Steigenberger Alcazar: Egypt's Hidden Paradise? (You Won't Believe This!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, ‘cause we’re diving HEADFIRST into the Steigenberger Alcazar in Egypt. They bill it as a “Hidden Paradise… You Won’t Believe This!” and, well, let's just say my expectations were… set. And, let's be honest, sometimes a “hidden paradise” translates to "slightly underwhelming with a lot of sand." But I'm here to tell you, Alcazar… surprised the heck out of me. This review is gonna be LONG, because there's a lot to unpack. Prepare yourself.
First Impressions… and the Beach OMG
Okay, so landing in Sharm el-Sheikh is… an experience. The airport itself is a blast from the past, and getting through customs can test your patience. But then… then you hit the road, and the desert unfolds. And then… you get to the Alcazar. From the highway, it seems pretty unassuming. That's the "hidden" part, I guess. But step inside, and BAM. You're hit with this… calm. Like, a genuine, deep breath-taking calm.
The lobby is airy and bright, and the staff? Ridiculously friendly. I mean, genuinely, help-you-find-the-perfect-cocktail friendly. The check-in? Smooth as silk. They even had… wait for it… a welcome drink! (I went straight for the non-alcoholic option because I was sweating from the journey, but it looked amazing in the sun).
Now, the beach. THIS is where it gets real. The description says “Private Beach”, but the reality is so much more. The water? Crystal clear turquoise. The sand? SOFT. Like, walking-on-a-cloud soft. I’m not exaggerating. I spent a solid hour just staring at the water, doing absolutely nothing. Just… letting the world melt away. Pure bliss.
(Accessibility & Safety - The Necessary Nitty-Gritty)
Okay, let's get the practical stuff out of the way. Because, let’s face it, vacations should be relaxing, not a logistical nightmare.
- Accessibility: The Alcazar tries really hard, but… it’s not perfect. There are elevators, ramps, facilities for disabled guests, and accessible rooms. I'm judging here because I wanted to feel like I didn´t have to think about it. Some areas, like the beach access, felt a little trickier. Some minor imperfections.
- Cleanliness & Safety (The COVID Era): This is where the Alcazar really shines. They understand the new normal. Everywhere you look, there's hand sanitizer. The staff is always wearing masks. They've got an extensive list of hygiene certifications on display. The food? Individually wrapped options galore, and they are incredibly serious about the safe dining setup. Physical distancing is actually enforced, and I saw staff constantly cleaning and disinfecting everything that was touched . Honestly, I felt safer at the Alcazar than I do at my local grocery store. I went into this trip so skeptical about safety I was kind of shocked at the level of caring and attention!
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: A big thumbs up for the crew, definitely.
(Rooms AND What You Get For Your Money)
My room? Wow. I went for a higher-floor room, so I'd get the best view. And, spoiler alert, totally worth it. The view was amazing… a vast expanse of turquoise. Seriously. The room itself? Spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed. The bed? Oh, the bed. I think I may have hugged the pillow a little too much on the first night. It was just perfect!
Here's the breakdown:
- Essentials: Air conditioning that actually works (a must in Egypt!), blackout curtains (sleep heaven!), a safe, a mini-bar (stocked with goodies), a coffee/tea maker (essential for that morning perk-me-up), and, of course, free Wi-Fi both in the room and in the public areas. Plus daily housekeeping made the room feel so clean.
- Added Luxuries: Bathrobes and slippers (yes, please!), a private balcony (swoon!), and a bathtub (perfect for soaking after a long day of… well, doing absolutely nothing on the beach). My room had a little seating area that I loved, the most essential thing was it was so well soundproofed.
(Dining, Drinking, Snacking – Let’s Talk Food!)
Okay, buckle up, foodies, because the Alcazar has a lot to offer. I was blown away. I’m generally not a huge buffet person, but wow. The breakfast buffet was a thing of beauty. Freshly baked bread, a massive selection of fruits, every type of eggs you could imagine, and a proper coffee machine. And I'm a total sucker for the pastries. The Asian breakfast was also a delight.
