Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 August 2000 Issue No. 493
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875

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For a few dollars more

By Ahmed Sami

Have you ever thought of spending your holiday in a deluxe property along the sea where all facilities are available at no additional charge? Imagine checking out without having to foot a small fortune in extras, unforeseen during check-in. This is exactly the dream new resorts are trying hard to realise in south Hurghada. Prior to travel, a sum of money is paid that is slightly more than the cost of full board accommodation, and the traveler is granted carte blanche access to the entirety of the hotel's facilities. All that, without paying an extra piastre.

This is called the all inclusive system, also known as "clubs." The system allows the guest to use resort facilities throughout the day without any additional charges incurred. This helps travelers preconceive their budget, which often skyrockets beyond expectations. Little things do add up.

The all-inclusive system first started in South America about five years ago. It caught on in some European countries and finally found its way to resorts in Egypt.

Through this system, holiday makers will neither use cash money, nor credit cards. It will equally abolish the tedious process of signing receipts. Children will be able to eat, drink and be merry without pestering papa and mama to sign for whatever extravagance their little hearts desire, be it French fries or ice cream.

Most importantly, these clubs offer special services for both children and teenagers. A children's club is charged with entertaining and educating tots with all kinds of activities regulated by professional animators. Parents can thus lean back and enjoy their time with the comforting knowledge that their offspring are in safe hands.

The teenagers' animation team offers a wide variety of facilities such as tennis, billiard, squash, table tennis, cycling and some water sports.

In Makadi bay, 20 kilometres south of Hurghada, there are four clubs under the management of Iberotel hotels' chain that have adopted this all-inclusive system: Club Makadi, Club Oasis, Club Marine and Club Sun. This is in addition to Royal Azur-Swiss Inn Resort, the first all-inclusive resort in Egypt opened in April 1998.

In Club Makadi, after the guests check in, they sport small blue leather arm bands bearing the name of the club. The aim behind the blue band is to distinguish the in-house guests of the club from other guests coming from neighbouring hotels and resorts. This arm band is removed during check-out.

Do not, however, expect to be pampered like a little baby chick. Waiters are not at your beck and call. Guests must tend to their own orders. Beverages, for example, can be procured from a draft machine in a plastic cup.

According to Hesham Said, front office manager of the club, entertaining guests is high-up on the priority list. "We have an international animation team, which provides a different show every day. We are also doing our best to satisfy children. They enjoy their time in the kids' club and the mini disco. We also serve them special kids' dinner buffet."

"As for families, the hotel allocates about 60 per cent of its rooms for families where rooms are bigger than the normal ones and could accommodate more beds and sofas," he said.

Mr and Mrs Riondato come from Italy, having heard about the club from a friend. It is their first time in an all-inclusive club. "Last year, we spent our holiday in Spain in a resort on Bed and Breakfast basis, but we found this system much better for us, especially since this is our first time in Egypt and we know nothing about prices. The all-inclusive system facilitated our stay," they conceded.

With so many animators in sight, you can bet your bottom dollar that tots won't be bored; "Mom, do I have to sign for this?"; Guests won't be pampered like little baby chicks -- self serve only! photo: Ayman Ibrahim

Without doubt, such clubs foster a friendlier atmosphere. One feels that the manager of the club, the staff and the guests constitute one big family. For example, I spotted Fritz Sacher, the general manager of Club Oasis, holding a meeting at the pool side with the new arrivals, introducing the management team to them. It is imperative that guests be acquainted with the staff in order to better deal with any problems that may arise.

Sacher proudly cites the average period of stay in his club as two weeks. "This urges us to invent new things every day in order to satisfy our guests and prevent them from getting bored. We have diversification in everything: entertainment, food and even the soup has to be changed daily."

Sometimes travelers forge new friendships during their stay in these clubs. For example, Carina Maier and Tania Froemel are two young German girls who met in the club and became friends after mere days. Tania spent her vacation last year in Marmaris in Turkey in an all-inclusive club, but she enjoyed her stay in Egypt significantly more. In addition to the friendly atmosphere, in Egypt, she acquired a better deal than the one she got in Turkey. She obtained a last minute reservation price for a two week vacation for only DM1,550 air fare included. "This is a very low price in comparison with any all-inclusive club in the world," she said.

In Royal Azur, facilities are even numerous. Food and beverage are free of charge from 5.00am to 2.00am. Moreover, all the club's restaurants, even the pizzeria, are open for free. During the day, snacks are offered free of charge everywhere and if you are spending the night at the discothèque, all the beverages that you order are also free. If you want to have a bicycle ride, you can do it without paying money. Even windsurfing is free.

"We have many repeated guests who come regularly to the club. Some of them have come six times since the opening," said Khaled A Seoud, the manager of Royal Azur.

He added that they are trying their best to offer a wider range of perks in the all-inclusive plan. "We offer free soft drinks and water in the mini bar daily and there's a free service for tea and coffee in the rooms."

He added that the nursery, kids' club, play rooms and baby-sitting are included and even the conference room providing all banquet facilities is free of charge for the guests.

In Soma bay, 35 kilometres south of Hurghada, there is Robinson Club Soma Bay that opened its doors in May 1998.

At the reception, when guests check in, the hotel team gives a quick orientation session for guests about the facilities of the club. They also give guests a chip card to serve as identification in case they should wish for something that is not included in the package.

Beverage is included in the price during mealtime only. The club also owns a tennis club free of charge all day long and children are given swimming courses for free.

Iwan Schneider, general manager of the club, who works 18 hours a day, receives the guests himself upon arrival and welcomes them. You can see him in the club all day long supervising everything, making sure the club is functioning at its best, like a well-oiled machine.

"One of our goals is to establish a connection among guests. For that reason, we arrange the tables in dinning rooms with eight seats, so guests can sit down together to have fun and mingle," said Schneider.

The rates of these resorts vary from LE300 to LE480 per day for Egyptians in a single room, LE400 to LE550 per day for Egyptians in a double room, LE370 to LE500 per day for foreigners in a single room, LE520 to LE750 per day for foreigners in a double room. This variation is due to the service provided as well as the included items. Also there are special rates for travel agencies.

For more information:
Club Makadi at 00-20-65-590025
Club Oasis at 00-20-65-590050/58
Royal Azur at 00-20-65-590306/13
Robinson Club 00-20-65-549854/59

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