A Mix of Delight and Disappointment at Pickalbatros Soma Bay Hotel My experience at the Pickalbatros Soma Bay Hotel was a blend of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, primarily with regards to the dining and customer service. Firstly, it's important to note the hotel's location. Nestled outside the city of Soma Bay, close to Safaga, it's an ideal spot if you're in search of a tranquil getaway. However, if your plans involve regular visits to the marina or downtown Hurghada, this might not be the optimal choice due to the distance. One aspect that deserves full marks is the cleanliness. From the common areas and restrooms to the rooms themselves, every space was well-maintained. Housekeeping attended to our rooms daily, providing a pleasant environment throughout our stay. There was an occasion where we had to wait until 6 PM for bathroom towels due to shortage, but this was an isolated incident and doesn't detract from the otherwise stellar housekeeping service. The hotel's pools and private beach are noteworthy. With twice-daily cleanings and plenty of lifeguards, they offer a secure, family-friendly environment. However, a persistent issue we encountered was the practice of guests reserving lounge chairs by the pool and beach with towels. This often led to empty seats throughout the day and limited availability post breakfast, an issue the management should address. In terms of room amenities, we were generally pleased. Our room was well-stocked with essentials, and the daily supply of four water bottles was an appreciated touch. While the upper floor rooms provide lovely views and a nice balcony, those on the ground floor have some privacy and security concerns. The ability to enter these rooms from the front yard via the balcony door can make them susceptible to unwanted attention, a point that should be noted by potential guests. The hotel boasts two main restaurants: an Italian and an International one. However, we found the menu at both to be quite similar. The Italian restaurant, located on the third floor, offers a chic and cozy setting perfect for a romantic dinner. However, a notable drawback during the summer months is the lack of air conditioning, making it uncomfortably warm to dine in. The international restaurant, on the other hand, is a bustling, expansive hall that tends to get quite loud, a characteristic typical for such large-scale establishments. Despite the noise, we frequently opted for this venue due to its larger variety of offerings. Our first dinner at the hotel was exceptional, a true feast of high-quality fare. Regrettably, the subsequent meals were unable to maintain this high standard. The food was by no means bad, but it didn't live up to our initial expectations. The international restaurant offers a great breakfast with everything you'd need to start the day, a satisfactory but basic lunch, and a dinner served over three hours. A highlight was the restaurant's efficiency in replenishing dishes, ensuring we found what we wanted at any time, despite the high occupancy rate. The downside to this efficiency, however, was a noticeable reduction in the quantity and variety of the food. The dinner desserts were a particular letdown, often falling short of the quality expected. For quick snacks, there's a beachside kiosk open for four hours a day. There's also a 24-hour bar offering hot drinks and small snacks, and three beach bars dedicated to beverages. The primary downside to our stay was the hotel's staff. Many of them lacked necessary training in guest interaction and conflict resolution, especially considering the hotel's four-star status. Additionally, they were often uninformed about basic hotel information, leading to confusion and conflicting answers. Our experience began on a low note with an unprofessional response to our shuttle booking inquiry via email. The reception staff had limited authority, requiring managerial approval for almost every action. Our check-in process was unnecessarily complicated due to a non-existent issue related to one of our party's nationality. Although we were prepared to pay a supplementary fee for one of our children, the price quoted was an exorbitant 60% of the room price. The check-in process took 45 minutes, and only Mr. Shaaban, the manager, was able to rectify the issue. While some staff members, like the cheerful and efficient Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed at the lobby bar, left a positive impression, others were sometimes rude and demonstrated a lack of professionalism. The quality of drinks served, especially at the bar, was subpar with warm beer often being served with a suggestion to cool it with ice cubes. Both the staff service and drink quality need considerable improvements. The in-house doctor and pharmacy were significant benefits, considering the hotel's remote location. Yet, the entertainment programs for both adults and kids were disappointing. Held mostly in the evenings during dinner time, they failed to engage and entertain, especially for longer-staying guests. This aspect of the hotel's offerings certainly needs enhancement. Pickalbatros Soma Bay Hotel has the potential to deliver a fantastic holiday experience, but currently falls short in key areas like customer service and food variety. A focus on staff training, drink quality, and enhancing entertainment offerings would vastly improve the overall experience. …
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.