Amaraya Club Hotel

We booked three star allocation on arrival and was allocated the Amaraya Club. This is one of three hotels in a complex 40 minutes away from the airport of Marsa Alam.
Before leaving the airport on the left of the exit doors is an ATM machine - use it if you need money as no other ATM is available at the hotel or in the surrounding areas. (nearest one in Hurghada ( 280 kms away). A duty free shop is at the arrival hall - none in Marsa Alanm or El Quesir. Free trolleys at airport.
The hotel complex is dominated by the Italians who have been coming here for the past three years. Consequently all the staff speak Italian and very limited English. The prices for Egypt are very expensive, even for a hotel. A bottle of water is 90 pence - this is 20 pence in Hurghada. Beer is £1.80 per bottle. If you go out of the complex and turn to the left and walk for three minutes you will see a "shopping centre" - this consists of a pharmacy and a small cafe which sells water at 40 pence per bottle. A bank/ATM is planned here, we were told it would be ready in two months. All prices at the hotel are in US dollars or Euros.
The bedrooms are ok and the cleaning was excellent. If you have children request a downstairs room as the balcony height and gaps between balcony bars do not meet with health and safety regulations. The balcony table is made of bamboo and the top is glass which is not fixed to the table and is easily knocked over - could be dangerous.
Breakfast is buffet style and good for a three star. Did not eat there at night as we were told the food was poor - it is £10 for a meal at night. We went to the Pizza place at the neighbouring Karamana Hotel which was good - pizza £2 - £4.00 each.
The pool is heated which is good as in January the sea is quite cool!! There is a constant wind/breeze which is probably why there are permanent wind breakers on the beach!! At the hotel there is an Italian animation team between 10 - 12.30 pm and 2.45 - 5.15 pm. They play loud Italian and English disco/house music which combined with the music piped out by reception can be annoying!! Take your walkman or MP£!!
The nearest shops are in ElQuesir which will cost by taxi £32.00 return!! Or you can go on a shopping trip with the VOLANDO Italian holiday firm for £10 each. This leaves at 3.20 pm and allows you 3 hours in El Quesir - more than enough. There are shops selling fruit and water for 20 pence per bottle. There is also two internet cafes, bakery and a promenade. You will find the Volando rep Francesca very helpful and she will also translate for you to the hotel staff if you need to.
All in all I would describe the complex as being isolated, expensive in comparison to other resorts in Egypt, biased towards the Italians, mediocre food and lacking in atmosphere and warmth.