Calimera Hurghada

We usually go to Sharm El Sheikh all inclusive and have found it excellent in every way.
This time we decided to try Hurghada, again all inclusive and see a diferent part of the country, unfortunately the holiday was marred from the very beginning as we arrived at the hotel where we had booked a double room with a double bed.
When we examined the room there was no balcony and there were two single beds we asked to be moved to a room with a balcony and a double bed.
The reception then told me I would have to pay an extra £120 to have a balcony and the room had only two single beds.
I have checked the web page and can find no mention of any extra cost being incurred for a room with a balcony.
I hope this review will act as a warning to people thinking of going to the Calimera Ocean Beach, watch out for the extras.

2 readers found this review helpful

This was my first trip to Egypt and I did have some reservations about what to expect. All my reservations were unfounded and I had a wonderful weeks stay at the Calimera and would recommend it to anyone. The aim of our holiday was to just to relax for a week which is just what we did.
We were the only British guests at the hotel the week we stayed - the majority of guests were German or Russian.
Rooms:
The rooms were immaculate, spacious and the beds were comfortable. The bathroom had a lovely corner bath and good shower fittings (i.e. they were not hanging off the wall as they do in some hotels). The decor might be considered slightly old fashioned by British standards but we were there for the sun not the decor
Facilities:
Disco - King Tut disco in basement of main hotel area. We never went to the disco but it was used for kid's disco and Latin dance lesson early on in the evening. The disco was open until 2a.m. if I remember correctly - we never went in.
Activity Team - The activity team co-ordinated competitions and games throughout the day. The team were predominantly German but they did speak English and Russian.
Tennis Courts - 3 courts next to the theatre and Well Being centre.
Theatre - The activity team produce shows most, if not all, nights. We were not aware of this until later in the week.
Well Being Centre - We booked 2 massage sessions which lasted nearly 2 hours each. A session included sauna, coconut scrub, anti-stress/medicated massage, steam room, and Jacuzzi.
Pools - There were 4 pools. One next to the beach, a heated pool next to the main hotel area, a Nile shaped pool that link the 2 just mentioned and a kids pool part way along the Nile pool. Beach towels are provided which you can pick up at the 2 main pools and the beach. At the end of the day when you and your towel in you are given a card which you exchange for a towel the next day.
Food:
The food was excellent and the choice available was also very good. You would have to be an extremely fussy eater not to find something that you liked.
Staff:
The staff at the hotel were fantastic. They could not do enough to help and were extremely polite.
Taxis:
Our holiday rep suggested we go with the hotel taxi and ask to be dropped off at Mac Donald's. The taxi guy did not drop us at Mac Donald's but his uncle's shop at the opposite end of Hurghada that we wanted to be. You can feel harassed shopping in Hurghada but it seemed to be less so at the Mac Donald's end of the town on the opposite side of the main road. We went into Hurghada again with a local who we made friends with at the hotel - this made a huge difference as the locals tended to leave us alone. Word of warning - DO NOT get into a taxi without agreeing a price.
Trips:
Safari Adventure (I think it was called) - Included 1 hours quad biking, Camel riding, Horse riding, Go-Karting, trip into desert to visit a Bedouin tribe, Meal and Show. The show included a belly dancer and snake charmer. The quad biking was brilliant and the main reason that we went. If you go ensure you take something warm to wear for the evening - the dessert gets cold at night.
Costs:
Local Taxi to Hurghada: One way 20-30 Egyptian pounds
Hotel Taxi to Hurghada: One way 50 Egyptian pounds, Return 75 Egyptian pounds
Safari Adventure: £35
Anti-Stress massage session - 1 = £50, 2 = £80. I paid with my credit card and they converted to Egyptian pounds at £1/12EGP and then added 5% card handling. 2 sessions worked out at £88 when I checked my statement at home. It was worth every penny though.

What a gorgeous hotel. The staff couldn’t do enough for you. It was extremely clean and the food selection was out of this world.
The only downside was we were all ill...the Egyptian food is very different to ours, so I thought it was just because we weren’t used to it.
The food was tasty & very well presented. I would go again. Possible 2007!
The garden areas were immaculate.
Just beware of being ripped off by getting a taxi to hotel from airport, should not cost you anymore than £10...we paid £15 but they wanted £25!

The best holiday that me and my family have ever had. We all enjoyed every minute. We feel that mainly that was down to the staff, especially Tamer the barmen.
He was very entertaining. We are planning on coming back next year, so keep it up. Thank you for all you do to make everyone's holiday enjoyable.