Al Haroun Marsa Matruh: Egypt's Hidden Paradise Awaits!
Okay, here's a review of Al Haroun Marsa Matruh, Egypt, the way I wish I could write one, all messy and bursting with opinions, with the SEO stuff woven in like haphazardly dropped sequins. Buckle up, buttercups! This is gonna be a ride.
Al Haroun Marsa Matruh: Egypt's Hidden Paradise…Or Is It? A Gut-Punch Honest Review
Let's be real, Marsa Matruh has always been a vibe. You think of Egypt, you think of the Pyramids, the Nile, maybe a camel ride. But Marsa Matruh? Dude, it's the hidden beach-bum secret. And Al Haroun? Well, they're trying to be the kingpin of this hidden paradise. So, let's see if they nailed it.
Accessibility: Getting There, Getting Around, and Actually Getting In
Okay, first thing's first. Accessibility is key, and I'm talking about more than just the ramp. Did you come with a fancy Airport transfer from Al Haroun? Good. That first impression is everything. Landing in Marsa Matruh is a mini-adventure, so you need to land running. They advertise Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site], which is essential. If you’re hoping for public transport, well, good luck navigating the desert. Taxi service might be your best bet.
Now, let's talk wheelchair accessibility. This is where things can get iffy in Egypt. Does Al Haroun really commit to Facilities for disabled guests? Do they just say it? I NEED TO KNOW THIS, PEOPLE! I crave specifics; are there proper ramps everywhere, wide doorways. The elevator better be smooth. Because if you're relying on a bumpy ride, forget about relaxing. I'm going full-on research mode here. If I'm on my own, I might lean on the luggage storage cause a hefty bag is not gonna help me. If the check-in/out [express] is quick, at least you're less likely to be stuck at the front desk.. We'll delve deeper later.
Internet: The Lifeblood of the Modern Traveler & The Wi-Fi Wars
Ah, Internet. The thing that keeps us all connected, whether we're actually connected to something meaningful or just endlessly scrolling. Now, Al Haroun trumpets Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Internet access – wireless. But here's the thing, and it’s a rant: don't just tell me, SHOW ME! How fast is the Internet connection really? Is it strong enough to video call back home, or will you be stuck staring at your phone with buffering circles? Is there Internet [LAN] in the rooms as a backup? Because that is a lifesaver. The Wi-Fi in public areas better be solid, especially if you're desperate for a connection near the pool with view.
Remember, people, we are in the middle of nowhere; expect some issues.
Cleanliness and Safety: Are We Talking Germ-Free or Just "Sort Of Clean"?
Okay, COVID-19 changed everything. And honestly, it changed my expectations of hotels forever. Al Haroun says they're on it. They announce that they use Anti-viral cleaning products. They say they have Daily disinfection in common areas. They proudly declare the Rooms sanitized between stays. But is it just lip service? Are the staff properly trained in Staff trained in safety protocol? I mean, do they REALLY use the Sterilizing equipment? Are there Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere? Are they offering Room sanitization opt-out available? I hope so. It’s so people can be comfortable with their own space. And most importantly, are they following Physical distancing of at least 1 meter?
I want to know the nitty-gritty. Are they doing all the things to keep us safe, or is it the bare minimum?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Can They Actually Feed You?
Alright, let's get real about the food. This is a HUGE deal for me. A bad meal can ruin a vacation.
- Restaurants: Okay, they list Restaurants, duh. But what kind? Is there a decent A la carte in restaurant menu? A Buffet in restaurant? Is there a Vegetarian restaurant or at least some veggie options? I hate being stuck with a sad salad.
- Breakfast: They boast Breakfast [buffet]. But is the buffet actually good? Are there fresh juices? Decent coffee? A proper Western breakfast? Or just some sad, pre-packaged croissants? I crave Breakfast in room.
- International Flavors: International cuisine in restaurant and Asian cuisine in restaurant are a plus. But is it legit, or is it "Egyptian-fied" everything? (Which can sometimes be amazing, to be fair). I need to know!
- The Little Extras: Coffee/tea in restaurant is a given. Happy hour? Count me in. Poolside bar? Essential. And if they have a decent Snack bar, I'm sold.