Here's the lowdown:
- Restaurants: Multiple! A la carte options galore. From international cuisine to actual Asian cuisine, you're sorted. The atmosphere is everything. One night I went to a Western cuisine restaurant and it was a game changer.
- Bars: The pool bar is a must-do experience, especially at sunset. The cocktail selection is fantastic, and the bartenders are pros. The poolside bar is also lovely.
- Coffee Shop: Nice!
- Snack Bar: Always open. You never have to go hungry.
- Room Service (24-Hour): Perfect for those late-night cravings. I confess, I took advantage of this more than once!
(Things to Do (Or Not Do) – Ways to Relax and Unwind)
This is where the Alcazar really shines. They've got activities if you want them, and blissful, uninterrupted relaxation if you don't. I toggled between the two.
- The Pools: Several pools, all gorgeous. But, honestly, I spent most of my time in the ocean. But the pool with a view is amazing.
- The Spa: The spa is an oasis! Must-try experiences: The massage, the body scrub, the sauna, and the steam room. I spent a solid afternoon drifting in and out of blissful relaxation. My verdict? Definitely worth the investment.
- Fitness Center: They have a gym…but I am on vacation, so…
- Things to Do: If, god forbid, you get bored of lounging, they offer things like water sports.
(Internet Access – The Modern Necessity)
Okay, internet access. Because we live in the modern world, right?
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes! Everywhere (almost). Solid connection in the rooms, pool areas, and restaurants.
- Additional Internet Services: The facilities for the special events were pretty good. I didn't need to use the LAN cable, but I'm sure the internet access [LAN] was reliable.
(Services and Conveniences – Because Life Should Be Easy)
This is where the Alcazar really, truly excels. They think of everything.
- Concierge: Super helpful, always ready to assist.
- Cash Withdrawal & Currency Exchange: Easy-peasy.
- Daily Housekeeping: The room was always spotless.
- Laundry Service & Dry Cleaning: Perfect for keeping those travel clothes fresh.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities & Business Facilities: I didn't use them, but they are available if you have work obligations.
- Gift/Souvenir Shop: You can take a memento home.
(For the Kids – Family-Friendly Fun!)
I didn't travel with kids, but I noticed a lot of families had tons of fun.
- Family-Friendly: Definitely caters well to families.
- Kids Facilities & Babysitting: They have it all, so parents can relax too.
(Getting Around)
- Airport Transfer: Easy and efficient.
- Car Park: Free!
- Taxi Service: Available.
(My One (Minor) Imperfection – Because No Place is Perfect)
Okay, this is my one, tiny gripe. The music at the pool could be a little repetitive. I'm just saying… a bit more variety in the playlists would be perfect. But honestly, this is a very minor quibble.
(The Verdict – Would I Go Back?)
YES. Absolutely, without a doubt, YES. The Steigenberger Alcazar is a genuinely wonderful place. It's luxurious without being pretentious, relaxing without being boring, and safe without feeling sterile. It’s a place to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with… well, yourself. It's a proper hidden paradise, and you should believe it. From the friendly staff to the breathtaking beach, everything about the Alcazar is designed to make your vacation unforgettable.
(SEO Optimization and Targeted Offer!)
Okay, let's get to the core of why you want to stay at the Steigenberger Alcazar.
Keywords: Steigenberger Alcazar, Egypt, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxury Resort, All-Inclusive, Beachfront, Spa, Swimming Pool, Family-Friendly, COVID-19 Safety, Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Pool with View, Asian Cuisine, Western
Bangkok's Hidden Gem: Praso @ Ratchada12 Hotel - Unbelievable!
