Your rating of this hotel:
6.0
from 10
Hotel ratings by criteria:
Rooms:
6.0
Service:
8.0
Cleanliness:
7.0
Food:
7.0
Amenities:
6.0
Hello, dear friends, like-minded people and travelers!
I want to share my impressions of the 27th vacation in Egypt, you know, there is something to compare. Vacationing with my husband. We chose the hotel "Grand Rotana Resort & Spa 5 *" Shaks Bay. Back in 2008, on the first visit to Egypt, we stopped at this hotel, collecting tourists for an excursion. I remember that his appearance then made an indelible impression. The price of this hotel has always been higher than the average 5 *. However, we decided not to spare money and make our dream come true, besides, it turned out that we practically do not know Shaks Bay.
I want to immediately thank the tourists who left negative reviews about the early arrival at the hotel (long check-in, lack of water and food). It helped us a lot, because. We arrived at the hotel around 6 am. They took water in luggage, and towels, swimsuits, sandwiches and fruits in hand luggage.
Check-in and room: I have a sign: as the check-in goes, so will the rest. The previous 2 hotels pampered us, settled until 8 am, immediately sent for breakfast. Here the concept of such pampering does not provide for: they settle in by 12-14 o'clock, breakfast is not provided. Good thing we had water and sandwiches with us. Having changed in the toilet, we went to the beach to get some sleep (we also brought thin but large terry towels with us). An hour later we woke up from the cold wind, there was no fence on the beach, but in vain. Frozen, went to wait for the room at the reception. Previously asked for the 2nd floor and a balcony. But it was not there: either the first floor, or the second, but without a balcony, or an additional fee of 35 dollars. USA per day. It was like pulling money, the impression of the hotel immediately deteriorated. Many paid extra, despite the fact that the hotel is very expensive. We settled in building number 7, very far from the sea, on the 2nd floor without a balcony. The mood was spoiled: we have wetsuits that need to be dried somewhere and other equipment for snorkeling. And in general, well, we love balconies, we are used to them.
The room is not big, the repair is normal, the beds are separate (moved at our request), there is a corner for making tea and coffee, a refrigerator, there are toiletries in the bathroom, clean. At our request, they brought bathrobes, but there were no slippers for them. Garden view.
Let's go to the beach. The beach is not big, steps, sun loungers are close to each other, there are no barriers from the wind. However, there are many palms and bushes. The main thing for us is the reef. However, disappointment awaited here too: the underwater world is meager, the bay is not interesting either for corals or inhabitants. For beginners, it will certainly be cool, but we have seen much, much better.
We wanted to change the hotel, which is extremely rare, but it happened in our practice. Representatives of the tour operator treated our request with understanding, however, in those hotels where we would like to move, there were no more places, or they required a significant surcharge. Although when booking these hotels were either at the same price or cheaper than the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa 5 *. We were offered to stay at the hotel, changing the room to a superior room with a surcharge of 15 dollars. USA per day. But tomorrow, today there are no available rooms.
The next day, with the manager, we went to choose a superior deluxe room. We looked in building number 3 (it was much closer to the sea and to the reception). We looked at 2 rooms: one on the first floor and the other on the second. We never settle on the first floor, and the room on the second floor turned out to be exactly the same as ours (size, furniture, renovation, plumbing and also without a balcony !!!!!! ). We explained again that we need a 2nd floor and a balcony. We were taken to our own building number 7 and shown to the next room. It was the same as ours, but with a balcony. Moved for free, tk. this room is not deluxe. More fun with a balcony. And thanks for that. Sorry for being so detailed, but after talking with other tourists, we realized that our case is far from being an isolated one.
Territory: the main trump card of the hotel. Very green and lots of palm trees. In front of the reception, palm trees seem to grow from the pools. But we have seen palm trees before, and hotels with very beautiful areas too. Zest - the architecture of the main building is very unusual, both outside and in the middle. The main building is built in the Egyptian style and resembles the Temple of Karnak. Inside the decor on the walls are copies of ancient Egyptian paintings in temple complexes. There is furniture made of natural rattan palm - this is a sign of high cost and taste. Even the flowers in the vases at the reception are not plastic, but alive. Really enjoyed it, my compliments to the architects and designers.
There are several pools and one medium, more like a children's slide. A couple of times we rolled down a hill, a couple of times we swam in a warm infinity pool overlooking the sea. Okay.
Nutrition. There was 1 main restaurant in the main building and 1 a la carte on the beach (2 visits included) and a cafe by the pool. Sign up for a la carte immediately, it is in demand.
