More about Albatros Aqua Blu SSH Hotel
brilliant time at aqua blu!!!
by TripAdvisor Member tracysimmoManchester
We stayed at the aqua blu/aquapark from 27th nov til 7th dec, upon arrival we were greeted by reception staff and dealt with quickly and efficiently within 20mins were were at our room, cases were brought up few mins later, upon entering bedroom only two beds!! there were three of us we told man who brought our cases and in 10 mins another bed was brought in, rooms were very spacious and airy, really up to date flat screen tv on wall if it only has two or three channels when you go rescan the tv and loads more come up as we found out, bathroom was really spacey too ,big mirror ,a loo and shower - no bath but not a problem to us, look at pics ive added, we were shattered the first night just went for a meal at the aqua park restaraunt wasnt too busy food was ok just like when ive been before to egypt, did get a bit samey most days was never hot just warm, probly would help if certain people put lids back on things the same people who we watched one day get plates loaded with altogether 16!!!! oranges!! had an early night the first night beds were really comfy had an early morning wakeup call on the friday morning at think was 4.50am lol we forgot it was prayer time out room must have been right next to where they put the speaker on thought someone was in room with us!! we were in room 5226 we soon got used to it, first morning we raced down to breakfast at the aqua park restaraunt there was the usual eggs fried scrambled or omlettes and the unusual stuff that most english wouldnt eat - food was only bit of holiday we were disappointed in, after breakfast we went to see aqua park - was great were like big kids my son whos 14 we hardly saw him all day all lifeguards were really friendly worked hard all day, really tiring going up and down steps to slides all day but we tried all the water slides the shrek and black hole are great! weather was fab too was boiling in daytime and at night didnt need a jacket, shoes are a must for around the pools was really slippery theres a shop there for you to buy some at end of pools think was around £5 a pair if you dont want to take your own, you can get drinks at elephant bar and goofy bar in daytime but where we were near shrek ride there was a bar but you couldnt get a drink on the all inc there even if you could get a soft drink it would have been ok, plastic glasses for soft drinks were really small take your own if you can, and whilst i remember my son didnt like the orange or juices for breakfast neither did i or my aunt so if you can take some milkshake powder at least you can make a drink for the kids next time i go ill be doing that, ice creams inside for kids were about a pound each but if you go outside the small gate of hotel at end of aqua park that lets the coaches in the first supermarket type shop you come to with fridges outside sells them for 50p each and a litre of coke or fanta same price we stocked up on them in room, can exchange the money at the hotel reception was poor exchange rate tho 8.summat we were getting, had a night out at alf leila wa leila it was £30 each to book with rep we went to door and paid £17 each for this we got a meal and sound and light show and watched whirling dervisher and a show drinks were extra tho, it cost us 20 egyptian pounds to there each way in a taxi,was worth it, went to naama bay one night love it there so much to see and do paid 40 egyptian pounds each way, son mithered to go in mcdonalds was really cheap and burgers were massive and the fries!! got taxis outside main gates dont be afraid to knock the price down! we went to watch some of the shows the entertainment staff put on were really our cup of tea but kids seemed to enjoy themselves, we just had a few drinks in hotel reception bar and went to bed early ish we were too knackered after going up and down steps all day at water park lol, went to beach one day by the hotel bus theres a timetable in lobby for it it was mins away in walking distance when we got there at 10.30 it was packed so if you can go early for a bed we didnt stay long but you can get something to eat at the beach bar and drink too on the all inc, had a swim and snorkell it was great some fab fish but theres still some idiots feeding them!!! we didnt bother waiting for bus back to hotel took 5 mins walk to get back, we booked transfers with www.medhotels.com they were great no problems on day before departure a note was posted thru our door with times on not in reception, best place in daytime for sun we found was near shrek slide it stayed sunny there for a good half an hour more than over other side, youll find towel hut near to wave pool, you must have a go on the boat/dingys it was tiring but worth it for the laugh, we had a go on gondolas on last day thats free too, theres loads to do in daytime for kids and adults too, does get busy at weekends have to wait for rings to ride the slides in my opion not enough of them to go round and the russians ont like to share as we found out! a few times the lifeguards had to tell them about it they drag the same one round all day with them! its a lovely clean hotel staff work so hard, our cleaner was great nothing too much trouble get him to sprsy room for mossies we were eaten alive never fail to attract them even with repellants on! all in all a smashing hotel food could be better would definately return again!!
Taxis
by clueless83
For the most part we travelled about using prebooked transfers but when we went to Naama Bay for the evening we booked a taxi.
As with many places you are warned to agree on a price before you go anywhere but luckily for us our hotel had a deal with a taxi firm and prices were already pre-agreed and on display in the reception. We stayed at the Aqua Blu but its worth seeing if your hotel has a similar arrangement.
