Sindbad Aqua Resort

Just finished my third stay in 12 months, can't wait to go again. Certainly good value and friendly staff especially by the pool. The beach side is changing fast and when finished will be superb.. this has no effect on the enjoyment of the holiday. Would not hesitate to recommend and can't wait to go back. Ideal place for a quiet family or couples break.

This hotel has all you need from an A/I holiday - good food, good drinks, plenty of pools, a good beach, and plenty of entertainment. On arrival we had a painless check-in at the small reception near Breezes bar ( there are two reception halls on opposite sides of the complex - English TUI seemed to be at the smaller reception - Thomas Cook at the other one) and were shown to our rooms by a porter who also showed you how to use A/C etc. There are two main buffet restaurants - Botanica in the aquapark area - and Gusto over near the main pool area and main reception. Both served Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Food variety and quality in both was quite good and we always managed to find something to eat. There are two A La carte dining rooms, one upstairs in main building serving Italian food, and one downstairs that is split between Asian and Lebanese cuisine. You book the A La Cartes using computer terminals in reception and can visit as many times as you want. Our favourites were the Asian and Lebanese - you won't be disappointed by the 'Sizzling Platter' meals in the Asian. There are a number of bars situated across the hotel and you never seem to have to wait long for service either going to the bar yourself or through waiter service. The site has a number of swimming pools and water slides, all free to access, and plenty of comfortable sunbeds situated all around there and on the beach. The beach was our preferred spot and spent all of our holiday there. The only issue with the beach is that the entertainment team spend most of their time there during the day and seem to think that everyone there wants to play games - and the PA system constantly blares out loud music. We had to literally go to the very end of the beach away from the entertainment crew to get a modicum of peace and quiet (what we wanted on the beach!). You will also be constantly pestered by people touting trips/spa treatment/water sports. You can get 'Do Not Disturb' flags from the Towel Hut but they are singularly ignored by them all and you will be asked over and over again if you want to go on trips etc. We were there for two weeks and by mid way through the second week I think they knew we would just say 'no thanks you' and would let us be. If I could plead for Management to consider one thing it would be to ask them to tell Animation to turn the music down on the beach a bit. The staff work exceptionally hard at this hotel, from cleaners, grounds keepers, pool staff, beach staff, bar and restaurant staff. We tipped good service and budgetted approx £5 per day for this - these guys work very hard for quite low wages so tips are essential for them. Now for the real downer - the shop keepers outside of the hotel. You could not walk down the promenade without being constantly bombarded by people wanting you to come in their shop, or accosting you with stories of 'Tourist Department requiring them to get people to sign log books in their shop' all as a ploy to get you in their shop. We heard from one couple who actually went in a shop and got locked in until they bought something ! This really is a big downer for me and prevents me giving this resort 'top marks'. Would we go back to this hotel - certainly if we got the same or similar deal as for this holiday.

Stayed here for 8 nights from 5 May 2019, wished we had booked for longer! After reading previous reviews we wondered whether we'd made the right choice. However, we had no complaints whatsoever. Food was lovely and well presented. Camel and goat were on the menu and worth a try. The beach snack bar and Botanica restaurant were my favourites. Ice cream was nice and it's okay to have the ice cubes in your drinks. Kettle, water, tea coffee, sugar AND milk are provided in your room. Ive never had this before when abroad and I'm well travelled. Also free use of safe. If you want to access the internet away from the lobby area I'd suggest buying a data only sim card on the way out of Hurghada airport, 10GB for £8 well worth it. Check in with a welcome drink was stress free. Evening meal was provided on late arrival. The staff are very friendly and great with children. They're a credit to the hotel and work hard. Room attendants leave towel art on some days which is a nice surprise. Giftun Island is well worth a visit it's beautiful and very picturesque. Would I return....absolutely! Well done Sindbad...