Hi there - I can't answer your post but I am also looking to book here in Feb - around 23rdin my case, so am very interested in any recommendations. I was originally going to book for Marsa alam but after considering , thought that it was maybe just a little TOO nquiet - not much to do outsidt the hotels.
Am now looking at el gouna and poss Nuweiba - decisions, decisions!!
Terri

We've been to the movenpick twice. it's a large resort, can take 20 mins to walk from one side to the other (cluster 8 and the spa to cluster 7). From what we saw of the Sheraton, the movenpick beach is much larger and nicer, and there are also 3 pools at the movenpick, with the new one near cluster 8 being almost deserted last may. The downside is it takes either 2 buses or a tok tok / taxi to get to the marina (10 / 15 le), whereas the sheraton is located mid way between downtown and the marina, so only one bus ride either way.

I think the cost of food / drinks are comparable at both, but my tip is to buy your water / drinks in downtown, security don't mind you taking them back to your room, although they may look into your bags. Food is also much cheaper out at the restaurants in downtown / marina, so I'd also go b&b.

We've also been to the Coral Hilton twice, and to be honest we go to El Gouna to be able to wander around and get out of the hotel (albeit not in the real egypt experience), and the Coral to do nothing and stay in the resort.

Hi, Im going to the Sheraton at the end of March and found lots of reviews if you follow this link http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297548-d301832-Reviews-Sheraton_Miramar_Resort-El_Gouna_Red_Sea_and_Sinai.html Cant really comment on the movenpick, everyvody seems to have a favourite. Hope you manage to decide!

Thanks for the speedy replies everyone!

@Badgerman - so which did you actually prefer El Gouna or Nuweiba? i know they are different types of holiday but as an overall comparison which was better?

One more thing i know the snorkelling at Nuweiba is suppose to be excellent but no one mentions Snorkelling in El Gouna is it any good? can you snorkell off the beach at either the Movenpick or the Sheraton? Or can you only go snorkelling on organised trips to better sites?

Thanks again!
James

I would prefer El Gouna, but sometime costs matter and the Coral is cheaper and all inc, plus it's a 90 min transfer from a small airport, and El Gouna is 30 mins from a much larger airport.

There isn't snorkellig at either hotels like there is at the Coral and Nuweiba, but there is a public beach next to the sheraton called Zeytuna which has a pier out to some coral, but we never went down it. the movenpick has an onsite dive company, the bbc featured it last year with Gennie Buckley (??) taking an open water course, and they do boat trips as well, try http://www.dive-tribe.com.

Thanks Badgerman, now my dilema has got worse! - my Fiance really likes the sound of El Gouna but i was really looking forward to some quality snorkelling!

We want somewhere where we can wander around a few shops and sample some different restaurants in the evening (which sounds like El Gouna from what i've read) but also somewhere where we can do some off the beach/Jetty snorkelling during the day!

Any Ideas Badgerman?

Of course I am very biased as I am an avid fan of Nuweiba since many years.

But...

The scenery at Nuweiba is far superior.

The beaches are excellent, sandy and, just a short walk round the corner you ll find a long stretch of superb snorkelling.

You can t walk out the door and find other restaurants but a short drive into Nuweiba or a little further to Tarabeen and you ll find quite a wide selection of little local restaurants, cafes and shops. Local, I said, meaning that they are more basic but reflect better the local atmosphere than in El Gouna.

There is a much wider choice of excursions in Nuweiba. St Catherine, White Canyon, Pharoah's Island etc etc.

For me..... no contest.

Thanks for your in put Swiss - So is there plenty of trips on offer in Nuweiba? If my Fiance is to be persuaded away from El Gouna theres gotta something other than Decent snorkelling i can use to persuade her! Is it any more accessible to Cairo/Giza than El Gouna? are there any local shops or markets close by?

Dont get me wrong i like the sound of el gouna but the fact that there is very little / no snorkelling kinda puts me off as the red sea has some of the best snorkelling in the world it would a shame to go and not snorkel!

Hi

In response to your questions regarding the Sheraton Miramar, I have stayed there in Sept 05.

I am really going to put the cat amongst the pigeons, I hated it!!! I really did, I ended up crying.

I was in Egypt on a 2 Centre Holiday, 1 week in Luxor then transfered to the Sheraton Miramar , within 48hours I was back in Luxor. I am a regular visitor to Egypt, but would never return to El-Gouna again.

The Resort is beautiful, it is not a hotel but a Resort, our rooms were stunning, however it really lacked personality. You could have been anywhere in the World, it had no sense of the real Egypt.

Like any holiday it depends what you are looking for, this hotel is so vast it is spread over lots of lagoons with little bridges linking each lagoon. My husband and I are 30yrs old and we found nothing to do, around the pool people were not friendly and there was really no atmosphere. If you are looking for a holiday where you are completely left on your own, then this is the place. Truthly the resort was stunning, but purpose built and the Rep did say that it is common for people to return to Luxor and he did not like El-Gouna.