- Dietary Needs: I love that there's an Alternative meal arrangement; sometimes you just need a simple burger.
- The Details: Bottle of water in the room? Crucial. Room service [24-hour], yes, please!
- If You are feeling sick: and Doctor/nurse on call, if you’ve got a stomach bug for sure.
Ways to Relax & Unwind: The Ultimate Test of a "Paradise"
Now we're getting to the good stuff. This is where Al Haroun either shines or falls flat.
- Spa Life: They've got a Spa, a Sauna, a Steamroom, a Massage, and a Spa/sauna. YES! This is what vacation is about. But what kind of massages? Are they legit, or just the same old cookie-cutter experience? Is there a Body scrub and a Body wrap? I want to melt. Honestly, if they have a good Foot bath, they're already winning.
- Pool Time: An Swimming pool [outdoor]. Are there enough sun loungers? Is it actually clean?
- Fitness Fanatics: A Fitness center is awesome. But I want to know what kind of gym it is. Is it fully equipped?
- The Extras: The Pool with view is a must-have.
- Proposal Spot: This is the place to do it, am I wrong?
Services and Conveniences: Does Al Haroun Make Life Easy?
This is about the nitty-gritty that can make or break a stay.
The Essentials: Daily housekeeping is a must. A good Concierge is invaluable. Laundry service and Dry cleaning are amazing.
Getting Things Done: Business facilities are good to have. If you need to Meetings, there are Meeting/banquet facilities.
The "Helpful" Stuff: Currency exchange is critical. Cash withdrawal is a lifesaver.
Conveniences: Elevator? Absolutely necessary unless you love stairs. A Gift/souvenir shop is a bonus.
For The Kids, I do not have any kids
Okay, Al Haroun lists Babysitting service and Kids facilities. So parents can relax, but I'm still thinking on my own.
Rooms: The Heart of the Matter
This is where you'll spend most of your time, so it NEEDS to be good.
- The Basics: Air conditioning? Essential. A Safe/security feature in the room? Yes, please. A Mini bar? Okay, fine, I'll allow it. Non-smoking rooms, please!
- The Amenities: Free Wi-Fi? (Again, let’s hope it's good!). Coffee/tea maker? Yes! A Refrigerator? Crucial.
- The Luxuries: Bathtub? Bathrobes? Slippers? YES, YES, YES! I'm picturing myself relaxing in that tub.
- The Details: A Desk and a Laptop workspace are great for getting some work done. Blackout curtains are a lifesaver.
- Other things:
- wake-up service.
- Seating area.
- extra long bed.
- non-smoking.
- interconnecting room(s) available.
Getting Around: Don't Get Stranded!
- Airport transfer: They better have one, and it should be smooth.
- Taxi service: Always good to have options.
- **Car
Alright, buckle up buttercups. We're heading to Al Haroun, Marsa Matruh, Egypt. Forget your pristine brochures and perfect Instagram feeds. This is my trip, and it's gonna be a glorious, messy, sun-kissed adventure. Consider this… my brain-dump itinerary. Try to keep up!
Day 1: Arrival & Beach Bliss (and a Possible Meltdown)
- Morning (like, EARLY): Land in Marsa Matruh. Forget the organized airport transfer. I'm doing it the hard way. Haggling a taxi. (I'm already dreading the haggling, honestly. Pray for me.) The air hits me like a warm, sandy slap in the face. "Welcome to Egypt, lady!" it seems to say. And I'm already sweating. This is good.
- Late Morning: Arrive at Al Haroun. Find accommodation. Try to find accommodation that doesn't look like a warzone. The Airbnb photos were… optimistic. Let's just say the "charming balcony" might be a fire hazard. But the sea view! Oh, the sea view! It's stealing my breath. (Quick aside: I'm already wondering if I brought enough sunscreen. Probably not. I'm eternally optimistic about my skin's ability to withstand the sun.)
- Afternoon: BEACH TIME! This is why we're here, people. We're going to Al Haroun Beach. And it's, well, perfect. The turquoise water? Mind-blowing. The sand? Like powdered sugar. We are going to find a spot and settle in, maybe bring a beach chair and a book. Okay, the book goes in the bag, I'm going to stare at the ocean for an hour, and lose myself in it.
