MinaMark Beach Resort

6 readers found this review helpful

My boyfriend and I were a bit sceptical about this resort because of the reviews we had read beforehand. This was not the resort we hoped to book and it was very last minute so we thought we'll make our own minds up once there.
Check in was very quick and we were given a kingsize room with a balcony overlooking the pool and we could see the sea through the gardens. The room was huge and even had a living room area too. We found our bed too firm and said this to reception. Within minutes someone was there to add 2 single mattresses and it was so much more comfortable.
Previous reviews had said the food was bad but if you like trying different foods then the food was fine. You don't expect to go abroad and have chips on offer all the time - you have to expect different foods in another country. My boyfriend and I were not disappointed with the food and we really enjoyed the variety. We did go out on the high street and had kfc and McDonalds once but that was purely for curiosity...we wondered how different it was to the uk.
The staff were very friendly and reception were very helpful to a minor air con problem we had and an incident with no electric. The beach is small but accomodated everyone staying there...it was nice to be on the high street but also on the beach too. We had no bother from anyone trying to sell us trips and deals....they asked once and didn't bother you after that. The entertainment was crap but it is no better anywhere else in Egypt, one animation member in particular was quite pervy and annoying but we ignored them most of the time. This was our 2nd trip to Egypt and unlike Sharm there was a bazaar with fixed prices...we were glad to go there as we hated haggling. It was just like any other supermarket in the UK, you pick what you want and pay at the till...bliss!
We did some great trips, Paradise Island, Mahmya Island and Jungle (Aqua Park). All were brilliant and we highly recommend them. Our rep made sure we had a good guide on all our trips.
Our rep Hassam from On Holiday Group was brilliant. He made our holiday so worth while and it was a pleasure to have met him. He went out of his way to help us find a good shop for souveniers and he even took us to the Marina one night to show us around. Hassam only lived a street away and was always in reception when he said he would be. He even took us to have some local food and tea - and wouldn't accept a penny. He said we were his friends and it was his treat. We will definitely stay in touch with him and hope to meet up with him in the future. An amazing guy who is determined to please everyone and make a difference! Thanks Hassam for making our holiday even better!
Overall I really liked this hotel and would think about returning in the near future - I had a great time here and so did others that we met there too! I would highly recommend this hotel.

2 readers found this review helpful

Our stay at the Minamark was that of mixed experience. The good points were that the Housekeeping team were fantastic - our room was kept spotless and even though we left all our money, valuables and passports in a drawer when we went out, nothing was ever touched. We were even left a towel folded into a heart shape with a flower in the centre on one of the days we returned :)
The staff there were generally friendly during our stay (especially when they find out you're English - I guess we tip well) and would remember things like what you drink, where you're from, have chats with you, etc.
The entertainment is generally geared towards keeping the kids amused in the evenings which is nice; even though we travelled without our children for this holiday, it was nice to see them catered for. Every dinnertime, tables and chairs were set up outside around the pool for people to be able to dine in the wonderful warmth and the pool was always clean. Plenty of sunbeds, internet access for £1.50 an hour and on-shops for your perusal.
We went on a magnificent boat trip which cost us £20 each, which included snorkelling in the Red Sea and a trip to 'Paradise Island' - it's best to get your excursions through people OTHER than your Tour Operator; a lot cheaper!
The bad bits were that the food was pretty awful; we ate 4 times in total; 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, but the surrounding area had local restaurants such as McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King as well as small italian food bistros which you could get a meal for 2 for around £7. The local beer was ok, but you only had a small choice of drinks available in the all-inclusive option and these ceased at 10pm.
The area surrounding the Minamark is one of poverty, although this is only a small area. The majority of the street traders would leave you alone if you said 'no thank you', but some get quite insistent and can be quite 'hands on' which I don't like at all. On our last night, one of them found out just how much I dislike being touched by someone I don't know . . .
On our departure day, my husband was quite ill with a poorly tummy, but they don't really care. We had checked out of the hotel by the alloted time of 12 Noon, but were simply sitting in the lobby until he felt confident that he could be away from a toilet for more than 10 minutes, but the staff were constantly hassling us to leave. It's amazing how the attitude changes as soon as they've had your money and you can't tip anymore . . .
I think all in all for the money we paid, it was a good value holiday and I would definately visit Egypt again, but most probably not that particular hotel. The all inclusive deal is probably worthwhile if only for the drinks option (if you're not fussy about what you drink!!)

3 readers found this review helpful

This was my 2nd time in Egypt; I did travel there for diving, Pharaohs’ time and Christian culture (monasteries). Mostly I have done my diving in Thailand; the water in Egypt was with better visibility but not that warm. I almost randomly picked-up hotel Minamark Beach resort and was really happily surprised what I did find. My week was All-Inclusive, and a good idea I think. The food was good Egyptian, a lot of deserts – and I had no problems with my stomach! Room was clean, everything tidy and well kept, personnel very friendly and very helpful!
There is KFC and McDonalds just opposite the Minamark, if you wish for what you can find at home too. And you can find the Egyptian alleys, small shops, even Orthodox-Coptic Churches across the street, at walking distance. And the tax-free is not far away.
The private hotel beaches in Shakalla - down-town area are not that wide you could have long walks along the beach front. Then a distant resort is what you could prefer. Scuba diving is available everywhere, I did choose a company I know and they had pick-up for their dive trips.
I am not after sunbathing at the pool area but the hotel pool looks nice and I will bring my children there next time.