Steigenberger Alcazar: My Love-Hate Letter to the Red Sea
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your polished, brochure-perfect itinerary. This is my diary of dust, sunshine, and questionable decisions at the Steigenberger Alcazar in Egypt. Let's just see if I can remember it all… I'm still recovering, to be honest.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in Paradise Lite
- Morning (Lost in Translation): Arrived at Sharm el-Sheikh airport bleary-eyed and convinced I’d accidentally booked myself into a witness protection program. The heat hit me like a wall. Actually, the air felt like a wall… A wall of humid death. Customs? A sweaty, chaotic dance. Swore I saw a goat wearing a fez at one point. (Probably just hallucinating from the jet lag already).
- Afternoon (Room Roulette and Deep Sighs): The hotel! The promised land! Except… wrong building. Wrong view. After two (and a slightly heated exchange with a very patient receptionist who probably deals with this daily), finally got to my room. Ocean view! (Actually, peek-a-boo ocean view… mostly palm trees). Sunk into the bed and had a full-blown existential crisis. “Is this it? This is supposed to be ‘relaxation’?” Cue the first of many "sighs of pure exasperation."
- Evening (Poolside Pizza & Preemptive Regret): Found the pool. It was gorgeous. Photogenic. Instagram-worthy. Got sunburnt in the first hour. Ordered pizza at the poolside restaurant. Pizza was… questionable. Ate it anyway. Swallowed some pool water while attempting a stylish backstroke (failed miserably). Concluded: beautiful hotel, slightly flawed execution. Booked a massage for tomorrow. Because, you know, vacation.
Day 2: Snorkeling & The Great Fishy Deception
- Morning (The Ocean Calls… and It's a Busy Signal): The snorkeling trip! Woohoo! Packed my new, ridiculously expensive snorkeling gear. Got on the boat. The Red Sea! The vibrant colours I'd seen in pictures! Nope. Couldn't see a damn thing. The visibility was, generously, “cloudy”. Then the boat motor broke, meaning we just floated and roasted. The guide, bless his heart, kept shouting "Fantastico! Very good!" despite our obvious sea sickness.
- Afternoon (Fish-tastic? More like Fish-Disappointing): Finally got to the designated snorkeling spot. Saw a few fish. Tiny ones. The 'Great Barrier Reef' of my imagination seemed a bit… depleted. Spent the majority of the time choking on salt water. Came back with a mild sunburn, a slightly bruised ego, and a newfound appreciation for dry land. Later, I had a massage. It helped. A lot.
- Evening (All-You-can-Eat & Bedlam Dinner): The buffet! Oh, the buffet. A culinary battlefield. So many choices. So much… mediocre food. Sampled everything, regretted half of it. My stomach felt like it was staging a riot. Found myself elbowing a tiny child for the last piece of baklava. (Don't judge. The baklava was good). Stumbled back to my room, defeated, and collapsed into bed.
Day 3: Desert Adventure & The Camel Conspiracy
- Morning (Camel Cruelty and Sand Dune Shenanigans): Desert safari! Thrilling, right? Wrong. The jeep ride? Wild. The landscape? Beautiful. The camels? Probably plotting my demise. The camel ride itself? Humiliating. Wobbly. Extremely uncomfortable. My thighs are still screaming the phrase "Never Again." I was convinced I'd fall off and get eaten by sand.
- Afternoon (Desert Delights and the Belly-Dancing Debacle): Watched the sunset in the desert. It was glorious. Felt like I'd been transported to another planet. Dinner in a Bedouin camp: BBQ, bland rice, and a belly dancer! I'm a terrible dancer, but still, after a few cocktails, I tried, and the crowd went silent, and I don't feel shame over it or remember much either way.
- Evening (Starry Night & a Vow to Never Drink Tequila Again): Gazed at the stars. They were breathtaking. They made me forget the wobbly camel ride. Then someone offered me tequila. I don't drink tequila. But the stars… the desert… why not? Oh, dear.
