In the hopes of stimulating a few posts on the Egypt forum, in light of the recent sad downtime on HT.
Just wanted to say i booked this hotel about 3 weeks ago for a trip later on in Spring.
Would be interested in any comments from folk on the hotel itself, El Gouna as a resort and the area in general.
I am also interested in any comments about the Hurgarda area which i assume we will be about 40 mins from El Gouna and is it worth a night out and if anyone knows how the tour operators run their transfers from there to El Gouna.
Do you think we will be a a large coach ? I am booked with Thomas Cook Style & really am not keep on taxi transfers would rather go in a large coach will other tourists & do not care if we drop off at various hotels on the way as I like to see them anyway.
Doe
El Gouna itself I think is a bit like Marmite!! I have seen some reviews from people who just don't like it, others, like me, who want to keep going back! Very quiet during the day time, not usually much busier in the evening, unless there is a local holiday and the place then fills up with local holidaymakers. I think the quiet could be due to the amount of hotels doing all inclusive, people staying in hotel grounds rather than venturing out. It is however very safe, lovely to get around, walking, little buses or tok toks. Loads of restaurants to suit just about all tastes. Have only ventured to Hurghada once, on organised trip with meal at Hard Rock. Wasnt keen, doubt we would go back!!
We missed going last year, went to Luxor for a couple of weeks instead. Can't wait to get back to see what's changed! Hope you enjoy!!
Was really pleased to get your reply didn't know if anyone on HT had been there. You must love it if you have been there 5 times.
I've been to sharm 4 times but really fancied a change & have often thought about going to El Gouna and felt it was time to take the plunge. I think we will like it, as i am already aware of the set up with it being a purpose built resort, but so is Sharm. I like the idea of it all being set round lagoons and it being a no hassle resort.
We are only there for a week and I have only booked bed and breakfast at the Movenpick although I understand it has a few restaurants of its own, we may try one or two of them. Otherwise I guess it will be the place that is called 'downtown' that is supposed to have a lot of nice high standard places to eat & bars. We will probably stay round the pools during the day & maybe do a snorkelling trip.
If you have any restaurant recommendations I would love to hear them, we like most things really, international cusine and local food?
Which hotel do you normally go to?
Doe
You should find the El Gouna magazine in your hotel room, which lists all the restaurants, and also all local activities. This can be accessed on line, will be the winter version at the mo, sorry no idea of the web address but if you google it you should find it.
I've probably repeated what you already know, but happy to help - we can't wait to go back in September!!
Brilliant information you aren't repeating. I'm getting my info from somewhere called http://www.elgouna.com which I think is the official el gouna web-site.
I think I got an great deal for a 5* hotel it was about £550 a week per person, a bit more for my DD as she will have a room for sole occupancy. I need to find out the email addy for the hotel as I want to request two rooms next to each other & we travel in April.
Have you been in April as wondering how the weather will be. I know I can check the weather sites but its often better to ask someone how it 'feels' ?
Been to Sharm March/April & Oct. It's fine during the day in March & April, but still be chilly at night especially mid March - we have sat in naama bay in coats. Much better in October as it was hot in the day and lovely at night.
I'm worried it will be too windy to sit outside restaurants at night, as I know its supposed to be windy there.
Doe
Don't know if you have found the web site with all the pics, elgouna-info, it is a german site mainly but tons of pics well worth a look!
I know it will be quiet as it is a quiet resort, just hoping it isn't exceptionally quiet due to the downturn in Egyptian tourism and the recession in general, dont want to be the only ones in restaurants as that can make you feel a bit awkward.
I will put up a review of the movenpick on HT when I come back & happy to answer any questions about the hotel although I doubt of there is anything you dont know about the place as presumably you have had a look round on some of your previous visits. Begining to wish I was going for 2 weeks.
Doe
Always look forward to new reviews, hope you enjoy. We have walked through part of the Movenpick grounds, although only the periphery. It was June 2010 when we were last there, the Fanadir and Mosaique hotels in the new marina weren't open then, so will be interesting to see whats new. I know there is now a company doing Segway tours, got to have a go at that! If you like checking out new property, Orascom the development company do tours around the properties. All the new villas were way out of our price range, but spent a couple of hours in an air con range rover driving round the developments (we were not put under any pressure, they took my e mail address but I haven't been bombarded with any sales stuff). Was yet another way of seeing parts of EG we might not have walked around. Might not be everybody's cup of tea, but was a break from all that really tough lounging around pool side... !!!
When I was booking a Villa holiday for this summer to Spain, I did notice that James Villas offered quite a few up market looking properties in El Gouna, so I guess owners must rent out through them as they have a good reputation & as a holiday maker you get similar protection to a package holiday, so more secure than a DIY. I would have been tempted if we weren't going to a villa in the summer as I like to mix it up a bit & wanted a hotel and the facilities that go with it for this break.
Doe
there must be loads of villas to rent in EG. Much prefer hotel myself, being a bit spoilt for a couple of weeks. Just hope you enjoy the Movenpick
The only other possible issue I guess if if we get rubbish rooms as I beleive only some have been renovated, I did pay extra to get rooms with balconys, so fingers crossed. No idea how busy it is out there, but am assuming if we dont like the first rooms offered if they have other vacant rooms they will let us move as that is what most good quality hotels will do, provided they are not at 100% capacity. I will email beforehand though.
Doe
Still a few weeks before i go, but thought I should try and secure some of the information if at all possible, as folk ahve been good enough to take the time to supply it.
Doe
Well they pick up their emails promptly, they sent me one back in under 24 hours saying thanks for mine and they had noted my room requests and whilst they can't guarantee anything they will do their best for me. Can't say fairer than that I guess. I requested a specific room cluster as I had read it was quiet, but if I dont get is so long as the location isn't noisy we should be OK.
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