoliation
- Foam and Soapy Massages: Where Tension Starts to Let Go
- Dead Sea Salt Hands and Feet: The Step People Forget (But Don’t Have To)
- Facial Mask Options: Chocolate, Milk, or Mud
- The 45-Minute Aroma Oil Massage: The Moment You’ll Remember
- Price, Value, and What You’re Really Paying For
- Who This Spa Retreat Fits Best (And Who Might Want Less)
- Should You Book Cleopatra Spa Retreat?
- FAQ
- How long is the Cleopatra Spa Retreat?
- What’s included in the spa program?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Do I need to pay extra taxes?
- What’s the group size limit?
- Is there free cancellation?
- Is the retreat suitable for most people?
Key Highlights at a Glance

- Hotel pickup and drop-off so you’re not figuring out transport after a massage
- Sauna and steam room to warm up before exfoliation and bodywork
- Dry peeling plus body scrubs with options like black loofah/mashalka, chocolate or coconut
- A 45-minute aroma oil massage that’s the long finish most people come for
- Dead Sea salt hands and feet for full-body pampering, not just the obvious areas
- Small group size (max 15) which keeps the experience calmer
A 2.5-Hour Cleopatra Spa Reset in Sharm el Sheikh

This is a 2.5-hour spa retreat in Sharm el Sheikh that’s built like a sequence, not a menu. You’ll start and end with support, thanks to hotel pickup and a return drop-off—useful when you want to focus on relaxing instead of navigating afterward.
The value here is the “more than one thing” approach. The session layers several steps: warm-up, exfoliation, massage styles, a facial mask, and a final aroma massage. For $55 (before the $5 government tax), you’re paying for time and hands-on care, not just access to a room.
The vibe is straightforward: relax, get worked on, and leave feeling lighter. And because the group max is 15, it tends to feel less like a factory line and more like a scheduled pamper session.
One small drawback to think about up front: your body will go through a lot of tactile work in a short window. If you’re expecting a light touch only, tell them early. If you like exfoliation and firm massage, this format usually hits the sweet spot.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Sharm el Sheikh.
Pickup, Sauna, and the Warm-Up You’ll Actually Notice
Your experience begins with a hotel pickup, so you can arrive already in vacation mode. When you get to the spa area, you don’t jump straight into treatment. You start with time in the sauna and steam room.
Why that matters: the warm environment helps your muscles relax and makes skin feel more ready for exfoliation. It’s a simple step, but it’s also the part that quietly determines how the rest feels. If you’ve ever tried to do a scrub right away in a cold body, you know it can feel harsher than it needs to.
In this retreat, the warm-up is part of the plan:
- Sauna and steam room first
- Then dry peeling and massage steps
- Then scrubs, mask, and the 45-minute oil massage finish
If you’re the type who likes to ease into treatment, this order will feel logical. If you’re short on time or very heat-sensitive, pace yourself in the sauna/steam and speak up.
Dry Peeling with Black Loofah or Mashalka: Get Ready, Then Exhale

Next comes the signature exfoliation step: a full-body dry peeling using a black loofah or mashalka (a glove-style exfoliating tool). This is the most “hands-on” moment of the session.
Here’s how to think about it:
- Dry peeling is about sloughing off dead skin so everything after feels smoother.
- It can feel intense in the moment, but the goal is comfort afterward—soft skin and less roughness.
If you’ve got sensitive skin, go slow. You can ask for lighter pressure before they start. And keep in mind that the rest of the program is also exfoliation and massage-based, so you’re stacking effects. That’s why I’d only recommend this retreat if you’re open to a strong start and not expecting a gentle spa float.
The upside: this is one of the reasons the retreat can leave you feeling noticeably refreshed. It’s not just relaxation theatre; it’s actual skin and muscle work.
Chocolate or Coconut Body Scrub: Dessert Vibes, Real Exfoliation

After the dry peeling, you move into foam and soapy massages, then a body scrub infused with chocolate or coconut. (Yes, chocolate is really part of the treatment options here, not a marketing nickname.)
This step matters because it blends two goals:
- Continued exfoliation for smoother skin
- Aromas and a rich, spa-like feel that makes the process more enjoyable than “just scrubbing”
If you’re picking between options, choose what sounds better to you:
- Chocolate tends to feel like a cozy, comforting choice
- Coconut leans more familiar and sweet
Either way, the retreat uses scrubbing as a tool, not just a fragrance moment.
One practical tip: after exfoliation, your skin may feel extra delicate for a short while. Drink water afterward if you can, and avoid rough contact (like tight clothing) for the rest of the day if you’re able.
Foam and Soapy Massages: Where Tension Starts to Let Go

The program includes foam massage and soapy relax massage. These steps are where you feel the retreat shift from skin-focused to full-body tension release.
This is a good part of the experience to pay attention to your body signals:
- If a certain area feels too intense, tell them
- If you have specific tight spots, focus your communication there
In the feedback connected to the service, massage skill is mentioned specifically—especially around finding knots and working them out. That’s the kind of attention that makes the difference between a routine massage and one that changes how you walk out.
I also like that the retreat doesn’t end the relaxation early. It keeps returning to massage touch after exfoliation steps, so the pace doesn’t feel disjointed.
Dead Sea Salt Hands and Feet: The Step People Forget (But Don’t Have To)

