Pickalbatros Dana Beach Resort - Hurghada — Hotel in Red Sea

We recently stayed at the Pickalbatros Dana Beach Resort for ten days in early August, and our experience was a mix of highs and lows.

While the resort offers some unique features, several issues with service, facilities, and maintenance made the stay less enjoyable than we had hoped.

Arrival and First Impressions: Our arrival was less than ideal. We had booked a ground floor, pool view room, but the reception staff was unhelpful and claimed nothing was available. The lack of assistance was frustrating, and we eventually had to resort to bribing a golf cart driver to find us a suitable room. This initial experience set a disappointing tone for the rest of our stay.

The Grounds and Amenities: The resort itself is visually impressive, centered around a massive lake with two boats that serve as a main form of transport from the lobby to the central pools and restaurants, and all the way to the beach. Unfortunately, the boat service closes at 11 PM, which is an inconvenience, especially when you have a tired child and a long walk back to your room. Additionally, the water in the lake had a noticeable, unpleasant odor, suggesting a need for better filtration or refreshment.

Another amenity, a bicycle-style car, is available for a short, half-hour ride. Our experience with it was poor; after we left it for a brief moment, it was taken by someone else. The staff refused to give us a replacement, claiming it was our responsibility and that we might get lost, which was a very strange and unhelpful response. The hotel also has a strict "adults only" rule for the jacuzzi pool, which frustrated many children who were not allowed to use it. This policy seemed quite unusual.

Dining Experience: The hotel features seven restaurants, offering a wide variety of food. The best dining experience was at a Culina’s restaurant where a chef Mohammed Hassan prepared a delicious A Must try kunafeh with cream that was truly outstanding. The Moroccan restaurant was also a highlight, with its excellent "Gawhara" dessert and a great selection of grilled meats and chicken. The other restaurants were generally above average, with the exception if they served the delicious grilled shrimps.

Staff and Service: Despite our challenges, the staff was a bright spot. They were generally very friendly, polite, and helpful, and we appreciated their efforts. The housekeeper, Mr. Eid, was particularly helpful, ensuring our room was always clean and even assisting with small maintenance issues that arose during our stay. However, many of the staff looked unhappy, which was noticeable and unfortunate to see. The lifeguards, in particular, were active, professional, and very polite. We were impressed with how they professionally handled a few guest emergencies.

Maintenance and Cleanliness Issues: Our stay, during the peak season in the first half of August, was unfortunately marred by extensive renovations. The hotel was replacing the pavement near Castelo restaurant, painting kids' water slides, and even cleaning the beach umbrellas with water hose and pavement by the sea. These loud and disruptive activities should have been scheduled for a quieter time of year.

We also noticed that the pools, especially the one in front of the lobby, were not very clean. While the beach itself was good, the water was consistently dirty. The lifeguards were constantly trying to clean it, which was commendable, but it seems the hotel’s focus on quantity of guests over quality led to a general decline in standards.

Final Thoughts: The animation team was a disaster and needs a complete overhaul with professional entertainers, especially for the kids. While the water slides were simple, the lifeguards were attentive. Finally, the parking area is in desperate need of more shade to protect vehicles from the sun.

Overall, our experience at the Pickalbatros Dana Beach Resort was mixed. While we enjoyed some of the unique features and the friendly staff, the lack of organization, poor maintenance choices, and cleanliness issues made it a...

Do mostly not recommend.

We spent seven nights at the Dana Beach Resort beginning of January 2025.

Retirement home Hurghada nowadays is only an option if you don't have any budget or/and are older than 50. It kind of felt like an all inclusive trip in a retirement home with a beach.

Food In Dana Beach there are five restaurants offering buffets. The food is good, but for the same money you can find hotels with a la carte restaurants and a much lower noise level.

Guests Unfortunately the guests in Dana Beach treat the stuff like dogs. There is no please or thank you. Most of the guests are German or Russian and they somehow think they stand above them. Shame on you.

Pools The heated pools (I think 3/4 are heated) are warm enough to swim, but not to relax without movement - too cold for that. It would be great if you have one hot pool - let's say heated to 36°C, so that people can relax there in the evenings too, even though the air temperature is cold (14°C).

Sellers The most annoying part about Dana Beach (and every other Hotel in Egypt) is that there are sellers e.g. for a quad or snorkeling tour that work 100% on commission. I did most of the trips and can tell you that all of them are mostly a scam. E.g. quad tour: they bring you to a shopping Mall with the hope that you buy a shisha before going on the quad :D then you need to ride exactly in one line behind the guide. All the sand from the driver before you lands on your face. I know a guy who has lung problems because of this. And they don't even ride in the desert, it's next to the road on stones - super shaky and horrible!!