The food in the main restaurant is standard, no complaints. There is a good selection of vegetables, meat and fish dishes. Once there was borscht. The cooks know how to cook, everything is edible. However, there was an impression that the room was too small for such a large number of people (the hotel is occupied by 60% of the maximum possible number of guests), there is no terrace on the street overlooking the sea, often there is a queue for main dishes, then for vegetables, then for fruits, then for drinks. Once we came to the opening, there were no free tables, they began to come later. Due to the constant rumble of cutlery, crockery, carts, there was a feeling that you were in the dining room.
Ala carte on the beach was good. We included 1 lunch and 1 dinner. Meals can be chosen from 2 menus, drinks are included, there are also paid sets. We took the same thing both times: a seafood salad, an appetizer of smoked salmon stuffed with shrimp (although half of the filling was crab sticks), mussels, fried cheese, grilled salmon fillet. Tasty. Recommended for variety.
Cafe by the pool menu. The food is a bit different from the main restaurant, more fast food, good appetizers and salads. I recommend.
Animation. Seen much better. Some sports during the day. In the evening imported artists. There were no interesting competitions.
In the evening there is live music in the bar on the street, but unfortunately we did not use this option of the hotel. Either they could not find empty seats to sit down, or they could not find the repertoire. The level of music did not match the level of the hotel. From such a cheap Russian-Ukrainian pop music in a frankly bad performance, my ears and head began to hurt. Do you really think that all the guests who have chosen this expensive and pretentious hotel get high from Brezhneva, Polyakova and Loboda? Or is Serdyuchka's bad rehash worthy of this hotel? In addition, singers and musicians were frankly out of tune. I had a feeling that this was a cheap handicraft in Kirillovka. Unfortunately, this trash is paid from our tours.
Service: We had no complaints about the service. All employees were very polite and friendly to us. The waiters served quickly. I liked the very friendly bartender at the pool Mustafa. The service is unobtrusive and with a smile. They didn't ask for tips, but they were grateful for them. Thanks!!!!
Of the minuses in the service, I note that due to the large number of guests for this number of staff, the guys did not always have time to serve quickly and there were queues.
Of the "pluses" I note the free transfer to Naama Bay and the Internet throughout the hotel.
Beach: not big for so many guests, cramped and no barriers from the wind. Beds and mattresses of good quality. There is a bar with drinks and ice cream.
Sea: alas, disappointed with Shaks Bay. Snorkeling from your pontoon to the pontoon of Xperience Sea Breeze Resort 5 * to the north and to Coral Bay to the south. We did not see anything interesting for ourselves, the coral is boring and there are few living creatures, but for beginners it will do.
We took an excursion to Ras Mohammed, I liked it very much, I posted a review https://www.turpravda.ua/eg/sharm_el_sheyh/blog-476170.html
We went to the Tutankhamun Museum on our own, story https://www.turpravda.ua/eg/sharm_el_sheyh/blog-476225.html
General impression of the holiday:
Pros: beautiful territory, greenery, many palm trees, the architecture of the main building is magnificent, swimming pool, normal food, good service.
Minuses:
The impression that the hotel is full. Let me remind you that it was 60% full in March 2021.
Some of the buildings are closed. First, the buildings are opened, which is worse (very far from the sea, without repair, half of the rooms without a balcony), they are 100% full, and only then on the 1st line for a surcharge. I did not like the quest with numbers at all.
The beach is too small even for so many people, there are no barriers from the wind. People come in large companies, and starting at 5 am, a messenger from each company comes and takes sunbeds for everyone. At the same time, the doors in the rooms are closed with a strong roar. I am writing this for those who like to get enough sleep on vacation: from 5 in the morning, doors will rumble around you at intervals of 15-30 minutes. At 9 in the morning we could not find 2 free sunbeds on the beach, all the sunbeds are occupied, and there are no people somewhere until 11 o'clock.
If you also like to enjoy the silence or the rustle of the waves on vacation, then you are definitely not here. Thanks to the neighbors on the beach, who prudently took audio speakers from the house, you will be forced to enjoy the work of Loboda, Polyakova, Leps and prison music, and at the same time. Neither about the occupied sun loungers, nor about the music screaming from all sides, the hotel administration does not make any remarks. You can object that people paid money, so they can rest as they want. Sorry, but I did not find guests who rest for free at the hotel. It is clear that this is a question not only for the hotel administration, but also for some guests who have absolutely no culture and respect for the rest.
Didn't like the feeling of a crowded dining room, needed a terrace outside. And the evening entertainment does not match the level and price of the hotel.
Tell me nitpicking? Yes, I'm nitpicking! Let me remind you that the price for this hotel is higher than for many pretty good 5 * hotels in Sharm and beyond. At the price of itself, the hotel positions itself on the same level with "luxury" hotels (Savoy, Baron, Albatros, etc. ). And with "luxury" and the demand is higher. You need to either reduce the price or improve the quality.
Reef - seen much better, one of the "weakest" in Sharm.
