In anticipation of a long-awaited vacation, tired of gray cold everyday life, people increasingly dream of the sea. If summer is still far away, and you certainly want the bright sun and gentle sea, the choice is quite large.
It can be Egypt, Emirates, Goa, Sri Lanka and more distant exotic countries and places. Most often, the choice falls on Egypt. The popularity of this country is explained by the ideal combination of conditions for a comfortable beach holiday with a rich excursion program, a short comfortable flight and good infrastructure that has developed in the Red Sea resorts. The cost of a tour to Egypt is quite comparable to the price of a holiday in famous Russian resorts, and sometimes much lower with a fairly high-quality service.
If you are going to visit Egypt for the first time, a natural question arises: where to relax? In Hurghada, with fairly affordable prices, the quality of service and cleanliness on the streets is worse than in Sharm El Sheikh. The underwater world of Sharm is much richer, and the beaches are cleaner. However, not all hotels, even five-star ones, are located on the first line of the sea, and not allcan offer a convenient sandy entrance to the water.
Therefore, if you are not quite confident in the water or small children will go with you, even if you get to a luxury hotel in Sharm, you will not be able to swim from a pontoon. On the contrary, Hurghada, whose 3-5 star hotels most often have good sandy beaches with a convenient entrance and are located on the first line of the sea, will suit you much more.
The best sandy beaches of Hurghada are located in remote areas such as Soma Bay, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Safaga. Within the city, you can also find hotels with good beaches.
Recommendations for choosing a holiday destination in Hurghada
The choice of a hotel in Hurghada will depend on your preferences, the company with which you are going to rest, and, of course, on the budget of the trip. If funds allow, you can safely choose any of the five-star hotels that you like in the catalogs and have good recommendations and reviews from tourists who have been there before.
It should be noted that the cost of a tour to Egypt includes flights, transfers, insurance for the entire trip, accommodation in a room of the selected category and meals at the hotel according to the selected system. By choosing the all-inclusive concept, you won't have to worry about how much money to take with you for drinks and food.
A certain category of tourists, having arrived in the country for the first time, wants to visit as many new places as possible, go on all excursions, try national cuisine. Such travelers should not overpay for a hotel and the All inclusive system, since they will rarely stay in a hotel, only inbreaks between trips.
These tourists are invited to consider options for simple three-star hotels with a good beach, cozy territory, the necessary range of hotel services and sufficient food. One of the budget and decent accommodation options can be the original oriental-style hotel Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort Hurghada.
Mashrabiya designation
The concept of "mashrabiya" comes from the Arabic word "sharab", which means "drink". In the dry, hot climate of Egypt, water jugs were placed behind carved wooden shutters, which define the concept of mashrabiya, which is carved wooden window bars made using national motifs in the ornament.
In desert oases, there is still a custom to leave a vessel with water in the mashrabiya for random travelers who could open the doors and drink. Such shutters, thanks to natural ventilation, let hot air through and cooled well and made it possible to observe events on the street, while remaining unnoticed. According to Sharia law, a woman should not expose her beauty to the public, so oriental beauties often hid behind such windows.
Almost the entire front side of the main building of Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort is made in the mashrabiya technique: it is covered with elegant wood carvings of expensive varieties and creates a slight twilight and coolness. It is this feature that gave the hotel its name. In the central part of Sakkala there is also a popular cafe, which is decorated in the same style andbears the same name.
Location
Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort 3 is located at the beginning of the tourist promenade, in the area of hotels. The old center of Dahar is only seven kilometers away, and four kilometers from Hurghada International Airport. To the new city center, Sakkale, you can walk along the promenade on foot or take a taxi for 5-10 pounds. Several times a day, the hotel provides a free shuttle service to Down Town (old city centre).
Hotels nearby
On one side of the hotel, at a distance of two hundred meters, is Dessole Marlin Inn Beach Resort 4, on the other, at a distance of less than one kilometer towards Sakkala - apart-hotel Elysees 4. In the same direction is a bungalow complex with the largest public sandy beach in Hurghada - "Old Vic".
