Parrotel Aquapark Resort

The rooms were filthy, old, and coming apart, with patch-up repairs everywhere. We were placed right across from the stage, and the music came through the gaps in the door so loudly that my children couldn't sleep until 11 PM. The smells and general dirt made the whole place feel miserable. At meals, I struggled to find anything my children could eat. There was no butter, and the omelettes were cooked in black, burnt pans. I gave them some anyway because otherwise breakfast would have been just grapes. Dinner was difficult too, and I even thought about buying jam so they could at least have toast. Coffee was only available at lunch, and drinks came in dirty, poorly rinsed glasses, often plastic ones. At the bars, you had to drink at the counter instead of taking your drink away, apparently because they might run out of cups. The staff were unfriendly. They spoke Russian fluently but struggled with English, and Russian music was often played by the pools. The pool towels looked as if they had only been dried in the sun and handed to the next guest. When I tried to return mine before lunch, the man argued that I should keep it in case I needed it later, as though changing towels were a big deal. I'm only on my second day here with my children and honestly feel like crying. I can't think of a single good thing to say. Please don't be swayed by the other reviews, or you may waste your time and money coming here.

The staff were brilliant and clearly tried hard to make things better, and the pools and slides were great. The slides just had very limited hours. Food was the usual all-inclusive standard, mediocre at best, while the drinks were shocking but bearable. I got by on rum and coke. There was no entertainment during our stay, and what there was seemed aimed only at Russian tourists. For what we paid, the trip to Sharm was worth it, but I wouldn't come back to this hotel.

For a budget break, I'd recommend it. It's good value, and the staff are attentive, though the food could be better. Gimil at the towel hut was hilarious and saved our beds every day. Mohammed did a great job cleaning our room and made lovely towel art. Mohammed and khalid at the pool bar were great too, and Jimmy, who runs the restaurants, will accommodate whatever you need. Egypt has more luxurious hotels, of course.

The room cleaners did a perfect job, but I wasn't very happy with my stay. The animation repeated the same show all week, if you can even call “guess the song” a show. Resorts usually have something different each day, but there was no imagination here. The kitchen seemed short of plates, coffee cups, and glasses, so we were always waiting for clean ones and then for a free table. The workers were rushing around and sweating all day, but that wasn't their fault. They just need more dishes and the problem would be solved. Wine was only available at lunch or dinner, and even then the glass was half full or less. Coffee wasn't available everywhere either, which was strange.