Ras Um El Sid, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | (251) 219-4428
Kid-friendly resort set in area's largest
waterpark
Huge selection of pools and waterslides for all ages
Complex includes a promenade lined with bars, restaurants, and
shops
Modern rooms have furnished terraces or balconies
Free shuttle bus to beach with snorkeling
All-inclusive plan includes buffet meals and drinks
Not on the beach
Food quality can
be poor
Fees for Wi-Fi and limited coverage
Rooms are a bit worn
The 538-room Aqua Blu Sharm is
a three-pearl, all-inclusive family resort located inside of Sharm El Sheikh's largest
water park, Aqua Park City. Its setting is the main draw for visitors, providing a
dizzying array of pools and waterslides. Modern rooms are large and include flat-screen TVs plus small terraces or balconies. As an all-inclusive resort, food and drink is included, but tends to be a let down. The hotel's pool and water park access is hugely
popular with kids, though adults might struggle to keep themselves entertained --
especially in the evening. Travelers looking for a beachfront resort should compare rates with the Jaz Belvedere, though it lacks a water park.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Family resort that's busy and boisterous all day long
Set inside the
largest waterpark in Sharm El Sheikh, the Aqua Blu Sharm is squarely
focused on kid-friendly fun. Through the fairytale Arabian castle entrance,
visitors enter a sprawling 35-acre complex of mostly brash and brightly-colored buildings and water-based facilities. Venetian-style gondolas slip along narrow canals that
wind through well-tended gardens ferrying guests to the main accommodation --
a circular low-rise building right in the center of the park. As well as
numerous raucous pools, waterslides, and rides, there's a quarter-mile
long promenade lined with bustling restaurants, cafes, and shops. All of this, plus lively animation teams whipping up guests, means the place can get boisterous -- the park is also open to non-hotel guests, so it can get busy
during peak times and guests should expect long queues. Those staying at the hotel are predominantly families, especially tourists from the U.K. and Russia.
Location
Southern Sharm El Sheikh, in Ras Om El Sid
The resort is
located in Ras Om El Sid, a hilly area of southern Sharm El Sheikh. There's little
within walking distance as the area comprises plenty of other resorts and hotels, however the Il Mercato Promenade -- a European-style shopping and
entertainment area -- is a short cab ride away. Naama Bay -- the central
tourist hub of Sharm El Sheikh -- is about a 15-minute drive from the resort. Sharm El Sheikh's Old Market is a 10-minute drive away and the Sharm El Sheikh International
Airport takes around 25 minutes to reach by car or cab.
Rooms
Spacious and modern, with terraces or balconies, but showing some wear
The hotel has 538 spacious rooms starting at 35 square meters (377 square feet). Decor is simple, with subtle local influences, like handsome seating areas featuring hardwood furniture with Arabesque silhouettes. Otherwise, decor is basic and includes tiled floors, marble-top furniture, and gilded sconces. All rooms feature mini-fridges (with free water), electric kettles for tea or coffee, and flat-screen TVs with
a few satellite channels -- though no kids' channels. Bathrooms have wall-mounted soap and hairdryers, though expect a few chipped tiles here
and there. All rooms open to terraces or balconies with plastic seating
overlooking the garden or pool, but there are no sea views. Family Rooms with bunk beds are available.
Features
Wide range of water-based fun for all ages -- though food quality is variable
The main draw
here is obviously the water park -- as it's the largest in Sharm El Sheikh, there's a huge range of water-based fun to be had. The park's 11 swimming pools
include several made for children, while 44 waterslides range from gentle slopes
for younger kids to rapid-descent rides for the daring. There are several
restaurants dotted around the property, though the restaurants are almost exclusively buffets, and much of the food is bland and repetitive. There's also a selection of bars
on-site, though quality again can be variable.While the resort is not on the beach, guests have access to a stretch of coast with lounge chairs, a beach bar, and some snorkeling
opportunities -- the beach is far from the most attractive in the area and requires taking the hotel's free shuttle to reach. Animation
and entertainment teams also provide activities during the day and live shows
at night -- again, be prepared for some highs and lows in the offerings. The hotel has a spa offering massage services and various treatments plus a beauty salon. A fitness center has modern cardio and weight machines as well as free weights, and there is a game room, playground, and kids' club. The hotel can arrange tours and excursions off site. Wi-Fi is available but is not free.
All-Inclusive / Food
Basic all-inclusive plan with extras for a la carte and fresh juice
All rates at this hotel are all-inclusive and include buffet-style breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in one of
three buffet restaurants. Snacks including ice-cream, fries, and pizza are provided at select times between meals. A range of locally-produced
alcoholic and soft drinks are also included, as well as tea, coffee, and bottled
water. Imported alcohol
and fresh juices are charged extra as well as all a la carte items.
