Casablanca Hurghada GEM: Stunning Sea Views from Your 2-Bedroom Oasis!
Casablanca Hurghada GEM: My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review & Why You NEED to Book It RIGHT NOW!
Okay, folks, buckle up! I just got back from a whirlwind stay at Casablanca Hurghada GEM, and my brain is still buzzing with sun, sand, and… well, let's just say a whole lot of opinions. This isn't your typical, sterile hotel review. This is the raw, unedited truth, sprinkled with a healthy dose of my (slightly) overactive imagination. And trust me, you're gonna want to hear this.
First Impressions (and the Sea Views That Stole My Heart!)
The main draw? The name practically screams it: Stunning Sea Views! And oh boy, did they deliver. I'm talking breathtaking. You walk in, and BAM! The Red Sea practically explodes in front of you. It's the kind of view that makes you want to chuck your phone in the water (okay, almost) and just… be. Actually, the 2-Bedroom Oasis I booked was glorious. Plenty of space to spread out, which is essential when you're traveling with… well, let's just say someone who appreciates their personal space. And those sea views from the balcony? Forget about it. Sunset drinks? Mandatory. Coffee in the morning? Absolute heaven.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Now, I need to be real here because I'm all about inclusivity. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, which is a great starting point. There's also an elevator, which is a huge win. I didn't personally need to assess everything, but it’s there. I'd recommend calling ahead and getting specifics to make sure it meets your needs before booking.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Relatively Safe (And That's a Relief!)
Okay, let's be honest, we all think about the germs in these post-Covid times. And Casablanca Hurghada GEM seemed to take it seriously. They really tried, offering Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Staff trained in safety protocol. I felt pretty comfy, which is a feat. There was cashless payment service, and a good amount of hand sanitizer, so it seems like they were serious about making this easy. The staff were really on top of making sure everything looked clean.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (With Some Hiccups!)
Where do I even start? Let's just say, I approached the food situation with a mixture of excitement and a healthy dose of skepticism.
- The Good: The breakfast buffet was a game-changer, even if I did indulge in a few extra croissants. Seriously, the buffet in the restaurant had it all: fresh juices, a massive selection of pastries (yes!), and plenty of options if you're a vegetarian. There was also an Asian breakfast option, which was interesting and made me feel like I was having an authentic travel experience. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was decent (not the best, but definitely not the worst). And the poolside bar? Perfect for a mid-afternoon cocktail.
- The… Less Good: The A la carte in the restaurant wasn't as exciting as the buffet. The salad in the restaurant and Soup in the restaurant were okay, but nothing to write home about. I definitely felt a bit of an urge to explore alternatives like I'd have to find elsewhere.
- Room Service: The Room service [24-hour] was there, which is always a bonus.
The bottle of water was fantastic.
Things to Do (And Ways to Relax): Spa Day? Yes Please!
Alright, let's get to the fun stuff. Here's where Casablanca Hurghada GEM really shines.
- **The *Pool with view* was an absolute star. Just gazing at the sea while swimming was fantastic.
- Spa/sauna was heaven.
- I had to keep myself from sitting at the spa for too long. The massage was pure bliss, and I swear, I floated out of there.
- Fitness center: I didn't personally spend a ton of time in the Fitness center, but it was there!
For the Kids (And the Kid in You):
I didn't travel with kids, but I noticed there were plenty of options for families: Kids facilities, and a Babysitting service. So, if you're traveling with little ones, this place seems to have you covered.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- The concierge was super helpful with everything from booking taxis to suggesting local restaurants.
- Currency exchange: No more scrambling for currency!
- Daily housekeeping was on point. My room was spotless every day.
- Dry cleaning and Laundry service: Practical and convenient!
- The Air conditioning in public area kept it cool!
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: A major plus!
- Airport transfer: Super convenient!
- Taxi service: Easy to hail.
The Rooms: Your Personal Oasis (With All the Bells and Whistles)
Okay, so here's the breakdown of what you get in those gorgeous 2-Bedroom Oasis suites:
- Absolutely Needed: Air conditioning (trust me, you'll be grateful!), a Refrigerator to stash your drinks, a Coffee/tea maker (essential for those early mornings), and a Safe box for peace of mind.