There are hotels for less money with fewer drawbacks. The hotel is too overrated. We will not return here again.
Have a good rest, if you have any questions, write, I will answer!
I want to share my impressions of the 27th vacation in Egypt, you know, there is something to compare. Vacationing with my husband. We chose the hotel "Grand Rotana Resort & Spa 5 *" Shaks Bay. Back in 2008, on the first visit to Egypt, we stopped at this hotel, collecting tourists for an excursion. I remember that his appearance then made an indelible impression. The price of this hotel has always been higher than the average 5 *. However, we decided not to spare money and make our dream come true, besides, it turned out that we practically do not know Shaks Bay.
I want to immediately thank the tourists who left negative reviews about the early arrival at the hotel (long check-in, lack of water and food). It helped us a lot, because. We arrived at the hotel around 6 am. They took water in luggage, and towels, swimsuits, sandwiches and fruits in hand luggage.
Check-in and room: I have a sign: as the check-in goes, so will the rest. The previous 2 hotels pampered us, settled until 8 am, immediately sent for breakfast. Here the concept of such pampering does not provide for: they settle in by 12-14 o'clock, breakfast is not provided. Good thing we had water and sandwiches with us. Having changed in the toilet, we went to the beach to get some sleep (we also brought thin but large terry towels with us). An hour later we woke up from the cold wind, there was no fence on the beach, but in vain. Frozen, went to wait for the room at the reception. Previously asked for the 2nd floor and a balcony. But it was not there: either the first floor, or the second, but without a balcony, or an additional fee of 35 dollars. USA per day. It was like pulling money, the impression of the hotel immediately deteriorated. Many paid extra, despite the fact that the hotel is very expensive. We settled in building number 7, very far from the sea, on the 2nd floor without a balcony. The mood was spoiled: we have wetsuits that need to be dried somewhere and other equipment for snorkeling. And in general, well, we love balconies, we are used to them.
The room is not big, the repair is normal, the beds are separate (moved at our request), there is a corner for making tea and coffee, a refrigerator, there are toiletries in the bathroom, clean. At our request, they brought bathrobes, but there were no slippers for them. Garden view.
Let's go to the beach. The beach is not big, steps, sun loungers are close to each other, there are no barriers from the wind. However, there are many palms and bushes. The main thing for us is the reef. However, disappointment awaited here too: the underwater world is meager, the bay is not interesting either for corals or inhabitants. For beginners, it will certainly be cool, but we have seen much, much better.
We wanted to change the hotel, which is extremely rare, but it happened in our practice. Representatives of the tour operator treated our request with understanding, however, in those hotels where we would like to move, there were no more places, or they required a significant surcharge. Although when booking these hotels were either at the same price or cheaper than the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa 5 *. We were offered to stay at the hotel, changing the room to a superior room with a surcharge of 15 dollars. USA per day. But tomorrow, today there are no available rooms.
The next day, with the manager, we went to choose a superior deluxe room. We looked in building number 3 (it was much closer to the sea and to the reception). We looked at 2 rooms: one on the first floor and the other on the second. We never settle on the first floor, and the room on the second floor turned out to be exactly the same as ours (size, furniture, renovation, plumbing and also without a balcony !!!!!! ). We explained again that we need a 2nd floor and a balcony. We were taken to our own building number 7 and shown to the next room. It was the same as ours, but with a balcony. Moved for free, tk. this room is not deluxe. More fun with a balcony. And thanks for that. Sorry for being so detailed, but after talking with other tourists, we realized that our case is far from being an isolated one.
Territory: the main trump card of the hotel. Very green and lots of palm trees. In front of the reception, palm trees seem to grow from the pools. But we have seen palm trees before, and hotels with very beautiful areas too. Zest - the architecture of the main building is very unusual, both outside and in the middle. The main building is built in the Egyptian style and resembles the Temple of Karnak. Inside the decor on the walls are copies of ancient Egyptian paintings in temple complexes. There is furniture made of natural rattan palm - this is a sign of high cost and taste. Even the flowers in the vases at the reception are not plastic, but alive. Really enjoyed it, my compliments to the architects and designers.
There are several pools and one medium, more like a children's slide. A couple of times we rolled down a hill, a couple of times we swam in a warm infinity pool overlooking the sea. Okay.
Nutrition. There was 1 main restaurant in the main building and 1 a la carte on the beach (2 visits included) and a cafe by the pool. Sign up for a la carte immediately, it is in demand.
The food in the main restaurant is standard, no complaints. There is a good selection of vegetables, meat and fish dishes. Once there was borscht. The cooks know how to cook, everything is edible. However, there was an impression that the room was too small for such a large number of people (the hotel is occupied by 60% of the maximum possible number of guests), there is no terrace on the street overlooking the sea, often there is a queue for main dishes, then for vegetables, then for fruits, then for drinks. Once we came to the opening, there were no free tables, they began to come later. Due to the constant rumble of cutlery, crockery, carts, there was a feeling that you were in the dining room.
