Kite Lodging

We felt unsafe and harassed, and I wouldn’t recommend this property, especially to women. The receptionist was the only staff member. He took my friend’s phone number from our information sheet without permission and messaged her on WhatsApp, repeatedly asking her to get coffee or go for a walk. Even with a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, he kept trying to see us. At one point he came into our room and refused to leave, offering towels and other things we didn’t need. We’d asked to extend our booking by one night, but he only replied after a full month of us insisting. He said the payment had to be in cash at the property rather than through Booking. On the evening of that extra night, he suddenly told us to move because our room had been booked for someone else. When we asked for our money back because of all the problems, he first refused and only returned it after we insisted strongly. The apartment was dirty. Hot water lasted less than three minutes, the stove didn’t get hot enough to cook, and the supposedly clean towels he insisted on giving us were stained.

The hotel looked just as beautiful as it did in the pictures, and it was a pleasure to stay somewhere so well maintained. The place was spotless, and it was clear that the staff work hard to keep it that way. It was also beautifully decorated and had all the amenities one could wish for. We felt at home thanks to the friendly, attentive service from Said and his colleagues. They were always helpful and did everything they could to make our stay enjoyable. I was thoroughly satisfied and can recommend the hotel without reservation. Thanks again to the staff, especially Said and his colleagues, for the great work.

The apartment was a great size for our family, and its facilities were great. It had a living room, kitchen, utensils, freezer, and everything you’d expect from a homestay. A little more attention to the facilities and upkeep would make the place even better.

I left the next day after being given a room that looked like a spare, with no balcony, kettle, or bathtub, and it was quite dirty. I’d booked six days and didn’t need much, but these were still things I chose the stay for. They said I could move to the room I’d booked in 2-3 days, without offering compensation, so I refused. I’d reserved more than two weeks ahead for my first visit to Hurghada. Before arriving, they were unresponsive, and the receptionist barely spoke English. The booking site showed an airport transfer option, but after I used Google Translate and WhatsApp in Arabic, they told me to take Uber. Arriving late as a solo female traveler was bad enough, and I couldn’t cancel. I had an Egyptian friend talk with them because they hadn’t bothered to engage with me before that. I first asked them to cancel through Booking so I could get a refund, but they refused. They then agreed to provide Booking with a letter explaining what happened. Later, when I was alone, they called the owner, probably trying to scare me. He refused to provide proof of cancellation but still said they’d confirm it if I cancelled through Booking. None of that happened. Booking.com said there was no mutual agreement and didn’t refund me. I don’t know who ended up with the payment, but neither side treated me like a customer who had paid for a service. They just pointed fingers at one another, each saying the other had the money and was responsible for the refund. The whole thing was stressful. This place isn’t worth staying at and shouldn’t be advertised as it is, especially on Booking.com. They didn’t let me post a review on their own site. I still have a dispute with Booking, and its procedures feel on the edge of being legal. As a solo traveler, I’d be more cautious next time, including with Booking.com.