Siva Sharm Resort & Spa

“Very good!”

Nice location, good food and drinks, normal room, friendly staff , beautiful reef, beautiful animations, close to soho square , good room cleaning, clean areas

“Stunning views, sh*t service”

I stayed at Siva Sharm Resort & Spa for 6 nights after having to urgently relocate from another hotel due to a genuinely frightening experience elsewhere. I arrived shaken and exhausted, hoping this resort would at least offer calm, safety, and basic clarity. Sadly, the experience was mixed at bes… more

I stayed at Siva Sharm Resort & Spa for 6 nights after having to urgently relocate from another hotel due to a genuinely frightening experience elsewhere. I arrived shaken and exhausted, hoping this resort would at least offer calm, safety, and basic clarity. Sadly, the experience was mixed at best. Check-in was uncomfortable from the start. Reception staff spoke very little English, which I completely understand — I’m the one visiting a foreign country — but there was no effort made to communicate, even when I used Google Translate. They wouldn’t read it, explain anything clearly, or outline what was included in the all-inclusive package or how the resort actually works. It felt dismissive rather than simply a language barrier. After checking in, the staff member who showed me to my room lingered inside the room in an awkward way until I tipped him. It didn’t feel friendly or helpful — it felt uncomfortable and pressured, especially given the state I was already in from my previous hotel experience. Throughout the resort, there is an overwhelming amount of staff, and it quickly becomes clear that tips are expected constantly. If you don’t tip, service becomes cold or nonexistent. Everything feels transactional. You’re not treated like a guest unless you’re paying extra on top of what you’ve already paid. Food was another disappointment. The buffet and the three attached restaurants offer a very limited selection, and the quality is mediocre at best. Drinks that are supposedly “free” are poured in tiny servings, around 100ml at a time. Many items you’d reasonably expect to be included — such as fruit juice, fresh juice, or better-quality dishes — come at an additional cost. In the main restaurant, I would strongly advise people with allergies to be extremely cautious. Many of the buffet serving utensils are shared between dishes and used interchangeably. I personally had a mild allergic reaction after using a spoon that had clearly been used in another dish. There is little awareness or care around cross-contamination. The resort itself looks stunning from a distance. The views are genuinely beautiful, especially overlooking the sea, and the overall layout gives a luxurious first impression. However, don’t look too closely. Once you start paying attention, you’ll notice cracked tiles on the floors, some rotten or damaged wooden doors, and general wear that doesn’t match the image being sold. The rooms are a mixed bag. On the positive side, the bed was clean and comfortable, and the room itself is spacious with lovely views. It’s clear the resort was very nice at some point, and it is still generally well maintained on the surface. That said, I did notice hairs and stains left on what was supposed to be clean bedding, which was disappointing and concerning. The room contains a cooler (not a fridge), along with a safe and TV, though I didn’t use either. The shower never produced hot water — only cold to lukewarm at best. The shower floor is essentially a half-size bathtub with very cheap-feeling flooring that honestly felt like it might crack under my weight. I’m above average weight, but nothing extreme, and it shouldn’t feel unsafe to simply take a shower. The shops inside the resort are outrageously overpriced. I was charged $7 USD for a very small pack of cookies. I also noticed locals being offered reduced prices, often done quietly and discreetly, which felt dishonest. Overall, Siva Sharm Resort & Spa is a place of extremes. The views, architecture, and room comfort have real potential and are genuinely lovely. However, the lack of communication, uncomfortable tipping culture, mediocre food, poor allergy awareness, and general attitude of staff seriously undermine the experience. If you’re happy constantly tipping and lowering your expectations around service and transparency, you may enjoy the visuals and setting. But if you’re looking to feel genuinely welcomed, cared for, or relaxed — especially after a stressful experience — this resort may leave you feeling disappointed.

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