JAZ Aquamarine

JAZ Aquamarine is a large five-star resort built for people who like their holiday logistics close at hand: beach, pools, restaurants, spa and a diving centre on site. It is the sort of place where you can return from the Red Sea, find a cold drink, eat without leaving the grounds and still have several ways to spend the evening.

The scale is considerable, with 456 rooms and a broad family-friendly setup. Children have a kids' club for ages four to twelve, a separate pool, a playground, children's meals and evening activities, while adults have a spa, fitness centre, bars and live entertainment. The hotel team speaks English, German, Russian and Arabic, so English-speaking guests will be understood on site.

This is a resort for divers who are travelling with a non-diving partner or family, rather than a small base built around dive briefings and early breakfasts. You get the convenience of an all-inclusive stay and plenty to do on land, with the practical caveat that the diving operation is run separately by a third party.

On the southern side of Hurghada, JAZ Aquamarine sits directly on the Red Sea coast, with its own private sandy beach. Sun loungers, parasols and a beach bar are set up for the straightforward business of getting out of the water, drying off and doing very little for a while.

Hurghada International Airport is about 5 miles away by road, roughly a 9-minute drive. Hurghada city centre is about 11 miles away by road, so the resort gives you a self-contained base rather than a hotel in the middle of town. Sand City Hurghada is around 2.5 miles away, and the Hurghada Grand Aquarium about 5 miles away.

The nearby coastline includes Titanic Beach, around 500 metres away, as well as Hurghada Coral Beach at roughly 1.5 miles. For a change of scene, Alladin / Jasmine Beach Marina is about 2 miles away by road. The main point is simple: you are beside the sea, but the wider resort and its facilities do most of the work for you.

The room choice is broad enough to match different kinds of diving holiday. A couple who wants space to spread out after a day on a boat can look towards the Executive Double Suite, Junior Suites or Royal Suite. The family rooms add a separate living area with sofas, which is more useful than another decorative cushion when three people are sharing a room and everyone has bags, clothes and wet-weather plans competing for space.

Sea-view and pool-view options change the feel of the stay. A Superior Twin Room with Sea View keeps two separate beds while giving you the coast outside; a Deluxe Family Room with Sea View puts the view ahead of the garden. Pool-view rooms make sense if you expect to spend more time at the resort than on excursions, while the Swim Up family room puts the pool directly into the equation.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows bring in the views, and the rooms have air conditioning for the return from hot, salty water. A minibar, electric kettle, television, wardrobe and private bathroom cover the useful basics. Daily housekeeping is included, and room service runs around the clock. The less glamorous detail matters here: a proper air-conditioned room and a cold drink waiting in the minibar can do more for a tired diver than another promise about luxury.

Food is handled in all-inclusive style, with buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner available at the Main Restaurant. Breakfast runs from 7:00 to 10:00 and covers continental, Full English/Irish, vegetarian, American and buffet choices. Vegetarian and vegan diets are catered for, and special-diet menus are available on request.

There are nine restaurants in total. Sofra brings oriental cooking at dinner, while the Sea Food Restaurant serves seafood outdoors beside the beach. The wider choice includes Nino's for Italian dishes, Amaya for Indian food, Burger Bay for American-style fare, Makai Tukai for Asian cooking and The Grill for grilled dishes. Tappanyaki, Corallo and The Grill carry an additional charge, so the all-inclusive label does not mean every restaurant works on exactly the same terms.

Two named bars cover different parts of the day. The Lobby Bar serves cocktails, wine and spirits in a relaxed indoor setting; the Pool Bar adds drinks and snacks beside the swimming pool. There is also a snack bar, and live music and evening entertainment move the day towards its noisier second act. The hotel operates on a self-service basis for food and drinks in the restaurants, pool and beach areas.

The resort gives you plenty of water without requiring a wetsuit. There are 20 swimming pools across the property and three aqua parks, with the Main Pool offering a swim-up bar and the Kids Pool kept separate. The private beach adds loungers, umbrellas and a beach bar, while kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, boat excursions and jet-skiing are available for days when you want to stay active but keep the regulator in the cupboard.

For a slower recovery day, the Spa & Wellness Center offers massages, facials, a sauna and a Jacuzzi. Spa treatments and indoor spa facilities carry an additional charge, and access to the spa's indoor pool is for guests aged 16 and over. The fitness centre is also available, with access from age 16. This gives you a sensible alternative to spending every non-diving hour folded into a sun lounger.

Evenings bring live music and entertainment, while excursions include boat trips and visits to the city. Tennis, table tennis, darts, aerobics and beach volleyball add more options, with tennis equipment and court use carrying an additional charge. Camel rides and deep-sea fishing are also available at additional charge. Families have a kids' club, children's entertainment, a playground and babysitting, so a diving couple travelling with children can divide the day rather than negotiate every hour together.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out runs until 12:00. A 24-hour reception, concierge, luggage storage, currency exchange and an ATM keep the practical business of arrival and departure on site. Airport transfers are available by hotel shuttle, and car hire is also offered. Free private parking is available at the resort.

Wi-Fi is free, with limited access for up to four devices per room; higher-speed internet is not available. Laundry and pressing services are available, and an infirmary is on site. Visa and Mastercard are accepted alongside cash. The resort is non-smoking in its rooms, and pets are not allowed.

The aqua parks open daily from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 until sunset. Children under 120 centimetres need arm flotation aids in the swimming pools; the adult aqua parks have further age and height rules, including a minimum age of ten. Children must remain under their parents' supervision. Cots and extra beds can be requested, with availability depending on the selected room. The hotel also asks for birth certificates for children travelling with guests, so keep the paperwork with the passports rather than buried in the dive bag.