El Karma Beach Resort & Aqua Park - Hurghada in Hurghada

My experience was really good. The food was nice and the drinks were good too. I had lots of fun at the swimming pools and played with friendly cats. The animation team was really friendly. Sam the tunisian guy was very kind, funny, welcoming, helpful, amazing and entertaining. He lighted up our whole experience with his big smile. The hotel was very friendly and welcoming. Samah was very helpful and kind. I really recommend this hotel for families.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Review text

We spent a wonderful week at El Karma Aqua Beach Resort in Hurghada over the winter season, and overall it was a fantastic family holiday with guaranteed sunshine, plenty of activities for the kids, and a beautiful beachfront location.

The good stuff:

The resort is kept very clean and tidy throughout – rooms were serviced daily, everything felt fresh, and the pools (there are several) were spotless. The pool closest to the hotel is heated, which was a lifesaver in the cooler evenings. The water slides were an absolute highlight – crazy fun and the kids couldn't get enough of them; no long waits either. The private beach is stunning with soft sand and crystal-clear water right off the pier. Walking out on the pier in the morning was magical – the sea was so transparent it felt like glass. Rooms are spacious, beds super comfy, hot water reliable every day, and no annoying sales pressure ( but make sure at the towel station you get a red flag or you will be disrupted time and time again )

The juice bar by the pool was a nice touch – we got a bundle of 10 drinks for about £20, perfect for refreshing breaks. The animation team did a good job with what they had (though it felt a bit limited – maybe due to off-peak season). Food in the main restaurant was lovely – varied enough that you didn't go hungry, even if it repeated somewhat day-to-day. The à la carte restaurant option (one free meal included) was a welcome change, though drinks there cost extra.

The downsides:

At around 12 years old, the resort could use a refresh in the rooms – they're functional and clean but feel a bit dated (nothing major, just more modern updates would elevate it).

Beer is the local bottled "Five Star" variety with a slight odd aftertaste that took a few days to get used to; soft drinks like Coke tasted fine (not sure if fully local). Evening entertainment started quite late – mini disco and shows were past typical family bedtime for young kids.

Sunbed situation can get competitive, especially with some guests (Russians in our experience) reserving spots early or crowding – we had a couple of minor disagreements but nothing too bad. Snorkeling off the pier was disappointing – not as much fish life as we'd hoped, so it was hit-or-miss.

Things to be aware of:

Avoid using Uber/taxis to town – drivers often ask you to cancel the app ride on arrival, demand cash, and leave you uninsured. Better to refuse and report it.
Small tips (£5 equivalent) to your room cleaner and waiter go a long way – we found it helped secure better pool seats and extra attention on room cleaning.

All in all, this is a great family hotel if you're after sun, sea, slides, and relaxation without breaking the bank. The staff were okay – some smiling and helpful, others more neutral – but nothing ruined the vibe. A little more friendliness across the team and a room update would make it even better, but we had a brilliant time and would happily return for another dose of Red Sea sunshine.

Would recommend for families with kids who love pools and beach time! 🌴🏊‍♂️

Very nice hotel, great location.
Variety of food.
The atmosphere is calm and beautiful.
The staff are friendly.
The rooms are large and clean.
The view is amazing.
The hotel is cleaned daily.
A wonderful and beautiful experience.

The hotel is generally good for the value of the money that we paid . Staff are very friendly, room is in good size with comfortable beds . The buffer has a varies of food , overall we had good five days there