Kitesurf hotel · Soma Bay, Egypt
Imperial Shams Abu Soma: Family Kitesurf Resort 250 m From ION CLUB
A lively all-inclusive family resort on the Shams beach at Abu Soma, about 250 m from ION CLUB's kite centre, with a swimming zone kept free of surfers.
- Kite centre about 250 m
- All-inclusive
- Family and duplex rooms
- Kids' club and kids' pool
In short
Imperial Shams Abu Soma is a 4-star, all-inclusive resort on a private beach at Abu Soma, about 50 km (45 to 50 minutes) south of Hurghada airport. It is the lively one of the four Shams hotels on this beach: two-bedroom family rooms and duplexes, a main pool and a relaxation pool, an animation team and evening shows, tennis, squash and a diving centre.
ION CLUB Safaga runs its kite centre at the north end of the same beach, about 250 m from the main building, past the adults-only Shams Prestige. Hotel guests skip the €7 daily beach entrance that ION charges riders from other hotels. The resort scores 4.2/5 on Google from about 2,600 reviews.
At a glance
Kite Fit
- Distance to the spot
- About 250 m to ION CLUB's kite centre, along the beach
- School
- ION CLUB Safaga: IKO and VDWS instructors, Duotone gear
- Wind
- Side-offshore mornings, side-shore and stronger from noon
- Water
- Flat mornings, light chop later; swim zone free of surfers
- Family
- Family and duplex rooms, kids' club, kids' pool, animation
- Season
- Kite centre open all year, daily 8:30 to 17:00
- Airport
- Hurghada, about 50 km (45 to 50 minutes)
- Guest rating
- 4.2/5 on Google (2,594 reviews)
Verified with the official sites of Shams Hotels and ION CLUB, Sportif, Surf Magazin, Trip.com and Google Maps listings · Updated October 2026
See the place
On Instagram
Wind forecast
7-day wind forecast at Soma Bay
Updated 2 Nov, 13:47
GO16–24 ktsOK12–15 ktsSTRONG25 kts and moreLIGHTunder 12 kts
Strongest wind and gusts of the day, in knots. Kite sizes are a rough guide for a rider of about 75 kg. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Where you sleep
Rooms for couples and families
The hotel lists four room types, all with satellite TV, a safe and a coffee station, and some rooms come with a private jacuzzi. The resort is laid out so that rooms, beach, pools and restaurants are all within easy reach.
- All-inclusive: an international buffet, à la carte dinners and bars and snack spots around the resort
- Check-in from 14:00, check-out until 12:00
| Type | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Room | Couples | The base category |
| Superior Room | Couples who want more space | Upgraded category |
| Family Room | Families | Two bedrooms |
| Duplex Room | Families or friends | Rooms on two levels |
The spot
The kite spot at the end of the beach
From the hotel you walk north along the beach, past the Shams Prestige, to the ION CLUB kite centre, about 250 m from the main building; rooms at the far end of the resort are farther. In front of the centre the spot is wide, with an easy launch, separate zones for kiters and windsurfers, and marked coral patches.
Mornings bring a lighter side-offshore wind, good for first lessons in shallow water or a downwinder to Tobia Island, about 4 km away. From about noon the wind turns side-shore and steadier, often 20 to 25 knots, with light chop. ION CLUB's windsurf base is about 350 m south of the hotel.
Families
For families and non-kiters
Days revolve around the pools and the beach: a lively main pool, a quieter relaxation pool, and a marked swimming area in the sea, kept free of surfers, from 8:00 until sunset. The animation team runs daily programmes and evening shows, and the hotel organises pool parties, cooking workshops, game nights, film evenings and bonfires. Booking sites also list a kids' club and a children's pool.
For active days there are clay tennis courts (lit at night for a fee), squash courts, an indoor gym, a beach fitness area with a trainer-led session every day at 11:00, a rooftop cross-fitness area, a running trail, beach volleyball, billiards and a diving centre. Spa treatments, yoga and meditation sessions round off the list.
