Amsterdam has a way of getting under your skin. It’s a city of contradictions—where centuries-old history meets a very cool, modern pulse. For a travel lover like me, the best way to see it isn’t through a bus window; it’s by walking until your feet ache and then retreating somewhere spectacular.
The Ultimate Splurge: The ‘Van Oranje’ Suite
Since we were there for Valentine’s Day, we decided to break the “budget traveler” rules and go for pure opulence at Hotel Estherea. Tucked into the Singel canal, this place feels like a boutique jewel box.
We stayed in the ‘Van Oranje’ suite, and I’m going to be bold: it was the nicest room we have ever stayed in.
It features these massive, stunning chandeliers that make the whole place glow. The attention to detail is staggering—from the mahogany accents to the rich, warm orange fabrics.
It’s 55 square meters of pure luxury right in the heart of the city.
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• The Review: Beyond the “wow” factor of the suite, the hotel feels incredibly welcoming. They have lovely pastries, tea, and coffee waiting for you in the reception area—the perfect “welcome home” after a long walk.
They even have a tiny gym in the basement, which is impressive for a historic canal house!
• The Boss: But the real owner of the building? The resident hotel cat.
True to form, it was completely aloof—strolling through the lobby with an air of “I own this place, you’re just paying the mortgage.” It added such a cozy, quirky character to an otherwise high-end stay.
Museum Talk: Van Gogh vs. The Rest
When it comes to the big museums, everyone talks about the Rijksmuseum, but for me, it felt a bit too traditional and “stiff.” I much preferred the Van Gogh Museum.
It felt far more modern and aligned with my tastes. The way the gallery is laid out tells a personal, emotional story that makes the art feel fresh rather than like a dusty history lesson. It’s vibrant and intimate—just make sure to book your slot weeks in advance!
A Reality Check: The Anne Frank House
Of course, you can’t visit Amsterdam without spending time at the Anne Frank House. It’s the polar opposite of the luxury at the Estherea—it’s somber, quiet, and deeply moving. Standing in that secret annex is a powerful reminder of the city’s history that really grounds the whole trip.
The Best (and Cheapest) Activity: Just Walk
Beyond the fancy suites and the famous art, my favorite thing was just soaking in the atmosphere. Amsterdam is a city built for wandering.
We spent hours crossing canal bridges and exploring the Jordaan district. There is something so peaceful about just watching the water and the bikes go by.
Even with all the fancy private options out there, there is something so nostalgic and fun about the classic tourist canal cruise. We hopped on one of the big glass-topped boats near the station, and honestly, it’s a must. You get those perfect panoramic views of the “Skinny Bridge” and the harbor that you just can’t see as well from the street.
We popped on the headphones, listened to the history of the canal houses, and just relaxed for an hour. It’s the ultimate “low-effort, high-reward” activity—especially if your feet need a break from all that walking!
How to Balance the Budget:
• The Library View: Skip the paid observation decks. The top floor of the OBA Library has an incredible panoramic view of the harbor for free.
• Market Eats: We hit the Albert Cuyp Market for fresh stroopwafels and hot fries. It’s the best way to eat like a local without the sit-down restaurant prices.
• The Free Ferry: Hop on the ferry behind Centraal Station to Amsterdam Noord for a breeze and a great view of the skyline.
The Verdict: Amsterdam is at its best when you mix the high and the low. Spend the money on a suite with chandeliers and a royal cat, but spend your time getting lost on the cobblestone streets. It was the perfect getaway
We have stayed at Serry Beach Hotel three times now, so it is safe to say it has become one of those places we genuinely love going back to.
There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Hurghada, but Serry has a lovely mix of style, comfort, location and service that makes it feel special without being too formal.
It is the kind of hotel where you can properly relax. Everything feels easy: the beach is close, the restaurants are on site, the staff are warm, and the whole place has that sun-soaked Red Sea holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.
Serry Beach Resort is in Hurghada, on the Red Sea, and is located on the city’s touristic promenade, so you are close to the beach while still being near the main resort area. It is also a short distance from Hurghada International Airport, which makes arrival day much less stressful.
First Impressions The first thing I noticed about Serry was the aesthetic. It has a beautiful modern Egyptian style, with warm colours, soft lighting, natural textures and lots of little design details that make it feel more personal than a standard resort hotel. It does not feel flashy or overdone. It feels stylish, calm and considered. There are lovely seating areas, pretty walkways and plenty of corners that look gorgeous in photos or video, which is always a bonus if you like creating holiday content. Sometimes it is a little bit eye rolling the posing but it’s all part of the vibe . What I like most is that it still feels relaxed. You can dress up for dinner in the evening, but during the day it is perfectly normal to wander around in a beach dress and flip-flops. It has that balance of luxury and ease, which is exactly what I want from a holiday hotel. Location The location is one of Serry’s biggest strengths. You are right by the Red Sea, but you do not feel cut off from everything else. Because the hotel is on Hurghada’s touristic promenade, it is easy to pop out, go for a walk or explore a little if you want to. Being close to the airport is another huge plus. After a flight, I always just want to get to the hotel, unpack and start the holiday, so a shorter transfer makes a real difference. For us, Serry gives you the best of both worlds: a calm beachfront base, but with enough nearby that you do not feel isolated.
Beach and Pool The beach is one of the main reasons we have returned. Serry has a beachfront setting and a private beach area, so it is very easy to go from breakfast straight to your sunbed.
The beach has a relaxed, well-looked-after feel. It is the sort of place where you can happily spend hours doing very little: a swim, a cold drink, a bit of reading, then back into the sea. The pool area gives you another option if you fancy a change, as the resort also has an outdoor swimming pool.
