Desert Rose Resort

This spread out property occupies 74 acres (300,000 square meters), which houses a huge range of facilities, a pristine private beach, and lagoon, as well as manicured gardens dotted with palm trees. Guests are greeted at an opulent lobby, which features a striking pastel-colored mural on a domed roof, an elegant chandelier, and red-and-white-striped sofas. While many of Desert Rose Resort’s public spaces are fitting of a property that markets itself as high-end resort, some spaces -- particularly the rooms -- are dated and leave a lot to be desired in terms of decor. The resort is popular with British and Russian tourists, primarily families, as well as couples and groups of friends. The property can feel quiet or crowded depending on the season. 

The resort is set on a private Hurghada beach and an azure lagoon on the coast of the Red Sea, a 15-minute drive from Hurghada International Airport. Several restaurants and other hotels are within walking distance of the hotel, plus the proximity to the highway offers easy access to a range of attractions. The city center of Hurghada is a 25-minute drive away.

The resort’s 872 rooms and 40 suites are spread over a number of buildings. In terms of amenities, all rooms are equipped with twin- or king-size beds, air-conditioning, TVs -- either flat-screen or old tube-style -- safes, minibars, and sitting areas. Each room also has a furnished balcony; Standard Rooms have garden, pool, or side sea views, Deluxe Club Rooms and Deluxe Club Suites offer sweeping lagoon and beach views, and Junior Suites have garden and pool views. The free Wi-Fi in the rooms is slow and can be spotty. Meanwhile, the bathrooms come with tiny shower stalls, hose hairdryers, and toiletries.

This massive resort has its own private stretch of beach, complete with bars that serve drinks and snacks, and sets of loungers topped by umbrellas. There is also a natural lagoon, which provides respite from the heat. Those wishing to take advantage of the seaside location can join in the resort’s water activities including diving, snorkeling, canoeing, parasailing, kite surfing and island hopping. The resort’s four swimming pool, which includes an Olympic-size one, a heated one, and one with a swim-up bar -- are flanked by loungers and umbrellas. Additionally, an Aqua Park features six waterslides and other family activities, and there is a children’s pool. 

More family entertainment consists of Kids’ Mini Disco, live shows in the outdoor amphitheater, and Star Disco with DJs. There is also a Kids’ Club with an animation team that offers a range of games and entertainment options. The resort also houses a gym, three tennis courts, and fitness activities such as beach volleyball and yoga classes. Staff can organize desert excursions, too. Planet Beach Spa offers a wide range of massage and beauty treatments, as well as a sauna, steam room, and Turkish hammam. For business travelers, the resort offers a large conference center and meeting space with audiovisual equipment. 

There are five restaurants on-site, which feature a wide range of cuisines including Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and seafood. Meanwhile, the Palm Restaurant serves international buffets, and has live pasta, grill, and frying stations. While some guests have commented that the a la carte restaurants serve better quality food than the buffet restaurant, others have complained that tables at those have to be reserved at least 24 hours in advance. Guests looking for some nighttime entertainment will be pleased to know that the resort has 10 indoor and outdoor bars, including the Blue Lagoon Bar with sunbeds that overlook the picturesque lagoon, the Bella Vista with 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean, and the Arabian-themed Ali Baba Shisha Corner.