Booking
I was searching using Skyscanner at the end of last March, and saw that easyJet was taking bookings for September. The price for Bristol-Hurghada was a remarkable £75 each + baggage. Naturally I grabbed 2 tickets, and Helen told a friend. Ronnie was able to grab the last available ticked at this price.
I also looked for an EgyptAir direct flight for our return in March 2024 and found it at £166 each for Luxor-Heathrow. 6 months of winter sunshine sorted!
The next requirement was for a hotel for 1 night for 3 people in Hurghada. Nothing fancy was required as we didn't need much more than a roof over our heads and good "accessibility".
I eventually settled on Solymar Ivory Suites, which is close to the airport but not on "the coast". £23 for a single and £35 for a twin, including dinner and breakfast. I also booked the Hurghada airport transfer for £5 and the Oceanus transfer to Luxor for £85.
Arriving after 11pm we were not expecting to be able to get dinner, so were surprised to be able to order this from the room service menu. Surprisingly, we were not asked to pay any surcharge for this.
My twin had been upgraded (free) to a suite[101], so we had a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms. The only thing we didn't get was a decent view.
Ronnie got the only room on the first floor to have a pool view[102], all other rooms having city views. The hotel comprises 4 floors of 12 suites. Most face outwards, and the covered walkways to the rooms overlook the pool and gardens. Only roms 102, 302, 302 and 402 have the garden view.
Breakfast was simple: good coffee, poor orange juice, personalised omelettes, simple choice of breads, toasts, cheese, meat, salad, jam, pastries, etc. Not a wide choice but more than sufficient for a one night stay.
All in all, this hotel is "fit for purpose" and thoroughly recommended.