Reading bad reviews for this hotel, to some extent I understand the people who write them, I want to say one thing - this hotel is not for everyone. I will try to tell you in detail who definitely needs to visit Albatros Citadel, and who will definitely be disappointed by staying in this place.
So, the first thing you see when you enter the hall are huge arches, and behind them the sea is raging.
I think that this is the most wonderful reception, because it’s not for the sake of helpful staff that you make such a journey, but for the sake of the sea, not nominally “it’s kind of there, but you need to go, go, from this place you can see a piece of water”, if for It is not important for you to see the sea ALWAYS, then you can safely choose another hotel. Because this hotel was created for those who are in love with the sea, the sea wind and freedom, the scope for imagination is huge. There are no barriers in the form of concrete walls, buildings, fences, in the truest sense of the word. The hotel is stretched along the coastline, how much of its length you can see in other sources, there will be no dry numbers. Hotels in Egypt mainly occupy a small part of the beach, and all the buildings go deeper, which means that the buildings or bungalows on the beach with sea views will cost more (I know from personal experience). In Albatros Citadel you can not worry about this, almost any room with a sea view.
We arrived at 10 am, we were asked to wait, everything was very correct, I don’t know, maybe it’s important for someone to dance in front of you, bring cocktails and fawn, don’t expect this here, everything is more than polite, with a smile, but without fluff. Do not forget, sometimes to see a smile, you need to smile first, and the crown will not fall from you. I understand that you paid money, flew in and want a decent level of service, I assure you, here it is more than worthy, just without obtrusiveness and pathos. The same people work here, just like you, but for some reason many people arriving in Egypt and Turkey forget that they are not kings and gods. And it seems to me that those people who are outraged by rudeness (was there rudeness? ) or half-smiles of the staff forget that they are the same employees, workers, leaders in their homeland and oh, how I doubt that they are super friendly and smiling with their guests, customers, customers.
But as they say, you can't see the beam in your own eye.
So, we sat for 20 minutes enjoying the views over a cup of coffee. Then they called us, put on bracelets, left a small tip in the passport, asked for the building (4) in which we were in 2020, because, in our subjective opinion, it has the best location. We received the keys without any problems and they drove us to our room, we looked around the room, everything was in order and so our vacation began.
It seems to me wrong that you come to the sea, and you see the sea only in the morning on the beach and all the meals are held with your eyes fixed on the buildings, walls, fences. For those who want their breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and all possible “kuses” to be with a sea view, you are definitely in Albatros Citadel. There are no restaurants without amazing views. We, for example, enjoy this.
And you won’t have to fight for a free table, because of the huge territory of the hotel, it sometimes seemed that we were alone in the hotel, there were no crowds, no queues, all the tourists were somehow dispersed throughout the territory.
More about the body and its location.
The first thing I want to say is that you will have to walk a lot, a lot (we have an average of 18.000 thousand steps per day, this is without unnecessary walks: room - breakfast - beach - lunch - beach - room - dinner - animation - room. Keep in mind that this it’s not a straight road, it’s endless stairs, ups and downs (tiles everywhere, it’s comfortable to walk) So those who don’t like to walk (+34-37 degrees heat) are definitely not here, this is not a problem for us, but on the contrary we like what we have movement. And a very important point, you make the whole way with awesome views, no matter where you turn, no matter what stairs you go, from everywhere you observe dizzying views of the hotel and the sea. Our eyes were always beautiful, always in general.
Enclosure orientation:
Building 2 above the Marina - located closest to the main building, where the main restaurant, reception, it is also closest to the lagoon where daytime and evening animation takes place, right under this building on the Marina sometimes evening animation also takes place or you can just go down literally 2 minutes and sit near the water (a lot of tables), there is a bar, the waiters offer drinks and ice cream. But the minus for me is the lack of a full-fledged balcony, there are small arches, either a window, or an underbalcony, (of course with a view of the Marina and the sea, but to the left and right of the building), perhaps the rooms are smaller than others, I have not been there, in In general, it's a matter of taste.
3 case is located above the second, i. e. you need to climb the stairs. There are rooms with private terraces without high fences, which is strange for me, because the terraces face the pedestrian road, and if you sit in a towel after a shower, consider that in the first row near the stage))
Those who have children are probably comfortable in building 3 because there are rooms that go directly to the pool, there is also a pool for the little ones, mothers are somewhere in the middle of the calf, there are lifeguards. That is, you don’t need to go down, go anywhere, but the pool immediately came out, there is a bar, music, usually there are a lot of children there, because the sea in this hotel is not for children, depth, corals. On the same level there is another main restaurant where breakfasts and dinners are served. So if with children and the pool suits you (because it’s decent to go to the sea), I would advise considering building 3. But ask for access to the pool.
