Xperience Kiroseiz Parkland

Both the name and bold welcoming signage of the Xperience Kiroseiz Parkland very much set the tone for this fun and informal vacation resort. Unlike many similar hotels in the area, little effort has gone into jazzing up the lobby beyond a few potted plants and some suede seating. The grounds too -- while bursting with all of the pools and restaurants expected in a Sharm El Sheik mega-resort -- lack much in the way of finesse, with dated-looking signs (in English, Arabic, and Russian) and a few patches of weather-worn concrete. There are, however, enough pleasant and well-maintained areas -- mostly in the Premier section of the complex -- lined with manicured lawns and well-tended flora. All manner of bars and restaurants, from a vividly decorated sports bar to a nightclub to the cafeteria-size main buffet restaurant provide passably pleasant places for a meal or drink. Animation teams also work hard to keep the guests -- comprising both families and couples -- happy, contributing to the resort's upbeat atmosphere.

The hotel is located just off the main El Salam highway near Naama Bay, the central tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh. It's about a five-minute drive or a 15-minute stroll to the beachfront boulevard with bars, shops, and restaurants, while the downtown area is on the other side of the bay, a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The vibrant old market is a bit farther south, and will take about 20 minutes to reach by car or cab. Soho Square, an entertainment and nightlife center, is just under 15 minutes away by car, while Sharm El Sheikh International Airport can be reached in about the same time. Beaches are also a short drive away and the hotel offers free shuttle services. 

The hotel has a whopping 700 rooms, suites, and one- and two-bedroom apartments spread around the resort. Decor tends towards the simple, with traditional dark wood furnishings, tiled floors, and patterned drapery, while upgraded are slightly more modern. All rooms open out to furnished terraces or balconies. Standard features are fairly basic and include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Superior Rooms have larger TVs, electric kettles for coffee or tea, and free Wi-Fi. Apartments also include simple kitchenettes and dining/living areas. All rooms are spacious, though many show signs of wear and tear and are in need of an update, with some decorative elements -- like the borders on mirrors -- that look lifted from the 1990s.

With a total of 18 dining and drinking venues on-site, there's certainly no shortage of places to eat and imbibe on site. The two main restaurants -- Pharaoh and Sultan -- serve buffet breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, while a la carte options include Indian, Italian, and Asian, as well as a steakhouse. While food is not outstanding, quality is generally decent and there's a fair amount of variety (though vegetarians might struggle).

There is an abundance of water-based fun here as well, with three swimming pools and a small water park that includes three full-size waterslides. There's no beach on-site, however, and guests have to rely on the free shuttle service to access the two hotel beaches -- one rocky and the other sandy. The resort also includes the usual mix of kids' clubs, sports facilities, a fitness center, gift shop, and playgrounds, as well as particularly enthusiastic animation and entertainment teams.

The hotel's all-inclusive plan covers buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one of two buffet restaurant and one a la carte meal per stay. Snacks including ice-cream are also provided at select times between meals. A range of locally-produced alcoholic and soft drinks are included as well as tea, coffee, and bottled water.