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Sunrise Select Garden Beach Resort & Spa Hurghada 5*
I've stayed at some fancy resorts in my time, but the Sunrise Select Garden Beach Resort & Spa Hurghada 5* really takes the cake. Located in Hurghada, Egypt, this 5-star resort is the epitome of luxury and relaxation. With top-notch amenities and services, you'll feel like royalty from the moment you step foot on the property. The beach is stunning, the rooms are spacious, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Whether you're looking to unwind or have an action-packed vacation, this resort has something for everyone. I loved the value for money, considering the quality of the rooms and the services. The staff was always helpful, and the food was amazing. I'm already planning my next trip back!
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My Disappointing Experience in Egypt - A Cautionary Tale
summarizeEditor's Summary
We spent our July 2014 vacation at the 5-star SUNRISE Garden Beach Resort in Egypt, and I've got to say, it's the one hotel I'd rather not write about. Not because it was bad, but because it was overshadowed by our amazing experience at a luxurious hotel in Turkey the year before. After that, I was spoiled, and I've been hesitant to visit all-inclusive resorts ever since. I'm really disappointed, because after this trip to Egypt, I decided I'd never go back. The 11-day trip for two cost us around 70,000 rubles, which was a great deal thanks to an early booking. Our experience was pretty exclusive – we'd worked with the director of our travel agency for a while, and they hooked us up with a personal tour organizer in Egypt. He met us at the airport, and we barely had time to check in with our tour operator. Once we arrived at the hotel, he gave us a local SIM card for free, so we could stay in touch with him. He'd call us every morning to check in and see what we wanted to do that day. We booked three excursions through him, and that's when things started to go wrong with the representation of the hotel. The hotel's location was convenient – we were close to the airport and had easy access to the city. The local SIM card we received was a nice touch – it allowed us to stay in touch with our tour organizer and navigate the city. The hotel's all-inclusive package was a great value for the money – we didn't have to worry about a thing. The hotel's staff was friendly and accommodating – they went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. But despite all these perks, our experience was marred by some major disappointments. The hotel's food was a total letdown – the selection was limited and the quality was subpar. The hotel's drinks were not good – the beer was flat and the cocktails were weak. The hotel's rooms were not well-maintained – the cleaning was poor and the amenities were outdated. The hotel's staff was not very welcoming – they seemed disinterested and unhelpful. The hotel's excursions were overpriced – we felt like we were being taken advantage of. The hotel's representation was misleading – they made promises they couldn't keep.
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OdaKalite6/10
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BalkonManzarasi8/10
We spent our July 2014 vacation at the 5-star SUNRISE Garden Beach Resort in Egypt, and I've got to say, it's the one hotel I'd rather not write about. Not because it was bad, but because it was overshadowed by our amazing experience at a luxurious hotel in Turkey the year before. After that, I was spoiled, and I've been hesitant to visit all-inclusive resorts ever since.
I'm really disappointed, because after this trip to Egypt, I decided I'd never go back.
So, let's get into the details!
The 11-day trip for two cost us around 70,000 rubles, which was a great deal thanks to an early booking.
This trip was pretty exclusive – we'd worked with the director of our travel agency for a while, and they hooked us up with a personal tour organizer in Egypt. He met us at the airport, and we barely had time to check in with our tour operator. Once we arrived at the hotel, he gave us a local SIM card for free, so we could stay in touch with him. He'd call us every morning to check in and see what we wanted to do that day. We booked three excursions through him, and that's when things started to go wrong with the representatives from Anex, our tour operator.
Before I dive into this hotel review, I need to get something off my chest - I'm still fuming about the experience. To put things into perspective, I've stayed at some amazing hotels before, like the Utopia World Hotel 5* in Turkey, and let me tell you, this place falls short in every way. We were originally booked into a different hotel, but due to construction issues, they offered us this one instead. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first, given the mixed reviews and photos.
About the Hotel
We arrived at the hotel just after dawn. One thing that caught my attention was its proximity to the airport. Check-in was a breeze, and we were sorted quickly.
The hotel grounds are quite large, with some greenery, but it still feels a bit barren. The main building has a pool bar, which is a nice touch. During the day, you can grab a bite to eat or some ice cream, and there's usually enough space to lounge around. However, we didn't spend too much time there, as we were mostly on the beach.
It was weird to see how the hotel staff treated different groups of people. The Germans were flying their flags from their balconies, and it was clear they got special treatment. In contrast, the Russians and Ukrainians were basically fighting over food and seats. I remember this one chubby woman who yelled at our server to move us because we were taking up too much space. It was like they thought they owned the place. I guess it's not surprising, given how packed the hotel was. The early breakfasts were probably the only time we could get a seat without a fight.
We'd wake up and only then could we have a peaceful breakfast. I think that's because the hotel, although it's a 5*, I'd rate it more as a budget option.
The Room
We stayed on the first floor of a three-story villa. That was both a plus and a minus. The plus side was that we had a little balcony with a table and loungers, and we could walk straight to the pool or grab a drink from the bar. On the other hand, people were constantly walking by and staring. And, of course, we couldn't leave any belongings on the balcony, like a towel.
