The Desert Rose Resort

My friend and I (50+ females) enjoyed a fabulous week at the Desert Rose during early February.
We were amazed at just how spacious the hotel was, and more than pleased with our room which was also spacious, clean and comfortable. The transfer journey from the airport to the hotel was approx 20 mins.
The weather was approx 27/28 degrees during the day, but you still needed a cardy or a pashmina during the evening.
Albeit that we were a little disorientated upon arrival (early evening in the dark), we did manage to find the AI bar (no thanks to the map we were given though) and settled in to sample the hotel vodka - hmm, not exactly our cup of tea but palatable early on in the holiday - we progressed to Cuba Libra’s.
Water was plentiful. We didn't buy any, just kept filling up our water bottles from the many dispensers situated around the hotel.
The food was excellent, absolutely no problem. The choices were varied and each night was a themed evening i.e. Italian, Egyptian, International etc. You certainly wouldn't starve.
The local wine was enjoyable, and the wine waiter was most attentive. In fact, all the dining room staff were attentive, always busy but never too busy to greet you and make your visit unique.
The other restaurants and bars on the complex are not AI, so be careful, unless you are prepared to pay over the odds for branded alcohol.
The hotel comprises of 3 large swimming pools, one of which appears to be an Olympic size pool. We never braved the pools although plenty did, but we did go into the sea during our sun lounging days on the man made lagoon.
It was lovely at the beach. The wind breaks were very useful on occasion.
The only annoying thing about relaxing on the beach was the interruptions from the local boys and girls touting for business from massages to tattoo's, windsurfing to diving.
All very well as they are 'only trying to make a buttie', but a little annoying after you've said 'no thank you' for the fifth/sixth time. They are very pleasant people though and often hung on for a chat.
The entertainments team worked hard to entertain the guests. They made a wonderful effort on Valentine's Day with balloons and dancing on the beach.
The hotel was mainly occupied by Russian and German guests, some of which were very rude to the staff. We were two of six Brits on site that week.
Our rep Mahmoud was lovely, very caring and thorough. We met other reps at the airport during our trip to Cairo who were just as accommodating and friendly.
Cairo is well worth the visit if you've never been before, definitely a must, an excellent day out (do fly though). The Giza Pyramids are fabulous up close, as is the Sphinx
Yes, we would go back to Hurghada. Sakalla (shopping centre) was great fun. The more adventurous would love Dahar, the old town. The Egyptian people are lovely friendly people, once you understand them.
Lots of building going on in Hurghada, it will look very different in 3/4 years time, get to see it sooner rather than later if you can, before it becomes too commercialised - we will.

Hotel was lovely and beach was fab. Food was good (not one portion of chips served all week!) although a bit samey by the end of the week.
The hotel was full of people from Russia, Germany and former eastern block countries who were very rude and arrogant. All the blokes seemed to wear Speedo’s and very large women wore thongs on the beach which was so wrong! There was only 6 English including my partner and me.
The hotel had only just introduced AI and you could tell - some of the bars and restaurants were al a carte therefore you had to pay a subsidy however, it was not clear which ones were which. You had to pay for bottled water although water coolers were available for glasses of water.
The local wine tastes like medicine and the local shorts no better. The piano bar served non local drinks (real Bacardi!) that cost an arm and a leg but well worth it!
The beach was clean and the view was beautiful. It's very windy so the wind breakers on the beach were very welcome.
All in all a good holiday for the price.

Had a wonderful time at the first rate resort, everything about the trip was perfect, the rooms we large, clean and very nice, the food was excellent (don't believe what people tell you about having bad food in Egypt).
The beaches and lagoon have to be seen to be believed and the excel rep (Ash) could not have been more helpful and always happy to have a chat/drink!
Also worth saying that the beach off the hotel has a nice small reef on it which was ideal for snorkelling. Both me and my girlfriend hope to make it back to the Desert Rose next year.

Wonderful hotel fabulous choice of food
staff all very good
Rooms immaculate all the little touches that make a holiday special. I could not fault the service and wonderful atmosphere in the resort.
The Excel Rep was great....A STAR...is what I overheard other guests call him...
And he certainly was...in the dining room at meal times so if there was any problem (which of course there wasn't ) he was there..
More than that though he made a fuss of all the guests..
A few gold stars to Ashraf...he well earned them
A great place to stay...My first holiday alone ...I would recommend this hotel to anyone...
Its GREAT.

The Desert Rose is a lovely hotel set in beautiful grounds.
The staff were very friendly and helpful.
Rooms were excellent as were the bathrooms, with plenty of hot water.
The weather was cool, so we could not take advantage of the three swimming pools and lagoon.
I can imagine it being a wonderful place to stay in the Summer months, with lots of sun bathing areas.
Would stay there again.
Mike and Marn.