Sharm el-Sheikh: Mubarak’s retreat or a luxe getaway?

As Egypt celebrated its new-found freedom from a three-decade long dictatorship of the Mubarak regime, the ousted president made his way to his luxe Red Sea villa in Sharm El Sheikh.

Popularly known as the City of Peace, Sharm El Sheikh situated in the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, is a very famous tourist destination and has hosted a number of international conferences and meetings.

The columns of palm trees and beaches that dot the entire region is unlike what most of the polluted cities and villages in Egypt look like. Throughout the year, travelers from across the world come to this remote place to bask in its scenic beauty and enjoy the cool breeze of the Red Sea. Its dramatic landscape, endless stretches of natural beaches and temperate climate make it a very popular tourist destination.

Besides this, the innumerous casinos, pubs and luxury hotels including the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Marriott and Sheraton, that crowd the city have played an important role in boosting the country's tourism industry.

The villa at Sharm el-Sheikh, where the former first family is said to be residing, is a well-guarded place with high walls.

The Independent however reported that the villa is not the sole place where Mubarak has vested interests. The former President is said to have financial stakes in hotels and holiday homes at the resort.

Mubarak has, in fact, played host to a number of foreign dignitaries and diplomats in the region. This includes the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; Mahmoud Abbas from Palestine and Israeli premier, Benjamin Netanyahu among others.