Lotus Bay Resort

The best parts were the sandy beach, lovely sea view, and well-kept garden. The rooms were dated and need renovation. Our toilet wasn’t cleaned properly, the shower door was broken and wouldn’t close, and soap or shower gel wasn’t provided every day. The air conditioning looked decades old and was broken from day one. We spent the first three days repeatedly complaining at reception before it was fixed. Three days without AC in the Egyptian heat was unbearable. Staff were generally unfriendly and sometimes ignored our requests for drinks at the bar and restaurant. There was no entertainment at all during our 10-night stay, and the food was acceptable but forgettable. Guests left their things on loungers all day to reserve them without using them, which took away from the beach experience. Two stars.

When we went on trips or to the beach, we locked our suitcase with a combination lock and left a tip on the bed for the cleaning staff. One evening we came back from an excursion and I couldn’t open the case with the code I had set. On closer inspection, the lock button had been forced and was probably broken. There were only clothes and passports inside, but I had locked it before leaving. I had to break the suitcase open. Shame on you! After checkout, the staff still had the nerve to ask us for tips. For what, a broken suitcase? Food that was barely edible? Drinks and beer that were hard to drink? They even charged us 12€ for Wi-Fi. I definitely won’t return or recommend this place.

The beach and snorkeling were great, and the grounds were very well maintained. It was nice to see grass in Egypt. Our cleaner was decent, and the dated rooms were acceptable. I also enjoyed seeing all the cats. The balcony, though, was covered in crow mess. The hotel is overrun with crows looking for food and rubbish, and the little bit of trellis on most balconies gives them a place to perch before they poop on your head or towels. The floor, seats, and table were all dirty. The restaurant was a huge letdown. There was just one, and the queues were chaotic. Sometimes you got to the front only to find the food you’d queued for was gone. Then you had to decide whether to wait for more or join a different line. Guests often pushed in, though I mostly blame the management. On the first couple of days, staff told me I had enough meat on my plate. I’m 6ft 2 and 13 stone, and wasn’t being greedy. I got hostile, sorry guys, and they stopped trying that approach. I suspect management told them to control guests’ portions. Having staff serve food might stop kids putting their fingers in it, but portion control on an all-inclusive holiday isn’t appropriate. The food was repetitive, too. Dinner ran from 7 to 10 pm, and the 7 pm rush was utter chaos. People were clearly waiting to eat. Maybe 6-9 would be a more sensible dinner window for a dining room that’s too small for the number of guests. I wouldn’t go again. It might suit someone with low expectations if the price is good.

The rooms were cleaned every day, and they left bottled water, which I appreciated. After dinner there wasn’t really anything to do. The animation team put on some kind of show, but it wasn’t anything special. The food quality wasn’t good, either. The beach and sea were really beautiful, and that’s the only reason I’m giving it three stars. It was my first time in Egypt, and I wouldn’t recommend this place to girls travelling without a male companion. It can be hard to tell kindness from flirting.