Sunrise Tirana Aqua Park

Just home from our 3rd time at the Sunrise Tirana and again we had a great holiday. There was myself, husband and our 5 year old son - who celebrated his birthday there. We were there for a week.

A very special thanks to Mr K., Mr M., Waleed and Yasser for their attention to detail and for making our holiday fantastic. We were treated like royalty!

When you arrive at the hotel you leave your cases outside and go and check in. Once you have your room number give it to the bell boy who will bring your cases to the room. As we had been before we knew where we were going and we received the same room again with slippers and bathrobes. Cleaned to a high standard everyday with fresh towels and towel arrangements. Bottles of water left in the fridge daily, we asked for a couple of extra ones one day and received a whole box!! We were given a late check out till 3pm - you need to get the key card reset by reception as they all automatically switch off at 12pm. When you are ready to check out, call Guest Services and they will arrange for your cases to be collected and taken up to reception.

Our Son was 5 when we there and we ate in the Italian restaurant that night. The staff had decorated the table with balloons and presented him with the most gorgeous birthday cake. Thank you to Mr M. for his present. We ate at the Italian twice, the Chinese twice and the Indian once. Loved the Steak in the Italian and our son had one of the best pizzas I've ever tasted. Chinese once again, the sizzling beef was delicious. The Indian is buffet style and again nice.

We ate in the main buffet breakfast and lunch and twice at night. Breakfast is good with a great selection of breads, yogurts, cereals, eggs/omlettes, cheeses and hams etc. Lunch again a good selection. You have to remember this is Egypt and they are catering for a vast number of nationalities - not just us Brits. I think they do very well and there is always something different to try. It would be better if it was not spread out so much round the restaurant, although I suppose at busy times it would be chaotic if it wasnt this way. We had the same waiter - Zakariah - and again he was great - without being tipped. Always had a table and drinks waiting for us. The comment in a recent review about the food being rationed is nonsence. Yes the chef slices off 3 slices - if you want more just ask!!! Also, they do not turn you away if you have already been to one of the a la cartes, if they do question it (and they never have to us or our friends) simply explain you were not happy and would like something from the buffet.

Pools were cold! We have been in June and September when they were a welcome cool down but they were freezing this time. By the 3rd day the kids pool was heated as was part of the relaxation pool so at least we could get a swim. It would be good if one of the swim up bars would be heated so you could use these - we did bear both of them but soon came out again as we were going numb!

Staff - brilliant as always, didnt see a grumpy face at all, even reception were helpful and smiled! Bar staff, waiters and cleaners all did a good job serving, being friendly and keeping the place spotless.

A special mention for Hany at the kids pool - he is great, always smiling and laughing and is a real friend now.

Entertainment - we didn't bother going to any of the evening "shows" this time as we have seen some before. Not our cup of tea. The animation team supposedly run a Kids Club during the day, they never came and asked our son if he wanted to join in, in fact we never saw them round the kids pool more than once in the week.

We have used the Spa and Beauty treatments in the past and highly recommend them. Haggle!

This hotel suits us as its friendly, kids pool is great for wee ones and its relaxing. It obviously does not suit everyone but if you do your research before you go (Yes it is remote!) then you cant blame anyone bar yourself.

We are booked to go back in June 2012 and are looking forward to it.