Shams Lodge Hotel Egypt, Safaga Review 2026 with Baby

Vacations in Egypt, Safaga Shams Resort

Hello dear readers, I have not written anything for a week and a half as we were preparing for our vacation in Egypt in Safaga at Shams Lodge for Water Sports hotel where the internet was almost non existent.

We stayed there for 6 nights and 7 days in an all inclusive arrangement from 17.05.2026 until midday on 24.05.2026. I will describe the hotel, venues and everything related to it as clearly as possible to help other families who would like to visit Egypt and stay at the same resort. If you're interested to find out more how we spent our days there you can read more here:
Family Vacation in Egypt Review: Safaga Trip That Went Completely Wrong

Family with One and a Half Year Old Baby Vacations in Shams Hotel Resort in Egypt Safaga

I will start with the most important information and that is what you can expect during your stay.

Shams Safaga Hotels Chain

We chose Shams Lodge for Water Sports because we liked bungalows more than rooms and we were not wrong about that part. We really liked our bungalow and we had a nice view of the pool. It was very quiet so the baby could sleep nicely.

As the title says, Shams is actually a hotel chain consisting of 6 hotels. Four of them are in Safaga and those are Shams Prestige, Shams Safaga, Shams Lodge and Imperial Shams. Another two are Shams Nile and Shams Alam. I do not know much about those two but assuming it is a chain I would say it is more or less the same.

Hotels in Safaga are located in one area so you can visit all of them and walk through them. You can also visit all their venues.

Shams Lodge for Water Sports Safaga

We got an all inclusive package with minibar, all you can eat and drink buffets and snacks for tea and coffee time. On paper everything looked amazing and it was what we needed since we were traveling with a baby.

There is a check in area with three small shops and a coffee bar. Outside just a few meters from the entrance there is a pharmacy and a few more shops.

Rooms were really clean. We got two beach towels that were changed every day at 18h. It is best to be in your room at that time so you make sure they are replaced. Rooms were cleaned daily even without a sign which we found very relaxing.

There was also a safe box in the room to store documents and emergency cash.

With our package we could use all venues except Shams Prestige which required extra payment.

Bungalow Room Experience

Our bungalow room was nice and we can't complain much about that part. It could use some improvements, as well as upgrades from older appliances to newer ones, but at the end of the day we were there mainly to sleep and take a shower.

The walk-in shower was the highlight for me. At night you could look at the sky and see the stars, as it had a glass roof. There was also a rain shower, but the water pressure was disappointing for that feature.

The only thing I really did not like was the bathroom door. Even when closed, there were many gaps because it was a glass door, which made it feel like you were still in the room rather than in a separate bathroom.

Drinking Water

Do not drink tap water. Do not use ice cubes as they are made from tap water. The only safe option is bottled water.

Swimming Pools

Pools were clean and nice but we did not use them much as we wanted to enjoy the beach. We planned to use them later but they close exactly at 18h. Staff will start closing procedures around you which felt very unfriendly.

Venues

There is a simple rule. Peel it, cook it or do not eat it. Avoid fresh salads.

We used three restaurants and honestly I do not know which one was worse. In the end we used only the beach restaurant because it was closest to the beach and our room and the only one where we could find something to eat.

Breakfast was the same every day in all restaurants. Lunch and dinner were also mostly the same with maybe two or three different dishes.

For tea and coffee snacks you can expect sweets and waffles.

All Inclusive Drinks

This part really deserves attention.

We booked a room with minibar but got an empty fridge and two small bottles of warm water.

We thought we would just bring drinks from the bar but that was not possible. We had to fight for bottled water to have enough for three of us.

Drinks were served only in glasses at restaurants and bars. Takeaway was allowed only in reusable plastic cups. If you wanted a bottle you had to pay extra.

This was very frustrating especially in the evening when we wanted to relax with a cold drink.

Service

Service was mostly fine and helpful.

At the beach waiters would come from time to time to offer drinks and twice a day they would offer fruit.

Walking and Activities

The resort is huge and great for evening walks. It is very friendly for families with strollers and people with disabilities as there are ramps everywhere.

There are many activities such as diving, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, running track, indoor gym, tennis, squash and beach volleyball.

Beach and Sea

The beach was nice and tidy. The sea condition depends on the wind and sometimes there was sea grass.

There are many trash bins available.

Two things made our experience bad. There is a port for excursion boats about 20 meters away so you can see oil and diesel traces in the water. Also there are sharp pieces from umbrellas and wind protectors on the ground and I got cut several times.

Conclusion

Even though the hotel is visually very nice and well maintained with beautiful gardens we will not go there again.

Food was not inviting and not baby friendly. Our baby was practically starving and all of us got stomach problems by the third day.

All inclusive drinks were very disappointing and overall experience for us was unsatisfying.

We chose this place based on great reviews on Google and Check24 which now makes me question how realistic those reviews are.

From our side we do not recommend this place.

On a scale from 0 to 10 I would give it a generous 4 out of 10.

FAQ Shams Lodge Safaga Egypt Review

Is Shams Lodge Safaga good for families with babies?

Shams Lodge Safaga can be challenging for families with small babies due to limited baby friendly food options and inconsistent food quality. While the resort is spacious and quiet in some areas, our experience showed that food availability and variety were not suitable for a one and a half year old baby.

Is the food in Shams Lodge Safaga all inclusive good?

The food is repetitive and mostly the same every day across different restaurants. There is very limited variety and not much baby friendly or fresh food options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus stay almost identical during the stay.

Is tap water safe in Shams Lodge Safaga Egypt?

No. Tap water in Shams Lodge Safaga is not safe for drinking. Only bottled water should be consumed, and ice cubes should be avoided as they are typically made from tap water.

Does Shams Lodge Safaga have a minibar in the rooms?

Rooms may include a minibar setup, but in practice it is often empty except for a few bottles of water. Soft drinks and additional beverages are not usually included for free consumption in the room.

Are drinks really all inclusive in Shams Lodge Safaga?

Drinks are included, but with limitations. Alcoholic and soft drinks are served in glasses at bars and restaurants. Takeaway drinks are restricted to reusable plastic cups, and bottled drinks usually require extra payment.

Is Shams Lodge Safaga beach safe and clean?

The beach is generally clean and maintained, but there can be issues such as sea grass, occasional debris, and nearby boat traffic that may affect water clarity and cleanliness.

What is the best part of Shams Lodge Safaga?

The best part of the resort is its size, walking areas, gardens, and access to water sports activities such as diving, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and beach volleyball.

Would you recommend Shams Lodge Safaga Egypt?

Based on our personal experience, we would not recommend it, especially for families with small children or those expecting a high quality all inclusive food and drink experience.

Written in Germany