Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort — Hotel in South Sinai

Riff oasis blue bay was an outstanding experience. This was our first time in Egypt and we were very sceptical as we heard some horrorstories about food poisoning etc. So let me tell you. This hotel not only succeeded all of our expectations but also was probably the best we ever stayed in. We had a family room, it was nice, the wifi was okay but of course you cannot drink the tap water and it is advised to not even brush your teeth with it. There were always big bottles of water to do that. The grounds were beautiful with almost no insects (every evening they had sprayed the whole grounds with some smoke which was not toxic) and a lot of very cute geckos. The scenery is unbelievable and there are a lot of places to take pictures in. The ground is so big, there's even a little bis to take you to stations all around the hotel. There are a lot of pools such as a relax pool (16+), another pool right beside it, the Aquapark pool with 3 slides, the infinity pool right next to the beach and another pool next to that one. Next to every pool there is a bar where you can get yourself drinks and delicious cocktails. We were surprised by how good they are. There are also jacuzzis with view on the sea which are also 16+. The most amazing part is definitely the reef. If you have small children we don't advice you to go there, als there is only a little beach with water not even to the knees. If you want to see the reef, you have to go over a little bridge and it's already 3-4 m deep. If u swim 3 meters away from the "shore" you will not be able to see the ground. You can swim 600-800 meters next to the shore and the corrals. We have seen some amazing fish, from very tiny colorful fishes to barracudas, big rays and even poisonous fishes. None of them attacked us, even though the barracuda definitely was not the happiest seeing us. The reef is incredible,like nothing we have seen before. It is colorful and very much alive. The lifeguard (Hasan) is a very nice man and helped us identify fishes. He gave us cream when one of us had accidentally grazed a fire corral. He even gave them the whole tube. The people there are very hard working and nice. They seem more genuine than in other hotels. From the people who cleaned, to the servers and organizers, everyone was very kind. When going out, always bring tips with you. The entertainment team is also very nice. It was always fun; they had activities at the beach like dance classes, water gym, stretching and so on. They all speak multiple languages and have a pretty okay program in the evenings. It's easy to talk to them and they're all very funny. The mini disco was very cute, too. The food and the service that came with it was amazing. Before you even sit down people ask you what you want to drink and it's almost instantly there. You finished your food? 3 seconds later they take your plate for you. We were baffled!!! They work very fast. The food is amazing, even though the breakfast was not out favorite (because everything else was amazing, we decided to overlook that). We loved dinner, especially in the sunset court. Also the desserts are done with such detail and everytime someone takes a piece of cake, the workers wipe down the big plate and put another piece on there. (Again!! Bring tips!! You will see there that they're absolutely necessary). We also ate at the 3 restaurants and tried them. The french and seafood one was very good but the Italian one was not really to our taste. We did meet people who absolutely loved is there, so this is probably just about taste. Also, an advice from our family. Don't go to Raz Mohammed. Even though it was very pretty, you will see the same reef at our hotel. In Raz Mohammed there are a lot of other ships, way too many people and it isn't organized the best way. We personally liked our reef better than the one there. Bring underwater cameras and enough sunscreen! It will go a long way. We're from Germany and even though there was not a direct flight and we had to fly though Istanbul, we really think it was a great experience and...

The reef is amazing, Oasis Blue Resort is good but room for improvement. Not 5 star in my opinion.

Positives: The reef is definitely a highlight as the snorkelling is amazing. We snorkelled everyday and it never got boring. We nearly always saw some fish we hadn't seen before. It is just a really relaxing way to spend the morning, especially if you go early before anyone else is there, you see a lot more fish.

The staff are really friendly and can't do enough for you. The waiters at Sunset Court and at Seabreeze in particular were great. Wael, one of the managers in Seabreeze and Sunset Court was especially good. The guy's a machine, he must cover 10 miles a day. Can't fault how friendly and courteous everyone was, although reception staff seemed a bit out of their depth at times. The two staff at the Relax Pool were particularly friendly and attentive, especially Mohamad.

The food in the Sunset Court restaurant was good on the whole, especially the curry. Once we found things to eat which weren't so salty, we enjoyed meals overall.

The general presentation of the resort is lovely. The gardens were very well done with lots of visually appealing flowers, trees and shrubs. The cacti garden was especially interesting to walk through. Cleanliness was generally of a good standard. We didn't have any issues with the upkeep of our room.

Negatives: I personally can't understand why people need entertainment laid on for them, but at least locate the evening entertainment away from peoples' rooms so if you don't want to listen to it, you don't have to. Our room was so close to the Arena Bar we might as well have attended the 'entertainment' every night. Deafening house music isn't really my thing anymore though since I'm no longer 19!

The food could have been generally better, although a good amount of variety, many of the hot dishes were so salty we couldn't eat them and some things weren't cooked very well. My wife and I spent a fair bit of our stay with upset stomachs to varying degrees by learning this the hard way.