- Evening: Sunset on the beach. Fish Market. Stumble onto a local restaurant. Ordered something I cannot pronounce. Maybe it's incredible. Maybe I'll be asking for the bathroom all night. My stomach is already churning with anticipation. I hope it's worth it, it costs an arm and a leg.
Day 2: Culture Shock & Culinary Catastrophes (Maybe?)
- Morning: Explore Marsa Matruh city. Walk along the corniche. Get utterly lost in the souk (marketplace). I will purchase something completely useless, but beautiful. Maybe a fake scarab beetle. I'm a sucker for those.
- Mid-morning: (RANT ALERT!) Okay, this is important. The food. I'm always fascinated by the food, the local food. The food can make or break a trip. (The food better be good. I have standards. I will find the best falafel in Marsa Matruh, even if it kills me).
- Afternoon: Another day, another swim. I think I want to scuba dive. Don't know if I can do that. I'm a little bit scared. More importantly, I have to prepare myself mentally. Prepare to get wet. Prepare to be scared. Prepare to feel the incredible fear of the world.
- Evening: Tonight, I am going to search for the most authentic Bedouin dinner possible. Or, you know… any dinner that's not a plate of dubious-looking kebabs. Fingers crossed! (Okay, maybe I'll try the kebabs too. Food coma, here I come.)
Day 3: Road Trip & Romantic Notions (And Sunburn, Probably)
- Morning: Hire a car. I am driving myself. My driving skills are…questionable. (But hey, adventure!) I'm aiming for Cleopatra's Beach. I'm going to pretend I'm Cleopatra. I'm going to bask in the glory of the sun.
- Mid-day: Find a deserted cove, maybe a picnic. Buy some snacks. I will bring enough water.
- Afternoon: I'm going to drive on, further along the coast. Maybe find a tiny, hidden village. I love seeing tiny villages. I am going to find the most scenic spot and just… breathe. In the sea air. I will write. I will think. I will stare at the sea.
- Evening: Back to Al Haroun. Some time to relax. A bit of time to myself. Maybe try a massage on the beach. Listen to the waves. Watch the sunset. Maybe even cry a little because this is all so beautiful. (Don't judge me!)
Day 4: The Deep Dive & The Unexpected
- Morning: Scuba diving. Yes, I've found a scuba diving school. I'm going to do this! Wish me luck. I'm expecting to panic. I'm expecting to see incredible things. I'm expecting to be humbled and awestruck.
- Afternoon: I will be exhausted after scuba-diving. I might be green. Need to relax, maybe.
- Evening: This is the "free" evening. The one where the unexpected happens. Maybe I meet someone. Maybe I stumble upon a hidden gem of a cafe. Maybe I get lost in the labyrinthine streets. Honestly, I'm open to anything. It's this kind of spontaneity that makes a trip feel like a real adventure. (I'm secretly hoping for a romance. Don't tell anyone.)
Day 5: Farewell & Existential Crisis (Probably)
- Morning: One last sunrise over the water. One last dip in that glorious turquoise. I will try to memorize every single detail.
- Afternoon: Pack. Say goodbye to the charming-but-slightly-dodgy balcony. Head to the airport. Start the slow, agonizing process of leaving paradise.
- Evening: On the plane. Reflect on the trip. Already thinking about when I can come back. Wishing I had stayed another week. This trip was a mess. But it was my mess. And I loved every single, sandy, sunburnt minute of it. The end. (Or, you know… until the next adventure!)
Al Haroun Marsa Matruh: Still a Secret, But Here's the Lowdown (and My Hang-Ups!)
So, Al Haroun? Is it actually *that* amazing? The hype is real?
Okay, let's be real. I went in with expectations, and...mostly, they were blown. Al Haroun? It's stunning. Like, *picturesque* stunning. Think turquoise water so clear you can see the fish flirting with your toes. Think blinding white sand that’s actually *soft* – not that annoying, gritty stuff that gets everywhere. I'm still finding sand in my shoes, by the way. Annoying, but, you know, worth it? Yeah. Absolutely. But... and there’s always a "but," isn’t there?
