The Zen Wellness Resort

I read a lot of reviews online, some with five-star reviews, others with only three. I was a bit nervous, but when I realized I couldn't check out after checking in, I went ahead and stayed. First, I flew to Aswan and chartered a car directly there. The road to the hotel was very dark, like a rural road in China with desert on both sides, and relying entirely on the car's high beams for lighting. I was a bit scared. Once I arrived at the hotel, I found it really looked like a Country Garden property, just like the reviews had said. Speaking of the facilities, the so-called villas don't mean you can live in them all. Besides the work area, each floor is divided into small apartments, like tiny rooms that instantly transported me back to a student dorm in the UK. The balcony is essentially connected to the room next door, separated by a wooden or bamboo screen. Privacy is a bit limited, but once you lock the glass door, you're safe. There's no toothpaste, toothbrush, or slippers. The hot water is good and plentiful, but the faucet is broken; the handle falls off when you touch it. The air conditioner is an LG wall-mounted unit, and the decor is quite Chinese. The small refrigerator in the room hums constantly at night, along with the air conditioner. It doesn't disturb your sleep, but you can hear the electrical noise, so it doesn't cool very well. The room was dusty, but the bedding and towels were clean. This hotel is recommended because the rooms have beautiful views of the sea, especially at breakfast, and the large work area. But for travelers in Egypt, this industrial zone doesn't really matter, as people focus on the in-room experience. The best thing about this hotel is the warm and genuine staff, a stark contrast to Cairo. Each one of them cares about your stay, your meals, and any needs you might have, and they'll address them promptly. It feels like they're trying hard, but the hotel's facilities and amenities aren't up to par. Their attitude is genuine and excellent. I booked this hotel for over 500 yuan, because it was the hottest day. For a price-to-quality ratio, considering the view and the size of the hotel, I really couldn't afford a bicycle. It's perfectly acceptable to spend the night here, as it's very close to the Temple of the Al-Farabi, only about a ten-minute drive. Staying here means you don't have to get up early the next day to visit the temple. Breakfast isn't very varied, but there are things like fried eggs and bread. My biggest complaint is that many people mentioned the room on the first floor. The work area isn't accessible to you and isn't inside your room, so you need to use the stairs to get to your room. They'll help you up, but there's no one to help you get down, which is inconvenient for elderly families. The hotel seems understaffed. If they could offer assistance with luggage, I believe it would make up for their unwillingness to invest in an elevator. Also, the signal is very poor. Both China Mobile and Egypt only have 3G, so I can't trade stocks. Overall, for a one-night stay in the low 500s, I think it's worth it.