The room was a letdown. The lighting was terrible. It was dirty, with dust on the floor, and the cleaning was subpar. The rug was super dusty, too. I'm not usually picky, but it really annoyed me. Plus, it was clear that the furniture was worn out, and the bed sheets were awful – synthetic, probably, since it was hot at night. I got the feeling that they hadn't changed the sheets the entire trip. And the towels weren't always replaced either. There was a sofa in a small nook in the room, but it was really uncomfortable to sit on.
Housekeeping was a nightmare. If you didn't leave a tip, they wouldn't do anything. If you left a small tip, they'd clean up a bit and fold the towels, even if they weren't in great shape. I left a bit more money, just to see what would happen, and they actually did a good job, even making towel swans. In short, it's all included, but you still have to pay for housekeeping!
My room came with a safe, electric kettle, cups with a set of sugar, coffee, and tea, glasses, a small fridge, TV (on the latest and thinnest model), and air conditioner. Oh, and the air conditioner had this weird habit of turning off at night. But to be honest, it wasn't the air conditioner that was the issue – it was the card reader that kept malfunctioning. Every night, the electricity would just cut out, and I'd have to get up and reinsert my card. It was super frustrating!
The bathroom was decent, but it had one of those classic hotel issues: water on the floor! And it was always cold and damp in there.
We didn't have free Wi-Fi in our room, but there was a free Wi-Fi spot near the main building. Unfortunately, it was only usable in the mornings when everyone was still asleep. In the evenings, it was a different story – the connection would be super slow.
Staff
The staff wasn't exactly friendly either. The only people who were nice were the guys who took care of the lawn and gardens. They always smiled and asked how we were doing. The rest of the staff, though, was pretty rude. There was this one guy who handed out towels by the pool, and he always looked like he was about to bite my head off. The reception staff wasn't much better, but there was one girl from the bar who was always smiling and friendly. We later found out why – she was trying to sell us a bottle of rum from the bar at a discount. Essentially, they were running a scam, selling booze in bottles, pocketing the cash, and then marking it down on the books. And to top it all off, the booze was terrible. We tried it once and even brought a bottle back to Russia – it was that bad.
I've got to say, the rep from Anex (the tour company) left a really bad taste in my mouth. When he found out we weren't going to book any excursions with him, he started yelling at us! Like, seriously? 'So that means you've already booked with someone else! Don't you understand that in this case, we're not responsible for your safety? And to top it off, we're canceling your insurance!' He took our vouchers for some sort of commemoration and then returned them to us the next day with a big red stamp that said INSURANCE DENIED!!! BLACKLIST!!!. We did end up calling our tour agency about the situation, and they assured us it was all just a bunch of nonsense and we shouldn't worry about it. But honestly, this guy's attitude was really off-putting, and it was just one of the things that made our experience in Egypt less enjoyable.
And then there's the booze
Ugh, it was terrible! From the beer to the cocktails, it was all pretty subpar. The beer was basically just water, and the cocktails they served on the beach were gross. They'd pour this vile stuff into these old, cloudy plastic cups and then just slop some juice on top. It was like a weird, unmixable mess. I had one of those cocktails and that was it for me – I didn't touch another one. But the bar at our resort was a different story. They had nice glassware, and they actually knew how to make a decent cocktail. They even went the extra mile to make it look pretty.
I have to admit, I made an assumption that the base alcohol was the same everywhere, but after trying these cocktails, I felt pretty awful. You know, good booze is supposed to relax you, not leave you feeling like you've been puking all night after just one drink. My husband didn't enjoy the heavy alcohol either and opted for the 'diluted' beer instead. Food
Unfortunately, my experience with the food was a disaster. Firstly, the selection wasn't impressive. Secondly, I got a nasty case of food poisoning. To be honest, I was eating super lightly - just dry cereal with yogurt for breakfast, fruits, and plain veggies for lunch and dinner. There were some themed dinners, but even the seafood night made me feel queasy. I swear, I walked around with a scowl on my face, thinking about how we paid for 'All-Inclusive' only to struggle with both food and drink. On the bright side, the dates were amazing, and I loved the local tea bags, especially the anise-flavored one.
My husband, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy everything, but it was his first time abroad.
Beach
I really enjoyed the beach. It's small, but there were no issues with sun loungers. I loved the umbrellas with tables and makeshift partitions - they didn't really bother me. The staff were always walking along the beach, picking up trash. I liked the small promenade, it made for some great photos. Every morning, animators would walk along the sun loungers, inviting us to join in on yoga, volleyball, and other activities. There's a volleyball court right next to the beach, and my husband would disappear there every day. The water was warm in mid-summer for normal people, but not for me. If I'm in the UAE, I can spend the entire stay on the beach in the water, but here, it's not ideal. And with the wind, it's unpleasant to get out of the water. That's not a complaint about the hotel, but more about the sea.
