Hurghada Paradise Found: Charbel Hotel Apartment Awaits!
Hurghada Paradise Found? Charbel Hotel Apartment… Awaits! - My Rollercoaster Review!!
Okay, so, Hurghada. Egypt. Sun, sand, the Red Sea… and the Charbel Hotel Apartment. Let's be honest, I went in with slightly rose-tinted glasses. The photos looked perfect, right? Well, hold onto your hats, because this isn't just your average hotel review. This is a journey. Buckle up, buttercups.
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Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Charbel Hotel Apartment in Hurghada, Egypt! Dive into accessibility details, dining experiences, the (sometimes questionable) Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and everything in between. Find out if it's really paradise!
First Impressions (and a Near-Disaster with the Transfer):
Landing in Hurghada was… an experience. The humidity hit you like a wet wool blanket. We'd booked an airport transfer – essential, right? Wrong. Thirty minutes of frantic phone calls, a sweaty brow, and the faint hope that my luggage hadn’t been eaten by a camel later, finally, a guy with a hastily scribbled sign appeared. (Tip: pre-arrange a reliable transfer, people!).
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Almost Ugly:
Okay, so accessibility. This was a big one for us. We needed wheelchair accessibility. The Charbel claimed to have it, and, well, mostly they deliver.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Definitely some accessible rooms, with wider doorways and roll-in showers (phew!). I'm not going to lie, maneuvering around the pool area was a little… adventurous. Some ramps were a bit steep, and the paving stones are not always even. So, maybe not a perfect 10/10, but kudos for trying. They get points for effort!
- Elevator: Yes! Crucial. And it worked. Mostly. Sometimes it took a while, and I may or may not have gotten trapped for five minutes at one point. But, hey, it gave me a new perspective on the ceiling tiles!
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Mentioned! But the execution felt a bit… patchy. Some areas definitely needed improvement for a truly seamless experience.
- Exterior Corridor: Made things much easier to navigate when getting to the room but if you don't have AC it can get hot.
- Bathroom: The separate shower/bathtub was a nice touch and the mirror was at a good place for me.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Survive the Germs?
This is where things got interesting. Let's be real, I walked in with a hefty dose of travel anxiety.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Mentioned, but… I’m not entirely sure I saw them in action.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Again, claimed. I caught a few glimpses of people swabbing down surfaces, and at least the lobby felt clean.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Felt like they knew their stuff, especially about wearing masks, etc.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Bless them.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice touch, for those who want to be extra cautious.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Hmm. Hard to say. Probably.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Checked.
The Bottom Line on Cleanliness: I survived. I didn’t see any obvious germ atrocities. Did I believe everything they claimed? Maybe not. But I wasn't ill, and that's a win in my book!
The Room: My Little Hurghada Hideaway (or Not?):
Okay, the room. The actual room.
- Air Conditioning: YES! Thank the heavens, it worked. Because otherwise, the summer in Egypt would be hell.
- Free Wi-Fi: This is where my blood pressure spiked. They advertised "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Lies. Sweet, sweet lies. It was patchy at best. I spent a good chunk of the vacation chasing internet ghosts around the room.
- Internet Access: "Internet access – wireless" was mentioned, but it was a battle. The LAN option? Forget about it.
- Air Conditioning: I mentioned it because it was a life saver. I shudder to think of not having AC.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for a good night's sleep after a day of… well, anything in Hurghada!
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, a small victory.
- Mini Bar: Okay, but the prices were shocking.
- Non-smoking room: Much appreciated.
- In-room safe box: Always good for peace of mind.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless, but I swear the maids were whispering about my messy habits.
- Towels/ Bathrobes/ Slippers/ Toiletries: All there. Decent quality but not luxurious.
The Dining Debacle: Food, Glorious Food (or Maybe Not):
- Restaurants: Several. The main buffet-style restaurant felt like feeding time at the zoo at breakfast.
- Buffet in restaurant: As mentioned above, the breakfast buffet was hectic. A chaotic, but sort of fun, free-for-all!
- A la carte in restaurant: Available, and a welcome change from the buffet chaos.
