"An unforgettable holiday – we’ll definitely be back!
From the moment we arrived until the day we left, our stay at the Concorde El Salam Hotel was absolutely amazing. Although some areas of the hotel, particularly the rooms, could benefit from a little refurbishment, they are spotlessly clean, the beds are enormous and incredibly comfortable, and the housekeeping team does a fantastic job every single day. The minibar is empty on arrival, but you receive two complimentary bottles of water daily.
Unfortunately, on our very first day my husband slipped badly on the steps leading to our room, seriously injuring his elbow and back. The way the hotel staff responded was outstanding. They immediately arranged for the hotel doctor to attend, and he simply couldn’t have done more for us. He even phoned our room every day to check on my husband, offer advice and make sure he was recovering well. The hotel itself also called daily to make sure everything was okay with our room and our stay, and if we needed anything it was dealt with within minutes. That level of genuine care is something we’ve rarely experienced.
It was also all the thoughtful little touches that made this holiday so special. Because we arrived late and had missed dinner, a buffet meal was delivered to our room. During our stay we received complimentary baskets of fruit and pastries, and on my birthday a beautiful birthday cake was delivered to our room. These little surprises made us feel incredibly valued.
However, the real stars of this hotel are the staff. They treated us like royalty throughout our entire holiday, and nothing was ever too much trouble. Every single member of staff was polite, friendly and genuinely wanted to make sure we had the best possible experience.
A very special thank you to Kareem, who cooked the most amazing omelettes and eggs every morning while always singing, smiling and brightening everyone’s day. Mahmood made sure our drinks were waiting for us before we had even sat down at every meal. His attention to detail was incredible, and his smile could light up any room. Rajbad in the Tex-Mex restaurant and Mahmoud in the Italian restaurant made my birthday evening one I will never forget. They all went above and beyond.
These wonderful people work exceptionally long hours for very little pay, and sadly we witnessed some guests treating them with complete disrespect. Despite this, they remained professional, kind, cheerful and incredibly hardworking. They are a credit to the hotel.
The hotel’s location is excellent too, being only a five-minute walk from the famous Soho Square. There are so many restaurants, bars and attractions to enjoy. We highly recommend Soho House for fantastic food and amazing cocktails. The Ice Bar next door is a brilliant experience if you fancy reminding yourself what a British winter feels like! There is also ice skating, ten-pin bowling, and the evening light and fountain displays are absolutely worth seeing.
Our holiday representative, Aladdin, was fantastic. He offered excellent value on the many excursions available and was always happy to provide advice and help whenever we needed it.
One feature I particularly loved was the “Do Not Disturb” red badge available at the pool. It lets the sales teams know you don’t wish to be approached, saving you from the constant stream of offers. Although, to be fair, watching their sales techniques was quite entertaining—they could spot a first-time visitor from a mile away! If you want a peaceful day by the pool, I definitely recommend picking up one of these badges.
The food in the hotel was good and catered for a wide range of dietary requirements. The choice could have been a little more varied, but with Soho Square only minutes away and offering so many fantastic dining options, it certainly wasn’t an issue for us.
One thing I would definitely recommend is bringing mosquito repellent with you. Although the hotel uses smoke machines at night, you will still need protection when you are out and about to avoid bites. It is also extremely hot at the moment, with temperatures reaching into the 50’s every day, so make sure you bring the right level of sun protection for your skin and apply it regularly.
I could write so much more about this hotel and the incredible people who work there, but I’d be here all day. What really makes the Concorde El Salam special isn’t just the facilities—it’s the people. They genuinely care about their guests and make you feel welcome from beginning to end.
Thank you to everyone who made our holiday so memorable.
We will definitely be returning next year!"
