Why we chose to do a quick vacation to Ayn Sukhna on 2nd day of Eid, which is the same time the entire population of Cairo had same idea, is beyond me. But, it went as smooth as could be expected, with a few quirks thrown in to make the trip more interesting. I use word"interesting" here, as opposed to "frustrating" as have matured past letting things get to me badly - yes, the lobotomy has worked!
We booked the Stella Sea Club Hotel (used to be Plane Hotel) located close to the Stella De Mare Grand Hotel. Of course, we booked a long time in advance for one night.
Thousands of cars leave Cairo same time we do
Our friends left Cairo about 9:30 am, with easy trip, and were already at hotel before we launched ourselves at 11:30. I knew this was close to the most popular time for entire Cairo population to also leave. And, to be sure we paid the penalty. Between ring road and turn off to new 120KM per/hr highway, there was a single lane detour for thousands of cars. The best way I can describe it is "cluster f*#k, with not a policeman in sight to try and control flow. In about one hour after inching along, we were through it. Then there was the obligatory line up, and wait, just before the toll gate for police check car papers and driver's license. Then the bit more of a wait to pay the 5 LE at toll gate and finally free and up to the 120 KM/hr speed limit. Drive was fine, but of course the mandatory slow old cars navigating poorly in the fast lane, and the rocket speeders passing in the right hand slow lane. Thank goodness for cruise control as next obstruction was radar speed trap. Looked like a car parkade when we passed through. Police no doubt made lots of money this day. Friend of mine said same day he got fined for 2 km/hr over speed limit. Onwards, and finally to the Stella Demare Resort Complex. Trip only took 2 1/2 hours compared to a usual 1 1/4 hours.
The fun continues
After winding through the resort roads you come to the hotels parking lot, but first must go through a security gate. Here you need to surrender you driver's and car license - which you collect on way out (hopefully). But I had realized I had not taken my passport, so insisted he not take my driver's license, and he said OK!. So rules can be bent.
The first parking lot is for Grand Hotel which one drives through to Sea Club parking. We were lucky because soon after we arrived there was no place left to park, with cars strewn about in all manner of positions, and parking lot attendants blocking any more entrance with spiked barriers.
Ok happy now and we unloaded and headed to hotel to check-in. I was in charge of cooler bag with snacks and cans of beer. I saw right away it would be easier to smuggle in a grenade than a sandwich, as hotel security man blatantly pointed to a small sign showing "no food or drink" allowed. We discussed, and I entered unscathed with my contraband. It's just my charm!
Wifey handled the check-in which took some time due to bit of crowd. I was relaxed in comfy chair in lobby tempted to pop a can of beer to see what reaction I would get. But the urge passed. Next step was room would be ready in about 1 hour. So we opted to the beach for a few hours as being told one hour by a receptionist, who had absolutely no clue as to when room would be ready. They marked our bags for storage and I did not want to run the gauntlet of the security man again with snacks and beer, so left that in storage as well. So off we went on the cho' cho' beach train.
Beach
Sea Club private beach entrance also has asecurity man and you tell him any room number, I guess, as no proof is required. I thought this was kind of easy, but there was a system. Once on beach area we found lye lows and chairs and beach guy was there in flash with subtle question about our beach towel cards. He would get towels for us. Later observed others had wandered in from the adjacent public beach and where asked to go back, because no beach towel card. Of course they did not mind the intruders going to beach bar and ordering whatever they wanted. I did manage to finally get my cold Sakara beer (30 LE), wifey got hot tea in plastic cup (10.75 LE) and kids got cokes (8 LE). All in all beach area is OK if you like this sticky sand stuff getting everywhere and no air conditioning. But it is for Kids and the young ones played in sea and had great time, but teenage idol in her flashing bikini, was getting bored already. But she had a plan I would find out about later.
Finally to room
Wifey and I headed back and upon arrival at lobby staff was quick to get houseboy and golf cart to transport our little bit of luggage, and us, to room. It was not busy by this time as maybe we were about last ones to go to room, a few hours after actual check-in time which is 2 pm. Cleaning boy was just finishing.
My first and only responsibility with unpacking is getting beer into fridge, which was about the tiniest one I had ever seen. Industry has made notebook computers and now mini fridges slightly bigger than the room safe. Wifey only allowed 3 cans in fridge as she had sandwich meat at higher priority. Any male knows that when wife is unpacking, and organizing, it is no place for him. So I went, with permission of course, to explore, heading straight to sailors pub.