Hotel Features
Previously, the hotel belonged to the Sinbad chain, so guests of Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort could use the water park and the infrastructure of these hotels. A few years ago, Mashrabiya changed owners, so now this opportunity is not available.
Hotel Description
The main three-story building of the hotel is made in a typical Arabic style, with carved elements. A beautiful green area with lush vegetation surrounds one- and two-story cottages. The territory has a small swimming pool, equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers.
There is a tour desk offering a varied program. There is a he alth center with a gym, a Turkish bath and a Finnish sauna, a beauty salon and a spa. On theThe complex also has a diving center.
For business meetings and special occasions, the hotel offers one of six air-conditioned conference rooms with all the necessary accessories.
Hotel rooms
The Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort 3 offers rooms in two-story cottages or in the main building with a rather modest decor, decorated in a traditional style. Each room has a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, cable TV, telephone and mini-bar, the use of which is chargeable. The bathroom, equipped with a shower, has all the necessary toiletries. It is possible to make tea or coffee in the room. You can use the safe in your room or at the reception (for a fee).
Beach
The hotel complex Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort is located on the first line of the sea and has a good sandy beach with a clean entrance to the sea. The absence of corals and sea urchins near the coast makes it convenient for vacationers with small children and people who cannot swim.
The use of sunbeds, mattresses, umbrellas and beach towels is free. Hotel guests have the opportunity to watch the heron that lives on the beach.
Pet friendly
Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort does not allow pets.
Food
The hotel's main restaurant serves Arabic and European cuisine. The speci alty of Egyptian cuisine isno pork, many ways to cook rice and beans, plenty of steamed and baked dishes, a variety of vegetables, fruits and sweet pastries.
By choosing the half board option, you will be provided with two meals a day and soft drinks at breakfast. Lunch and drinks during the rest of the time you will have to pay.
Guests with an All inclusive meal plan on their voucher will be able to receive breakfast, lunch and dinner at the main restaurant, snacks at the beach bars and hotel lobby, and tea, coffee and drinks, excluding imported ones, in restaurants and bars on site.
On the beach at the bar you can order fresh juices, ice cream and fruit (for an additional fee).
At the cocktail bar, friendly staff will prepare signature drinks and traditional cocktails. The national cafe will offer a large selection of hookahs with different flavors of tobacco, oriental and European drinks and snacks. You can also play backgammon.
If you leave early for an excursion, having warned the reception staff in advance, you will receive a road version of a dry breakfast packed in a convenient box.
Entertainment & Sports
The hotel has a strong international animation team. Shows and competitions with a varied program are arranged every evening. You can play beach volleyball, basketball and football. Dance, yoga and water aerobics classes are organized. The hotel has a disco with a DJ.
Paid services include billiards andtable tennis, diving and windsurfing training, mask and fins rental. You can ride a banana boat, a boat and a catamaran, as well as go fishing on a small boat.
Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort has a wonderful spa center where you can take relaxing and therapeutic baths, take a course of traditional and Egyptian massage with aromatic or healing oils. It is possible to visit the sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi. Thalassotherapy services are offered.
Conditions for families with children
For vacationers with children there is a playground and a room where they will play with their peers and an animator. In the evenings, after dinner, a mini disco is organized for them.
Excursion program offered by the hotel
The hotel will offer you exciting and educational trips to Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria and other historical places, visiting the dolphinarium, the show of "singing fountains" and "1001 nights", various sea trips to coral islands, visiting El Gouna, motor safari, acquaintance with the life of a Bedouin village.
You can ride a yacht, swim in a submarine and watch fish through the glass bottom, as well as visit the water park and aquarium.
Interesting places near the hotel
Directly from the "Mashrabiya" begins a tourist alley, passing along the sea, you will find yourself in a new city center with its lively life. If you go the other way, you will find yourself in the hotel area with many cafes and shops, children's attractions.