Ala carte on the beach was good. We included 1 lunch and 1 dinner. Meals can be chosen from 2 menus, drinks are included, there are also paid sets. We took the same thing both times: a seafood salad, an appetizer of smoked salmon stuffed with shrimp (although half of the filling was crab sticks), mussels, fried cheese, grilled salmon fillet. Tasty. Recommended for variety.
Cafe by the pool menu. The food is a bit different from the main restaurant, more fast food, good appetizers and salads. I recommend.
Animation. Seen much better. Some sports during the day. In the evening imported artists. There were no interesting competitions.
In the evening there is live music in the bar on the street, but unfortunately we did not use this option of the hotel. Either they could not find empty seats to sit down, or they could not find the repertoire. The level of music did not match the level of the hotel. From such a cheap Russian-Ukrainian pop music in a frankly bad performance, my ears and head began to hurt. Do you really think that all the guests who have chosen this expensive and pretentious hotel get high from Brezhneva, Polyakova and Loboda? Or is Serdyuchka's bad rehash worthy of this hotel? In addition, singers and musicians were frankly out of tune. I had a feeling that this was a cheap handicraft in Kirillovka. Unfortunately, this trash is paid from our tours.
Service: We had no complaints about the service. All employees were very polite and friendly to us. The waiters served quickly. I liked the very friendly bartender at the pool Mustafa. The service is unobtrusive and with a smile. They didn't ask for tips, but they were grateful for them. Thanks!!!!
Of the minuses in the service, I note that due to the large number of guests for this number of staff, the guys did not always have time to serve quickly and there were queues.
Of the "pluses" I note the free transfer to Naama Bay and the Internet throughout the hotel.
Beach: not big for so many guests, cramped and no barriers from the wind. Beds and mattresses of good quality. There is a bar with drinks and ice cream.
Sea: alas, disappointed with Shaks Bay. Snorkeling from your pontoon to the pontoon of Xperience Sea Breeze Resort 5 * to the north and to Coral Bay to the south. We did not see anything interesting for ourselves, the coral is boring and there are few living creatures, but for beginners it will do.
We took an excursion to Ras Mohammed, I liked it very much, I posted a review https://www.turpravda.ua/eg/sharm_el_sheyh/blog-476170.html
We went to the Tutankhamun Museum on our own, story https://www.turpravda.ua/eg/sharm_el_sheyh/blog-476225.html
General impression of the holiday:
Pros: beautiful territory, greenery, many palm trees, the architecture of the main building is magnificent, swimming pool, normal food, good service.
Minuses:
The impression that the hotel is full. Let me remind you that it was 60% full in March 2021.
Some of the buildings are closed. First, the buildings are opened, which is worse (very far from the sea, without repair, half of the rooms without a balcony), they are 100% full, and only then on the 1st line for a surcharge. I did not like the quest with numbers at all.
The beach is too small even for so many people, there are no barriers from the wind. People come in large companies, and starting at 5 am, a messenger from each company comes and takes sunbeds for everyone. At the same time, the doors in the rooms are closed with a strong roar. I am writing this for those who like to get enough sleep on vacation: from 5 in the morning, doors will rumble around you at intervals of 15-30 minutes. At 9 in the morning we could not find 2 free sunbeds on the beach, all the sunbeds are occupied, and there are no people somewhere until 11 o'clock.
If you also like to enjoy the silence or the rustle of the waves on vacation, then you are definitely not here. Thanks to the neighbors on the beach, who prudently took audio speakers from the house, you will be forced to enjoy the work of Loboda, Polyakova, Leps and prison music, and at the same time. Neither about the occupied sun loungers, nor about the music screaming from all sides, the hotel administration does not make any remarks. You can object that people paid money, so they can rest as they want. Sorry, but I did not find guests who rest for free at the hotel. It is clear that this is a question not only for the hotel administration, but also for some guests who have absolutely no culture and respect for the rest.
Didn't like the feeling of a crowded dining room, needed a terrace outside. And the evening entertainment does not match the level and price of the hotel.
Tell me nitpicking? Yes, I'm nitpicking! Let me remind you that the price for this hotel is higher than for many pretty good 5 * hotels in Sharm and beyond. At the price of itself, the hotel positions itself on the same level with "luxury" hotels (Savoy, Baron, Albatros, etc. ). And with "luxury" and the demand is higher. You need to either reduce the price or improve the quality.
Reef - seen much better, one of the "weakest" in Sharm.
There are hotels for less money with fewer drawbacks. The hotel is too overrated. We will not return here again.
Have a good rest, if you have any questions, write, I will answer!
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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