About snorkeling: "Red Sea Fun Dive" is unprofessional (see video), disorganized, overpriced (50-60 Euros), and treats customers like dogs. Save yourself the frustration/money and book elsewhere or as I can recommend at "Future Makers Travel" across the street of Dana Beach Resort. At Future Makers Travel it's the same trip and you only pay 15-25 Euros per Person for a full day trip. There is no snorkeling at Orange Bay at all (nowhere because it's a crappy island - see picture), but they stop at two great coral riffs between 12 am and 3 pm.

Animation team: In 2012 I worked at Dana Beach Resort myself for a couple of months. I had to say hello to every guest and try to talk to everyone. Finding people to play darts, beach volleyball etc. was the main job. The animation team nowadays doesn't seem to be motivated at all. I was mostly ignored by them and basically never saw them. But when I talked to them of course they were nice. Dana Beach do you pay them enough? This is probably the issue.

Staff I mean the workers that are directly payed by the hotel. Most of them are super friendly. I feel like they really care about the guests. Even if they are only nice because of the tips, it's okay. They work for almost nothing with only one little break after 3 months of constant working. Please if you come to Hurghada, bring Egyptian Pounds and tip those guys.

Update The day of our departure, we forgot our winter jackets at the reception. We were already on the way to the airport with the tui bus when we noticed. I called the reception asking if the can bring our two jackets with a taxi. They agreed, but they were asking for 25 Euros. A normal price (one way) from Dana Beach to the airport would be 5 Euros (you can book it at "mydriver" Hurghada via whatsapp).

So sad that in the end, we even got scammed...

Nestled within the vibrant heart of Hurghada, Dana Beach Resort emerges as an idyllic getaway for families and travelers alike, my recent week-long stay with my wife and two sons bearing witness to its myriad of commendable features. Among its most laudable aspects is the resort's spa, now under new management and rightfully acclaimed as a hidden gem not just within the resort, but across Hurghada. This sanctuary of wellness offers an expansive suite of services, where guests can indulge in an atmosphere of tranquility and rejuvenation, supported by a team of highly educated and professional staff.

The accommodations at Dana Beach Resort deserve special mention for their generous size, providing ample space for families to relax and unwind. Both the rooms and bathrooms boast spacious layouts, enhancing the comfort and luxury of the stay. These aspects, combined with the resort’s other amenities, contribute to an environment where guests can enjoy a seamless blend of relaxation and indulgence.

Culinary excellence is another pillar of the Dana Beach Resort experience. The resort offers an impressive array of dining options, with restaurants serving a diverse selection of dishes characterized by their exceptional quality and taste. The commitment to providing a top-tier dining experience is evident, catering to a broad range of palates with flair and sophistication.

The spa, under its new leadership, stands out as a beacon of wellness and relaxation. It is within this serene enclave that guests find a comprehensive selection of treatments and therapies designed to soothe and invigorate. The spa’s distinction as a hidden gem in Hurghada is well-earned, thanks to its extensive offerings and the unmatched expertise of its staff.

Central to the spa’s success is Mr. Meteb, the manager, affectionately known as "the Doctor" due to his profound expertise in guest wellness. His nickname is not merely a title but a testament to his exceptional ability to address and alleviate guests' physical ailments. While Mr. Meteb himself may not be directly bookable, his personalized approach to guest interaction is noteworthy. He takes the time to understand each guest's unique needs, crafting bespoke wellness programs that have garnered widespread acclaim for their effectiveness. My personal experience under his guidance was transformative, providing significant relief from upper back and shoulder pain through a meticulously designed program of massages, sauna and steam sessions, and a targeted training regimen. The program concluded with a massage by Mr. Meteb himself, a gesture that underscored his dedication to guest wellness and left a lasting impression of improved mobility and comfort.

In essence, Dana Beach Resort stands as a premier choice for those seeking a harmonious blend of spacious accommodations, culinary mastery, and unparalleled spa services. The resort’s commitment to excellence is visible in every detail, from the luxurious room layouts to the exceptional spa under the new management, and the unparalleled service ethic embodied by Mr. Meteb. Dana Beach Resort not only meets the expectations of its guests but surpasses them, offering a sanctuary where every aspect of the stay is crafted with care and precision, making it a truly remarkable destination...