Day 4: Relaxation, Redux and the Search for Happiness in a Bottle
- Morning (Poolside Perfection… Finally?): Decided to embrace the poolside life. Found a lounger. Put on sunscreen (this time, properly). Read a book. Sipped a cocktail (mojito, this time – a sensible choice). Actually enjoyed it. Briefly.
- Afternoon (More Massages & the Price of Paradise): Another massage! (The therapist was a lifesaver). Then went shopping. Bargained for a scarf. Got ripped off. But it was pretty. Decided the cost of paradise was high.
- Evening (Final Buffet Fiasco & Bitter Sweet Goodbyes): A final buffet. Still a rollercoaster of food emotions. Said goodbye to the ocean view. Said goodbye to the pool. Said goodbye to the goats with fezzes (maybe). Felt strangely… melancholic. Despite the sunburn, the questionable food, and the camel trauma, I missed it already.
Day 5: Departure & Dreams of Returning (Maybe)
- Morning (Goodbye, Alcazar!): Packed. Checked out. Said goodbye (for real this time). The airport seemed less chaotic this time. Was it the jet lag wearing off? Or had I just embraced the madness?
- Afternoon (Reflections & the Aftermath): On the plane, replaying it all. Overall? It. Was. Great. It was the mix of amazing views, moments of frustration, and plenty of time to do nothing at all. I probably over-indexed on a few things, but that's the real vacation right?
- Evening (Back Home & the Reality of a Normal Life): Back home. Cold rain. Real life. Already plotting my return. Not sure when. The Red Sea? It’s a weird thing. It gets under your skin. And maybe, just maybe, it was worth the sunburn, the questionable pizza, and the camel-induced leg cramps. Yeah, maybe.
In Conclusion (Or: Things I Learned at the Steigenberger Alcazar):
- Always wear sunscreen. Seriously.
- Buffets are a dangerous game. Play cautiously.
- Camels are not your friend.
- Tequila is not your friend (unless you are VERY brave).
And above all: embrace the chaos, laugh at the imperfections, and remember that sometimes, the best vacations are the ones that are a little bit messy. I'll give it a solid 7/10. Would probably go back. Eventually. After I've recovered. Cheers!
Belgrade's Hidden Gem: The Hotel Theater You HAVE to See!
Okay, Okay, Steigenberger Alcazar... Is it REALLY as good as the ads say?
Alright, so here's the deal. Those glossy brochures? The perfect Instagram shots? They're… a *little* embellished. Let's be honest, right? But... it's also *way* better in other ways. It's complicated, okay? It's not the perfectly curated experience they promise. We're talking sunburnt shoulders (mine!), a slightly-too-enthusiastic animation staff (blessing and a curse!), and a buffet that, at times, feels like the Hunger Games for croissants.
But... *that* ocean, the one in every pic? That’s real. Utterly, ridiculously gorgeous. The best snorkeling I've ever done. I'm still seeing the clownfish in my dreams, and I'm pretty sure I'm slightly addicted to reef sharks now. So, yeah, *mostly* believe the hype. Just, temper those expectations with a dose of reality... and sunscreen.
What's the vibe like? Is it all couples, or is there a family-friendly side?
Okay, this is a big one. It's definitely got a "something for everyone" thing going, which, depending on your preference, can be a *good* or a slightly overwhelming thing. There are definitely romantic couples, canoodling on the beach. You've got families, kids running amok (god bless 'em!), and groups of friends just there to chill out. It’s a melting pot, honestly, and sometimes you feel like you’ve walked into a UN meeting, minus the politics, and plus a lot more Speedos.
The pool situation? Chaos. Beautiful, sun-drenched, slightly chlorinated chaos. Find a quiet spot early, because finding a lounger after 10 am is akin to finding the Holy Grail. And the animation team? Omg. They're relentless. Dancing, singing, games a-plenty. If you want to be left alone, you need to be firm. But if you're up for it, they're so enthusiastically cheesy, you'll find yourself joining in eventually. I did. Regret nothing!