Anyway the hotel booked us a taxi who took us to Naama Bay. We arranged a time for our taxi driver to come and collect us from Naama Bay (and he showed us where he would pick us up from). He was quite good as he played lots of Michael Jackson music and didn't want any payment until he returned us safely to our hotel - quite trusting on his part. It was good though because we had a pre set price and didn't have to bother haggling etc.
AMAZING HOTEL=]
by TripAdvisor Member seqzyewx
i recentley stayed at aqua blu sharm from the 22nd of november until the 6th of december all i can say is what a great holiday i would definatley come again all staff are very friendly and helpfull amazing animation team. kids club but also places to go in the evening and relax whilst if you prefer there are plenty of water slides to use all of which are well maintained hotel very clean would definatley reccomend and come here again=] excellent hotel managment looked after me if have any problems sorted in no time at all. the aqua park is brilliant lots of slides , lazy river, wave pool jacuzzi, water polo heated pools even though with the beautifull weather they are warm enough anyway. =]
Fab holiday!!!
by TripAdvisor Member Monkey_wench
Just back today from a cheeky all inclusive week in the Aqua Blu complex and what a great week it was!
The complex itself is really big and I defy anyone not to enjoy their days round the pool. There are quiet pools, big noisy adult slides, kids pools that you have to drag then away from, not to mention the most serene little courtyard that is a real suntrap and an ideal place to while away an hour with a cocktail in hand!
Our rooms were spotless, not to mention MASSIVE!!!
The egyptians are lovely people...very family orientated. Any that we encountered both within the complex and outwith were so friendly and very very chatty - even when they weren't trying to sell you anything. They like to say hello and "chew the fat" with you!!
I would second the recommendation to tip early on as the service you get is second to none. Whilst they aren't rude if you dont, it can make the difference between between small or large glasses, keeping your favourite spot at the pool or making sure you have a good table at dinner. Ten or twenty egyptian pounds is nothing to us, but a massive deal to them.
Special thanks to Mohammad in the Aqua Park restuarant for looking after us so well, going so far to enquire after my father in law when he was absent from our meal one evening as he was ill. He arranged a plate of food to be taken from the restuarant for him and some peppermint tea to settle his tummy. A very friendly, professional and decent person.
The only flipside to the Aqua Blu was that the food wasnt really up to much, mainly catering for the large Russian contingent that use the hotel too. The adults usually found something to eat. They do pastas, rices and pizzas every evening, but the kids really struggled. I dont think they'll want to look at a pizza ever again! Same with the breakfast omlettes!
Likewise, we weren't keen on the entertainment. They seemed like a hardworking bunch, but in truth it was awful! Even tho it is so late in the season I reckon that all year round that would be a bit of an issue. It was in many languages and trying to cater for all, but really apart from the odd burst English or an english song there was nothing. Maybe they spread themselves too thin for all, but it seemed to me that it was mainly for the other nationalities.
Speaking of which, the Russians are very rude, which disappointed me cos I always presumed they were warm and friendly. They dont know the meaning of queuing and think nothing of physically barging past you to get to the front. One old lady went so far as to purposely bang into me whilst I was carrying a plate of hot food for what reason I'll never know other than just being plain nasty.
Trips wise we never made it to Cairo, only being there for the week - thats next summers plan! We had a lovely night out shopping in Naama bay, but I would not recommend a visit to the old Market Town. It is very ran down and not much to see or do. The taxi drivers will deliver you directly to a shop owner who will give you the hard sell, but they are very friendly with it and wont force you to buy if you are firm.
We didn't have any problems with the taxi drivers. Taxis are in abundance and they do drive a bit erratically - but that seemed like the norm over there! Make sure you agree a price before you gget in. Establish if it is both ways. One lovely driver went as far aas to say that we needn't pay him now, we would pay on return! Hows that for trusting! We gave him the single fare anyway and he came back for us later. They do like to get the return journey due to the fact there are so many drivers there.
Don't be alarmed at prayer time when they are broadcast over a loudspeaker...usually at dawn and dusk. It can be a bit daunting at first but you get used to it. It is actually very interesting to see first hand.
It may seem like we had one or two negaitves, but the positives far outweighed them. All in all a wonderful place. I've never been to the same place twice on holiday, but I will definately be returning to Sharm el Sheik and would definately consider the Aqua Blu - I'm just hoping the can bring the food and entertainment up to scratch!!
Fantastic!!!
by TripAdvisor Member PhillLiverpool
Just returned from an 18 day stay at this hotel and had a fantastic time.