Not far from the hotel there are famous discos and clubs: Hard Rock, Little Budda, Kalipso. Be sure to visit the cafe "Romantic", where you can taste delicious dishes and high-quality fragrant hookah, swinging on a swing.
Category of vacationers
The hotel is designed for unpretentious tourists who want to live in the central part of the city and prefer a sandy beach.
Reviews from vacationers
Sometimes tourists wonder how many stars a hotel actually has. On the websites of some tour operators, you can still find the designation Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort 4. Connoisseurs answer that this information is incorrect. In fact, the hotel deserves a solid three.
Guests of the hotel note that the territory and the beach of the hotel are worthy of a good assessment. The rooms are quite small, not well lit, with modest furnishings, which is not surprising for an old three-star hotel.
Food also does not involve great abundance. This is especially true for meat dishes. But no one has yet been hungry, especially since pastries, vegetables and fruits are available in a variety of quantities.
All guests comment on the hotel's ideal location, close proximity to fixed price shops, and plenty of quality cafes and entertainment.
If you settle in the Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort complex, Hurghada will be much closer and more understandable to you. This area is much cleaner and quieter than in Sakkala and Dahar, and more civilized than in remote hotels that are lonely onseaside.
Older and middle-aged people appreciate the cozy green area, the beautiful sandy beach and the opportunity to take a walk along the promenade before going to bed.
An important thing is the proximity of the duty-free shop, where you can buy quality alcohol in the first two days after your arrival in Egypt.
Young people rave about the work of the animation team, daily sports games, competitions and discos, as well as the proximity of many popular entertainment places and clubs in Hurghada. The diving center and the work of surf instructors received excellent reviews.
Diving enthusiasts who spend all day at sea note the convenient location of Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort. Feedback from divers speaks of quiet and peaceful rooms, the availability of basic amenities, a green beautiful area, an excellent beach and the opportunity to relax after swimming.
Proponents of a he althy lifestyle note good conditions for sports activities, a good sauna, a Turkish bath, an excellent wellness massage and a variety of treatments to maintain he alth.
Women appreciate the benefits of thalassotherapy sessions and the professionalism of the beauty salon staff. Regular guests of the hotel recommend trying eyebrow depilation with a thread and a comprehensive program "Kleopatra".
Travel forums say that if you want to get to know Egypt better, Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort is the place to be. Thanks to its convenient location, you can choose toorganization of excursions any of the city travel agencies offering a more varied and cheaper program than guides at the hotel.
You can go to Down Town on your own, visit the port, Egyptian bazaars, national cafes, try sweet juice from fresh cane, fresh juices and real Egyptian dishes in small national restaurants.
You can visit any of the water parks of the city, go to El Gouna to see the Egyptian Venice, visit the Dolphinarium. Shoppers will find many shops in the area with souvenirs, leather, jewelry, perfume and clothing to bring a memorable gift to every household.
And Egyptian black cumin oil, which cures “all diseases except death,” according to Egyptians and Russian residents of the city, will help you boost your immunity after returning home. Argan and jojoba oil will preserve your feminine beauty and prevent your skin from aging prematurely. The aroma of Egyptian perfume will constantly remind you of your vacation.
Frequent guests of the hotel note the friendliness of the staff, good command of Russian, attentive attitude towards children and special attention to regular guests of the hotel.
Families with small children celebrate the silence, beautiful area, clean beach with a gentle entrance, good entertainment for the whole family.
The proximity of fixed price shops and pharmacies makes it possible to purchase baby food, diapers and medicines.
Not far from the hotel you can find swings and other children's entertainment. The good work of the animators in organizing children's recreation is noted.
Choosing Al Mashrabiya Beach Resort as a place for your holiday, you should remember that this is a "three-star" hotel, you should not expect something supernatural from it. For the best quality of service and chic rooms with pickles in restaurants, you need to go to five-star hotels.
Mashrabiya is a good place to relax for people who are in love with Egypt and the Red Sea!
