Sea Magic Resort

“ The hotel was going through transission and had changed its name from sea Magic to Pyramisa. This was a surprise therefore it had only 10% occupancy.
The food was not upto standards and people were complaining of bad stomachs.
Plus points very well set out big swimming pool beach was 5 min walk. entertainment was non existant.

“ Hotel is great! It's our second time. food. Not as good this year!

“ Top Tip: Quad biking! Book with guys by Pool, much cheaper and same place as booking through rep who charged us more!!!!

“ Pay extra for the superior rooms. They're worth it.

“ Top Tip: Go to meals/resteraunts later as they queues are long at opening times.

“ Where to start?

If you were travelling with a small family, then the fact that you are imprisoned in the hotel but close to the beach probably wouldn't bother you at all - well for a week at least. Outside the entrance to the hotel is desert - there is nothing to stroll to and anything of alleged interest is at least a taxi journey away.

I say alleged interest as the two nearest markets are either hassle free and expensive or hassle full, cheaper and an absolute nightmare.

The hotel is not what us westerners would class as 5 star and is tired in places. However, the domestic staff worked their fingers to the bone and at least our room was clean. No one could complain about the beach and pools though. They were a real treat.

There are no lifts in the hotel and steps everywhere. There is a little bus that runs around the complex to the beach etc, but anyone with mobility problems should give this hotel a swerve as it is impossible to get to restaurants, bars and rooms without negotiating several sets of stairs.

The bar staff were excellant and it is probably worth slipping them a small tip at the beginning of your trip as this encourages your beverage of choice to be in your hand before your bottom has it the seat.

The restaurants. Well there are enough of them thats for sure. However, the queues can seem endless. One night, together with several couples, we queued at one because the group in front was a party of four. Now although there were several tables for two, we all had to wait until the larger group had been seated. On one occasion we had to wait 45 mins!

The food. Well I can't imagine that anyone going on an all-inclusive break would actually expect quisine and this hotel didn't disappoint. However, the only hot food we had was the salad - yes thats right, the hot food was always cold and the salads were kept our to get warm. Made no sense to me and dispite mentioning this to the staff nothing was resolved. How we didn't get galloping dysentry is a mystery.

The animation team seemed to be doing a job of sorts, but unlike other places that I have stayed, they were only interested in chatting and encouraging the young and attractive souls. We didn't speak to them at all or vice versa.

The only real pain around the pool area are the folks from the spa that are trying to flog their services - there are only so many times a day I want to say no thankyou, but they kept on trying.

“ Top Tip: My top tip would be something one of the local staff told me - not at all sure how to spell this but:

shockrun = thank you

la shockrun = no thank you.

Trust me, in the markets etc, you will need the no thank you - a lot!

It is possible to book daytrips but after a day on a boat when I made the mistake of telling the Captain of the vessel that the woman I was with was not my wife, she had to spend the day physically fighting him off. We actually went to see the monastery at St Catherines also - fairly pleasant if a heck of a hike from the carpark - can't imagine anyone else going as a couple of days after, two American tourists and their guide were kidnapped by some locals.