We just got back from Egypt and this hotel two days ago, and in a word: magical! The hotel was a huge part of what made the trip so special. I'm hoping this review can be your guide to choosing a hotel and city for your Egyptian vacation, planning excursions, and making sure you don't have any regrets. I've been to Egypt five times, so I have a good basis for comparison. Here's what I think.

Our journey started at Pulkovo Airport. After a 5-hour flight with Almasria Universal Airlines, we arrived in Egypt. Let's be honest, the food on the flight wasn't great, but the flight attendants were friendly, spoke English, and even greeted us in Russian. I have an advantage because I speak Arabic (despite being Russian), but regardless, they were always willing to help and answer questions. Even if you only know a few English words (body language always works!), they'll make an effort. Overall, the flight was comfortable. Plus, we arrived about 1.5 hours faster than other airlines – apparently that's a perk of flying with Almasria! So, that more than made up for the food situation.

The transfer to the hotel took about 1.5 hours, including stops at other hotels. The welcome was lovely: they took our luggage, escorted us to reception, and offered us refreshing towels and drinks. Check-in was quick and seamless. We didn't have to wait, and they immediately gave us our key cards and suggested we have lunch at the restaurant. After lunch, they took us and our luggage to our room. Everything was efficient, and everyone was polite and smiling. Speaking their language definitely helped, and they seemed genuinely thrilled when I spoke Arabic. But even for those who didn't speak English, the staff were just as kind and attentive.

Our room was on the "Ground floor" with direct access to the sea. We timed it – it took about 15 seconds to walk from our room to the beach! The staff were amazing throughout our entire stay. In the restaurant, they always brought our drinks while we were browsing the buffet. The waiters were cheerful and friendly. I especially want to highlight the waiter at the main bar (pictured). He's not just a great waiter, he's a fantastic bartender who made us the best cocktails (photos attached).

The food was very diverse, with seafood, delicious meats, amazing rice dishes, and vegetables. There was always something grilled for dinner. You really couldn't fault the food. The hotel also has 4 à la carte restaurants: Italian, Greek, Asian, and Lebanese. Each one is wonderful in its own way. We thought the Asian restaurant was the tastiest (if you like spicy food). The Greek restaurant was the most theatrical - they had a show, and you could smash plates after your meal! If you don't know, breaking plates is a Greek tradition: when you've drunk enough or the food is delicious, women start dancing, and men smash plates at their feet. We'd seen it for real in Greece, and while this was a show, it was still impressive. I highly recommend visiting all the restaurants - you won't be disappointed.

The beach is sandy with no coral. The sea is very calm, with practically no waves. If you're used to Sharm el-Sheikh, you might be shocked (as we were!) by how peaceful the Red Sea can be here. The beach is incredibly large and long, so there's plenty of room to walk, explore, and take photos.

Check-out was straightforward. We extended our room until 2 PM for 10 euros an hour, as our transfer wasn't until 3 PM. I recommend doing this – comfort is key!

Regarding excursions, we decided to skip the tours offered by the hotel rep and found a company online instead – and we're so glad we did! We opted for a private tour to Luxor. Having a private experience is especially valuable in Arab countries: no unwanted stops at shops unless you want to, a private yacht, and private transportation. I highly recommend it. We've tried group tours in the past, but they always turned into all-day affairs with constant detours "for oils" or "for wine." With the private tour, we were back at the hotel by 5 PM, while the group tours didn't get back until 8 PM. Huge difference!

Speaking of the tour, we visited Banana Island, where they picked fresh fruit right from the trees, sliced it, and served it to us on the yacht. And the yacht itself was a whole other experience. I spent most of that part of the trip perched up on the roof. We saw tombs, temples, and an incredible columned hall.

This hotel is truly an amazing place. It's worth every single penny, and I'd give it a 7-star rating out of 5 if I could. You absolutely won't regret staying here. Happy travels, and we're already planning our trip back next year! 😊