What's the vibe like in Al Haroun? Is it quiet and relaxing, or a party scene? (Asking for a friend... and me...)
Quiet. Mostly. And I say "mostly" because, well, I went during Ramadan, and things were...different. Let's just say some folks were *very* enthusiastic about their Arabic music. Which, at 3 AM, coming from a slightly-too-loud speaker on a nearby beach? Not *quite* the Zen experience I was hoping for. But usually? Bliss. Think families picnicking, couples strolling hand-in-hand, and the gentle lapping of the waves. You can usually find a quiet corner and just... *be*. Except when that family decides to do a full-blown wedding photo shoot – which, honestly, I kind of loved watching. The bride's dress was INSANE!
Okay, seriously, the beaches? Tell me about the beaches! Are they all postcard-worthy?
Oh, the beaches! My God, the beaches. Some are pure perfection. Like, straight-up, airbrushed-for-a-travel-brochure perfection. *Cleopatra's Beach*! (though I’m pretty sure Cleopatra never had to deal with Instagram influencers trying to get the perfect shot. I saw one practically *drowning* herself for an angle. I was genuinely worried.) But there are smaller, more secluded coves too where you can actually, you know, *breathe*. Look, the water is ridiculously clear. You can snorkel and see fish. It was probably the best snorkeling I've ever done and I've been around the world several times. And yes, I almost drowned there because of the current. It doesn't matter, its heaven!
What about the food? Is it all just... the same? (I'm a foodie, people!)
Okay, food. Here's where things get a little... tricky. You'll find a lot of the traditional Egyptian fare, which is good – grilled fish, delicious flatbread, hummus… and the *koshari*! (If you love carbs, you’re in for a treat). But, and it's a BIG but… the variety isn't huge. Expect to eat the same thing several times. And the service? Let's just say "island time" is a real thing. Like, *very* real. One time, I waited for an hour for a plate of fries. FRIES! But, honestly, with that view? I'd wait for *space* fries. Also, try the dates. They are ridiculously good.
Where should I stay? Any hotel recommendations, or are you just winging it?
Okay, accommodation. There are hotels – some are fancy, some are nice, and some are… well, let’s just say they haven’t been updated since the Jurassic period. I found my accommodation and the internet connection was terrible. It was actually kind of funny. I spent an entire day trying to get a stable internet connection only to give up. The upside was, in this scenario, I spent time away from the screen and actually enjoying the destination. I found an affordable resort. And it was pretty great. Do your research, read reviews. And for the love of all that is holy, check the air conditioning! I'd recommend looking for something with a pool. Trust me.
What's the best time to go? Avoid the crowds, right?
Shoulder seasons are your friend. Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) are ideal. The weather is gorgeous, the crowds are thinner, and you miss the scorching heat of summer. Avoid Ramadan if you want a party scene. Avoid peak season if you want sanity. You will want to find an affordable time, but make sure it is a good weather period.
Getting around? Easy peasy, or a logistical nightmare?
Getting around is... an adventure. Taxis are available, but agree on a price beforehand. Like, *firmly* agree. And be prepared for some... interesting driving styles. I saw some things, people. Seriously. Cars, camels, motorbikes – chaos, you know? I rented a car, and, well, let's just say I'm very grateful for the insurance. It wasn't a nightmare, necessarily, but expect some delays and some, um, creative route planning. Driving on the left side of the road is also a thing, so you should learn about that before going.
What activities are there besides, you know, *being* there?
Snorkelling is the big one. Seriously, do it. Scuba diving is an option too, if you're certified. There are watersports, like jet skiing and banana boats (which, let's be honest, are always fun). You can explore the local souks (markets) for souvenirs. The historical sites of Marsa Matruh are a must. It's not just all beach, beach, beach. Check out the Rommel's Fortress Museum. It's fascinating, even if you're not a history buff. Mostly, though, it's about relaxing, switching off, and soaking up the beauty. And avoiding the sunburn. Always wear sunscreen!
What about the people? Are they friendly? (My biggest worry!)
Mostly, yes! The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. That said, it's a good idea to be aware of local customs and dress modestly, especially outside the main tourist areas. Learn a few basic Arabic phrases –5 Star Stay Find
