Sentido Crystal Bay Resort

The most striking aspect of this property is the sheer size of the carefully landscaped gardens that reach down to a broad sweep of beachfront. With the accommodation blocks set back on either side, this creates a quiet ambience when compared with it's sister properties next door. In addition to couples, children are welcomed although it may be considered the facilities at either Sunrise Mamlouk Palace or Sunrise Garden Beach Resort are more extensive for them.

Exterior

A raised semi-circular drive leads up to the large portico fronting the single-storey main building. The glass-fronted doors look out on to the tidy garden through which 20 wide steps lead down to the parking area that separates the resort from the main road.

Property type: Hotel

Storeys: 3

Built Year: 1998

Interior

The spacious foyer has white marble-effect flooring and Moorish murals on the walls. There are clusters of comfortable sofas and armchairs with greenery creating a relaxed ambience. The lobby bar has sturdy wrought iron furnishings with deep cushions on the chairs and has a good selection of drinks on a mirrored display. An atrium overlooks a Mediterranean courtyard dining area and a terrace looks down over the pool deck, shisha tent and a small bazaar area. Downstairs, La Palma main buffet restaurant has tiled flooring with large wall paintings and well spaced high-backed wooden seating.

Rooms: 251

Grounds

The grounds are extremely spacious with a large central area of neatly manicured lawns, flower beds and shaped shrubs that separate the 2 and 3-storey terracotta-coloured blocks and clusters housing the 251 rooms. Within the gardens, a large swimming pool deck has a bar area and a good supply of sun-loungers and parasols. At the edge of the beach, the Poseidon is a pagoda style beach bar serving a buffet lunch and has attractive wicker furnishings both inside and on the terrace. The sandy beach is a bay-shaped sweep with clusters of sun-loungers, parasols and wind-breaks.

Location

Area Type: The Sunrise Crystal Bay Resort stands on the beachside of the highway that runs along the coast of New Hurghada, 22 km from the centre of the Old Town. Situated in extensive grounds, the property borders, to the south, the Sunrise Mamlouk Palace and, to the north, the Ali Baba Palace. The property stands back from the road where it forks in one direction continuing along the coast to Sahl Hasheeh Bay and in the other to Makadi Bay. Just after the junction, on the opposite side, is the Sunrise Mall offering an extensive range of modern bazaar style shops. A privately operated shuttle service operates in to the Old Town for a small charge. Transfer time to Hurghada Airport 15 minutes.

Nearest beach: Beachfront (New Hurghada)