We walked from Swisscare to the Hilton last week to use the ATM. It took us 20 minutes along the road and about half an hour back along the beach.

Sounds about right - though I usually stop off for a snorkel or to watch some birdlife so it takes longer...

Hello!

Back from paradise to real life again

Coral was as great as ever, bar a few exceptions:

• Beach needed a good litter picking and rake up, looking a little grubby, especially near the bar (sugar packets, etc)
• Menu seemed to shrink half way through - Russell confirmed they had changed it. Was a little restrictive, but still found enough to eat well, just less choice.
• Some of the bar staff at the pool bar were a bit slack in service, and lacked attention to detail when they did finally bring drinks (not bringing milk with coffee, forgetting one drink, etc) even though it wasn't busy. This was only some, and others were great, notably Mostafa, Fady and John.
• Danger of it becoming too kiddie friendly and going too down market (I sound a snob I know). Things like some of the new signs being a bit garish and not fitting in.

On the plus side:

• Waiters in the restraunt only seem to get better. And they were pretty good to start with.
• Eastern Europeans are much better behaved than previous years.
• Putting aside the shrinking menu, food still good and tasty.
• Still the friendliest place ever for a nice relaxing break.

The water sports guys on the beach (Venus Water Sports) have changed, and they still seem to be finding their way. One trip got postponed by a day after we had spent an hour in a back-firing, bone shaking jeep riding around Nuweiba city looking for a photocopier to get copies of the passports for the tourist police. After finally coming back to the hotel and going back to the tourist police at last, we were then told too many people had already gone to Ras Abu Galum that day... Luckily they got another jeep the next day when we finally went...

I bumped into Waleed (little older guy who used to work for Venus - now works for Aqua Sport @ Taba Hilton) on a Longwood's trip (Coral Island Cruise, highly reccommend it), who laughed when I told him of our adventures with the new guys...

Do you think meeting Egyptian's you know outside the hotel on day trips means I go too much?

I also failed miserably to get to the Swisscare again, but Russell should be delivering my gift to our hotel owning friend at some point tonight...

My husband and I (maybe parents) are looking to go here next year.

Reading all the reports/reviews is getting me pretty excited and I haven't even had my 09 summer holiday yet

Helen

Hi, I have been trying to get in touch with the front desk - does anyone have a current email address. Many thanks.

There talk of a large power station being built in Nuweiba. Mentioned in the latest diver magazine.

... and see here http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-the-destruction-of-nuweiba-and-its-coral-reefs

Had a text from Wendy yesterday. She had to leave the beach at 2pm because it was "too hot".
Just had another text. Staff were saying that the temperature was 49!!

Dr Hany has had a pharmacy open next to the bank.

We saw 44 C at 6pm one day last year, when it was cooling off on the beach.
Noeleen had a predive temp at Ras el Shetan of 52 C one day.

Roll on 7th July.
Maybe I should text Wendy with our room request... Top floor, block 1 or 3 with sea views.

Building, Alan. Building!

Further to the new pharmacy, apparantly it is quite pricey (as you'd imagine). Still worth a trip to the town or port, unless you don't think your bowels would make it of course!

Yeah, I know Ev - realised as soon as I'd posted....

... and strictly speaking it's an Ocean, but no one is going to start giving the sea it's proper name either !

Ah well, one more week at work - but for now it's off home to watch Murray

And it's a gulf!

Hi after a very long time

Didn't make it to Egypt last year due to family illness - just thinking it might be nice to make a visit to the Coral at October half term but I am being quoted nearly £1000 per adult for a week - nearly twice what we paid last time. Would be very grateful for any suggestions on how to find the best prices. Sadly, not going in half term is probably not an option. Would also be intersted to kow if the hotel has changed much in the last year. Thanks everyone.

Hi all,
I have been trying to email the coral but have had no joy - have tired Emma (Customer relations), reservationas and the GM. Has anyone got a current email address as I need to discuss my booking for next week!!!

Many thanks

Have finally got in touch!!!

Hi to anyone out there,
Newbie to holiday truths.Off to Nuweiba in September.Been to Egypt 3 times before,Luxor and Cairo but never here.Its a chillout holiday for me and hard working hubby,lol.Sounds really good,just wondered if anyone else is going around this time.
Also is it still the same that you don't need a visa for this area.Thinking of doing Petra,so do i need a visa for there.
Many thanks,Chris;)

Doesn't sound like you'll be needing a visa...
Have a lovely time there, most people do!

Is anyone going to the Coral Hilton in the near future, that could take something small out for me please - its not heavy but just a couple of bits of clothing???

Perhaps you could pm me.

Thanks in advance

Well, after too long away (and a poo holiday in Crete this year (2009)), I'm planning a return trip to the Coral in September next year (2010)... I'm surprised to see that for the fortnight I'm looking at, Thomson are over £100 cheaper per person than Longwood...

Just wondered if anyone had been to the Coral with Thomson and what their experiences were like? Longwood have done me well in the past, but £200 saving for the pair of us is not to be sniffed at...

Have asked Jetline for a quote, so will see what they come back with...

All the best and a Happy New Year to all,

Kosh