"An honest and genuine review of our recent stay at Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort and services we experienced throughout our holiday.
We have both travelled extensively throughout the world so we feel we have some idea as to how hotels operate and function and what a guest can hope to expect during an extended stay.
It is important to start with the team, the staff, who are quite honestly at the heart and are the hub of the operation.
The service provided by the entire team, each and every one of them is beyond any expectations we had and was so personal it was extraordinary. I could go as far as describing it as ‘sublime’.
I think it’s fair to say that literally every team member we came into contact with was outstanding. They were courteous, polite, respectful, extremely friendly and very helpful.
Obviously different guests use different parts of the hotel as their needs are varied, so whilst families might know the animation team or children’s club staff better, others like us, will use the beach and adult pool areas, so get to know that team.
There is a list of people to recognise but this doesn’t mean the list is exhaustive. I am very sure there are many more people that we didn’t come into contact with that are just as effective and efficient and would equally deserve a mention had they been part of our experience.
The two people who had the greatest impact on our whole time at Sunrise Arabian Resort were Hassan (Restaurant/Food and Beverage Manager) and Hussain (Sous Chef)
I am unable to eat wheat/gluten in my diet which whilst easy to manage at home, anybody who suffers this type of health issue can understand it to be extremely frightening, challenging and scary in a new country that uses entirely different ingredients, products, produces completely new foods and menus; all in a language that is new and unknown.
Many people choose not to travel as they find it debilitating.
Understandably this forms the basis of this review for obvious reasons but should by no means detract from the overall positive impact the hotel had on us.
It’s hard to find the adequate words to describe the personal service that Hassan and Hussain gave to us throughout our stay and in particular the seriousness and diligence they showed with my dietary restrictions and requirements.
They were both very present throughout every visit to every restaurant. Not overbearing, intimidating or intrusive just unbelievably supportive, kind, respectful and caring.
I felt completely safe and didn’t feel I needed to question any of the food I was eating. I can’t explain how reassuring, unusual and refreshing this was.
A few other staff members that particularly impressed us;
Adult pool and Waterfall Restaurant - Mohamed Ayman.
An articulate, well spoken man. Very efficient, polite and friendly.
Mohammed has a fantastic memory. He quickly remembers your choice of drinks and will happily refill them without having to be asked or you having to seek him out.
Adult Pool - Moeman
Moeman has an excellent work ethic. The attention to detail that he provides is to a very high standard and always carried out in such a private and understated manner.
He is clearly very proud of the area he manages. The pool immaculately clean, the sun beds arranged in perfection, cleaned after every use and towels fitted on the bed of your choice every single time, even if you move beds.
Beach - Abo Baker
Abo is like a ray of sunshine!
His enthusiastic, genuine and generous greeting is like being welcomed home on a daily basis.
Always happy to find us a space on the beach, even when it seemed impossible as it was so busy, Abo magically appeared. Wonderful service!
Nora Restaurant- Romany;
Romany always extends a warm, smiling welcome. Always happy to accommodate the guests and meet their individual needs.
Basilico Restaurant- Mustafa
A very attentive and efficient man. Regularly ensured we were cared for, including topping up our drinks.
Dahlia Block room 2232 - Saeed
Our room was cleaned daily and to a very high standard. Saeed was discreet, quiet and polite.
We are very aware that all of the staff are required to work very long days and for long periods before any days off. This never impacts on the exceptional level of service.
At no point did any of the team look unenthusiastic or unwelcoming and this was also the case even with the majority of the staff observing Ramadan and subsequently celebrating Eid during our stay.
We considered ourselves very lucky to have been able to enjoy all of the Eid celebrations including the magnificent feast which the hotel put on at no extra cost to the guests.
It was so refreshing and positive to see and feel the presence of the senior management team. They were hands on, supporting the team, welcoming and taking care of the guests comforts whilst dealing with any issues.
The hotel was built and opened in 2012 and underwent renovations in 2019 so it’s fair to say that it has the expected level of general wear and tear. The bedrooms are large and well designed. They are slightly tired but are very comfortable and many of them have spectacular views across the bay to Tiran Island.
The hotel grounds and gardens are immaculately tended by yet another amazing team who are as equally friendly, welcoming and caring. The flower beds, palm trees and garden areas are just stunning.
The beach is lovely, a good size, with a nice house reef. It’s very well cared for and cleaned every night. There are plenty of sunbeds offering both sun and shade and a great little beach bar.
There are 6 Al La carte restaurants offering fantastic variety and choice and the food was all excellent quality, well prepared and served with a good selection of dishes.
Perhaps our only comment would be that they were all very brightly lit with many ceiling lights despite there being many pretty themed chandeliers and wall lights which could have given a softer and more pleasant atmosphere and light.
We find it very hard to understand how anyone could find any major criticism or complaint about this hotel. Everything about it is 5 star
We had a truly enjoyable, relaxing and wonderful holiday.
We have so many places in the world we want to visit so have never returned to a hotel before. This hotel and its staff could quite possibly change that. We would highly recommend this and will most definitely return."