|
The Jasmine Hotel
By Jimmy Dunn
 The Jasmine Hotel is perhaps best known for its
diving center, which is considered by many to be one of the best
on the Red Sea coast. Yet, the hotel, located on the shores of
Hurghada, is a huge, family-oriented complex with considerable
facilities. It arrived early on the shores of Hurghada, was last
renovated in 1998, and not surprisingly, was voted by the readers
of a well-known German magazine as the best Red Sea diver's hotel
in 1998.
The hotel itself consists of two and three story
buildings and bungalows with about 460 rooms designed in a Moorish
style. The complex is indeed huge, almost requiring the tram
system available to go from the hotel proper to the sandy beach
with its 200-meter coral reef. Guests may snorkel just off shore
with successful results.
 All the amenities of a super family resort are
present. Along with the well-known diving center, there are also
windsurfing and fishing facilities, not to mention a large
swimming pool. But you don’t even have to get wet to have fun
here. There is a fitness center complete with sauna, workout
equipment, tennis courts, miniature golf, bicycle rental,
billiards, squash courts, a volleyball court and even a soccer
field. Children will enjoy the their own swimming pool, playground
and mini zoo.
The diving center, which started operation some
14 years ago, is run by Monika Wiget and located directly on the
beach at the hotel. It features modern equipment and competent
multi-language professional divers. Dive courses are offered
conforming to PADI, SSI, VdST (CMAS), TDI and Barakuda guidelines.
As an added extra for more experienced divers, there are NITROX
courses. (NITROX divers can do all their dives with NITROX.) In
keeping with the family atmosphere of the hotel, there are
scuba-learning programs for children, including a
"Bubble-Maker" program conducted in the swimming pool.
Children 10 and above may take the PADI Junior Open Water diving
course. The diving center also offers live aboard boats for
extended diving holidays. Diving trips depart from the hotel
daily.
There are also two bars, including the Amboba
Bar at the diving center, as well as a nightclub/disco with
various shows and entertainment. There are three restaurants,
including a seafood restaurant, an Italian restaurant and one
serving Egyptian cuisine. One may also do a considerable amount of
shopping in the hotel's arcade, which includes a bank.
Rooms are certainly comfortable and include
non-smoking rooms, which is unusual in Egypt. Rooms are
air-conditioned, with private baths, cable/satellite television,
hair dryers, minibars, phones and a safe in the room.
The Jasmine Hotel has a long history in
Hurghada, seeing both good times and bad, and has survived to
become a minor legend in the area. While it is not one of the new
glitzy five star hotels being built in Hurghada, guests will find
it comfortable, entertaining, and affordable.
The Jasmine Hotel
Hurghada, Egypt
Phone: +20-65-446455 , +20-65-446442
Fax: +20 65 446455/446441/547625/442011
Email
Reservations
|