- Restaurants: We had an Italian restaurant, which was surprisingly decent for the location.
- Poolside bar: Essential for sundowners.
- Snack bar: Good for quick bites.
- Breakfast in room: Available, perfect for lazy mornings.
The Food Experience:
- Asian breakfast: The buffet breakfast: an eclectic mix. The Asian selection was surprisingly authentic.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: The buffet also offered some Asian treats.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes, mostly standard fare, which was fine.
- Salad in restaurant: Fresh, which was a huge relief. I'm careful when it comes to salads in warmer climates.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Well, the buffet at times was vegetarian.
- Western breakfast: Typical.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Pretty good. Decent fries.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Convenient if you're heading out early.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Desserts in restaurant: Too tempting and too many! I tried to be good… I failed.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Standard.
The "Relaxation" Zone: Spa, Sauna, and… Well, Mostly Sun:
The Charbel boasts a spa. I’m not a huge spa person, but I figured, when in Hurghada…
- Spa: "Spa/sauna," they said.
- Sauna: Available.
- Swimming pool: Awesome. The view from the pool was beautiful.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes and essential for a good tanning session.
- Body scrub: They had it, and I probably should have had it, but I was too busy sunbathing.
- Body wrap: Same as above.
- Massage: Yes but I skipped it.
- Spa/sauna: The experience wasn't mind-blowing, but it was relaxing.
Things To Do (Beyond the Obvious):
- Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: I covered that. It was rough.
- Car park [free of charge]: A huge bonus.
- Car park [on-site]: Very convenient.
- Taxi service: Easy to come by.
- Getting around: I'm going to be honest, I spent most of my time by the pool, drinking cocktails. Hurghada is hot, so a day of lazing is not a bad idea.
For the Kids (If You Have Them):
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Kids facilities: Some.
- Kids meal: Offered, according to the website. I didn't see the kids meals.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras:
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Laundry service: Great to have.
- Gift/souvenir shop: A bit overpriced, but handy.
- Elevator: Crucial.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thank goodness.
The Verdict: Paradise Found (Maybe with a Pinch of Salt)
Would I go back to the Charbel Hotel Apartment? Hmmm. It wasn't perfect. The Wi-Fi was
Exeter's BEST Apartments? Courtbrook Farm Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, Buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is Hurghada, Egypt, through the bleary eyes of someone who's probably had too much sun, not enough sleep, and a serious case of "where the heck am I?" So, here we go… Charbel Hotel Apartment itinerary: Hurghada edition (with ALL the baggage).
Day 1: Arrival, Chaos, and a Questionable Pizza
- Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (or thereabouts - who's counting?) – Arrival at Hurghada International Airport. Gods, the heat hits you like a brick. Seriously, I think my eyelashes melted. Customs was a blur of tired eyes, overly-enthusiastic officials, and a frantic search for my phone charger (still haven't found it, btw).
- Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM – Taxi to Charbel Hotel Apartment. Let's just say the driver had a heavy foot and a penchant for weaving in and out of traffic. My heart rate? Sky high. The apartment itself? Surprisingly clean, but that view from the balcony… Magnificent and I mean it!
- Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Unpack. Struggle with the air conditioning. Marvel at the sheer audacity of the Egyptian sunlight streaming in. Decide to take a nap. Fail miserably.
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM – First attempt at a grocery run. (Fail.) Went into the supermarket and almost fainted at the sheer number of things I didn't recognize. Ended up panic-buying bottled water and some kind of mystery biscuit.
- Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM – Lunch (or what passed for it). Ordered pizza from a place down the street. Let's just say it was "thin crust," but in a way that made you question the very definition of "crust." And the cheese? Questionable. But hey, I was starving.
- Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM – Explore the area! Took a walk down the street, but the heat was brutal. Ended up back in my room.
- Time: 6:00 PM - 12:00 PM – Dinner at a local restaurant. More street food. Enjoyed a shisha.
Day 2: Snorkeling Shenanigans, Sand-Induced Trauma, and Fishy Business
- Time: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM – Wake up, slightly sunburned. Realize I forgot to put on sunscreen (rookie mistake, I know). Curse the sun.
- Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM – Breakfast at the hotel. Simple, but fills the hunger.
- Time: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM – Getting ready to go snorkeling .
- Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM – The Snorkeling Adventure! Took a boat trip out to some coral reefs. The sea was a beautiful blue. The fish were amazing. The water was clear, and I could see the coral as I swam!
- Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM – Lunch on the boat (meh, nothing special).
- Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM – Back on the boat. More snorkeling. Got a face full of saltwater. Regretted my life choices.
- Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM – The beach! Went to the beach and got my feet stuck in the sand. Got up and tried to get out. Couldn't. Wasted maybe 10 minutes of my time just being stuck.
- Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM – Shower, and a nap.
- Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM – Dinner at a seafood restaurant. The fish was delicious, like REALLY delicious. I was still thinking about the snorkeling!
- Time: 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM – The Red Sea! Went back to the beach for some last-minute sightseeing. It was magical.
Day 3: Desert Drama, Camel Calamities, and Stargazing Surprises
- Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM – Breakfast, sun screen.
- Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM – Desert Safari. First of all, these 4x4s? They do NOT mess around. The dune bashing was like a rollercoaster on steroids, and I spent half the time screaming and the other half trying not to throw up. The desert itself was stunning though, a vast expanse of sand stretching as far as the eye can see.
- Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM – Camel Ride. Now, I'd always imagined myself as a graceful, elegant camel rider. Reality? I was clinging on for dear life, convinced I was going to fall off and be swallowed whole by the desert. My back ached for days.
- Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM – Tea and Shisha. The tea was sweet, the shisha… not so much. Coughing fit ensued.
- Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM – Back to the hotel.
- Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM – Dinner at the hotel. Decided to explore the hotel swimming pool.
- Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM – Stargazing. Watched the stars at night. Beautiful.
- Time: 9:00 PM - onwards – Sleep. Exhausted. Mentally and physically!
Day 4: Relaxation, Souk Showdown, and (Another) Pizza
- Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM – Wake up, recover.
- Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Went to the hotel swimming pool. The relaxation part of the trip? This was it.
- Time: 12:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Lunch at the hotel.
- Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM – The Souk! Oh. My. Goodness. The bargaining, the chaos, the sheer volume of "come on, friend, you must buy this!" I went in with a plan: buy a souvenir for my friend. Left with: A lot more than a souvenir. A headache.
- Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM – Back to the hotel. Relax, recover.
- Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM – Another pizza. This time, I chose a different place. Slightly less "questionable."
- Time: 7:00 PM - onwards – Packing.
Day 5: Departure Day
- Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – Breakfast.
- Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM – Last-minute shopping.
- Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM – Taxi to the airport.
- Time: 11:00 AM - onwards – Goodbye, Egypt. Until next time!
Okay, so... what *is* this "FAQ" about? Honestly, I'm kinda clueless.
Ugh, right? You show up, expecting concise answers, and... bam! A wall of text. Look, I get it. This is a Q&A, *sort of*. More like me, rambling about stuff I THINK you might wanna know. Probably about... well, probably about the most frustrating and beautiful thing I've ever done: **[Insert Subject Here - let's pretend it's "Training a Squirrel named Nutsy"]**. Yeah, seems ridiculous, I know. But trust me, you *will* get invested. Just brace yourself; this journey gets weird, real fast.
Why "Nutsy?" Is there a story behind that? And, I'm already judging you, by the way.
Okay, fair. The name. Look, it's not rocket science. The little fuzzball was *obsessed* with nuts. Like, a borderline-unhealthy obsession. And, to be honest, it felt like he was nuts. Constantly bouncing off things, burying acorns in my sofa cushions… It just *fit*. But yeah, judge away, I get it. I was a total sucker for his tiny, beady eyes.
Alright, alright, I'm listening (reluctantly). How did you even *start* training a squirrel? Like, did you put up a billboard?
Billboard? Ha! If only it were that organized. Honestly? It was a complete accident. We found him, a tiny baby thing, after a storm. Apparently, the nest didn't survive the downpour. My wife, bless her heart, she was horrified, she thought it was my fault. And you know what? I felt it too. We brought him inside for warmth. And the rest, as they say, is a chaotic, nut-filled history. I mean, it started with a dropper and formula, then progressed to… well, you’ll see. It was a slippery slope, involving a lot of sunflower seeds and late nights.
