Our stay at Brayka Bay Resort was an incredible experience, and I can't speak highly enough about the wonderful amenities, natural beauty, and exceptional service it offers. One of the standout features is the breathtaking coral reef right at the resort's doorstep. Itās one of the most vibrant and diverse reefs Iāve ever seen, making snorkeling an absolute must. The underwater life is stunning, with a colorful array of corals and fish that makes the experience magical.The resortās swimming pool is another highlight, providing a perfect spot to unwind. Itās spacious, clean, and beautifully designed, offering a refreshing retreat after a day of activities.
The scenery around Brayka Bay Resort is nothing short of spectacular, with its combination of turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and the surrounding desert mountains creating a picturesque setting that feels like a slice of paradise.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear that every staff member was dedicated to making our visit unforgettable. A special highlight of our trip was dining at the Zest Restaurant, where Chef Mohamed Magdy, under the leadership of Chef Hamdy Abdelhamed, exceeded all expectations. Chef Mohamed has a contagious positive spirit that fills the entire restaurant with warmth and hospitality. He goes above and beyond to ensure every guest is satisfied, paying close attention to individual needs and preferences. His dishes were not only delicious but also beautifully presented, making each meal a true culinary experience. The waitstaff, especially Hany, were equally amazing, offering impeccable service with a smile and making sure we felt like VIPs throughout our stay.
Our experience was further enhanced by the exceptional wellness and spa services. Ayman, the masseuse, deserves special mention for the beyond amazing job he did. His skillful technique and attentive approach made for one of the best massages I've ever had, leaving us completely rejuvenated. The spa itself is a serene oasis, perfect for relaxation, and Aymanās expertise took it to the next level.
Additionally, the salon at the resort provided us with heavenly pedicures that were top-notch in both comfort and quality. The pedicure was not just a treat for the feet but was performed with medical-level precision, ensuring we left feeling pampered and well-cared for.
Safety was a top priority at the resort, and we were particularly impressed by Ahmed, the lifeguard. He was always vigilant, ensuring that everyone enjoyed the beach and pool areas safely. His friendly demeanor and professionalism gave us peace of mind, especially while the kids were playing in the water.
The housekeeping team assigned to building 10000 was outstanding. Not only did they maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, but they also added a touch of creativity that delighted our children daily. The towel animals they created brought smiles to our faces and made returning to our room a treat each day.
The bartenders at the pool and beach also deserve a shout-out for their fantastic service. They were always cheerful, mixing up delicious drinks and making sure we were refreshed and relaxed as we lounged by the pool.
We cannot forget to mention the gardeners who work tirelessly to maintain the beautiful scenery of Brayka Bay. Their hard work in the heat ensures that the gardens are lush and vibrant, creating a serene and picturesque environment that enhances the entire resort experience. The greenery and floral arrangements added a sense of tranquility that was deeply appreciated.
In conclusion, the entire team at Brayka Bay Resort works incredibly hard to ensure that every guest has an amazing time. From the chefs and waitstaff to the lifeguards, housekeepers, bartenders, gardeners, and spa professionals, everyone contributed to making our stay one we will never forget. We highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a perfect blend of relaxation, exceptional service, and beautiful...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreIf your sole intent for a holiday is to stay somewhere with excellent snorkeling, then this is a fantastic resort. The beach has a fantastic reef, meaning you will not need to pay extortionate prices to go on an all day tour to god knows where, to have a terrible time being kicked in the face constantly by ignorant people with no spatial awareness while wearing flippers.
Information within the hotel needs a serious revamp. The information sheet we were given upon checkin does not tell you where you can get food throughout the day. It simply says breakfast, lunch and dinner times at the main restaurant. So if you want to eat at any time outside those times, good luck finding where you can eat. It also neglects some basic information as to, where the pharmacy is and how to get there, and also that, while the hotel provides beach towels, you can exchange them for free on the beach for fresh clean ones. So that would have been nice to have known.
WiFi as ABYSMALL in the hotel. Upon checkin, you will receive a code for free WiFi throughout the resort (only valid for two devices), and that WiFi doesn't even reach certain parts of the resort. So, get a data plan if you have any wish to use your phone. The hotel does offer paid WiFi, which is also terrible, so do not buy it. There are 100's of mobile eSim plans that you could buy with faster speeds then the hotel offers for a fraction of a cost.