Lessons
The kite school next door
ION CLUB Safaga teaches kitesurfing and wing foiling with IKO and VDWS instructors and rents Duotone gear from its centre on the Shams Prestige grounds, about 250 m from the hotel. Children must be at least 12 to take kite lessons.
Travel
Location and getting there
Imperial Shams is at km 10 on the Hurghada–Safaga road in Abu Soma, about 50 km and 45 to 50 minutes south of Hurghada airport, the hotel says. Safaga is about 8 km away, 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, and the hotels of Soma Bay are a short drive north. More about the bay in our Soma Bay kitesurf guide.
Honest notes
Good to know before you book
- It is a lively resort with animation and shows: choose the Shams Prestige next door for quiet.
- The kite centre is about 250 m from the main building; rooms at the far end are farther.
- The morning wind is side-offshore and can be gusty near the shore; it turns side-shore and steadier around noon.
- Children must be at least 12 to take kite lessons at ION CLUB.
- The kids' club and children's pool are listed by booking sites rather than the hotel's own site: check ages and opening times before you go.
Our take
Our verdict
Great for
- Families who want all-inclusive, a kids' club and the kite centre a short walk away
- Parents who take turns: one rides, the other stays by the pool or the swim zone
- Riders who like calm morning sessions and stronger afternoons
Think twice if you are
- Couples looking for quiet: the adults-only Shams Prestige is next door
- Kiters who want the station right outside their room
Book
How to book
Book direct with the hotel
The official Shams Hotels page of Imperial Shams Abu Soma.
We are not a travel agency: you book directly with the hotel, the school or Booking.com.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Imperial Shams Abu Soma Resort
How far is Imperial Shams from the kite centre?
About 250 m. ION CLUB's Safaga kite centre is at the north end of the Shams beach, past the Shams Prestige next door, about 250 m from the Imperial's main building according to Google Maps.
Which kite school is at Imperial Shams Abu Soma?
ION CLUB Safaga, which has run water sports at the Shams hotels since 1991 and a kite centre since 2003. It has IKO and VDWS instructors, Duotone rental gear, storage and a safety boat.
Is Imperial Shams all-inclusive?
Yes. The hotel describes its stay as an all-inclusive holiday, with an international buffet, à la carte dinners, and bars and snack spots around the resort.
Is Imperial Shams good for families?
Yes. It has two-bedroom family rooms and duplex rooms, a main pool and a relaxation pool, and an animation team with daily programmes and shows, and booking sites list a kids' club and a children's pool. A marked swimming area in the sea is kept free of surfers.
Can children learn to kitesurf at ION CLUB Safaga?
From 12 years old, according to ION CLUB. Younger children can enjoy the pools, the kids' club and the swimming area while their parents ride.
How far is Imperial Shams from Hurghada airport?
About 50 km, or 45 to 50 minutes by road on the Safaga highway, according to the hotel. Safaga is about 8 km away, 10 to 15 minutes by taxi.
Do hotel guests pay to use the ION CLUB beach?
There is no beach entrance fee for Shams hotel guests. ION CLUB says riders staying elsewhere pay €7 a day or €35 a week in cash to the hotel; lessons, rental and storage are paid separately.
Sources
Last checked October 2026
- Imperial Shams Abu Soma (official)
- Imperial Shams: about the resort (official)
- Imperial Shams: activities and facilities (official)
- Imperial Shams: contact and directions (official)
- ION CLUB Safaga (official)
- Surf Magazin: Safaga spot check, 2024
- Sportif: Shams Prestige Hotel (beach layout)
- Trip.com: Imperial Shams Abu Soma
- Google Maps: Imperial Shams Abu Soma
- Google Maps: ION CLUB Kite-Center Safaga
We only publish facts we could confirm with the official website or two independent sources. Spotted something out of date? Write to info@kitesurf.holiday.