Steigenberger Hotel al Dau Club
Hotel review Steigenberger Hotel al Dau Club
Age: 51-55
Travel time: in June 11
I travelled as: Couple
Children: none
Duration: 2 weeks
Type of trip: Beach Holiday
Recommendation: Yes
Average rating of this review: 6
Steigenberger Al Dau Club Hotel Hurghada - superb
Enlarge letters A A Downsize letters A A66% on reviews - sure we were dubious, but fear not fellow travellers! it was so great, that we forgot to be envious about not staying at theSteigenberger Al Dau Beach. Thomsons were professional and good reps. Super quick transfer time as the club overlooks the airport! Some wind noise of takeoffs but not really bothersome. Our cases were whisked away and we were in our room in ten minutes from filing in the hotel form. Furnishings a little tired, but for goodness sake let's not be picky.... clean bedding, towells changed whenever needed. large bottle of water a day. All staff smiling, personable, friendly and helpful. Public conveniences with full time cleaner so super sanitary. Pools lovely, beach super with beds, windbreaks and brollys. We are morning people so enjoyed the 10 minute walk thru the Beach hotel gardens to the beach. Plenty of beds, front row for the early birds before 9am. Restaurant on beach very nice, fairly short on menu choice but what do you need for lunch. Service again good. We opted for the payable seafood meal, down on the beach candle lit and delicious at approx £12 for 4 courses and drinks. Super. the all inclusive deal offers great choices and tasted really good. shame about some guests who dont know how to queue, eat with their hands and stuff up. yuk!!
We went on the glass bottomed boat, booked at Ilios on the left of the beach, which included snorkelling and a sandbar stop off. they say they include soft drink but we didn't get offered so take water, a hat and cream up well. Good value for 2 hour trip. We also went on a pedalo for about £8 for an hour I think. Cleopatras shop about ten minutes walk left out of the hotel is air conditioned, fixed price and very good choice and value. i picked up some super t shirts for about £2.80 each, some beach shoes (stony and toe stabbing! beach) for £4. Fridge magnets for £1. next door is a great little supermarket, again fixed price. shop about if you are a smoker, the hotel offers packs of 20 for approx £2.50 which is good anyway, but you can pick up dunhill etc for £1.50. All pharmacies helpful and provide solutions for the usual conditions. We forgot mozzie ease, they have cream called antibite which works well and cleared the itchy spots quick. We also forgot tummy calming tablets (apparently immodium was pretty useless anyway according to guests who didnt forget.) Ask for antinal pack of 24 tablets for about £3, you only need 3/4 doses (a day's use) sorts everything out really quickly and no side effects.
Taxis are plentiful, we asked at reception for a guide to prices to certain places and then made sure you fix the price before getting in. they drive like Schumaker and scare the wits out you with their overtaking.....but life is a risk I guess!!
We loved it - and look forward to returning
Location
We liked caterinas bar - turn right out the hotel, pass the parade and it's at the end, good selection of beer and soft drinks and a change from the hotel. £1.80 for a bottle of stella. 80p for a can of coke, and they bring you popcorn or crisps etc!
The area is nice apart from constant tooting touting taxis!! and everyone wants to be your friend and get you to buy from their shop. Keep polite, keep determined la Shukran and keep walking! it's their way of life, they need your money so don't be put off going out and about. They are all friendly and not out to fleece you.
Super super super service, pretty much all staff speak the main guest languages. You never feel ignored by nationality. They show no favouritism to guests and there are plenty of managers around if you should have a problem with anything, and they certainly ensure it's solved double quick time.
Gastronomy
We went to Sharma AI in January paid about the same for the hotel, not a spot foodwise on Steigenberger, even though the furnishings were more modern, getting cold drinks and icecream and bigger choice of menu was and is far more important to me.
My one and only complaint and it is small. On our seafood supper on the beach, it it is candle lit and dark when it goes out so we couldnt see our pudding! Just a couple of back lights would be good!!
A lot of people didn't tip we noticed, and I dont think it changes the staffs' attitude you all get the same good service. We did tip our room staff and our beach staff, they in particular were offering above and beyond service and so deserved to be noticed.
Sport & Entertainment
It's all there if you want it, and they leave you alone if you don't. I nearly succumbed to a massage but ran out of money! Did enjoy the aquafit lesson! lol!
Room
Good size, hard but good size bed. Well maintained, air conditioning worked and was welcome. Loved having a balcony and there is a free safety box option - ask at reception. You only have to pay anything if you lose the key........so don't lose the key............!
Tips and recommendations
Beach towels are given when you hand over your card at the towel desk by the pool bar. If you get back from the beach change your towels the same day, so you can get to the beach early the next day as the towel desk opens later than when we wanted to leave in the morning.
Both first sittings for lunch and dinner are busy at both beach and restaurant so maybe leave it till 1.30pm and 8pm.
The beach buggy is fun and a real luxury in the heat of the day we walked down and rode back!!
Additional info concerning your hotel review Steigenberger Hotel al Dau Club
| What type of room did you review? | Double room Standard with view Garden |
| Did the hotel meet the standards of its official catalogue description? | Yes |
| Does the hotel deserve its official star rating? | Yes |
| How would you describe the value for money? | Excellent |
| Which tour operator did you travel with? | No details |