Building 4, our favorite, is below building 3, you have to go down to the sea, if the beach is on the left, then 4 minutes, if the beach is under the main building, then 7-10 minutes walk, just leaving the building you immediately get into the infinity pool, awesome view opens from this pool (they say that in the winter months it is heated and all the animation takes place here). On average, all restaurants are 7-10 minutes walk. The terrace offers the most beautiful views of the hotel, the sea and the lagoons. Because this building is located high, but it is the closest to the sea. We had a room on the top floor, possibly in the same building, but the floors below will have a different view, but no less beautiful, I'm sure. This building is convenient because, in principle, the distance to all locations is the same, the royal lagoon is located on the left and also about 7 minutes walk.
If you want to explore the whole hotel and choose for yourself the most convenient place where to sunbathe, swim and relax, then whatever you choose, you will be in the center of all events. But you have to walk.
Building 5 is located next to building 4, i. e. further from the main building (restaurants, animation), but closer to the beaches where there are few people and there is a royal lagoon, it is small, but there is sand and a gentle entrance, they say it can be crowded there. Maybe someone will find advantages for themselves. You will have to go to breakfast, lunch, dinner a lot, so be prepared for this. But I know that many people like building 5, but I believe that the fifth building goes to the end of the hotel territory, so there are rooms in the tail, but there are at the beginning, you also need to take into account, open the map and you will understand what I'm talking about.
Further 6 is on top FOR 5, you will also have to walk a lot somewhere there.
7.
Building 8 is really far away, probably without the help of cars that run every 5-10 minutes (according to tourists) you can’t do it, we ourselves never went to these buildings.
You need to understand that there is a possibility that there will be no rooms in the building you need and you will be settled in distant buildings, it is important to be prepared for this so that at this moment you do not overshadow your vacation, we watched how the cars came to the beach, took people away, they in fact, you don’t have to go at all, you just need to get used to the fact that you need to wait for the typewriter.
FOOD, everything was delicious, we are not picky, maybe if you cook new dishes every two days at home, the first second third, then it may seem to you that the menu is not varied).
There was both fish and meat (chicken, beef) all the time. Grill available for lunch and dinner. There was no seafood other than shrimp, but you can go to a paid restaurant on site, they serve seafood.
Desserts, fruits, everything is as usual, quite varied
.
Who can not live without delicious coffee, then it is served in the main building in a cafe, there is a smoking room. And at lunch you can drink coffee at the marina.
Who should NOT choose Albatros Citadel:
- You don't like to walk a lot.
You find it hard to go up and down stairs.
- You don't like the wind (depending on the season).
- It is NOT important for you that the sea is in your field of vision around the clock.
- You are a picky eater and need variety.
- You need a gentle entrance to the sea, sand and a calm sea.
- You need a youth party vacation.
Who should choose Albatros Citadel:
- You arrive at the sea for the sake of the SEA.
- You want to see the sea always.
- You want to feel unity with nature, you want to take a deep breath and hear yourself.
- You want to see fish, a lot of fish, the hotel has its own huge reef and there are no such fish even on off-site excursions (checked), so don't waste money on off-site snorkeling, spend money on a good mask and enjoy the underwater world at the hotel.
- You want to enjoy walking in the evening along the paths along the hotel, which is illuminated so incredibly that it feels like you are not in Egypt, but in a European village.
In Egypt 5 times, never returns to the same hotel, but here I am thinking. The room is as good as the room. I didn’t go with a rag, I didn’t check the dust. I have another task - to rest.
Sea.
The sea is great for me. If you are looking for a coral reef, this is the place for you. Yes, it is worse than in Sharm, but this is Hurghada! The problem is to reach the coral and enter. There is also a sand entrance. Beach km 1.5-2.
Food.
My husband and I are not hungry, but for food, this is the worst hotel ever. August - fruit apples, oranges, figs once, melon in the morning, if you have time.
There is no decoration of food in the restaurant, the beauty of serving.
There is no aesthetics in the restaurant! Cakes, from which Egyptian restaurants are always bursting, are present in 3-5 types. Who was in Egypt, he will understand me.
I write again - WE ARE NOT HUNGRY, but there is no veal or grilled tuna here.
The territory is super, a lot of places for recreation, everyone will find their own.
Every evening there is animation and a disco on the street until 23.00, there is something further, but we didn’t go, I don’t know.
Read reviews and choose your hotel. I'm SUPER here!
The hotel struck with its scale, it's like a whole town with its beaches, promenade and marina with yachts.
But I'll start over. We arrived at the hotel at about 18:00, settled us within 10 minutes, as we asked closer to the sea, building 5, room 5125. After another 5 minutes, we were taken to the room. The room is large and beautiful for two, with a gorgeous view of the sea and, as it turned out in the morning, right at the hotel's most sought-after beach.
For dinner, we went by bus, which takes vacationers from the buildings to the reception every morning and evening.
In the morning, our guide Khishyan told us about the hotel and excursions, without imposing anything, but interested us with his story.
There are many beaches, but not all of them are comfortable for swimming. There are many fish in the sea which can be seen not only in a mask, but just like that. Beautiful live reefs. Nice infinity pool. We went to the jacuzzi several times, but for some reason they did not work.
The food was good but the seafood was missing.
I want to say thank you to the bartender Muhamed at the beach bar for delicious and beautiful cocktails (photo). He is the best. In general, all the bartenders in all bars and restaurants are very good and the service at the hotel is excellent.