- Nice to Have: Free Wi-Fi (important!), Bathrobes (luxury!), Slippers (cozy!), and the Balcony (breathtaking!).
- The Little Things: Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping kept everything fresh, and the Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in.
Now, For the Hard Sell: Why You Should Book This Place Right NOW!
Casablanca Hurghada GEM isn't perfect. There were a few minor hiccups (let's just say the Wi-Fi wasn't always stellar). But honestly, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives.
Here's why you need to book this hotel:
- Those Sea Views. Seriously, they're worth the price of admission alone. You will remember them!
- It's a great option for a great resort.
- The overall vibe is relaxed and welcoming. It's not stuffy or pretentious. It's a place where you can actually relax.
- The staff genuinely seem to care. They were always friendly, helpful, and went the extra mile.
- It's a great value for your money. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Great options and food.
- It's safe.
- It's fun.
My Honest Recommendation:
Book it. Book it now. Don't even hesitate. Go. Relax. Soak up the sun. Drink a cocktail. And tell them I sent you! Your future, blissfully relaxed self will thank you.
Goa's Hidden Gem: Casa Goana Holiday Inn - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your dry, sterile itinerary. This is a chaotic, beautiful, slightly sunburned testament to a week in Hurghada, Egypt, at a place called "Amazing Sea View 2 Bedrooms Flat." (Spoiler alert: the view was amazing.)
The Hurghada Hysteria: A Week of Sun, Sand, and Slightly Questionable Decisions
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Baggage Debacle
- Morning (or at least, what passes for morning after a red-eye flight): Landed in Hurghada. The heat hits you like a wall. A warm wall. Found the flat (thank goodness for that helpful WhatsApp message with the key code!). The "amazing" view? Oh. My. Gods. Turquoise water, tiny sailboats… I swear, I nearly cried. (Jet lag, I blame you.)
- Afternoon: Unpacked. (Or attempted to. My suitcase, bless its cotton socks, seemed to have exploded mid-flight. Half my clothes were strewn across the floor like a fashion victim had been violently attacked by a rogue suitcase.) Tried, and failed, to figure out the washing machine. It's a mystery, a goddamn enigma wrapped in a metal box.
- Late Afternoon: Grocery run! (Or "attempted grocery run," more accurately). Wandered aimlessly through a supermarket, feeling utterly lost in a sea of Arabic. Ended up with a bag of suspiciously large, unlabeled fruit, a questionable jar of something creamy, and three different kinds of bread. Hope for the best, pray for my stomach.
- Evening: Ate. Sat on the balcony, drinking cheap Egyptian wine, and watching the sunset. The light was… otherworldly. I swear, I felt a tiny pang of joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. (Then remembered the suitcase carnage and the joy evaporated.)
Day 2: Snorkeling, Sunburns, and a Fishy Situation
- Morning: Snorkeling trip booked! (Thanks, Booking.com!) The boat was…rustic. Let’s call it that. But the Red Sea? Jaw-dropping. The colours of the coral were unreal. I saw a parrotfish, a clownfish (Nemo!), and possibly a grumpy-looking sea turtle. (He gave me a side-eye, I swear.)
- Afternoon: Achieved maximum sunburn. Applied a ridiculous amount of sunscreen beforehand, but apparently, my skin declared war on the sun anyway. Ended up looking like a lobster. The pain was…impressive. Spent the rest of the afternoon slathered in aloe vera and regretting life choices.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the guy at the dive shop (who also sold me a slightly dodgy snorkel). I ordered the seafood platter. (Big mistake.) One of the fish looked…well, it looked like it might have been pulled from the sea that morning. (Too early for the sea). Let's just say, it had "character." Ate some of it, then discreetly fed the rest to a stray cat. (No regrets.) Afterwards, went to the beach, and saw all the stars.
Day 3: Desert Adventure (and a Near-Death Experience… Sort Of)
- Morning: Jeep safari! (Yes, still recovering from yesterday.) The ride was… exhilarating. Let's use that word. Bouncing around in a 4x4 across the desert dunes. The driver, Khaled, was a character. He played Arabic music at ear-splitting volumes and yelled encouragement every time we went over a particularly large bump.
