Hurghada, Egypt Holiday?

[Pootlemcsmootle]

Hi all,
Has anyone been to Hurghada in Egypt for a family holiday? My DH just suggested looking into going for the Easter break but I don't know anything about it. We were hoping for a family friendly place with good snorkelling that kids could feel happy doing.

Is it one of the Tui hotels?
We went as a family of 5 a few tears back. Loved it, strange experience though, like going to the moon. Direct transfer from the airport then we didn’t go out again due to the political situation. AI, great food, water parks bright and low 20’s weather in December so I imagine hot but not unbearable in April.

Interesting, thank you! He hasn't chosen a hotel yet, just had the bright idea that it was good for winter sun!

That sounds edgy about the political concerns you had though, would it stop you considering it again? I'm guessing leaving the resort isn't a great idea if it feels that way?

Is it the maladies resort (Tui) you are looking at? We went a couple of years ago and it was lovely.

If you just want a family AI and a good beach/snorkelling, it's great. It is a complex of hotels in the middle of nowhere though so it is a 30 min taxi ride if you want to go into Hurghada itself.

Makhadi not maladies - bloody autocorrect

There’s not a whole lot see or do outside of the resorts to be honest. We spent 3 Days in Hurghada at the end of a Nile cruise.it was too windy to snorkel and a bit cold in the water as it was January…

we took the kids to Sharm a long time ago and the best bit was that you could snorkel straight from the hotel as it had a pier so you could see loads without taking one of the boat trips. So I’d look for a hotel where you can do that. .

We’ve been before in early February and it was nice weather, lovely hotel and facilities with very friendly people, we did a couple day trips didn’t feel unsafe but chose not to leave the hotel at night for meals etc like we normally would aside from our last night and it was fine too.

Worth noting that hotel staff go above and beyond, it’s more like American hotels and they do expect tips. We didn’t realise they prefer sterling either, so suggest you take a load of pound coins with you to tip with.

This is a great recommendation, thanks!

Which hotel did you go to if you don't mind me asking?

Tui magic I think it was called, would recommend it

Re the political situation, I’d check current advice but yes, I’d go again. It was weird not leaving the hotel, but the transfer was short, food great, staff lovely.

I went as a special treat to the Oberoi sahl hasheesh, it was beautiful really spendy though. I’d echo what people say about not a lot to do outside the resort. Did some nice day trips on a boat to go snorkelling with dolphins. Also camel riding in the desert. There were some disappointing shops expect a hard sell at perfume oil shop. I was hoping for some nice bits but the stuff that was on sale was typical tourist tat that’s been glued together. I went to Cairo afterwards and found some nicer things there.

I wouldn't go back to Egypt if it was free. Awful place.

If you want the kind of holiday where it’s hot and you can’t really go outside of the resort then it’s fine. Depends what you want from a holiday.

Thanks for this, what put you off so much?

@Pootlemcsmootle have had food poisoning both times, plus unwanted attention from staff.

Does it have to be Egypt? If looking for some sun, how about the Canary Islands?

I am currently in Lanzarote and it's in the 20s. Lots of water sports going on such as wind surfing plus the volcano walks you can do

We've been twice in the last 3 years.Loved it.would recommend Baron Palace,

Totally agree with this ⬆️

I heard there have been a number of shark attacks and likely to get food poisoning, put me off.

Sorry to hear that! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

This sorry. I've been twice. Nothing seemed clean. Plus we think the first time caused DH IBS, or at least triggered it into action. My parents came and my DM was poorly for weeks after we got home. It's cheap for a reason.

I wouldn’t call egypt family friendly, only been to sharm and it’s a bit of a dive however as long as you choose your hotel well you can have a nice time

at ours you could snorkel immediately off the jetty adjacent to the hotel which was amazing and def safe. Many hotels are further inland so this wouldn’t be an option.

I can’t recall there being anything to do other than relaxing and snorkelling. You can do a day trip to the pyramids by air- seemed too expensive at the time

I went to Egypt for the first time over Christmas. Stayed at a lovely hotel in Sharm - Rixos premium seagate. Lovely food, staff, grounds, restaurants. Spotlessly clean, no worries at all about food poisoning. We could snorkel off the pier. We didn't leave the resort though but felt completely safe on the site. Would very much recommend that hotel.

Been twice, though 10 years ago, and without kids. Stayed in Hurghada and loved it the first time - but was only there a week, not been abroad forever, and did lots of trips including (the extortionate but I had to!) trip to Cairo. 2nd time, 2 weeks and couldn't go to Luxor (which was my hope) but did some other trips. Rest of time on private beach as once you've walked once around the town there's no need to do it again. It's nice to chill on a private beach and paddle in clear water - until the jellies arrive anyway! Saw a turtle too so that was good.
There was a bar and a food place outside the hotel that were fine, but not much for kids at all.
April was fine and warm, but late May was in the 40s some days and making me feel sick then - swim up bar thing a life saver for me!
Food ok but I can do not fussy and pretty cast iron stomach back then. AI spirit drinks were paintstripper I think.
No stomach issues but bloating first day or so, however heard some dire stories from a different hotel.
Staff wonderful - especially if you leave a quid on the bed.
Day trips for diving, an island, swimming where dolphins might arrive, coral, desert etc were good for adults at least.
I'd probably not take kids so much actually but enjoyed it as an adult couple mostly.

In the hotels I've been to I've never seen unwanted attention towards females and the food was lovely.Its important to stay in very good 5 stars in Egypt as the staff want to keep their jobs its literally not worth it to them to perv on women ime.