One of the smarter inclusions in this retreat is the Dead Sea salt scrub for the foot & hand area, done “by stone” (as described in the program details).
Most spa packages focus on shoulders and back. This one includes hands and feet as a dedicated scrub step, which is often what really makes you feel “pampered from head to toe.”
Why it’s valuable:
- Hands and feet are where a lot of travel wear shows up
- Exfoliation here makes skin feel smoother fast
- It also pairs well with the warm-up you already did in the sauna/steam
If you’re the type who gets stiff from walking or sitting on long transfers, this is a nice targeted bonus.
Facial Mask Options: Chocolate, Milk, or Mud

You’ll also get a facial mask tailored from the options listed: chocolate, milk, or mud.
A facial mask in a 2.5-hour treatment works like a reset for the face. You’re already warm, exfoliated, and massaged, so the mask step helps tie it all together—like finishing a full grooming cycle rather than stopping at bodywork.
How to choose? Pick what matches your comfort level:
- Chocolate or milk sounds more comforting and mild-feeling
- Mud options can be more “active” in texture, so if you don’t like heavier face treatments, go with the option that feels gentler to you
The big idea: don’t rush this portion. Let the mask be what it is, not just a checkbox while you plan your next stop.
The 45-Minute Aroma Oil Massage: The Moment You’ll Remember

The final major treatment is a 45-minute aroma massage using full body oil massage.
This is where most people feel the “payoff.” The earlier steps wake up skin and soften the body. The aroma oil massage is the longer, comfort-based part that helps you finish relaxed instead of just clean.
In the service feedback, a massage specialist named Ahmed is praised for finding issues and working out knots using hands-on techniques. If you’re lucky enough to get him, pay attention to where you feel tension early in the session—because this is the portion where they can focus their effort.
Practical advice: if you want your massage to be effective, speak up at the start:
- Tell them where you feel tight
- Tell them if you want light, medium, or firm pressure
- Mention any sore spots so the therapist can avoid the wrong pressure
At the end, you’ll also have a hot drink—herbal tea—which is a nice calm-down move before you head back out.
Price, Value, and What You’re Really Paying For
Let’s talk money without the fluff. The price is $55 per person, and the experience notes an extra $5 government tax you’ll pay on top. So plan on $60 total per person in practice.
For that spend, you’re getting:
- Sauna and steam room access
- Dry peeling (full body)
- Foam massage and soapy relax massage
- Chocolate or coconut body scrub
- Dead Sea salt scrub for hands and feet (by stone)
- Facial mask (chocolate, milk, or mud)
- 45-minute aroma oil massage
- Herbal tea
Value comes from how packed the time is. This isn’t a single 60-minute massage. It’s a structured sequence where each step supports the next. If you usually pay for add-ons separately, this bundle-style approach can feel like a bargain.
One more value factor: pickup and drop-off. In Sharm el Sheikh, transport time can eat into relaxation. Here, you’re starting and ending at your hotel, so the day stays comfortable.
Also worth noting: this activity is booked on average about 26 days in advance, and it caps at 15 travelers. That usually means it’s popular enough that planning ahead helps.
Who This Spa Retreat Fits Best (And Who Might Want Less)
This retreat makes the most sense if you:
- Want a full sequence in one session (not just a massage)
- Like exfoliation steps and don’t mind dry peeling
- Want a final longer aroma massage to finish the job
- Prefer calm group sizing rather than big crowds
You might hesitate if you:
- Have very sensitive skin or easily react to scrubs
- Want a gentle spa day with minimal tactile intensity
- Plan to do more active things right after the session (because exfoliation and massage can make you feel extra warm or “worked,” even when you’re relaxed)
If you’re going as a couple, the service feedback mentions strong couple-session experiences involving team members Nora and Aswan. If you want a shared experience vibe, this format is often a good fit.
Should You Book Cleopatra Spa Retreat?
I’d book it if you want a clear, time-efficient spa day with real skin and muscle work, not just sitting around. The combination—warm-up, dry peeling, scrubs, a facial mask, and then a full 45-minute aroma oil massage—gives you a strong “before and after” feeling for the price.
Skip it if your ideal spa day is all light touch and you’re wary of exfoliation intensity. Also budget for the $5 government tax so you’re not surprised at the end.
If you do book: arrive a little early if you can (so you don’t rush your sauna/steam warm-up), and be honest about pressure on the massage. That’s how you turn a good package into a great one.
FAQ
How long is the Cleopatra Spa Retreat?
The experience is about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).
What’s included in the spa program?
It includes sauna and steam room access, full-body dry peeling, foam and soapy massage steps, body scrubs (chocolate or coconut), Dead Sea salt scrub for hands and feet, a facial mask (chocolate, milk, or mud), a 45-minute aroma oil massage, and a hot herbal drink.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Pickup and drop-off are offered, so you can be collected from your hotel and returned afterward.
Do I need to pay extra taxes?
Yes. Governmental taxes are listed as $5 per person and are not included in the base price.
What’s the group size limit?
The activity has a maximum of 15 travelers.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes, free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Is the retreat suitable for most people?
The program notes that most travelers can participate.