- Afternoon: Quad biking. I swear, I thought I was going to die. I was convinced I was going to roll into a sand pit or find a snake. Had to hold on, the whole experience was intense.
- Evening: Belly dancing show. Honestly, slightly awkward. But the dancers were amazing. And the food… actually, surprisingly good! Fell asleep mid-show, which may have been rude, but the heat and the excitement caught up with me.
Day 4: Lounging and the Great Coffee Crisis
- Morning: Actual lounging. Sat on the beach. Read. (Or tried to read, constantly interrupted by the waves and the calls of the vendors.) Briefly considered swimming, but then remembered the sunburn and decided against it.
- Afternoon: Attempted to find decent coffee. This proved to be a quest worthy of the Knights of the Round Table. Most places served something that tasted suspiciously like burnt motor oil mixed with sugar. Eventually, discovered a little cafe tucked away on a side street. It was a miracle. (Saved my sanity.)
- Evening: Ate some fish. But smaller this time, and grilled, so I was safe.
Day 5: The Souk of Souls and the Haggling Heartbreak
- Morning: Visited the souk (market). Oh. My. God. The noise. The colours. The smells. The relentless vendors who wanted to sell me everything from fake designer handbags to tiny, velvet-covered camels. I attempted haggling. Failed miserably. Ended up paying way too much for a rug I probably don’t even need. (Still, it's pretty.)
- Afternoon: More beach. More sun. More relaxation (finally!). Actually managed to fall asleep without getting roasted to a crisp. Victory!
- Evening: Went back to the apartment early. Too tired from the souk. Ate dinner at the flat.
Day 6: The Dive… And The Panic
- Morning: Scuba diving!!!! I got the license (well, the first part). The sea was amazing. The fish, too.
- Afternoon: The air tank was getting low. I was a bit lost on all of this. I panicked. Luckily, the dive instructor, a stoic, seasoned Egyptian dude named Omar, stayed calm and rescued me. This was one of the most terrible experiences in my life. (I hate drowning.)
- Evening: Spent the night drinking beer and looking at photos of the flat.
Day 7: Departure (and a Tiny Tragedy)
- Morning: Packed. (Much less chaotic this time, because I just chucked everything in.) Said goodbye to the view. (Sob.)
- Afternoon: Flight home.
- Evening: Staring out the window back home, seeing the rain and remembering the sun.
Final Thoughts: Hurghada, you beautiful, chaotic, slightly bonkers place. I loved you, and I'll be back. (Hopefully with better haggling skills and a serious allergy to sunburn.)
Escape to Paradise: Dharma Beach Montanita, Ecuador - Your Untamed Adventure Awaits!
Casablanca Hurghada GEM: FAQ – My Chaotic Love Affair with Sea Views (and Sand!)
Okay, so *what* is Casablanca Hurghada GEM anyway? I’m envisioning Humphrey Bogart, a dusty Cairo, and maybe a camel… am I close?
Haha! Okay, no Bogart (sadly). Think modern, Hurghada-style living. Casablanca Hurghada GEM is basically a complex of apartments with, and this is the key bit folks, **stunning sea views**. They tout "2-bedroom oases"… and while oasis might be a *tiny* bit optimistic after the first sand-storm, the sea views? Absolutely true. We're talking, turquoise water, maybe a few boats... and, depending on your balcony position, a sunrise that'll make you weep. I actually *did* weep the first morning, but mostly because I forgot sunscreen and I was starting to resemble a lobster.
Two bedrooms… what does that mean in *reality*? Is it a shoebox? Can I bring my aunt, cousin, and the poodle?
Alright, reality check time. The "two bedrooms" are... well, two bedrooms. They're not palatial, but they're not coffin-sized either. One will generally be the master, and the other… depends on the layout. We had one with twin beds, perfect for my sister and her *very* energetic children. Think practical. Auntie with bad knees? Maybe. Cousin and poodle? Pushing it. The space is well-utilized, but it’s not going to feel like a ballroom. And the decor? Well, let's just say, it’s… functional. Think durable surfaces, maybe a splash of color… and hopefully, a decent air conditioner, because that Egyptian sun is *relentless*.
