"We recently visited this hotel for a family holiday, before I travelled I emailed the guest relations as we had 3 separate rooms and asked them to be together as a family, and also booked into the Chinese restaurant upon our first day as it was my birthday.
I was responded to by advising that this would be accommodated.
However upon our late arrival at 11.45pm I was informed this was not possible and no room in the hotel to come back tomorrow they may change this, as you can imagine this put a terrible dampener on our first day although I explained to reception I was advised this would be accommodated and shown him the email! He basically couldn’t care less and I asked to speak with management which he responded that he was and nothing he could do!
Once I had come to terms the bell boy took our cases to the rooms whoever instantly it became apparent that tipping was their custom to pretty much asking for anything in this hotel!!
The next morning (which was supposed to be my birthday celebrations) I woke and went down to reception to ask for the rooms to be changed however was told come back later s it was not possible! We had packed as a family so some people had the toothpaste, some had the shower gel etc… ( so the weight was even on the plane and to share toiletries in rooms) so this then was also a farce trying to walk to each others rooms to sort out getting to making yourselves comfortable.
I proceeded to guest relations to ask about the move, however I was advised the hotel was full and not possible (guest relations where 2/7 women who worked in the hotel) as the hotel was run by men even down to cleaning staff to waiters, to reception staff. However my feeling was that this women would not override a man’s decision and I was shut down to go on my way.
Particularly the hotel staff who were not helpful, where A-Fatafa and Ali-Mahar. ( no respect for my feelings at all although I wax even close to tears) ad I wanted my family holiday to be special
Eventually I met with my Rep Anwar who was brilliant and he went and spoke to the reception manager who got me 3 rooms together. However this came at a noise cost…. Plus the time was given to be 1pm to move but still was not ready at this time and we had to come back, disturbing our first day.
I was give, Rooms 102,103,104 wow!! Right next to the reception, bar, and corridor people passed to go home whilst they where mostly Drunk Russians and all hours walking through to their rooms very loud, not a care in the world for others sleeping at 12am, 3am, 5am you name it however there was no point in complaining they gave me what I asked for and this would of been another upset cost to me not being valued or heard.
The night of the Chinese restaurant, my daughter took candles and gave them to the manager “Hossam” who apparently was bringing my cake at the end, however this did not materialise as he had set a table with balloons to a different table and took my cake and candles (which she bought ) to another table. At the end of our meal she went and asked him he told her he had brought the candles and cake out which she advised him it was the wrong table and she wanted her candles back and he went on to argue with her and told her she hadn’t given him the candles!! She took them off him and we walked off. It was terrible birthday celebrations I have ever come across, we couldn’t eat after seeing him walking into the kitchen picking his pants from his bum. And no tip was left (accustomed or not)
Things did pick up a little the next day how we where bombarded by Ibrahim asking about getting a massage, however we did £50 each for 3 of us so £150, we where shocked! The SPA looked like an old brothel! One of the villas being pulled down as I haven’t mentioned this hotel is still being developed and not as big as you may see on trip advisor!
Anyway back to the brothel massage!
It was ok, I didn’t feel relaxed felt more on guard protecting myself, my masseuse jumped on my back straddled me, my daughter neck was cracked and my son in law was being told he needed more and to come back, they where talking amongst each other whilst massaging us, when finished they stood in a line by the door obviously waiting for the accustomed tip between us we only had €20 note so ended up feeling obliged to give that told them to share it and one of gh took it and ran out the villa from the others the other masseuse went after and was stopped by one of the men by putting his hand in front of her so she was unable to leave!! (These were 3 women also but separate to hotel staff) anyway that felt really uncomfortable for us to see.
My Grandson went to children’s club one day, were we sat and watched him we wouldn’t just leave him to find the entertainment girl who was in the room talk b pictures of him! I proceeded to tell her we have not consented and to delete the pictures, she advised they where for work however again I told her she should be asking and to delete them which she did not speak very good English but did understand! Especially my tone, we didn’t have to sign kids in or out I was baffled that people would just drop their kids off and walk away and how taking pictures was not an ask, good job we were there as there was 2 Russia children who thought it was ok to pick on my grandson age 3 by the way and they were about 5/6 and that entertainer didn’t do a thing, they hit him in the play area, but we dealt with this ourselves, same child who’s father walked in front of me in a que whilst I was waiting for ice cream and told me he was in front of me when I tapped him and asked him to get in line and he was rude!