The hotel is designed as a garden with rooms in rows (2 floors only) nestled in the gardens with a lagoon pool between the rows. I must admit the gardens are beautiful and I was happily impressed the standard of garden upkeep had not diminished from our first visit. Grass like a carpet. Our room was in last row, on ground floor, and was still an easy walk across garden to main sidewalk, passed main pool, and straight to sailors pub. Bottle of Sakara beer was still 30 LE including taxes, but when I had arrived seemed cashiers were having a fight about something and no waiters around. With my charm I did get a beer served by cashier. Then about 10 minutes into my cold one, 4 waiters arrived. Still all were upset about something but did settle down and served the few others waiting at tables for drinks, or food, or whatever.
The Key Saga
Wifey met me bit later for a tea and went off to round up our family and friends. So I took electronic key and headed back to room with mission of checking on beer temperature, bathroom visit, scientific check of 19 inch TV. I had key in hand and slid it in direction of arrow. Zilch action, only flashing red lights and door not opening. Just assumed key was not activate correctly. Walked out an saw a houseboy a few buildings down so called him over as I was not walking all way back to reception. He took key in hand and we are back at door. He pointed to arrow and I acknowledged and then he turned key over with magnetic strip up and slid it in and it lo' and behold open sesame. Man am I stupid or what. Everyone knows to turn key upside down.
Well the story does not end there. Friends had adjacent room and their key had no arrow. But I solved the access problem as had been trained by the best. There are only 4 options to insert the key, both ends in with top of key, and two ways in with magnetic strip up. After solving the problem it was easy there after. But gad zooks - when the door does open it makes this awful aggravating beeping noise, that everyone in adjacent rooms can hear until you close the door.
Supper
We went about 8 pm trying to miss first rush of tourists and second 9 pm rush of locals. It worked fairly good and they had an outside sitting area, which was nice as weather was perfect. Had to mind the door in and out of garden area as it was not user friendly. Some trying to get out to garden, balancing plates of food had some problems and a few plates bit the dust with a crash. Supper was buffet style and we thought is was plentiful with good choices and thoroughly enjoyed.
Teenagers plan is unveiled.
Dad can I go visit my friends at Wadi Resort only a few km's down the road? And can you drive me? My reaction was simply - Dearest daughter - " had you thought about the question before asking, you would have known the answer". "Guess that means NO Dad?" "YUP it does". Second option - can they come over and we can walk about - sure I said with you having your phone charged and curfew in effect of course. I am a push over for beautiful females.
Time to retire
Upon first entering room one is impressed with size of king size bed, but only to soon learn it is two queens pushed together with the inevitible horrible crack in middle. Guess who got stuck in middle as little pre-teen was sleeping with us. Teenager was on sofa but had to phone for bedding even though they know it was required at check-in. But service as quick. Only other quirk was bathroom had a aluminum inward tilting window that would not latch closed However, bit of paper jammed in crack and pushed it closed. Maybe these bathroom windows are modified to never close so flies have equal opportunity in room?. Bye the way flies and mosquitoes were not a problem, even out at small sitting area next to grass. The bloody doors beeping were aggravating until all other occupants were retired. But in morning, this noise is pain in ass, especially if trying to have a sleep in.
Check -out
Family down to beach in the morning, after breakfast, but we had been reminded 12 o'clock was check-out time. OK no problem and wifey and I returned and packed up and left room at appointed time and checked-out. For interest the room rate was 950 LE for double occupancy, plus 250 LE for teenager and 100 LE for pre-teen = 1300 LE including supper and breakfast. Now the fun began. Kids are already on beach and they asked for the towel cards. Wife said we are going to beach for few hours and would bring them back then. Only to be advised they wanted to charge us 250 LE per person for beach day use after we checked out!!!! Needless to say a discussion ensued, and after telling every level of management existing, this was wrong as room was not ready till late when checking in so they should give us 2 hours additional stay at no cost. Half hour ,General Manager was contacted by senior receptionist and he agreed, and gave us beach towel card for 2 hours. (nothing written on cards mind). However, we had to promise not to tell anyone else.
Trip home was uneventful, with highway quiet as think all other patrons were staying the rest of holiday.
All in all the hotel complex is very good, but as with all tourist places, expect some quirks. Others prefer the Main Hotel and still others prefer the newer Golf Hotel (especially golfers and those with no kids tagging along). Here is a link I found for Stella De Mare but it does not have all that much information. Seems they get enough business without having to advertise.
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