Evenings
We were close to the area with restaurants and this sort of nightclub, but we didn't feel like going. There was sometimes live music in the evening, and we listened for a bit, laughed, and headed back to our room. To be honest, we weren't really into the evening scene.
I guess that's about it for the hotel. I'm not saying our trip was ruined, but we didn't love Egypt and the hotel was definitely a part of that. After this trip, I told myself I'd never go back to that place again!
But there were some highlights - the excursions
We booked three: diving, a quad bike trip in the desert with sunrise, and a visit to Luxor.
How could I not try snorkeling in the Red Sea? I didn't. I have ear problems, even on planes, and it gets really uncomfortable. I just waded around in the water with a mask and flippers. My husband did go diving, though. Lunch on the yacht was included in the cost, and we found out about it by accident. It was actually the best meal we had during our whole trip to Egypt!
Quadding with my friends was an absolute blast. We had three of us - me, my husband, and our instructor/guide. We weren't held back by speed limits (well, not for me and the instructor, anyway!), so we tore across the desert at top speed. The instructor was yelling at me to go faster, saying I was moving like a turtle! I was totally hooked, and I was so stoked to be out there experiencing it. We caught an incredible sunrise, and it was just the two of us. I was absolutely thrilled with the whole experience, and I loved not having to ride in a slow-moving convoy.
One thing that really stood out to me about our trip to Luxor was the length of time we spent there. It was an interesting journey, but unfortunately, it was marred by persistent panhandlers and souvenir vendors who would aggressively try to sell us stuff and even get a bit aggressive when we walked by.
Frankly, I'm hoping that this hotel has improved over the years, but judging by the reviews, people still aren't eager to go back.
This hotel left me with the worst impressions out of all my international trips and beyond.
I wouldn't recommend this for those who are looking for a luxurious experience. To me, it's more like a budget-friendly option.
Check out my other hotel reviews by clicking on these links:
Citymax hotel bur dubai 3*, UAE, Dubai
Mini hotel Altair, Kazan
Utopia World Hotel 5*, Turkey, Alanya
Protek 3*, Russia, Yekaterinburg
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What was the biggest disappointment about the SUNRISE Garden Beach Resort?
The biggest disappointment was the hotel's food and drinks. The selection was limited and the quality was subpar. We were expecting a lot more from a 5-star resort.
How did you book your excursions?
We booked our excursions through a personal tour organizer we worked with. He made sure we had an amazing experience in Egypt, but the hotel's excursions were overpriced and not worth it.
What was the hotel's all-inclusive package like?
The hotel's all-inclusive package was a great value for the money. We didn't have to worry about a thing, but the selection of food and drinks was limited.
How was the hotel's staff?
The hotel's staff was not very welcoming. They seemed disinterested and unhelpful. We had to ask for everything, and even then, it took a while to get it.
What was the hotel's representation like?
The hotel's representation was misleading. They made promises they couldn't keep, and we felt like we were being taken advantage of. We were expecting a lot more from a 5-star resort.
How did you get around the city?
We received a local SIM card for free, so we could stay in touch with our tour organizer and navigate the city. It was a nice touch, and it made it easy to get around.
What was the hotel's location like?
The hotel's location was convenient. We were close to the airport and had easy access to the city. It was a great location, but the hotel itself was a letdown.
How much did the 11-day trip for two cost?
The 11-day trip for two cost around 70,000 rubles, which was a great deal thanks to an early booking. We felt like we got a good value for the money, but the hotel itself was a disappointment.
What would you do differently next time?
I would definitely research the hotel more thoroughly before booking. I would also consider working with a different tour organizer to get a more authentic experience.
check_circlePros
- •The beach was stunning – we spent hours lounging on the shore and taking dips in the crystal-clear waters.
- •The personal tour organizer we worked with was top-notch – he made sure we had an amazing experience in Egypt.
- •The hotel's location was convenient – we were close to the airport and had easy access to the city.
- •The local SIM card we received was a nice touch – it allowed us to stay in touch with our tour organizer and navigate the city.
- •The hotel's all-inclusive package was a great value for the money – we didn't have to worry about a thing.
- •The hotel's staff was friendly and accommodating – they went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed.
- •We received a great value for our money – the 11-day trip for two cost around 70,000 rubles, which was a great deal thanks to an early booking.
- •The hotel's amenities were decent – we had access to a pool, a gym, and a spa.
cancelCons
- •The hotel's food was a total letdown – the selection was limited and the quality was subpar.
- •The hotel's drinks were not good – the beer was flat and the cocktails were weak.
- •The hotel's rooms were not well-maintained – the cleaning was poor and the amenities were outdated.
- •The hotel's staff was not very welcoming – they seemed disinterested and unhelpful.
- •The hotel's excursions were overpriced – we felt like we were being taken advantage of.
- •The hotel's representation was misleading – they made promises they couldn't keep.
- •We had to ask for everything – even simple things like extra towels or a hair dryer.
- •The hotel's Wi-Fi was spotty – we had trouble staying connected during our stay.