Speaking of air conditioning... is it good? Because a sweaty holiday is not a *holiday* in my book.
Okay. Air conditioning… this is crucial. And, blessedly, usually a solid YES. In my experience, the AC at Casablanca was pretty darn good. Now, *sometimes*, there were glitches. One night, it decided to channel its inner Sahara and blow hot air. Cue frantic attempts at troubleshooting, then finally, resignation and a very sweaty sleep. But overall, excellent AC is vital for a comfortable stay. Ask specifically about the AC when booking. Don't be shy! This is your comfort, your sleep, your sanity we are talking about! Think ice cold drinks and a cozy room, not a sauna experience... unless that's your thing, I guess.
The sea views! Are they *seriously* good? Like, Instagram-worthy?
Oh. My. Goodness. Yes. They are. The sea views are the whole dang *point* of Casablanca GEM. I'm talking, panoramic views. Turquoise water shimmering. Boats bobbing gently. Even the fishing boats at dawn looked picturesque. My phone was permanently glued to my hand, capturing the changing colors of the sunrise. Actually, it was so good I spent like, half a morning trying to get that perfect shot, while simultaneously trying to fend off a very persistent seagull who clearly fancied my bagel. Totally worth it though. Brace yourself for Instagram envy. You’ll *need* that filter.
Is there a beach? And if so, is it… you know… *nice*? I’m picturing sand, not a swamp.
Okay, "nice" is subjective, right? There's definitely a beach. The sand is… well, it's sand. It's not pristine, white-sand Maldives, but it does the job. It's generally clean, but expect the occasional piece of seaweed and perhaps some stray plastic (be a good person, pick it up!). There are usually sunbeds and umbrellas available, which is a godsend. And the water? Pretty clear. I spent a good chunk of time just floating there, staring at the sky. The best part? You can walk right from the complex to the beach. Which is ideal, especially after a particularly large Egyptian breakfast (those pastries, though...). My sister was there with her kids, and they built sandcastles every day and loved every minute of it!
What about food? Is there a restaurant nearby? Or am I doomed to a diet of instant noodles? (shudder)
Okay, let's talk sustenance! There are definitely restaurants nearby, thankfully. You won't be stuck with just instant noodles unless you *really* want to. There were a few local eateries within walking distance, serving up delicious (and very affordable) Egyptian cuisine. Think falafel, kebabs, hummus… all the good stuff. Plus, the complex itself sometimes has a restaurant or cafe. Check beforehand because dining options have changed. And trust me, you *will* want to try the local food. My bank account certainly appreciated it! Just remember to be a bit careful with street food if you have a sensitive stomach, and be absolutely sure to only drink bottled water.
Tell me a *bad* experience! Be honest. Nobody’s perfect, right?
Okay, confession time. One time, the water pressure in our apartment was… pathetic. Like, trying to shower was an exercise in patience. It was a sad trickle, and washing my hair felt like an arduous battle. It took ages. Then, the shower drain got clogged. It probably had something to do with all that sand. I spent a good hour battling the clog, armed with a coat hanger and a healthy dose of frustration. It wasn't pretty. My sister found the whole thing hilarious though. *Very* inconvenient, but hey, it adds to the memories, right? Oh, and one more thing: be prepared for the occasional power cut. Egypt, you know? Keep a flashlight handy.
Overall, would you recommend Casablanca Hurghada GEM?
Absolutely. Despite the occasional water pressure issue and the sand that *will* find its way everywhere, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it. The sea views alone are worth the price of admission. It's a good base for exploring Hurghada, a great place to relax, and perfect if you just want to spend a week or two doing absolutely nothing but eating good food, taking photos of the sunrise, and swimming in the sea. It's not a super-luxury resort, but it’s comfortable, it's got those incredible views, and it's a real taste of Hurghada life. Go with realistic expectations, embrace the chaos, and prepare to fall in love with the ocean. Just don't forget the sunscreen! And maybe a plunger. Just in case.
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