It is no coincidence that many of our compatriots manage to warm their bones on the Red Sea more than once a year. A few free days come up, you want some warm sunshine, and already tomorrow (tomorrow!) you, forgetting about rains and blizzards, are splashing barefoot on the sandy beach.
DON'T LOOK AT THE STARS – THEIR LIGHT CAN BE DECEPTIVE
In terms of the number of hotels per capita, this town undoubtedly ranks among the top in the world. Today there are over 200. Another 100 will appear soon. Moreover, almost all hotels were built after 1990, so there is no chance for a tourist to end up in some dilapidated building. But – attention! – due to the construction boom, there is a risk of getting a room with a view of a crane or bulldozer. Noise and dust, you'll agree, are not a good backdrop for a vacation. Therefore, when booking a tour, don't be lazy to pester the manager about this as well.
Now about the 'star rating'. When choosing a hotel, don't pay too much attention to the number of stars. Decide for yourself what services you would like to receive and explain these conditions to the travel agency. The managers will dig through catalogs and find you a suitable place. In Hurghada, there are hotels for every taste.
Does it matter how far from the city center your hotel is? If you want to spend a significant amount of time shopping, then yes, you should stay at Shedwan Golden Beach, which is closest to the famous shopping centers of Hurghada. If your main goal is simply relaxation, then the choice is virtually unlimited: hotels stretch along the coast in an unbroken chain, 40 kilometers long. Getting from any of them to the city center (casino, restaurant, diving club, any other hotel) is not a problem. Minibuses ply the coastal highway literally every minute. One pound – and off you go!
All hotels have a lot in common. There is always security, and everywhere it is equally clean. In any hotel, the food is decent. The service is very friendly and attentive. And everywhere the numerous staff catches your eye: someone is always mowing the grass, watering the lawns, washing the paths, rushing with a tray on call. If you stop in thought in the middle of the lobby, immediately, as if out of thin air, a person appears with absolute readiness to help solve your problem. By tradition, any service rendered to you should be rewarded. Tips are small: you can give as little as one pound, but it will be a sign that the work was noticed and appreciated. It is customary to reward the porter who brought your suitcase to the room. Tips should be left on the table when leaving as a thank you for the exemplary cleaning of your room. The bartender, the waiter at dinner – you should also tip.
But in all other respects, the hotels are very different. There are ones like Dolphin, where the facilities are in the corridor, and the rooms have no phone or TV. But then again, the price is laughably low, proximity to the shopping center, a cozy beach protected from the annoying winds. And the windows of all rooms – albeit small – face the sea. There are hotels where Europeans do not stay, such as Mirette. The owner – a devout Muslim – does not allow alcohol to be served in the bar. But residents of Egypt come here with large families, with many children of all ages. Usually in such hotels there are no interpreters, and all announcements are only in Arabic. The specific menu also distinguishes them from hotels awaiting European tourists.
Most of our tourists have chosen two hotels – Shedwan and Grand Hotel. Both are on the first line of beaches. Both boast a wonderful huge territory – green, well-maintained, clean. Each room has a TV with a Russian channel, a refrigerator, a hairdryer, a phone with an intercom. In the bathroom – a quite decent set of toiletries. Sufficiently spacious single and double rooms, as well as superior comfort rooms ('suite' category). Two buffet meals – breakfast and dinner.
There is a wide choice of sports activities. Shedwan is also famous for its football field. By the way, the Red Sea is an ideal place not only for diving but also for windsurfing. It only seems impossible to stay on a wobbly board hugging a sail. One of us hired an instructor (available at every hotel), gathered patience and... Three days later, to the envy of all beach loungers, he glided across the water surface into the open sea. Now he swears there is no greater pleasure in life.
About the beaches. In practically all hotels, they deserve the highest rating. The sand is specially brought from the desert, sifted, and it is cleaned, swept, and smoothed daily. The beach area is wide, with enough space for volleyball, umbrellas, and water slides. Spaciousness – that is perhaps the main definition of these beaches, although they are different – at Shedwan they are made into cozy coves, at Grand Hotel they stretch in a long wide strip.
And finally, who besides our compatriots vacation at these hotels? Mostly Germans, and they, as is known, know service and try to avoid dubious places.
So, we've decided on a hotel. Arrived. Unpacked things. Time to start active recreation.
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