The food... is it all… a buffet bonanza? How's the quality?
The buffet is… an experience. Look, it's enormous. It’s a food mountain. There's something for everyone. But, and this is a big but, it can be a little… *samey*. I swear, I ate more pasta in a week than I have in the last year. The quality? It varies. The grilled fish *is* incredible, fresh and perfectly cooked. Find that, cling to it. Seriously. Then, there are the desserts... don't even get me started. Sugar overload. But hey, it's a holiday, right? Indulge!
There are also a few a la carte restaurants. Go. Seriously. The Italian one is decent, but honestly, the fish restaurant, that's where it’s at. The presentation, the taste... it was a revelation. Get a reservation immediately on arrival. Don't be like me, and wait until day 5 to discover the hidden gems.
Tell me about the rooms! Are they as luxurious as they look in the photos?
Okay, the rooms. Yes. Mostly. They're spacious, air-conditioned, and generally well-appointed. The balconies are lovely, especially for that early morning coffee – or, you know, evening gin and tonic. We actually had a room with a sea view, which was a MUST. Waking up to that turquoise water every morning? Magical. Seriously, just the best. The furnishings are modern, perhaps a little sterile - but clean and well-kept.
Now, the "imperfection" part: Our aircon struggled a bit, (and the hairdryer was a total joke - bring your own!). But on the plus side, the housekeeping staff were EXCEPTIONAL. Always friendly, always helpful. They left towel animals every day! My inner child *loved* that. And look, for the price, it’s a steal. Just remember, it's not *perfection*. You're not paying for five-star perfection, even though it sometimes feels like it. It's more three and three-quarters.
Okay, you mentioned snorkeling... is it *really* that good? Spill the tea!
Oh. My. God. The snorkeling. It's EVERYTHING. Seriously. Even if you’re a seasoned snorkeler (I'm not), it will blow your mind. The coral reefs are vibrant, teeming with life. I saw so many different types of fish, it made my brain feel like it was exploding with colour. And the reef sharks!! (Small, harmless nurse sharks, but still... sharks!). It felt unreal.
I spent hours in the water, just floating, mesmerized. The water is crystal clear. Wear a rash guard, though. The sun is *brutal*. Trust me. I learned that one the hard way (again, burnt shoulders). The hotel provides snorkeling equipment, but I'd recommend buying your own mask and snorkel for a better fit (I always feel like the hotel ones leak!). Seriously, *go snorkeling*. It's what makes this place truly special. I still dream about the parrotfish! The memory is seared into my mind
What's something you REALLY loved, and what's something you REALLY hated? Be honest!
Okay, the most important question – truth time. What I *loved*? The snorkeling, hands down. The sheer beauty of the underwater world was breathtaking. It just lifted my heart. Every single day was an adventure.
What I *hated*? (Prepare yourself)...The constant *hustle* for tips. You know what I mean? The pressure to tip, for *every*thing. It's a cultural thing, I get it, and I **tried** to be generous. But genuinely, after a while, it became exhausting. It was a constant calculation. I just wanted a break, you know? To feel like I wasn't constantly being "valued" by my wallet. So, yeah, that was the only downer. Everything else? Still wouldn't change a thing.
Are there any hidden costs or things I should be aware of?
Definitely factor in tips (as mentioned before!). Drinks are extra, unless you're on an all-inclusive package (do it! Believe me!). Souvenirs are cheap, but haggle! Always haggle! The shops within the hotel are convenient, but you can find better deals at the local markets. Also, if you plan on doing any excursions, book them through the hotel or a reputable tour operator. Cheaper options outside? Maybe. But the peace of mind is worth it. And be careful about your phone bill. Roaming charges can be a killer. Get a local SIM, it will be way cheaper.
And for the love of all that is holy, pack mosquito repellent! TheDelightful Hotels
