Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh — Hotel in Red Sea

Review

My husband and I booked this resort for one week after we traveled across Egypt for sightseeing. We usually book a luxurious resort for relaxing after a round trip, this was country number 56. When arriving we immediately were impressed by the beauty of the resort. The property is huge and you could see that a lot of people maintain it with care. The buildings are beautiful, inside and out, the gardens green and lush, and there are many different swimming pools (perfect for kids). The beach is lovely with the most comfortable beds, especially when you booked Premium All Inclusive. The highlight probably is the reef immediately in front of the resort. We were amazed by the variety of fish at the reef near the beach. It was stunning. We booked a swim up suite, which was amazing. It is expensive but we were happy we did it as the rooms are in the adults only section with direct access to your own adults only pool, directly from your room. Sublime!

Why this resort was not our cup of tea:

Food poisoning:

The very first evening there was a sea food buffet and my husband had the variety of fish in tomato sauce (which I did not try), and very early morning he had to run for the bathroom. He was in bed all day with typical food poisoning symptoms (I don’t think I have to go into details, but it was really bad). After two days he started to eat again, but you can imagine that most the holiday was ruined. For this type of resort (we paid 500 euro per night) it is unacceptable.

Restaurants:

There are about 5 À la carte restaurants, next to the buffet restaurants, which was one of the reasons why we booked this resort. However, it was very difficult to book as they were constantly full. On their App you can book up to two days ahead, but if you did not do that first thing in the morning everything is fully booked again. And even booking early in the morning did not guarantee anything as there were people booking in advance at the reception. For 500 euro per night and Premium All Inclusive, it is ridiculous you have to fight for a restaurant reservation.

Overcrowded:

Although the resort was beautiful, the relaxing atmosphere was missing due to the huge number of guests. We were lucky that we booked the swim up suite which allowed us to have our own quiet space, but the rest of the property could feel chaotic. It is a kind of resort where people get up to put the towel on the sun bed, so at 10 AM all beds are taken. But the buffet restaurant is the worst of all. Parents screaming for their children, children running around. It was terrible. We just ate as fast as we could, so we could leave as fast as we could. Also the food itself was average at best.

Service:

Let me start by saying that the service was not terrible, but it was not what we expect to find at luxurious and expensive resort like this. Most of the staff in the resort (even at the reception) gave us the feeling that they did what they had to do, and that’s it. If you were lucky you would get a genuine smile, especially if you gave them money. Tipping is actually not allowed in the resort but still you felt the constant pressure. They would forcefully put a smile until they understood they did not get a tip and the smile would vanish. On the beach there is constantly staff walking around trying to sell you excursions, boat trips, wellness etc. At some point 4 people came by our sun bed within 1 hour. And it is not easy getting rid of them. Not very relaxing.

Regarding service, the people at the Salsa bar were the big exception. They were extremely friendly and welcoming. They should be taken as example for the rest of the staff.

Long story short, I would not recommend this resort if you are looking for a hassle-free, paradise like resort. However, if you are a family with kids and you are okay with the crowd and average buffet restaurant (and risk of food poisoning;)),...

I’ve stayed at this hotel three times, and it’s really disappointing to see how it’s declining. On this visit, my experience was far from what I expected.

I had several issues during my stay. First, I was disappointed that the GM didn’t reach out to me after I sent my concerns. Instead, I was sent the head of culinary to discuss my experience, which seemed odd as my issues had nothing to do with food. It felt like my concerns were not taken seriously. If I were the manager, I would have immediately acknowledged the issue and sent someone on my behalf to listen to the guest’s concerns.

Additionally, I had problems with my room. Many of the electrical outlets were not working, and when I requested a multiple charger, they brought one from the “stone age” that didn’t work. Afterward, they provided a new one, but the cable was incredibly short. Also, the water temperature in the shower was inconsistent—sometimes the hot water would hit me so hard it could have caused burns.

When I asked to see other rooms upon arrival, they showed me a dirty room, which made me uncomfortable, so I decided not to consider any upgrades.

