4.5
Not the acme of disability provision but pretty good for Egypt
A friend wanted me to accompany her to Egypt and I'd promised but was dreading it, my past experience of hotels there being that disabled guests are not catered for except (maybe) in really expensive hotels. My friend refused to pay over the odds and, in fact, we got a bargain, price-wise, with the Royal Star - booked via Co-op Travel, whose booking service was excellent.
Luckily for me, the hotel is ex-Three Corners, until recently owned by a Belgium group. When I contacted the group, it transpired that some of their hotels cater for disabled guests - for instance the Rihana Resort (in El Gouna) "has rooms dedicated to disabled peoples." On the other hand, the Three Corners Ocean View (also in El Gouna) "do not have accessible rooms in our hotel...."
A lot depends on the extent of one's disabilities. What I found was that although the Royal Star similarly had no accessible rooms, European influence was in evidence, not least when it came to the disabled public toilet, that I used as much as possible, the loo in my room being difficult (albeit not impossibly low). I found the shower was also manageable but not easy; there were no handrails but it did have a non-slip floor. Otherwise, I depended on staff goodwill. It was agreed that a particular table would be kept for me and this was usually - but not invariably - remembered. It gave me space for my rollator and I felt comfortable there.
The beds were hard and I would recommend, if possible, taking a memory foam mattress topper. Also a pillow as those provided are totally unsuitable for anyone with neck problems. The weather in March was changeable, quite often chilly, and there was no heating, so I was glad I had taken warm clothing. In the end, the provision was such I was enabled to enjoy my stay, the major downside being blaring music throughout much of the day and well into the night, being as I am sensitive to noise nuisance.
Hurghada Airport is a nightmare. No way could I have coped with the queues and the distances without the assistance I had booked. Nevertheless, a holiday in Egypt actually proved feasible - for me at least.. To repeat, however, a lot depends on the nature and degree of one's disabilities.
A friend wanted me to accompany her to Egypt and I'd promised but was dreading it, my past experience of hotels there being that disabled guests are not catered for except (maybe) in really expensive hotels. My friend refused to pay over the odds and, in fact, we got a bargain, price-wise, with the Royal Star - booked via Co-op Travel, whose booking service was excellent.
Luckily for me, the hotel is ex-Three Corners, until recently owned by a Belgium group. When I contacted the group, it transpired that some of their hotels cater for disabled guests - for instance the Rihana Resort (in El Gouna) "has rooms dedicated to disabled peoples." On the other hand, the Three Corners Ocean View (also in El Gouna) "do not have accessible rooms in our hotel...."
A lot depends on the extent of one's disabilities. What I found was that although the Royal Star similarly had no accessible rooms, European influence was in evidence, not least when it came to the disabled public toilet, that I used as much as possible, the loo in my room being difficult (albeit not impossibly low). I found the shower was also manageable but not easy; there were no handrails but it did have a non-slip floor. Otherwise, I depended on staff goodwill. It was agreed that a particular table would be kept for me and this was usually - but not invariably - remembered. It gave me space for my rollator and I felt comfortable there.
The beds were hard and I would recommend, if possible, taking a memory foam mattress topper. Also a pillow as those provided are totally unsuitable for anyone with neck problems. The weather in March was changeable, quite often chilly, and there was no heating, so I was glad I had taken warm clothing. In the end, the provision was such I was enabled to enjoy my stay, the major downside being blaring music throughout much of the day and well into the night, being as I am sensitive to noise nuisance.
Hurghada Airport is a nightmare. No way could I have coped with the queues and the distances without the assistance I had booked. Nevertheless, a holiday in Egypt actually proved feasible - for me at least.. To repeat, however, a lot depends on the nature and degree of one's disabilities.
