Душевный отель Soul hotel

We were at the hotel from 2.01. to 09.01. 2010. We usually don't write reviews, but when we were going to visit a new region for us, we encountered the problem of the lack of comments from tourists. Therefore, it is as complete as possible.
1. Hotel. The territory is VERY green, well-groomed. It's just a piece of paradise, an oasis. The area is small, but it is not particularly felt. There are practically no hotels around. We drove to the hotel from Hurghada for 3.5 hours. We were not particularly tired (large bus, air conditioning, toilet).
2. Numbers. One-story bungalows and two-story villas. Almost all of them are located quite well (I mean the view from the window, terraces), but there are also 2-3 with access to the wall of the restaurant, 2-3 with a view of the construction site in the desert (by the way, it is abandoned, and therefore does not interfere). We lived in a villa on the first floor, room 404. Sea view, beautiful lawn, flowers. The room is small, neat. Safe, individual air conditioner, refrigerator. The bathroom is very clean, the plumbing shines. When settling gave 20 bucks. The worker was even embarrassed, it is clear that he has not yet been spoiled. As a result, we learned the number of sea view.

3. Beach. Actually, because of what we went to Marsa Alam. Large, clean, wooden sun loungers (worn out). REEF IS GREAT!! ! A large number of various fish (butterflies, parrots, flutes, stingrays, triggerfish, proboscis, etc. ), squids (not small ones! ). This is a snorkeling paradise! A lot of positive impressions. The turtle was seen on the house reef only once (see photo), but this time it was!! ! In general, the expectations were fully justified! Entrance from the pontoon. It is wooden, wide, stable, with lanterns on the sides. In the evening it is very pleasant to walk along it, admire the sea, marine life, whose silhouettes are visible in the light. Of course, you can enter the sea from the shore, but the depth there is 70 centimeters to the very corals, which, in fact, cannot be reached. But children and those who cannot swim can splash around.
4. Staff. Pleasant enough, not spoiled and not arrogant, as in Sharm and Hurghada. In the restaurant, the waiters work well (dirty dishes are removed from your table instantly, drinks are offered throughout the meal and brought immediately, etc. ), managers monitor the work, and they themselves do not disdain to roll up their sleeves and pick up the baton (the chef left for 2 minutes - the manager himself fried the pancakes, he can bring you your omelet to the table, etc. ). Only 1 person speaks Russian - Ahmet at the reception (intelligent appearance, pleasant, friendly). All the rest are fluent in Italian, a little bit of English. In Russian - "Good afternoon, thank you. "
5. Food. The hotel is small, because there is not a huge amount of food and there was not much variety, but, of course, there was also a lack. BUT everything is delicious. Every evening grill and serving "special" dishes by the chef. Chicken, fish, beef (boiled, stewed, fried, baked, grilled), rice, pasta, potatoes (fried, baked, in uniforms.... ), eggplants (baked, fried. . . ), col. cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes (delicious! ), salads, olives, cheeses. Delicious tuna (huge, baked whole), ram (baked whole), crabs, etc. From fruits - dates, bananas, oranges, melons, apples. Delicious pizza is regularly baked (in a wood-fired oven! ) at the beach bar. Drinks local rum, brandy, gin, wine, etc. - no problem in the lobby, and in the bar on the beach and in the restaurant. Water can only be obtained on tap until 24.00, there are no coolers with drinking water after this time. You have to buy it (only when you check in, put 1 liter of water in the refrigerator). There are no queues anywhere. You don’t need to “get” food or drinks, calmly approached, ordered. True, when ordering a drink, you will be asked to sign an invoice (for internal accounting and control), you do not need to pay anything.
6. Contingent. 50 percent are Italians, there are also Germans, a couple of French, the rest are Russians, Ukrainians. The staff does not distinguish between Russian speakers and others. Bracelets, however, most often we are given pink, and the rest - blue. But, I think, soon the attitude towards us will change. Some Russian comrades behave like a pig: drunk in the morning, rude to the staff, they know everything and teach everyone - it's a shame to be around! But these, it must be said, are not many, apparently the bulk is going to make Sharm and Hurghada happy.

7. Entertainment. They are not here. Animation - 3 Arabs with knowledge of English. and Italian, 1 of which is a dwarf, communication with which is more annoying due to its non-standard than relaxing. Charging on the beach (5 min. ), Volleyball (15 min. ) - that's all. They received an invitation to the show, they came to the amphitheater - "Sorry! no people" Once there was a show: 1 animator portrayed a fakir. In the Bedouin tent, the hookah is disgusting (4 dollars - down the drain). There is no live music.
8. EXCURSION. We went on a trip to Abu Dabab. Drive 15min. The cost is $100 for two (it's obviously expensive). They assigned us a swimmer guide, a cat. does not speak Russian (Guys, here, turtle). Had 2 swims with him. The first is for endurance, 1.5 hours. There is no special beauty there, the corals are very simple. When we felt that we would strangle the guide for such "beauty" on going ashore, we saw a HUGE turtle that surfaced, and we managed to swim a little next to it. The second swim was without "foreplay" - straight to the place with the turtles. We saw dozens of them. When they rise to breathe air, they manage to touch them. They are wonderful! We swam the third time on our own, but saw only 1 turtle. Apparently, they do not graze at lunchtime. So if you are offered a half-day tour, take it. Yes, a videographer filmed us underwater. We bought the photo shoot ($25), which we don't regret a bit.
9. WEATHER. The water is refreshing, 21-23 degrees. In the afternoon 24-30. In the evening, 16 degrees (jeans, sweater, jacket). The season of the winds, with a wind strength of 3 on the pier, a red flag, they are not allowed to swim. 4 out of 7 days swam.
WE RECOMMEND this hotel to all people of snorkeling, diving, to all those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and want to relax in a calm spiritual atmosphere. All lovers of parties, discos are absolutely NOT allowed to go here.