"We recently stayed at Jasmine Palace Resort in Egypt and overall had a really enjoyable holiday, with a few significant issues that unfortunately mean we wouldn't return.
The rooms were lovely, very spacious, and perfect for our time here. The beds were incredibly comfortable, there was a large walk-in shower, and we were lucky enough to have a great view overlooking the pool. Our room was also in an ideal location, close to the beach and all of the resort's amenities. The only minor criticism is that housekeeping could have been a little more thorough at times, but overall we were very happy with the accommodation.
The staff throughout the resort were fantastic and really made our holiday. The entertainment reps were brilliant, and we'd especially like to thank Youssef Joo and Mo ( resort reps). They were all incredibly friendly, welcoming, and genuinely made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. The club nights organised by the hotel were also excellent—we had such a great time and met some brilliant people, which became one of the highlights of our trip.
Unfortunately, the biggest issue with our stay was the hotel doctor, who is employed by an external company. This experience was so poor that it has completely changed our opinion of returning to the resort.
A friend of ours was charged nearly £2,000 for what amounted to two IV drips and two small sleeves of tablets. At no point before treatment were we given any indication of the costs involved, not even a rough estimate. After the treatment, we requested an invoice explaining the charges but were repeatedly refused unless payment was made first. That is simply not how medical billing should work. The doctor was extremely rude, dismissive, and unprofessional throughout the process.
We also raised the matter with Guest Relations, hoping they could help us obtain an invoice or resolve the situation, but unfortunately they were unable or unwilling to assist. Being in a country where stomach illnesses can be quite common for tourists, it's essential that guests can trust the medical services associated with the hotel. In our experience, there was a complete lack of transparency, and we genuinely felt that unnecessary treatments were encouraged without any explanation of the costs beforehand. Charging nearly £2,000 without first discussing fees or providing an itemised invoice is completely unacceptable. We strongly urge the hotel to review the medical services offered through this external provider, as our experience was one of the worst parts of an otherwise enjoyable holiday.
The beach itself was beautiful, with lovely soft sand and warm, clear water. However, it's worth noting that the sea is extremely shallow. Even after walking around 100 metres out to the buoy line, the water was still not deep enough to properly swim. That's obviously due to the natural coastline rather than the hotel, but it's something to be aware of if you're hoping to swim or snorkel, as neither is particularly good here.
Finally, I would strongly advise guests against booking the horse or camel excursions offered from the hotel. The animals appeared to be badly treated and clearly overworked. During the intense daytime heat, they had little or no visible access to food or water, which was upsetting to see. Based on what we witnessed, I would not recommend spending any money on these excursions.
The food was probably the biggest downside of the resort for us, although this will depend on your personal tastes. If you have specific dietary requirements, are travelling with children who prefer plain food, or are generally a picky eater, you may struggle to find suitable options. There was very little in the way of simple, plain meals, and we often found ourselves eating out during the week because we couldn't find enough food that suited our preferences. That said, when we did find dishes we enjoyed, they were excellent and very well prepared. On the other hand, the drinks were consistently fantastic, and the bartenders were always friendly, attentive, and happy to keep our glasses topped up. Overall, if you're an adventurous eater, you'll likely have a much better experience than we did, but if you're particularly fussy with food, this probably isn't the best hotel for you.
Overall, Jasmine Palace Resort has many positives: spacious rooms, comfortable beds, fantastic staff, great entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere. However, the shocking experience with the external medical provider, the lack of support from Guest Relations regarding such a serious matter, and the concerns over animal welfare mean that, sadly, we would not return.This version is firm and detailed while focusing on your firsthand observations and clearly distinguishing your experience from conclusions about intent, which also makes it more suitable for posting on public review sites. DO NOT use the hotel doctor!!!"