Pensee Royal Garden

The hotel is nice, but the highlight is definitely the sea. The staff is amazing, and while the food is decent, there is room for improvement. The air conditioning in the reception and restaurant needs to be repaired as it feels quite weak. Additionally, the free wifi is extremely slow, almost as if it's not functioning at all.

It was an incredible week. Although the resort is a bit worn out, it is impeccably clean and the staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. Regardless of any minor issues, nothing diminishes the joy of snorkeling just 20 meters away from the beach and witnessing the vibrant coral reef and diverse marine life. I would absolutely return for another trip. Furthermore, there is an abundance of entertainment options to ensure the whole family remains content.

My partner and I recently visited Pensee for the first time from June 16th to June 30th, 2023. As of May of this year, it became part of the Three Corners Hotels and Resorts. Let's start with the manager, Mr. Fouad Gamal. He has certainly proven himself as a capable manager with years of experience in other hotels and resorts within the Three Corners chain. Under his leadership, the Pensee hotel has been improving day by day. The entire staff feels honored to work for him as he is always available for both staff and guests. Now, let's talk about the food. To be honest, we were spoiled with the buffet at Equinox, also from Three Corners. At Pensee, the food is well-prepared and adequately warmed up. While there may not be an extensive variety, we were still able to enjoy different types of meals and had plenty to eat. There is also another menu available with delicious options such as mixed grill with beef, mixed grill with fish, and more. For only €15,-, you can have a meal that is probably more than enough, but you should definitely try it at least once during your stay. It's absolutely perfect. The bungalow we stayed in, which was close to the beach, was great. However, we can't comment on the other rooms as we didn't see them. The cleanliness of our room could definitely be improved, and the manager has assured us that it will be addressed in the future. No matter which room you book, you will most likely have a view of the pools or the sea. However, the main attraction is the beautiful sight of the 200 newly planted palm trees. Currently, they are also in the process of planting various types of bushes and flowers, so it will take some time for the views to become even more spectacular in the future. The staff at Pensee is wonderful. There is only one bartender that I personally didn't like, but all the others are great and willing to assist you with anything you need. They work hard, just like the animation team. And then there's Herma, the lady from guest relations. She's fantastic and will solve any problem you may have (although, let's be honest, most of the time the problems are self-created 😁). In the coming years, 2023 and 2024, numerous improvements will be made. The kitchen is currently being remodeled, the small buffet will be replaced and expanded, some of the pavement outside has already been replaced, and more replacements are planned. The lunchroom at the beach will also be replaced, so there will be many positive changes for a pleasant holiday experience. For now, Pensee offers great value for money. It is a beautiful place and only a 45-minute drive from Marsa Alan airport. The sea at Pensee is an absolute paradise for snorkeling and diving. It is advisable to bring thin water shoes or slippers as it is a gravel beach. Although we mostly walked without them, our feet did get pretty hot from time to time. Will we return to Pensee? Most definitely. I could go on and on, but if anyone has any other questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Marsa Alam offers one of the finest locations for diving and snorkeling. The rooms are not only spacious but also boast a distinct charm. The staff members are extremely friendly, always wearing a smile on their faces. However, the only area that requires improvement is the food quality and variety.

The hotel had both amazing and terrible aspects. Despite the great snorkeling, spacious rooms, and enjoyable spa experience (with a fantastic massage therapist named Rasha), I would not recommend staying here. I didn't research or read reviews beforehand During our first day, I tried to get towels for my family, but the staff at the towel station informed me that I needed towel cards, which were never mentioned or given to us during check-in. I had to walk back to reception from the beach to request the towel cards. Once again, there was no explanation provided, and the staff handed me six cards. Throughout our stay, when we returned our towels, the staff often didn't have towel cards but assured us to find them in the morning, as they would remember how many towels we had taken. It seemed like a disorganized system, so on the last afternoon, I left my towels at the pool station without asking for towel cards. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a big mistake. During the check-out process, the assistant manager informed me that I would be charged 20 Euros per laminated towel card. I firmly refused to pay such a fee. As I speak Arabic and live in Egypt, I can assure any foreigners traveling to the Red Sea that this is not a normal practice of Egyptian hospitality. I explained that I had misunderstood the situation, which caused the assistant manager to become increasingly agitated. At one point, I even invited him to search through my suitcases in the car to prove that I wasn't stealing towels. I had made assumptions based on how the towel cards were handled by the hotel staff (as an afterthought), and although I shouldn't have, I was not going to pay. Eventually, our friends intervened, and the assistant manager boldly lied, claiming that he wasn't discussing charging me money. However, as I understood Arabic, I overheard his complaints about me to my Egyptian friend who was traveling with us. The situation was eventually smoothed over by my friend, but it left a very negative impression on me. There were other instances where we felt deceived, including the diving trip we paid for. I believe it's crucial to be aware of what you're getting into when choosing this hotel.