And now a fly in the ointment. In no case do not take excursions on the beach, especially from Tito (photo). Because no one is responsible for your health and life. Tito arranges the tour, then you pay money to another, then the taxi driver and then two or three more intermediaries. Tour conditions are terrible and life-threatening. So don't risk it. Photo sessions yes, massage yes, pigtails yes, but excursions bought on the beach NO. Take care of yourself.
Since this is not the first time in Egypt, there were no excursions. Lured on the beach for allegedly cheap photos that are taken right on site. They promise a price of $ 3 per piece, and if you take a lot of photos, then supposedly $ 1 each. As a result, get ready to pay at least $ 100-200, otherwise they will simply not leave you behind. Photos are not bad, but in such a good place, they turn out good even without a professional photographer, and completely free of charge. The beach is large, there are enough sunbeds, but there is practically one entrance to the sea, where there are a lot of people. Therefore, it's up to you. But it seems to me that for such a price you can have a better rest in another place.
The interior of the room impressed. Overall I liked the hotel!
But there is a minus of the travel company Coral Travel, through which we flew, which completely ruined our vacation! ! ! ! ! The tour was bought for 7 days / 6 nights, and in fact it turned out to be 5 days / 5 nights. Departure from Egypt to Kyiv was postponed for 18 hours for unknown reasons. When I approached Coral Travel for a positive solution to this situation, the company, in turn, reacted negatively to my request.
Travel company Coral Travel is engaged in fraudulent activities! ! ! !!
Therefore, I do not recommend buying tours in Coral Travel! ! ! ! !
Of course, if someone likes walking the city streets, if someone evaluates the rest only by the amount of squid, strawberries and other goodies, you may find the shortcomings that are written about in negative reviews. I liked everything. And without exaggeration, if I had to come to Egypt, I would not hesitate to come to Albatros Citadel. The hotel offers a huge amount of entertainment outside the hotel, which is probably worth using. For me, it was a tedious and boring pastime, during which I missed Albatros Citadel.
What is really worth using is the services of local photographer Peter. The photographs of this photographer cannot but be liked. It is possible to order the services of a photographer from a guide based on Patrick's photo (on the beach - he will find you on the beach)). Have a great holiday everyone!
The attitude of the staff towards the vacationers is just a scribe, it feels like I came to take their work away from them, the attitude is boorish, foreigners drink latte coffee from cups and glasses, they pour us into plastic when you ask why, looking into his eyes, he blatantly lies about what you can only drink with such plastic glasses, the real feeling is that you are a 3rd grade person, those guys who offer excursions and massages from the hotel, everything is full of Livak. Who wants to have a good rest is not here for you. If you want to wipe your feet about you, come, they will provide you with this service, in full.
Only one restaurant is open for breakfast. You can wait 10 minutes for a free table, you also have to wait for clean plates. There are no measures to maintain distance, people are like ants in an anthill and the staff does not comply with the mask regime either !! ! There is no disinfection at all, no tables or appliances. There is no variety of food, no food at all! ! We ate the same food all week. Asking the staff who serves breakfast and lunch to put out the finished food, fruit, pizza, they ask for a dollar !! ! The la carte restaurant, by appointment, was left alone, Moroccan, the rest for $ 25 per person. We sat there for a long time and waited for someone to come to us. They “swung” to call the waiter, even pouring wine is a problem. They forgot to bring soup. The break between the main course and dessert was 15 minutes, we were already about to leave without dessert. After dessert, the waiter was very surprised that we did not have the first course, offered to bring us soup and smile)).
The room is not only poorly cleaned, but not cleaned at all. I broke a glass. I had to call cleaning three times! He came to collect something, took the tip and left. For the third time, I had to stay in the room and show with my finger where to gently clean the glass !! ! There used to be packaged juices, but now niktar - and then a limited amount, there were dishwashers on the bars, now the glasses just rinse under the tap! There is always a queue for ice cream and the air conditioner in this bar does not work, it has broken. Cleaning the embankment, all the garbage was thrown into the lagoon !! ! (Photo attached) In which tourists bathe!! ! It was a total shock!! ! There is no animation, from the word "absolutely", there is only "charging". A lot of tourists who were not the first time in this hotel, their indignation, in general, like ours, knew no bounds !!! !
There are three pools on the territory, located close to each other, near two there are bars. There is also a jacuzzi, there are a sufficient number of them, but half of them are not working, and working with bathtubs greasy from dirt and rust, water is supplied from one or two holes, the rest are most likely clogged. We have already written about food, I won’t repeat it, this is the worst assortment of all my travels, there are constant queues in the dining room, there are not enough tables and plates, food that is over is not replenished. There was no entertainment, with the exception of singers in the evenings, but it’s interesting for one or two evenings, animations too, which, given the remoteness of the hotel from civilization, makes staying in it quite painful, although the infrastructure allows you to avoid crowds and queues in dining rooms, and diversify leisure time for vacationers , but the regime of the most severe savings on its guests does not allow this.
I won't go to this hotel again and won't recommend it to anyone.