I did visit downtown and the Marina, but it was just not for me. I am sorry if anyone is going and I am making them doubt there decision, please get in touch if you want to ask me any further questions.

Sorry

Nuweiba is also very very quiet. But the difference is that it does have a much more natural, authentic Egyptian and bedouin feel it than El Gouna which is purely a man-made creation in the middle of nowhere. And although El Gouna is very beautiful, Nuweiba's scenery is unrivalled.

Cairo is about the same distance from both resorts but yes there are many more excursions available than El Gouna.

Nuweiba sounds ideal, I really cannot see the point in visiting a Country like Egypt and not experience some Egyptian Culture.

To be honest I have never been to Nuweiba and it sounds beautiful, do you know what tour operators service this area???

I am hoping to return to Egypt in 2006 and would love to experience new resorts, I will definately be returning to Luxor, as this is a fantastic place.

we booked our honeymoon yesterday to the Coral Hilton at Nuweiba through http://www.panoramaholidays.co.uk

I'm really looking forward to it - just want peace and quiet and lots of sun for 2 weeks!

Hi Headstar

I am sure that you will have a fab time, enjoy your Honeymoon! !!

Just a little tip, try to email the Hotel and let them know that it is your Honeymoon and you may get an upgrade. I did this when I was on my Honeymoon and the Hotel did so much for me free of charge , and when I saw our Rep, she said that if I had not done this then we would not have got the room upgrade and free wine & fruit.

Worth a go!!!
Peggy

We have now booked our hol at the Sheraton El Gouna 28th feb - looks just right for us - quiet, peaceful and comfortable, with spacious rooms & large terraces, and to quote Peggy where 'you are left on your own' - that sounds good to me! .
Only going for a week so not really interested in tourist 'culture', but might return for the nile trip if I like Egypt - never been before and was a little dubious initially. But I have to 'suck it & see' and make up my own mind.
My hols normally consist of DIY'ers - booking own flights , picking up a hire car at the airport and then just driving till we find somwhere we like the look of ( after reading rough guides/lonely planet of course).
But Egypt is different and in view of the potentially dodgy situation in the region, we've done a package and got a good deal with Portland.
so watch this space - will write a review of the hotel & area when we get back. Can't wait now though,
Terri

Hi Terri

Hope you enjoy your stay, the Hotel and surrounding is beautiful and if you are not looking for any egyptian culture, then this is the place for you.

I also use the lonelyplanet guide as well and find it a useful tool, especially for Egypt. I hate resorts that are man-made and a tourist trap, which is why I hated this resort.

I also went with Portland, who were very good and transfered us to Luxor as soon as we requested it.

The area is very safe and clean with nice restaurants.

Have fun

Hi Peggy, what is Luxor like? We don't normally go to big towns/cities as we find them hot, dusty, smelly, and too busy for our liking.
Went to Athens a couple years ago and had a headache the whole time I was there - it went the minute we left for the peloponneses(now there's a lovely place)We did the 'culture' thing there, but it it just SO tourist/ rip off that couldn't wait to leave.
Now I think of Luxor/Cairo and think that it would be like athens - is that fair comment? Or am I wrong
Look forward to your comments.
BTW Bennet8 as the orignal poster - what have you decided?
love to hear from you again.

Terri

We've decided against El Gouna and Nuweiba! We are going to book the Hyatt Regency in Taba Heights!.

Thanks for everyones input! Most Helpful!

James

Hi James

Glad to hear that you are sorted now and looking forward to your holiday.
Hope you have a great time and really enjoy your time in Egypt

Wattapain- In response to your question, I am really unable to compare Luxor & Athens, as I have not visited Athens.

All I can say regarding Luxor that it is a unique experience, in my opinion to good to miss. I have heard that Cairo is extremely busy and dusty, but I would not say that Luxor is like this. Wherever you are in Egypt, you will experience Hot temparatures. It is all to do with personal choice, that is why we have websites like this to exchange advice and opinions.

Thanks

Hi James, we are going to Hyatt Regency in Taba at Whit half term in May, and the Sheraton Miramar in El Gouna in August. They both look wonderful. I have friends who have been to El Gouna recently and they loved it, also friends that go to Taba a lot and they love it.

We are going to Taba for a chill out at half term, it has loads of pools so Katie is thrilled. Going to El Gouna for a change (we nearly went there this May but decided on Hilton Sharm Dreams in Naama Bay, Sharm) went to Turkey in August and it was very hot but too humid for my liking and we really liked the dry heat in Egypt.

Have you booked yet? Hope you have a great time, you must tell me all when you get back.