Integrated neatly into the surrounding purpose-built promenade, the Iberotel Il Mercato is a flamboyant blend of neoclassic flourishes where ornate wrought ironwork and polished marble floors meet painted coffered ceilings and velvet-cushioned, antique-style furnishings. While the result can look a little Renaissance-themed, the overall effect is high-end and well presented with a bright spacious reception and a pleasant, polished finish throughout. Unlike most area resorts, there's nothing in the way of gardens or a private beach on-site, though there's plenty of both sunny and shaded space for pools and terraces on the hotel's rooftop (guests also have exclusive access to a sandy beach nearby). Most guests are vacationing couples, making for a generally more peaceful ambience, and tend to be a mix of European and Russian holiday makers. 

The hotel is located in the Om El Seed area of southern Sharm El Sheikh and right in the center of Il Mercato Promenade -- a European-style shopping and entertainment area that's home to numerous retail outlets, coffee shops, and restaurants. Naama Bay -- the central tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh that's full of restaurants, bars, and buzzing nightlife -- is about a 15-minute drive from the resort. It's one of the more distant hotels from Sharm El Sheikh's International Airport at around 25 minutes driving time. 

The hotel's 318 rooms are bright and spacious with fresh neutral tones and a mix of traditionally styled and modern furnishings. In-room amenities include adjustable air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, though there's no in-room Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are generally well-maintained with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and fluffy bathrobes. While most rooms extend to furnished balconies, some lack this feature, and guests should also note that Promo Rooms are located a few minutes' walk away from the main building in the Il Mercato shopping mall.

The hotel has three swimming pools, two of which are fairly small but have separate kids' sections. Two of the three are heated during winter months, but only one gets the sun for the whole day (as well as views of the surrounding area), so it tends to be the most popular. If pools get busy, there's a free shuttle bus to a section of a nearby sandy beach -- the Golden Beach -- with a reserved area for guests and water sports facilities. The hotel also features one of the better hotel spas in the area (though with some persistent poolside sales), which includes a traditional stone hammam, sauna, and hot tub as well as the option of rooftop massages.

There are several dining options on-site, the main restaurant, Il Giardino, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style, while two a la carte options provide international and Italian menus -- there's also abundant dining options in the hotel's immediate surrounds. A poolside bar also serves drinks and snacks throughout the day, while the lobby bar is 24-hour. 

The hotel's optional all-inclusive plan covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Il Giardino restaurant, as well as dinner in an a la carte restaurant. Snacks and cakes are provided in the afternoon at the poolside bar, while a range of locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks are also included and available around the clock at the lobby bar. Half- and full-board options are also available. Minibar items and bottled water are not included in plans.