Sindbad Aqua Resort

My wife and I decided to stay at the hotel as we have stopped here three times before. The new entrance for TUI holiday makers is drab and boring to say the least. We had a room in the Aqua park for the first time, at the beginning it was nice and peaceful until the German males arrived and out came their shisha on the door step until around 2.30/3.30pm. On two consecutive nights we had to ring reception to ask them to be more responsible and quiet. The upside of the holidays was the absolutely amazing food on offer in all the Restaurants. We ate in all and we had excellent variety, flavour and fantastic service by all the staff either Chefs or Waiters. I must say Chef Joseph and his devoted team of Chefs provide food way above the 4* rating. The Jewel in the Crown has to be the Asian theme Restaurant, superb food, service and the relaxed atmosphere. I can't recommend it enough although all the Restaurants we're amazing, clean and the staff are very friendly glad to help and attentive. The new Shisha lounge is pretty impressive too not too mention the Beach area. Despite the experience with our neighbours we will be returning next year to enjoy the Food, drink, sea and of course the Sun not too mention our many friends who work and make our Holiday a fantastic experience

We have been to Sindbad club in the past as a family of 5. This was our third visit. We returned this time with more family members as we enjoyed our last vacation and liked the location. All was well when we checked in we knew what to expect as had been before. Although rest of family’s first visit. So what went wrong? As a Muslim we went into the main heated swimming pool to swim with family and kids in our swimwear the burkini. Made from Lycra suitable for swimming it’s made of the same synthetics as a bikini or regular swimsuit only difference is it’s more modest and covers your arms and legs. So whilst sitting enjoying the pool we are approached by a lady from guest relations stating that t shirts cannot be worn in the pool, we explained that this isn’t a t shirt it’s swimwear and continued with our day. The following day the management also approach and mentioned that we cannot wear our swimwear in the main swimming pool as guests are complaining, and this pool is meant for relaxing! So we went to find out how our clothing is affecting others ability to relax by the pool? They stated that they cannot allow burkini In the main pool, we can use The aqua park or the beach. Our children like to use the only heated pool as we do too. There is no heated pool in the aqua park just the cold wave pool and the landing area of the slides which are heated on some but you cannot swim there as you are causing an obstruction! So where are we allowed to swim? We mentioned our clothing isn’t affecting anyone it isn’t a health and safety issue as it’s appropriate swimwear, but management insisted that they cannot allow a burkini in the main pool, they have to refuse local Egyptians all the time too as other guests complain. They were fully aware that their hotel didn’t state this on any booking or travel site prior to booking! Had we known we wouldn’t have booked, and myself and other families we met on previous vists had also worn modest clothing with no issue. So why was it different this time? Because racist customers complained and they stood by them, as they are their main customer base, they would do anything to keep their main client base! Be it sell your morals anything for money! they disrespected our rights to dress modestly and yet claim they treat all guests equally yet serve this injustice! Being determined that they won’t allow burkini even though it’s suitable swimwear, as it’s direct policy from the hotel owners ( not written anywhere) the only solution was to check out and leave! Asked to put in writing and they blatantly refused to do it, even forgot what a letterhead Paper was to write the statement. Management also confessed they can’t do that as they would get fired! So after stressing and arguing to no end and lack of help from our terrible love holidays rep (another long story) we checked out and moved to another hotel! The final straw after seeing our posts on social media about the atrocious behaviour we received being Muslims in a Muslim country and being disrespected for our choice to cover up ... their response was that we are giving misleading information the whole issue was that we were wearing cotton apparently, which they don’t allow for hygiene purpose! The audacity to lie after what they did! We had even told them to check the swimwear we had and they refused as they knew what a burkini was but it’s not allowed period! It’s safe to say our holiday was ruined, we have lost all faith in hurghada Sindbad and appalled at the treatment we received especially from a Muslim country! No matter how you dress it up and try to conceal your actions it is discrimination against Muslims and human rights for any one who chooses to wear more than a bikini! It is racism at its finest! A woman should not be dictated how to dress! Also by the way I shared my room with ants although I compromised with that I will not compromise with my rights! I paid for full facility’s and I should be entitled to it!

I have visited Sindbad 4 times now in 2 years, enjoyed it so much that this time i brought 3 other families with me. we booked 4 rooms, we have women in the group who wear Burkinis. A worldwide recognised Muslim swimming costume made from Lycra, also sold by Marks & Spencers. The locals here wear this regularly have even seen them during this visit in the same pool. On our 1st day my Sister in law was not even in the pool and a staff member approached her and said this is a bikini only swimming pool. She was not happy at all and i said ignore her as many ladies wear this here and had done earlier that day. The second day Someone complained about muslim clothing being an issue in a muslim country!! REALLY!! As most of its customers are non muslims they would rather keep them happy and told the 3 women to leave the main pool!! How dare they discriminate a women for what she is wearing!! Many many times i have seen women wear burkinis. The hotel SHOULD have stated thing in its terms and conditions and website. But no nothing. Also many others have said they always see women in burkinis. Too please the complainants they disrespected 14 people and evicted the women from the main pool. The staff could not do anything and said sorry rules are rules. The sign near pool says no tshirts n shorts. Thats fine but these are actual swimming costumes which are sold in the shops next door to hotel. Absolutely ruined our holiday. I don think we will come back to Hurghada again. We left this hotel the following day with a lot of hassle, 2 days wasted completely all i have had is a headache due to the stress. It is clearly some islamaphobe who didnt want muslim women wearing muslim swimming clothes in a muslim country to swim in the pool. Have been to a few muslim countries and have had no issues. Sindbad club did not care about us at all!! They were not bothered we were leaving early! They just said sorry we cant help!! They didnt even try!! Our custom was not good for them. The owner should be ashamed of himself!! WOMEN WHO WANT TO STAY COVERED IN POOL, MOST MUSLIM WOMEN DO, AVOID THIS PLACE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SWIM IN POOL COVERED!! THE HOTEL WILL NOT CARE IF YOU DISAGREE!! To make things worse, we posted this on Sindbads official facebook page, they replied saying - dues to safety reasons cotton is not allowed!!! What!! There was no mention of cotton what so ever as the staff including the Quality inspector who came to see us saw what the ladies were wearing and we asked her to see and feel the materiel she and the manager confirmed this was a swimming material however the rules of the hotel say it is not allowed, when i asked what about the other people who wear this? He replied if we see them then we will take the same action. After a long day sindbads official facebook sent me a message on facebook saying, we have no issues with burkinis???? And again went to mention cotton. When i sent her pictures and links to where the butkini was purchased from and what materiel it was made from they went quiet and have not replied. I am currently when writing this still in hurghada and have offered to come and show them this burkini. Mahi the manager was apologetic and said rules are rules and there has been complaints and we should go to the aqua park instead! But why because of the clothing with is suitable for swimming? There is no other actual swimming pool where you can swim besides the main pool. I organised the trip for 14 people and even now at 00:30 11/03 am still trying to get some honest answers from the hotel. Our group had 4 kids and a pregnant women and we had to pack and arrange another hotel last minute. I am here for a few more days but il ready to go now as i am mentally drained by dealing with these people.