I had dinner in the Italian restaurant, and it was a disaster. The food was terrible, and we waited for an hour before it arrived.

Despite these issues, I want to acknowledge that the rest of the staff, especially at the bars and restaurants, were doing their best. They were friendly and helpful, and I have no complaints about them.

It’s really sad to see how the hotel has changed. I’ve recommended this hotel to several people in the past, but after this visit, I’m not sure I will again.

Me reply:

Dear Mr. Osama Ali,

Thank you for your response. However, I must express my disappointment that despite my repeated attempts to reach out directly to you, I have yet to receive a response. It is disheartening to note that even during my stay, I didn’t receive a simple greeting or acknowledgment from you, especially considering my efforts to communicate with you.

While I understand that your team, including the Front Office Manager and Food and Beverage Manager, took the time to inquire about my experience, I believe there has been some miscommunication regarding the focus of my concerns. Our primary issue was not related to culinary matters, so it feels somewhat misplaced that the Director of Culinary was involved in addressing our feedback.

I would like to stress that I am in no way undermining the hard work of your staff, who I believe are doing their best. However, as the General Manager, I feel it is crucial for you to take a more hands-on approach to guest relations. A personal greeting or an honest conversation could have greatly enhanced the experience and helped to resolve any issues promptly.

In hospitality, it’s not just about meeting the expectations of your guests but also about making them feel heard and valued. Unfortunately, this was something we felt was lacking during our stay. I hope that this feedback helps you reconsider your approach to guest interaction, as a genuine connection can go a long way in making clients feel...

Outdated Policies and Underwhelming Experience – Not Worth the Stay

Unfortunately, our stay at this hotel was a disappointment. While it does have a few positives, the overall experience was let down by outdated policies, tired facilities, and poor value for money.

Dress Code: An Unwelcome Surprise

The most frustrating aspect of our stay was the outdated dress code policy. On our first night, we were turned away from dinner—even at the outdoor dining area—for not wearing trousers. I was wearing designer dress shorts and a collared shirt, yet still refused entry in 36°C heat.

Yes, the hotel might respond by saying the rules are clearly stated—but if they are, they weren’t visible during my booking on Expedia. Regardless, it’s 2025, not 1985. This rigid, archaic approach is not what modern travelers expect—especially at a supposedly upscale resort. It feels disconnected from guests’ needs and comfort.

The Downsides • Rooms: Small and dated with cramped bathrooms and bath/shower combos rather than walk-ins. • Beds: Uncomfortably hard. • TVs: Ours never connected or worked properly. • Food & Drink: Breakfast in the buffet was poor, and the all-inclusive drinks are disappointing—no decent options like Bailey’s included. The house wine tasted harsh, yet we were charged £1655.00 for just five nights of it. • Service: While polite, staff often seemed disengaged and uninterested. • Baron Club: We paid extra for this but it’s not worth it—just a basic lounge with a beer fridge. • Guest Relations: Practically non-existent. • Entertainment: Cringe-inducing and low quality. • Hotel Rules: Leaving the premises required providing personal details to security, which felt more like day-release from a facility than a holiday. • Safety: Be cautious—the marble floors throughout the hotel are dangerously slippery. • No in-room snacks or even small extras—zero attention to detail.

The Positives • Peace & Quiet: The hotel is so quiet that sun loungers are always available (with cushions, thankfully). • Adults-Only Area: A genuinely relaxing zone, especially compared to the crowded vibe of nearby hotels like Premier La Reve.

Final Thoughts

This hotel is stuck in the past and desperately needs a management and culture overhaul. It has potential, but without changes, it risks fading into irrelevance.

I’ve visited Hurghada many times over the last few years and stayed at several hotels. Sadly, I won’t be returning here—and I wouldn’t recommend it. There are significantly better options for similar prices.

If you want a truly premium experience where you’re treated like royalty—no matter what you’re wearing—Rixos Premium Magawish is unbeatable. Yes, it costs a bit more, but the level of service and quality makes it absolutely worth it. As the saying goes: “The quality is remembered long after the price...