The Grand Resort, Hurghada — Hotel in Red Sea

Wow was my first and last impression of this hotel.||We had a quick and efficient check in at around 10pm, soft fabric bands applied to our arms - (no rigid plastic bands here) and us and our luggage was quickly escorted to room 1407.||Room|The room was one of the best we have had. Bed was huge, lots of storage space, flat screen TV, kettle, fridge (stocked with soft drinks) settee area, large bathroom with supplied soaps and shampoo. |The best bit by far was the fact we had opted for a swim up room. We were positioned opposite the main bar so we had the benefit of light background music to accompany us on our sun loungers during the day and we could hear and see the acts of an evening. There were two Sun loungers and two deck chairs per room so you had a choice. We had the whole pool to ourselves 90% of the time.|Wi-Fi is only free in selected main areas so we paid 50 Euro for 3 devices over the 7 days which allowed us to use in our room.|Waiters - in the afternoon it was sometimes possible to attract the attention of a passing waiter from the pool bar and they would bring your drinks order over for you to wade across the pool to retrieve.||Housekeeping|We had the same housekeeper for the duration of our stay , a lovely man who could not do enough for you. The room was kept spotless, he would attend whilst you were out so as not to disturb you and whenever he saw you in the corridor he would always ask if everything was ok, did we need anything else? He also visited at the end of the day and took our pool towels away and replaced with fresh and his towel sculptures were the best we have come across.||Food|The food in the main buffet restaurant was good with plenty of choice.||Breakfast - pastries, eggs, yogurts, meats, cereals, breads etc and smoked salmon||Lunch - we only came in here for lunch on our last day, they have a sandwich station where they freshly prepare sandwiches for you , they very kindly wrapped these in foil for us to eat in our room later as we were leaving that day||Dinner - soup, salads, sushi bar, pasta station, chips, pizzas, local dishes/stews, bread, fruit, ice cream cakes ||Beach Bar - we visited here daily for our lunch, food and service was great Hot dogs, burgers, salads, pizzas and a few pasta dishes are all available on this menu||Sky Lounge - we eat here twice , you do need to book in advance at reception . It is situated on the rooftop and the views are amazing. |Both staff and food here were exceptional. There is a menu to choose from which consists of salads, soups, Burgers, steaks, chicken, lamb etc and basically anything else that can go on the BBQ there is then a small selection of desserts should you still have room.||There are a few other speciality restaurants that you can pre book - Italian, Mexican and Indochinese to mention a few. There is a book containing all the menus behind reception if you ask for it.||Drink|The fridge in the room had Cola, Sprite, Fanta and water in it and were always well stocked. You can get bottles of water from any restaurant to take back to your room or the beach.|We did find if you were taking your drinks away from the bar they would give you them in paper cups which inevitably leaked after a short length of time so did not like this very much. |Wine - I tried both the house White and Rose and must admit neither were to my taste so I stayed on good old G&T for the rest of the holiday which was spot on. There were cocktails menus around and I noticed there were supplements for some but we did not partake.||Beach|Beach is a mixture of sand and grit so although we walked across it we did not spend the day there, although plenty did and I believe waiters served that area with drinks.||Cats|Thank you to the cat man for introducing us to Mr Bad Man and the rest of his cats who were very obviously very well cared for .||Staff|All staff were a tribute to the hotel being both courteous , friendly and polite . Some of them got to remember you so your drinks were refilled before they were even finished. Although we did tip small amounts often during our stay at no point did we feel pressured into doing this.||General Tips||ATM - if you go left out of the main entrance you will find an ATM within a 5 minutes walk where we withdrew cash in arrival.||Entry Visa - you have to pay 25 Euro per person at the airport on arrival it is worth saying they ONLY take cash and do not give change so we paid £50 rather than 50 Euro.||Shop - there is a small souvenir shop at the entrance to the beach where you can buy crisps, sun lotion, snorkelling masks and souvenirs.||Airport - beware there are a lot of scanners to go through on departure.||Trips - we opted not to do any as we wanted a relaxing holiday but I believe Red Sea holidays did offer a good variety.||Improvements - a padding to go on top of our room sun loungers would be good and the change of paper cups to more durable ones - but this is me being extremely picky||Would we return ? Yes in a a heartbeat - considering booking for next year, would be even better if the flights were...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at The Grand Hotel of Hurghada, and while it may not be the most modern resort, it offers an incredible value for budget travelers. With its exceptional staff, delicious food, and serene atmosphere, it's the perfect escape for those seeking relaxation and warm hospitality.||Pros That Outshine the Rest:||* Exceptional Staff: The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the staff. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with genuine warmth and professionalism. The team went above and beyond to cater to every need, ensuring a truly memorable experience.|* Impeccable Cleanliness: Despite the resort's age, I was impressed by how clean and well-maintained everything was. The rooms, restaurants, and common areas were spotless, reflecting the staff's dedication to guest comfort.|* Gastronomic Delights: The resort's culinary offerings exceeded my expectations. With a diverse range of restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, there was something to tantalize every taste bud. The fish restaurant, in particular, was a standout for lunch.|* Picturesque Landscape: The lush gardens surrounding the resort provided a tranquil oasis. I loved strolling through the meticulously maintained grounds, admiring the vibrant flowers and greenery.|* Budget-Friendly Bliss: The Grand Hotel offers incredible value for its price. The quality of service, food, and overall experience far surpassed what I anticipated for a budget-friendly option.|* Relaxation Redefined: If you're seeking a laid-back escape, this is the place for you. The small pool and never-crowded beach slide provide ample opportunities to unwind and soak up the sun.|* Entertainment Options: While the resort's atmosphere is primarily focused on relaxation, there are nightly entertainment options and beach parties for those seeking a bit of excitement.||A Few Considerations:||* Aging Facilities: The resort is admittedly older and could benefit from some renovations. While everything was functional and clean, some areas, like the rooms and mini-fridge, showed signs of wear and tear.|* Limited Fitness Center: The fitness center is small and requires an additional fee, which might be a drawback for fitness enthusiasts.|* Average Alcohol Drinks: While the beer and Ouzo were decent, the overall quality of alcoholic beverages could be improved.|* Worn Beach Equipment: Some of the beach equipment appeared a bit old and could potentially use some updating.||My Recommendation:||I wholeheartedly recommend The Grand Hotel of Hurghada for budget-conscious travelers who value outstanding service, delicious food, cleanliness, and a peaceful atmosphere. Keep in mind that the resort is older and some amenities come with an extra charge, but the overall experience is well worth it.||Tipping Tips:||To show appreciation for the staff's exceptional service, I recommend tipping 50 Euro cents for each meal or every three drinks at the bar. There are usually tip boxes conveniently located near the entrances of restaurants and bars. A daily or every-other-day tip of one Euro for housekeeping is also a thoughtful gesture.||Additional Tips:||* If you plan on venturing outside the resort, inform the front desk of your destination and leave your room key and contact information. A small tip of one Euro for the front desk staff is also appreciated.|* Don't miss the fantastic massage area near the fish restaurant – it's the perfect way to start your vacation!|* Join the beach party every Tuesday evening for a fun and lively atmosphere.|* For dinner, dress in nice attire to complement the elegant atmosphere of the restaurants. Pants and linen shirts for men and dresses with scarves for women are common choices.||Overall, my stay at The Grand Hotel of Hurghada was a delightful surprise. It's a hidden gem for budget travelers seeking an unforgettable experience filled with warmth, relaxation, and...

