Amwaj Beach Club Resort

The views were breathtaking, and we made use of the gym without any issues getting sunbeds. Even the lifeguards were very helpful. There was plenty to eat and drink around the hotel and right by the beach, plus a heated pool. We had a great week. Everything was clean, there was a nice cafe, and our room was made up beautifully. Mohammed always greeted us, asked what we were doing, and checked when he could come tidy the room. A lovely guy.

Abdul Kareem made room service especially good. He was considerate, checked we had what we needed, and kept us supplied with clean towels and plenty of water. He really looked after us. I came for sunshine and got exactly that. The food was good, maybe a bit too plentiful as usual. Service was fine too. With so many guests around, I didn’t expect a premium experience, and I’m happy with my stay.

The good things gave me reasons to consider coming back next year: reception and guest relations were really kind and helpful, we got apples in the room, several cola cans and big water bottles in the fridge, and an early check-in at 11 AM. Unlike many resorts I’ve visited, they gave us more than two small bottles a day. One dinner also had some of the tastiest shrimp I’ve ever eaten. The place has potential, so I hope the things that bothered me improve before I return. There were plenty of frustrations over my five days. The animation team seemed inactive, and I only saw them a couple of times a day. They ran a lottery, handing out numbers and calling random ones for prizes, but I was sitting near the stage and didn’t get a number. They announced them in four languages, none of them Arabic, which felt a bit disrespectful. Toiletries were refilled only once, after I asked the cleaning staff twice. The first request was ignored; the second time I was told my room wasn’t in that person’s area, though he did give them to me. The food was very good only once and mostly average otherwise. I left the Italian restaurant after one bite of the main course because it tasted so bad. Neither of the two landline phones in my room worked, so I had to walk to reception whenever I needed something. There was also a little construction work. At the bar, I asked for two lattes and the barista was very rude, asking why I needed two and making only one. I had to ask again for the second, which was for my wife. Even if both had been for me, that question wasn’t justified. There was good and bad here, so I can’t call the resort a one or a five. I do want to return, and hope to see more of what I liked and less of what I hated.

This is a large complex aimed at package tourists, out in the middle of nowhere. There’s lots of alcohol and animation, so if you’re into those, it could be ideal. People stayed friendly and civilized, though, without the heavy drunkenness I’ve seen elsewhere. Food was okay, with many choices, but had more of a canteen feel. The beach is fantastic, and the sea is crystal clear. There’s a small reef right in front where you can snorkel. Staff were very friendly, and Mohamed was especially helpful. Room service and cleaning were excellent. I enjoyed the trip a lot. We were in room 1303.