Food typically Egyptian, catering for all except English but plenty to eat and loads of choice. There were two restaurants one of which made pizza's,pasta and stir fry while you waited, couldn't get any fresher!
We traveled with 2 adults and 4 kids ages 8-17 and all had a fab time.
The animation team were great in fact excellent especially Mario and Kimo who spoke really good English and went out of their way to help and encouraged us from being sunbed potatoes!
Evening entertainment was typical of Egyptian hotels, but they try really hard. Before the entertainment they have a kids disco on where all the kids and adults can join in, was great fun.
What helped make our stay even more enjoyable where the great family's we met there, so to anyone reading this, HI : )
We booked our holiday independently and feel we got great value for money.
Would love to return next year
Fantastic Holiday
by TripAdvisor Member Titanic69
What a brilliant place.
Booked a room on the holiday website as a promo room which was too small but sorted out by the reception staff.
Moved rooms and after the first day thinking god what have we done, the holiday got better and better everyday.
The pools are great , the food is very good, the guys around the pools are great, the reception peoiple are so helpful. The rides are superb, entertainment is adequate. If you are bored walk outside the hotel or go to the old sharm village, local area, quad bikes, maybe naama bay, the list is endless. I would recommend this hotel to anyone.
The chinese chef is brilliant, the breakfast chef cooked my eggs as soon as I walked in, despite the queue.
Very friendly people.
Will book again next year
fantastic holiday
by TripAdvisor Member beachouse22
we have just returned from a weeks stay which was from 30th september to 7th october.
well what a lovely complex with so much to do for everyone.
we found all the staff very friendly and cant do enough for you, they really like the english.
we found we didnt need to go outside of the complex because we was amused so much inside,we joined in with most activities like water arobics,darts football belly dancing (what a laugh)coco did most of the belly dancing he was so sweet.
they kept you entertained in the eve to,which was with mario,mimo,coco and minda i think all very nice guys speak really good english.
the food was good but was repeated alittle,but still alot to choose from,you have two main restaurants and some snack bars during the day in the food court complex in the middle.
bar staff were very friendly to especially goofys bar,we tipped them and they gave us glasses all week instead of plastic cups.
one night we left our camera at the eve entertainment but didnt realise and in the morning they rang us to say they had looked through the pictures and realised it was us how good was that most people would just take it and keep it.we found that they were very trustworthy.
the complex is kept very clean,all day you see them cleaning everthing.
the reception staff and managers were very helpful and kind to, always making sure you were happy with everthing.
my husband and i would defently recommend this hotel and we will be returning again next year.
would be an ideal holiday for kids because the water slides are brilliant.
Sunny Sharm el Sheikh
by clueless83
I needed a holiday and I needed something relaxing and good value for money (not to mention hot hot hot!). I found myself in sunny Sharm el Sheikh at the all-inclusive 'Aqua Blu' hotel.
10 days was long enough for Sharm to charm but I'd like to visit other parts of Egypt some day.
Photos
Me getting ready to go again
Parrotfish swims just above the corals
Copied vodka
red sea coral
Forum Posts
Aqualand
by sozbee
We have been to Sharm el Sheikh for the past 3 years and are off again on 8th May. However until recently i did not even know there was a water park in Sharm!!!! In fact each time we go i say to my husband "I cant believe no one has put one in here!" so i am pleasantly surprised to discover that there is indeed one and that i believe the best is Aqualand and not Cleo?
My question is - does anyone know if First Choice do excursions there or is it something i need to do independantly? Im one of htese people that always likes to do things through travel reps rather than venture out alone but if i have to go it alone i will cos i love water parks!
Re: Aqualand
by leics
It would make sense to ask First Choice themselves about Aqualand excursions (although my research suggests these are not commonly offered). But it's so near I suspect they wouldn't run an excursion: I bet your hotel will be able advise/book a taxi/whatever for you.
Some info here:
http://www.goredsea.com/en_magazine+article-sharmagreatwaterfundayaqualandparki-magazinearticle.aspx
I also suggest you think moe about exploring independently. Tour operators tours are always, always more expensive than those available locally, wherever you stay. In places like sharm, aimed at tourists, there are always plenty of cheaper, and equally good, alternatives.
Re: Aqualand
by mr.small
The Aqualand park must be really small because I had not even heard of it.There must now be 3 water parks in Sharm as a massive new one opened in the Hadaba area of Sharm at the end of 07 and contains the Aqua blu hotel.Entry is LE170(roughly £17).
http://web1.goredsea.com/en_magazine+article-aquaparkopensinsharmelsheikh-magazinearticleredsealivingreview.aspx
Re: Aqualand
by karcle
you can just get a taxi to the park,,,its only like 5 minutes drive ....
Re: Aqualand
by mr.small
A 5 minute drive from where?
