Honest Review: All-Inclusive Vacation with a Toddler in Egypt
A once-in-a-lifetime lesson in what we’ll definitely do differently next time. Spoiler: it wasn’t exactly like the brochure promised.
Before becoming a mom, I thought vacations were for relaxing. Now I know that an all-inclusive holiday with a toddler is more like a survival reality show. Egypt with a family? Buckle up, here comes the story.
Before having a child, I always chose Airbnb – cheaper, more practical, and I could whip up breakfast in a kitchen. Then we became parents, and suddenly everyone swore by all-inclusive resorts. So we thought: let’s try it ourselves. Destination: Egypt, five-star hotel in Hurghada, beach, pools, and supposedly zero stress. Everything included... in theory.
A perfect plan – in theory
Travel agency brochures and social media posts made it all look flawless: crystal-clear water, palm trees, smiling families. We imagined the same. We even booked two excursions, thinking the kid would love the adventure. (Spoiler: she didn’t.)
As a seasoned traveler, I thought we’d be fine with light packing and buy what we needed there. I didn’t even bring diapers. (Mistake #1 – don’t be like me.)
Hurghada Airport: reality hits early
Our first scam came at the visa desk. People were offering overpriced visas while the official window had them cheaper. If you’re not alert, you’ll get ripped off immediately. That was our first impression of Egypt as a traveling family.
Hotel: huge, flashy... and a bit retro
The hotel in Hurghada was massive and impressive. Our room was spacious and clean, with perfectly fine furnishings. The pools were stunning, spread across a huge area, clean, and well-maintained. There were playgrounds, too, but in the blazing 40°C sun, they were pretty much unusable most of the day. We slipped the receptionist a tip hoping for a better room – but I’m quite sure we got the one they’d planned for us anyway.
Egyptian beach with kids: not quite what we expected
The beach was rock-hard and pebbly, and during low tide, the sea barely reached your ankles – after a 500-meter walk. We brought our snorkels, but the coral reefs were far off, and the water was far from the dreamy “crystal-clear.” It felt like buying a beautifully wrapped cake, only to find it empty inside. Still, we made the most of it – walking, swimming, sunbathing, and trying to find beauty where it took a bit more imagination.
All-Inclusive Dining – plenty of options, little enjoyment
There was plenty of food, but little flavor. The fruit in July was downright inedible. The restaurant was always packed, the waiters pushy, and the atmosphere closer to a train station than a relaxing meal. Everyone expected tips – preferably upfront. Our daughter had a full-on meltdown the first night and kept repeating the performance at every meal: no eating, lots of crying, lying on the floor mid-crowd. I hadn’t brought any special food for her. (Mistake #2.)
“$20 Kinder Chocolate” – yes, really
The hotel shop was total price chaos – nothing labeled. It felt like playing price roulette. I spotted a tiny Kinder bar and asked the price: “$20.” I laughed... he didn’t. I offered $5. He scowled and practically kicked me out of the store. Hey, at least I got a story out of it.
Hurghada Uber Adventure – straight out of a crime novel
I went to town to buy diapers. Even getting out of the hotel was an ordeal – they took down my name, passport number, time of departure and return, destination... like I was going on a covert mission. My Uber driver’s car looked like it had survived the apocalypse. And although I had prepaid the ride, he asked for cash too, saying he wouldn’t get the money otherwise. He tried convincing me to tip in advance. Reality check!
At the hotel zone gate, every car was thoroughly searched for bombs. Mirrors under the car, questioning the driver, suspicious stares at me like I was hiding international secrets in my purse. All that was missing was the dramatic background music.
Heading into town didn’t help much: dusty roads, half-finished buildings, abandoned stores. The mall was so empty I almost thanked my own echo for keeping me company.
Luckily, the supermarket was open, and they had diapers – jackpot! My ride back was with a younger driver who didn’t ask for cash and even smiled. I made it back in one piece, diapers in hand, plus a surge of adrenaline and a few extra frown lines. My nerves, however, stayed behind at the bomb checkpoint.
Excursions from Hurghada – one a gem, one a bust
The Utopia Island boat trip was a breath of fresh air after the all-inclusive chaos. On the way, we stopped to snorkel in a shallow spot, and I finally felt, “Yes, this is why we came.” Warm, clear water, colorful fish – an underwater fairy tale. The island itself looked straight out of a travel magazine: soft sandy beach, crystal water, bean bags, cocktails, and umbrellas. It was a tiny paradise. Unfortunately, since we spent so much time on the boat and had to return early, we didn’t stay long.
The turtle trip was a different story. Abu Dabbab was about a three-hour bus ride from Hurghada – both ways. The beach was beautiful, sandy and clear, but insanely crowded. To see the turtles, you had to swim far out, where they were already surrounded by dozens of tourists. Poor turtles could barely move through the crowd. As an adult it might have been worth it, but with a toddler? Not even close. The tour guide did warn us it wasn’t ideal for under 5–6-year-olds... but of course I thought I knew better. (Mistake #3.)
There was a bazaar near the beach, but not the charming kind. A fridge magnet cost €5–6, and if you merely walked past a stall, someone shady-looking would try to sell you something aggressively. More stressful than colorful.
The Pharaoh’s Curse – should you be afraid?
Luckily, our daughter dodged the infamous Pharaoh’s Curse – probably because she barely ate all week. My husband and I weren’t so lucky: slight nausea and grumbling stomachs hit during the second half of the trip. Thankfully, a couple of Antinals saved the day. But by the last days, we were both counting down the hours – after all the bland food, loud restaurant chaos, and unpredictability, we were ready to go home.
All-Inclusive vs. Airbnb with a Family – speaking from experience
This trip was a good experience – if for no other reason, at least we now know exactly what not to book again. I totally respect those who love this kind of vacation, but for us, Airbnb and doing things at our own pace is just so much more comfortable. The kid copes better when there’s space and calm, and honestly – the food at local restaurants was way better than what the all-inclusive buffet had to offer.
Best of all, we now have a pile of stories – and at least we can laugh about them.
Top Tips for Traveling to Egypt with a Toddler:
Bring a hat – for yourself too!
Mosquito repellent is a must!
Pack snacks, baby food, squeeze pouches – don’t rely on hotel meals.
If you’re heading to Egypt, make sure to get your hands on Antinal – and take some home, too, just in case the Pharaoh’s Curse decides to follow you. It’s available in syrup form for kids, so the whole family can be covered.
And most importantly: bring your sense of humor. Because the most chaotic family trips make the best stories later.
HELLO WORLD, I’M MONIKA…
...thirty-something mom who loves cooking, hates cleaning, and is constantly searching for a way to become a millionaire by tomorrow (or at least get the house in order).
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