Myself and my partner fancied a cheap pre-Christmas break in the sun. Having booked flights separately the Sapphire Suites at Golden 5 City looked like a reasonable all inclusive option.

Just a bit of background, the Golden 5 City complex is absolutely vast, there are, despite the name, actually seven hotels which form the complex (Sapphire, Topaz, Paradise, Club Golden 5, Al Mas Palace, Diamond and the Emerald. You can use the bars, clubs and restaurants of all the hotels as well as the beach bars and restaurants and the Aqua Park and associated pool. Pool/Beach towels are provided.

The Sapphire and Topaz form there own separate little hotel complex across the road from the main Golden 5 Complex. As stated the complex is so large that it’s a good 15 minute walk through it to the Beach, luckily a shuttle bus is provided at ½ hour intervals.

Checked in at the Sapphire Suites with no problem and received the all inclusive wrist bands. Was shown to our room (note no lifts but the building is only three stories). As the name suggests, all the rooms are suites with a separate living room and bedroom and large bathroom. The rooms are very clean (Cleaner Ali was excellent) but are a little dated. The bedroom has ample wardrobe space, balcony and two double beds and individually controlled air conditioning. The lounge had a further TV, two sofas, table further storage and further individually controlled air conditioning.

The Sapphire and Topaz complex appear to be the most modern, the other 5 hotels while clean and reasonably maintained are defiantly showing their age. You can imagine that 15 years ago they would have been quite splendid.

There is a large private beach with lots of sub loungers. There are plenty of sun loungers around the Topaz pool.

During our stay we dinned in the Sapphire, Topaz, Diamond and Paradise Restaurants. The Sapphire and Topaz are by far the best, the Diamond is okay and the Paradise, while having live entertainment, should be avoided at all costs. There is an entertainment programme at the complex, although it is geared towards the Russian nationalities.

The hotel is 95% Russians with the other 5% being largely non British. I would say that this ratio of guests goes for Hurghada as a whole. We had no problems with the other nationalities and it was nice to get a way from the booze Brit culture.

The alcohol served was reasonable (if local), and readily available. The latest we stayed out in the actual hotel was at the Paradise billiard bar which was still serving gone 1.30am. There are two or three ‘night clubs’ on the complex, however they serve premium only drinks which you must pay for.

We paid $5 for the beach party one night at the hotel, I suggest you save your money. Off complex I would recommend the Little Buda Club in Hurghada, very classy is expensive. There’s also a Ministry of Sound at the Marina. Just down the road from the hotel there is also a further club, the Havana Club (you will see the spot light in the sky) and a couple of bars.

There are lots of shops around touting for your business. I would suggest a visit to the fixed price Cleopatra or Cairo Bazaars near the hotel so you know the price of things. I wouldnt buy the cigs on offer in these shops or shops on the complex, I believe they are fakes. Get a taxi to the near by Senzo Shopping Centre which has a large supermarket with real cigs for 9 egyption pounds a packet.

Cheap hotel, worth its money, but by no means a Riu.

Travelled to Hurghada as part of a 10 days Egypt tour and the Agent had booked us at this "5 Star Deluxe Resort". Had checked the reviews and told him to change the same but was told it was too late.

Grand entrance. Felt like fools that we did not want to stay there. Then reality !!! The rooms are a poor reflection of a grand past - toilets flush leaking, nobody to listen to your complaints. Rooms having carpets not cleaned for ages ... It gets better. At about 5:30 we start walking to the beach ... all around only Russians and East Europeans, kids racing around in carts – chaos. Then the lights go-off … for 2.5 hrs. Pitch dark with no power backup. Went to room, no water – apparently it needs power ! Screamed at the agent and told him I am checking out.

8pm, lights come on … the dining area is madhouse. The hotel is apparently ONLY inhabited by ‘all inclusive package’ Russians and we were the only other nationality there – it was obvious to us by then why. People stacking up on food and wasting 50% of the same. Decent variety but really BAD and tasteless. The tables were dirty and inspite of pleading, no one bothered to clean it up and put fresh napkins. Same experience the next morning.

Next morning we cancelled our booking for the 2nd night and walked off … please don’t even venture close this place unless you come from Russia on a charter plane - on a cheap all inclusive package. I am definitely not a racist, but the fact that no westerner or other nationalities stay here is for a good reason.

Been to egypt a dozen times and never experienced anything so diabolicle and depressing. Having booked for the Sinbad Aqua Park and being told on arrival our reservation had been cancelled, we were moved here. No air con in so called restaurants, food inedible. 98% of guests are Russian. Staff miserable. Beer and drinks warm all the time. No entertainment at all cant even get a sheesh......
There is a waterpark but be warned its five slides and is twenty mins walk from this accomodation. You could catch the train but if you want a sun bed be on the 8.45am train, just like going to work.
All had infections bad stomachs etc and to top it all off I have come home with dysentry and a stone lighter.
DO NOT GO HERE!

I had a terrible experience in this hotel, and i cannot tell everything that happened to me, but in short words....
Air condition was not working ok- it was to loud- they fixed with toilet paper-after 2 hours the same story again to loud...
The room was so dirty, the sheets, the beds, ants on them
Carpet was dirty, bathroom to, and toilet seat was broken, and they charged me that!!!
I uploaded the pictures, and I want to say that if you want to have better holiday don't go in this hotel, because your holiday could be much better, because they have very good sea, beaches and you can really enjoy there.....