There is also a small kids pool with a little stall you can get ice cream and popcorn from.
The lifeguards on the beach deserve a special mention. They are professional, friendly and always alert, but they also go above and beyond. On our stays, they made sure we had sunbeds every day in our chosen position, which we really appreciated. It might sound like a small thing, but when you are on holiday and have found your perfect spot, it makes such a difference. That level of attention is part of what makes the beach feel so well run.
Food and Restaurants
The restaurant team are one of the biggest reasons we have such fond memories of Serry. Across our visits, they have always been welcoming, friendly and attentive. The chefs are fantastic too. You can tell they take pride in what they do, and there was one moment that really stayed with us.
One evening, Lance was unwell and did not come down to the restaurant. The staff noticed he was missing and asked where he was. When I explained he was not feeling well, they gave me a little plate with mint tea, fresh ginger, honey and lemon to take back to him to help settle his stomach.
That kind of gesture says a lot about a hotel. It was thoughtful, personal and completely unexpected. It made us feel genuinely cared for. Serry has several dining options, including Sofra Food Hall, Sokar Seafood Restaurant, Keif Fusion Gastro Bar, Nur Beach Club, Dar Lounge and The Rooftop Terrace. Having different places to eat helps the holiday feel varied, especially if you are staying all-inclusive. The only place where service was not quite as strong for us was Dar Lounge. It is a lovely space, but the service could be slow at times.
It would not stop us from returning, but it is worth knowing if you are someone who gets frustrated waiting for drinks. The reception staff are not the most friendly either which is strange as they are your first port of call
Yes there are cats 🐈⬛
Rooms
Serry Beach Resort has a lovely mix of room types, from Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Twin Rooms with garden, pool or sea views, through to larger Chalets, One-Bedroom Suites, Two-Bedroom Suites, Penthouse Suites and a Signature Suite with sea views. Some rooms come with balconies, garden or pool access, while the suites offer extra space such as living areas, dining areas, kitchenettes and, in the higher categories, butler service and lounge access. All the rooms we have stayed in have had showers, no baths unfortunately .
Until we win the lottery the deluxe rooms are the ones we had, we’ve had a sea view and garden view and both are similar in style. In the corridors outside the room there was the piped sound of waves and also birds chirping which we loved.
Serry Beach App
There is an app which is useful as it has mealtimes, activities etc and a WhatsApp so you can send any requests and they get dealt with that way – we found this a very effective way of communicating.
Staff and Tipping The staff are what make Serry feel personal. From the restaurant team to the beach staff and housekeeping, we really noticed the care they put into things. Even though the hotel is all-inclusive, I would recommend taking American dollars for tips.
It is nice to be able to show your appreciation when someone has made your stay that little bit easier.
Stomach Upsets
I want to mention this honestly because I know people often look for it in reviews of hotels in Egypt. I have seen some reviews where people say they had stomach problems, and on our second visit, we did have a few days where we were not quite right. It was soon sorted with a trip to the pharmacy across the road, and it did not put us off because we have been back again since. I would not automatically blame the hotel either, as tummy upsets can happen when travelling because of heat, different food, different drinks and a change in routine. It is reassuring to know there is a pharmacy nearby. I find it’s better to use the local pharmacy medications rather than English ones as they are more suited to local bugs.
Evening Entertainment
There is not a huge amount of entertainment in the evening. For us, that actually suited the kind of holiday we wanted. We were happy to have dinner, enjoy a drink and have a quieter night
. However, it may not be for everyone. If you like big shows, loud music and lots going on every evening, you might find Serry a little too quiet at night. If you prefer a calmer, more grown-up atmosphere, it works really well.
Sinbad Sister Hotel Another bonus is that guests can use the facilities at the Sinbad, which is the sister hotel across the road. This is great if you fancy a change of scenery during your stay.
Sinbad has its own water park, so it is especially useful if you are travelling with children or want a more active day.
We liked having Serry as our calm base, with the option of using the Sinbad facilities when we wanted something different.
Other Facilities
There is a small but well equipped gym with cardio machines, free weights and machines. Towels and water are provided
There is also a spa but we didn’t visit that so can’t comment as to whether it is any good or the range of treatments
Tips Before You Go
Buy your Egyptian visa before you travel. If you are travelling from the UK, British passport holders normally need a visa for Egypt, and applying online for an e-visa in advance can help prevent delays and being hassled at the airport. Use the official Egypt e-Visa Portal and apply in plenty of time. It is worth doing this at least a week before you travel, then printing the approved e-Visa and taking it with you.
Take American dollars for tips, as it is useful for showing appreciation during your stay. Pack a few stomach remedies, and remember there is a pharmacy across the road if you need anything. Expect quieter evenings rather than big nightly entertainment. Use the Sinbad facilities across the road if you fancy the water park or a change from Serry. Be prepared for slower service in Dar Lounge, although the rest of the service we experienced was excellent.
Final Thoughts
Serry Beach Hotel is stylish, relaxing and beautifully located, but what really makes it stand out is the people. The restaurant staff are amazing, the chefs are thoughtful, and the overall service made us feel genuinely looked after. It is not perfect. Dar Lounge service could be quicker, the evening entertainment is limited, and we did have a few days of stomach trouble on our second visit. But none of that stopped us from returning, which says a lot. After three visits, we would happily recommend Serry Beach Hotel if you are looking for a Red Sea holiday with beautiful surroundings, good food, warm service and a calm, stylish atmosphere.
LCChaosandhome 