Staff won’t say anything ad it’s whoever gives the biggest tips gets looked out for, I hadn’t come on holiday for a completion although I did tip where a good service was given to me not for a good service.
I would like to give a special mention to the people who did make our stay good
Mahmoud our cleaner was brilliant, done a real good job although the bathrooms drains smelt, he cleaned well, was respectful to our belongings and even have the odd swan towel.
Mohammed the sports facilitor who managed he children’s pool. Outside Play area and padel courts what a guy he evened up the game for my family as they needed another player to make 4 he was so kind, courteous and always greeted everyone of us with respect and vice versa we had a good relationship with him.
Reta working in the restaurant, he was helpful, polite and gave us a language lesson each day found us a table to accommodate the 7 of us eating together outside as inside was far too cold with the air-conditioner on.
Mo, Mickey & Tito work really hard as an entertainment team and can these guys dance they involved everybody as much as they could, They would come tell you when was on in the evening at the show also each day however we did get a bit bored of the show as it was heavily dominated by Russians and was cold out in the theatre plus quite a few mosquitoes there plus we are early bedtime people, but still an all these lads where fab.
Ali from the diving centre we paid with him we went snorkelling at the coral in the deep Red Sea, visited a blue lagoon, this was out of this world I would recommend Ali he will look after you.
Mohammed the food and beverage manager what a guy always smiling and happy to accommodate you, he was a very nice man.
I didn’t get the towel gents name however we had a good crack each morning he called me Liverpool and I called him Manchester as we had a talk about football and he advised he no longer supported my local team as Mo Salah had left and he know supported Manchester City as there was another Egyptian player there so I called him a turn coat however this was a good bit of banter and he helped me most morning put my 9 towels on my beds for the family.
The last day of my stay I asked to keep the rooms on until 6pm even 1 out of them would of done and I was prepared to pay the £60 however was told to come to reception at 10am on my departure date however I went at 9am and was told come back which I went back and was told No my daughter was not awake to tell her and she also went and asked However was screamed at by the reception staff named above and told I have told your family 15 minutes ago No!!! We were given a shower room to change which obviously was kind however was told 1 hour for us all to get ready and showered! I asked could it not be 1 1:2 hrs as I had spoken to a person who advised they where given 1:2 hr for the 2 of them I was told maximum 1 hr which again was a stress! As well as my son was the last in the shower and we were within out time limit 2 other guests where given the room key and walked in on us when I went to reception I was told Nobody had a key and I was wrong (you can’t get your point across with them they basically think, what you going to do go home!!) I just walked away.
Once this hotel is fully developed yes it will be a 5 star however not yet as there where 2 restaurants near the beach not open, if you have a pram it’s not even worth trying to get on the beach which is Shelly beach and not good for children’s feet.
The Italian in sea salt was the most delicious meal we had honestly if we could eat there again we would have.
The soup in the Egyptian was delicious we even asked for another bowl each.
The silk (Indian) food was delicious the lamb was so soft and tender.
The Malai (tapneyki) was very confusing and they mixed up the meals as you had to get your meat and veg to put with your noodles however you was given a number which got confused and others got others foods!
The chop chop (Chinese) well I told you about the bum picker not more to say about that!!
I couldn’t understand there where 2 women’s toilets on each side of the pool however no toilets in the restaurants or even near the hand wash didn’t work in the one near the towel station which was not hygienic.
The adults only pool was well for adults however no bar which I found odd and I noticed children on the beds on occasions however I went to loo k at it whilst having hold of my 3 year grandsons hand and was quickly rushed away again his must of been a tip thing.
The shops on the resort literally made their own prices up. I went one day got
Packet of M&Ms, 2 Maltesers, 2 packets of crisp, Marshmallow lollypop, 2 packet mentos and 2 large croissant and was charged £42!!!
Oh and if you don’t get up for breakfast which finishes at 10am you’re not eating until 1pm when dinner opens.
There was ice cream cart by the pool not open or set up, only ice creams at the bar no lolly ice
The indoor pool was closed however looked like an old shark tank was filthy.
I generally read reviews but think oh can’t be that bad but it’s these things above that make your stay feel valued, happy and relaxed. I had to just try to ignore everything and enjoy the I could as I didn’t want my family to have a lasting negative memory of this special occasion of spending quality time together.
Would I go back….. No I don’t think we got value for money at this resort."