At a genuinely 5 star resort, you shouldn't get pestered every day to do excursions at extra cost. We did eventually relent and took a boat and snorkeling trip to Tiran Island. It was good on the whole, but our guide was very unprofessional. He kept telling us off for not listening to him (we were snorkeling and therefore had our heads under water so we couldn't hear him. He should have briefed us on the boat before we got in the water. He mostly just wanted to show off his free diving skills). He also broke a lot of coral with his fins and kept trying to give my wife bits of coral and taking her by the hand to touch the reef. Say nothing of the fact he made her very uncomfortable, he was illegally damaging the reef and he became quite unpleasant towards us by the end. Also, on our visit to the (not so) Old Market of Sharm, the hotel taxi dropped us at a shop that they clearly had an 'arrangement' with. Again, lots of charm to start with but when I refused to be ripped off, the guy got quite nasty.

If you get a free token to go to Al Dente, the supposed Italian restaurant, don't bother. The food was terrible. Laughably bad. Although the service and general atmosphere was good, ultimately you're there to eat and to say what we had was appalling is to be too kind. Undercooked potatoes, overcooked chicken and shrimp which also wasn't cleaned. I could have done a better job when I was a student! I was subsequently unwell in the night after this 'meal'. Just go to the buffets instead. We were asked to leave a little review of Al Dente, which I did. The next day, the guest relations manager had Whatsapped me and then came and found us at the pool as I didn't have my phone on me to tell us that the general manager wanted to speak to us about our experience the evening before. We found this a bit strange and somewhat imposing. We'd told them what we thought of our meal, a better use of time would have been to speak to their chef.

Overall, we have had a good holiday. Probably won't come back but...

Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort provided a mix of unforgettable moments and frustrating experiences during our nine-night stay. While certain aspects were challenging, the resort’s stunning coral reefs and delicious cuisine ensured an overall positive impression. Below is a concise but comprehensive review of our experience.

Location and Transfer Services: Located just 10–15 minutes from the airport, the resort offers complimentary transfers. Upon arrival, the driver met us with a sign and ensured a seamless journey to the hotel. However, our late check-in experience was underwhelming, as the untrained night staff member provided no warm welcome or adequate information. Accommodation: The room was spacious, clean, and featured comfortable single beds. A private balcony on the first floor offered a peaceful retreat, unlike ground-floor rooms with limited privacy. The minibar was stocked initially, but only water was replenished daily. The biggest downside was the malfunctioning shower, with fluctuating temperatures and pressure. Despite multiple complaints, the issue was never fully resolved. The offer to relocate to a similar room on the ground floor was impractical, given privacy concerns and the inconvenience of repacking.

Dining Experience: The resort offers three buffet restaurants: Sea Breeze, Bay View and Sunset Court (Asian/Indian with limited visits) and the a la carte option Al Dente (Italian). All buffets provided a variety of dishes, catering to diverse tastes, though some days were better than others. Sunset Court stood out for its exceptional quality and service. Coffee quality varied significantly across bars, which was disappointing for coffee enthusiasts. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks were of mediocre quality, as often expected in Egyptian resorts.

Coral Reefs and Snorkelling: The resort’s most remarkable feature is its direct access to vibrant coral reefs. The crystal-clear waters are home to hundreds of fish species, offering unparalleled snorkelling opportunities. Equipment can be purchased on-site, but bargaining is recommended.

Facilities and Amenities: The adults-only Relaxing Pool became our favourite spot, thanks to its peaceful atmosphere, ample sunbeds, and quick bar service. However, limited cabanas were often reserved early despite hotel rules, leaving other guests without access. Wi-Fi was reliable but slow. Additional amenities included billiards ($5/hour) and a small aquapark with three slides. The resort’s meticulously maintained gardens added to the visual appeal. Internal shuttles ran every 10 minutes, though we preferred walking.

Transportation and Taxi Services: The hotel’s taxi services were overpriced, but better alternatives exist just outside the gates. Local taxis offer reasonable rates, with a trip to Naama Bay or the Old Market costing 150–200 EGP. Negotiating prices is essential, and this small effort can save considerable money.

Staff and Service: Service quality was inconsistent. Some staff were diligent, while others seemed indifferent. Bar staff occasionally mixed up orders, and tipping often influenced service levels. Management should consider introducing a feedback system to motivate employees and enhance guest satisfaction.

Additional Observations: Entertainment: Evening programmes were underwhelming, with poor sound quality. Activities for younger children seemed limited. Shops and Pricing: The on-site shops and pharmacy charged exorbitant prices, particularly for medications and cigarettes. Purchasing these items elsewhere is advisable. Ice Cream and Alcohol: Ice cream quality was disappointing, as were the alcoholic beverages.

Conclusion: Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort is an excellent choice for snorkelling enthusiasts and food lovers. While issues with maintenance, service, and pricing remain, the stunning reefs and culinary offerings make the resort a worthwhile destination. Would we return? Yes, but primarily for the snorkelling and dining. With improvements to the highlighted issues, this resort could become truly...