The location is okay, but a little too far away from the main city of Hurghada. It‘s close to the airport (10 minutes drive) and it has a big pool but way too cold when you get in the first time. Even if it‘s 30 degrees Celsius outside, the pool feels like 16 degrees Celsius until your body accompanies with the cold water. The pool on the other hand is a little bit dirty. If you stay still in the water, for example at one of the edges, try to locate some particles in the water. They look like white worms or like sperm. There were also some cases where I saw black thin worms. Very weird and awkward. I really don‘t know what those things were but those black worms were definitely moving on their own in the water.

The service is a little meh to be honest but at least they are trying to help you. I have seen better from other hotels…

The food is miserable… the same food was served everyday and most of the food is nothing for picky eaters. Cakes have been served a little different each day but they all tasted the same and artificial. I ended up ordering food for 3 days straight from other restaurants like Castello or Mac Mac with the talabat app. The food ordered was extraordinary (Tawook, Fettucini, etc.). At the Pool snack bar which is opened from 12:30 - 15:30 you can get Spaghetti Bolognese, Pizza and other stuff. The food came 20-30 minutes after ordering and was already cold and sometimes not cooked well.

You get 4 water bottles for every day and it is recommended to brush your teeth with one of the water bottles, as the tap water is heavily chlorinated. The minibar is filled with softdrinks but if you consider consuming one or more cans, you will be charged 2€ per can which is a lot compared to the local prices of shops outside the hotel. There is a starbucks next to it which is fairly cheap and has awesome shakes and even the RedBull Peach edition which costs about 1,50€! The hotel charges you way too much even for a Pizza Tuna they demand 9€! The Pizza doesn’t taste anything close to an authentic Italian pizza and looks like bread with sauce and cheap cheese on it.

The highlight of the hotel room was the bed and the interior was designed pretty well but that‘s about it. We also had cockroaches as special guests 2 days before departing back home. If we would have stayed a little longer, we would have already checked out and booked another hotel. This is disgusting and tells me the place is not clean.

If you want a real all inclusive deal without paying for everything then rather spend the money on a 5* hotel and get yourself comfortable with that. If you consider this hotel great, then you haven‘t experienced a real 5* hotel before. Try out the Seashell Resort & Spa in Side, Türkiye and see for yourself. If you‘d like to try out something in Egypt, try the Pickalbatross Palace which is great, unlike The...