Be prepared to be pestered CONSTANTLY by staff blatantly demanding tips. Upon checkin, they will tell you they'll bring your bags to the room for you. When we finally got out bags, the two staff members who brought our bags stood in our room for minutes, until they eventually realised they were not going to get tips and left, cursing in Arabic.
The waiting staff at the main restaurant, while not blatantly asking for tips, will give you a better service provided you tip them daily. Otherwise, be prepared to wait longer for that drink you ordered. Or, as we did, we simply got our drinks ourselves, which saved us so much more time and sanity.
The beach, while private and nice, prepare to be harassed DAILY if you want to get a photoshoot, dinner at the restaurant, or a massage. No matter where you are on the resort, you will be plagued by the staff members to buy additional services throughout your stay. If you're looking at this resort for a magical getaway, and to just relax and not be bothered by people, this is the absolute wrong resort. No matter where you hide, someone will hunt you down to explain to you about their services, no matter how many times you tell them you're not interested.
The food in the resort is okay. The meat is freshly grilled in front of you, so it's quite nice. Salad bar is also nicely stacked and there is plenty of deserts and fruit. However, a lot of the food is simply inedible, or tastes so strongly of chemicals that it's just not worth trying.
The gift shops in the resort, may have a nice variety, but prices in the airport are cheaper. Don't fall for the trap that "I won't be able to get these at the airport". You will. Everything in the resort is in the airport, and cheaper. The airport has set prices, meaning you won't have to haggle with someone for the "best price" which is still more then twice what you would pay in the airport. Another benefit of buying them in an airport is at that point, you've already checked in your suitcase meaning you can buy as many statues as you want, without having to worry about weight issues in the suitcase.
As a first time visiting, we are glad we stayed for two weeks. It took us an entire week to figure out how certain things worked, and by then we were just annoyed at the lack of information. But hey, if you want to just lie in the sun and do nothing for two weeks, then the hotel will...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreThere are two hotels here: Brayka Bay and Royal Brayka. The sea and the reef is the best feature of the resort. Dolphins visit the bay quite often. I saw them once in my 7-day-stay. They were in a mood to perform and stayed in the bay for almost 2 hours. There are turtles - big ones - swimming around. I saw several turtles and they are quite unbothered by the massive amount of snorkelers. The reef is very much alive and varied. There are plenty of fish - clown fish, lion fish, angel fish, sting rays, eels, and so on. The reef is accessible via pier and through the sandy bay. The sand on the beach is fine and the quieter area is the end of the Royal Brayka Beach (towards the pier). For those interested in diving, there are two centers,: Brayka Divers and Coraya Divers. For me, snorkeling was more than enough as there is something to see every time you go out! The promenade and the gardens are marvelous. I booked a Brayka Bay standard room with a garden view but got a room with a sea view, right on the beach (on the right side of the pier) as I "politely" requested a "quieter" area. It was extremely practical as it was 15 steps from the beach. I never had to use the shower on the beach (which was quite a distance from the pier). Toiletries, on the other hand, were not enough. Fortunately, I had packed some shampoo and shower gel from home. I only got toiletries on my arrival. The soap was thick and lasted for 7 days (1 person) but the shampoo and body lotion were not enough. There is bottled water in the room (provided daily), a working hair dryer and napkins. No coffee / tea facilities for a standard room. The food in Brayka Bay is very good and diverse. I only ate at the main restaurant and the waiters are very helpful and polite. There is a selection of fruit and deserts worth trying. The personnel is mostly polite and well-behaved. They don't seem intrusive and they gladly offer help with or without tips. The ice cream was watery and different from what we are used to, but refreshing. The drinks are offered in small plastic cups. I saw many tourists with their own flasks / mugs. It seems a lot more practical. My stay was exceptional and I think it was worth the value I payed. There was a young skinny barman at the Royal Brayka Beach Bar who questioned my bracelet towards the end of my stay and I felt unwelcome. I read on tripadvisor that Brayka Bay tourists (blue bracelets) have all Royal Brayka benefits (golden bracelets) but not viceversa. This young server attitude was quite off compared to all the others. All in all, what stays with you in the long run is the memory of the reef and the connection with nature rather than a missing shampoo or a waiter with an attitude. This was my 6th time in Egypt and it was by far the best, because of the spectacular reef. I will definitely put Marsa Alam on my list from now on (better than Sharm-El-Sheik...
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