JAZ Grand Marsa — Hotel in Red Sea

The overall feeling of our vacation was fine, but is fine good enough for a 5-star all-inclusive vacation?

Here is my comprehensive review, because I think the hotel has a lot of potential. Let me start with the biggest compliment. The gardeners and cleaners are absolutely great, we often overlook these quiet forces, but if anyone deserves a tip, it is they who make Jaz Grand Marsa a success.

Upon entering the hotel you immediately notice that there are no women working in hospitality/reception (only in the spa & entertainment). This is of course a choice, but the predominantly masculine atmosphere is perhaps directly the hotel's biggest problem. The reception staff is generally friendly and nice. The restaurant, on the other hand, really deserves improvement. More than once we experienced staff standing around arguing with each other (on the floor) and being cranky. Also, sometimes you just miss the 5-star service. For example: The table next to us ordered a coffee more than 15 minutes before the end of breakfast.The employee had probably forgotten about it (can happen), upon which the guests asked a colleague for the coffee again. The employee indicated that this was not possible because (literally) 1 minute ago breakfast time was over. The guests tried to explain that they had ordered the coffee 15 minutes ago, but had not yet received it. The employee indicated again that the breakfast time had passed. The guests calmly tried to explain again, that they had already ordered, only that his colleague had forgotten. At this the staff member became super unfriendly and verbally openly attacked the guests: "what don't you understand about the fact that breakfast time is over?" to which the guests descended in shock. This just doesn't belong in a 5 star hotel, especially since it occurred literally 10 meters from the coffee machine in the breakfast room. Several times during the vacation we were asked nicely at dinner what we wanted to drink and it was fetched. The next day in exactly the same situation we asked if we could get a Coke at dinner, to which the staff member replied, "You can get that over there at the bar in the corner." There is nothing wrong with getting my own drink, but it came across as if I had offended him, I only asked because it seemed normal until then. Last one: we wanted to order some food from the beach bar. We had to wait literally minutes because the staff was arguing with each other, which was quite uncomfortable. It is also forbidden to bring food from the beach bar to your beach bed so there’s no eating outside the bars. Obviously rules are rules, but the way this was brought up was very aggressive.

In addition, there are some minor points. The rooms are really outdated (thanks to the cleaning staff it doesn’t feel dirty). The food is not always well cooked (two of us got sick) of course you know this can always happen on vacation. I personally also found the hustling on the "beach" a bit irritating. Funny enough it is the local spa and excursion provider belonging to the hotel who come by several times a day (every day) to sell something. Enough has been said about the internet, as long as you don't depend on it and don't mind that it only works at the lobby, it's fine. No you can't stream your Netflix, but you can send a picture via Whatsapp.

Of course it always remains personal, but I think a little more feminine touch would solve a lot. Overall, it's a fine hotel where you can unwind. However, if you compare it to 5-star hotels like on the Canary Islands or Turkey, be prepared that this is something else. Personally, I would call this a 4-star service, which is still fine and where many people can still very much enjoy themselves. We visited during the winter period.

Edit: The hotel’s response to my review “if you (really) did stay at our hotel..” to me is the confirmation of what’s wrong. This insinuation is unnecessary and 5...

Overall, the hotel was pretty good, however, couple of experiences there were very disappointing. Bear in mind, that when you book the holiday here and many other third world parts, the hotels are nowhere near five star european standards. Allowing for that This hotel was fine. Had a large attractive swimming pool in decent grounds. As for location, as expected, there is no where really to go other than the hotel grounds and obviously for a swim in the sea. If you go there, please take your mask as wonderful fish there although, far fewer than when we were before.

Good news, my wife saw a turtle just off the end of the pier which was the high point for her.

Staff were generally very helpful and eager to assist, having said that, we were constantly badgered by people from the hotel and other parts attempting to engage and sell a product in most cases you do nor want..... Its like an army of them. I am on holiday to relax and do not want a hard sell, espeially at the prices they charge someone is making a killing.. You want massage? Do you want scuba? Do you want? this or do you want that....Well I go on holiday to get away from all that rubbish? I don't want to speak to them and I don't want to be badgered and harassed. Perhaps that's me.

The other issue I had (and, yes, you have guesed,I am a touch over 30)! was the absolutely awful music??? blaring out around the pool. Having said that, music is all selective and it just was not my idea of fun or relaxation, boom, boom, boom with little melody, rapping etc. Real head banging stuff. Most people there are over 40 and I think they could do without that.

Reception area and bedrooms were comfortable and clean matresses are perhaps a little hard like boards, but were fine for me What can I say? Would I go there again? Probably not, been there, done that. Many other places in the world which are equally if not better. But the winter sun was inviting and appreciated.

Ahh, the food you ask, good selection reasonable standard but probably not for you if you are a foodie, for me it was fine. Nicely presented deserts but all dressing, tasted the same...... finally, the drinks, I am not a drinking man, but a more palatable wine would have been appreciated as it was pretty rough, beers were ok I am told, but the coctails and spirits were rubbish I have been advised, also. very diluted but youre not there to get plastered.

One major issue I was not happy with, was the spraying of the grounds with ?????? Really nasty stuff that gave another a serious headache and made my eyes really sore so when I realised what it was, we moved away. This was going on around the pool area. A large 500 litre drum on a trailer. No protection for the workers doing that all day. Obviously, no flies on them! Not sure if they were there long enough for their pay cheque. The moths or butterflies were not too happy about that either as many dead in the mornings. Butterflies / moths,...

Luxury reception, good welcoming, helpful receptionists, and good parking area with very polite security team members at the outside and inside hotel gates. This hotel has an excellent main restaurant, i guess the main chef in this hotel is unique and experienced one as the food at the main restuarant has an exceptional and varied taste. The animation team have a good programs every day at night and they are doing their best to amuse all guests. Also, they are caring about kids. This hotel has a clean and big swimming pools, sea reastuarant has an excellent sea view seats while you are ordering your set menu dishes. The side swimming pool in front of my building "77" has a pool bar served the guests with an energetic and helpful young guy who is serving the peoples seating around this pool, i really appreciate his smile and cooperation.

Rooms are clean and well served.

Special thanks to the management representitives Mr. Abdel Hamid Said and Mr. Mohamed Ragab who helped me in my personal complain about some thing there and they welcomed me at their offices to appologize and to justify all negative points highlighted verbaly by myside during my stay.

The negative points were discussed as follows: The hotel is too big with approximately 500 rooms in different locations and there is a necesity for shuttle bus " Taf taf " from reception to the sea. The sea is rocky but you can move with sea shoes till reach some sufficient depth and to see the wonderfull fish swimming beside you and do not forget to get your face mask for this good momoents. Also, it is allowed to go to jaz solya sandy beach and to use the aqua park in Solimar beside jaz grand hotel. Water served in reusable cups not in bottles. Missing tooth pastes & brushes in rooms. Missing towels centers with cards and towels handed each day to guests by the room service.

"All these things are related to the go green enviroment classification in Marsa Alam as per the The Ministry of Environment requirements to get the higher green star" Also, to reduce of using towel cards among the guests and to reduce the use of unnecessary detergents for the whole unused towels. All of this to keep green enviroment and to provide a competitive price to all guests. The hotel is preparing to install a solar cells system above rooms' building to acheive a full green enviroment and to use a green power source.

Finally, I do recommend this hotel as a good money value with green and clean enviroment. Also, management are caring about guest satisfaction and the floor is open to any comments may help them in future improvements.

Hassem Husseiny Stay in june...