So, what *exactly* did you train him to do? Fly a tiny biplane? Rob banks?
Oh, the bank robbery fantasies were *mine*. A tiny getaway car... Okay, okay. Mostly, I aimed for "not destroying my house." Which, let me tell you, is a surprisingly ambitious goal when dealing with a creature wired to dig and chew. He learned to come when called (sometimes). He could find specific nuts hidden under boxes. And he became terrifyingly proficient at opening those peanut butter jars. That was the beginning of the end, by the way. Peanut butter is a gateway drug for squirrels.
Did you *love* him? Seriously, like, did you get all mushy and sentimental?
Ugh, don't make me go there. Yeah. I did. I fell completely in love with the fluffy little menace. I mean, in the beginning, there was this ridiculous awkwardness. Like, "Is this... my pet squirrel? Did I really choose *this* life?" But then, you start seeing their personality. The way they hold their tiny paws, the little scolding chirp when they're annoyed, the way they hoard their treasures... yeah, the mushiness kicked in. I once spent an hour trying to comfort him because he thought his reflection in the window was a rival squirrel. Heart. Melted. Completely.
What about the *downsides*? Because I can totally imagine them. The poop, the chewing... the sheer squirrel-ness of it all.
Oh, the downsides! Where do I even begin? The poop. Tiny, black, everywhere. The constant chewing. My prized antique chair? Gone. My shoelaces? Snacks. And let's not forget the digging. The garden? Looked like a battlefield. The *sheer* squirrel-ness... He was constantly testing the boundaries of what was and wasn't food, and what was and wasn't a suitable space for burying his treasures. And the worst part? The times he would get stuck. Inside the walls. Under the floorboards. Behind the fridge. That was a solid week of panic and frantic YouTube searches ("How to Get a Squirrel Out of a Wall?").
What's the *weirdest* thing that happened? Spill the beans.
Okay, buckle up. This is a good one. One day, Nutsy vanished. Completely. I searched everywhere, tore the house apart, had a full-blown meltdown. I imagined the worst: hawk, car, cat... all the usual squirrel-related disasters. I spent an entire day just sitting in the garden, calling his name like a complete idiot, feeling utterly *empty*. The next morning, I was in the kitchen, making coffee, when I heard... a tiny scratching sound. I was about to lose it, thinking my mind was breaking, when I followed the noise to... a bag of bagels. And in the bag? A very smug-looking Nutsy. Surrounded by bagel crumbs. Turns out, he'd taught himself how to open the pantry door and had been living the high life, partying on carbs. We had a serious talk after that, including a time-out in the metal cage that was supposed to protect the TV, but mostly just gave him a better climbing experience.
How did it end? Did he live happily ever after? Did you become a squirrel whisperer?
The *end*. Right. It's… complicated. The best *and* worst thing happened at the same time. Nutsy was becoming increasingly independent, spending more and more time outside. He was thriving. And then winter hit. It was getting colder and colder. One morning I woke up with a feeling. A gut-wrenching, gut-wrenching awful feeling. He wasn’t there. I was heartbroken. I searched and searched. I saw a grey flash. I may have seen a glimpse of his amazing tail. The end, as it stands, and I will leave the ending here. I hope he had a good life. I think he did. And I certainly went on to… not be a better person, but a slightly more thoughtful one. Yeah, I miss him. Don't judge me. I miss the chaos. The tiny, adorable, infuriating chaos. Squirrel whisperer? Nope. Just a guy who fell for a fuzzy little menace.
What's the takeaway? Like, what did you *learn* from all this? Besides how to clean up squirrel poop, I mean.
Honestly? I learned that… well, a few things. Firstly, don't underestimate the power of a tiny, fluffy creature to completely upend your life. Secondly, peanut butter is pure evil (for squirrels, at least). And thirdly, sometimes the most meaningful connections come from the most unexpected places. And also, buy a good vacuum cleaner, and buy it often. Seriously. You'll need it.
Budget Hotel Guru
