Aurora Oriental Resort Sharm El Sheikh

We loved the private beach, especially having two piers, and the clear water was perfect for swimming and relaxing. The room was clean and well kept, with a very comfortable bed. The food was another highlight, with excellent quality and a rich choice at every meal. Staff were consistently warm and clearly worked hard to make guests feel cared for. Mariam was my favourite, and the cleaning team made our room feel special by decorating it twice. The Christmas events and entertainment added something lovely to our visit. A couple of things could be better. Wastewater used to water the grass early in the morning left an unpleasant smell, so we ate breakfast indoors, and it wasn’t nice seeing yoga sessions on that same grass. Check-in felt rushed too. For such a large resort, a map or short orientation on arrival would have helped. Still, a lovely stay with a few noticeable areas to improve.

This was our second visit to Aurora, and we went last year too. For the two of us, a week in March cost just over £1000 through easyJet holidays. It isn’t a premium holiday, but we think it’s very good value and plan to return for a third time. The hotel has what we need: lovely gardens to walk through, a safe beach with shallow water, good food, a clean hotel, and fantastic staff. The rooms are spacious, though some fixtures are worn and kept us from giving five stars. Everything was spotless, and Gabr was wonderful looking after our room. He even surprised me with a birthday cake after spotting the birthday cards I’d opened that morning. There was plenty of food choice, and staff were always helpful. One of the chefs, the tall one overseeing the counter, carried my wife’s omelet to her table because she was on crutches and I was held up waiting for food elsewhere. We’re sorry we don’t know his name, but thank you. The beach is a pleasant walk through the gardens, with a shallow lagoon stretching a long way out. The reef isn’t right there, but snorkelers shouldn’t be put off. There are two piers at either side of the resort beach. Go along the far side of the left pier to its end, or farther out to the right of it, where a light blue patch is visible from the beach in sunshine. It’s a long swim, but most of that area is shallow enough to stand on the sand. You’ll need flippers. If it’s windy, make sure the wind blows toward shore to help with the swim back. Stay near the piers, and if you get tired, head for the steps there and walk back.

The buffet food was average, and breakfast was underwhelming too, with little variety and nothing memorable. The minibar was nearly empty, which doesn’t fit a place claiming to be luxury. Cleanliness across the resort was mediocre, and the rooms were dated, poorly maintained, and only moderately clean. The whole property feels rundown and stuck 20 years in the past, with hardly any visible upkeep. I spent five days here in Sharm El Sheikh, including New Year’s Eve, and the stay fell far short of what I expected. This doesn’t feel like a real five-star resort, and the rating is misleading. I wouldn’t recommend it unless major renovations and improvements are made.

The food was fabulous, possibly the best we’ve had at the many hotels we’ve stayed in across Egypt. The hotel was lovely, and the staff were really friendly and gave great service. The animation team was fun too, especially Marian.