Thanks Tracey

I think the hotel charges £28 to keep the room on but when we were there a couple we met had bartered them down.

Has anyone ever booked their flights and then booked the hotel direct??

Is this possible to do??

Got back on Monday and im so depressed had a fantastic time and pricing to go back in November.

Just trying to find out if i can do it cheaper.

Thank you

xx

Dont think so. Shame you didnt ask when you were out there.

You can try and book it through other travel agents though IYKWIM. ie Co-op travel, Independant travel agents, rather than just through a first choice/TUI agent. Get a few quotes and you might be able to get them to undercut each other due to the credit crunch. Have you got flexibility on airports ? I saved about £500 by going from the wrong airport for me. (I know what I mean lol)

I take it you enjoyed it there, if you want to book to go back ?

You can only book the hotel through First Choice in the UK.
You can book at any agents like Doe says but you have missed the boat as the price in the actual HV at the travel agents is the best price possible.

You can email the Holiday Village travel agency direct, we booked with Steph last year and we are travelling on March 30th
egypt.hv@firstchoiceretail.co.uk

whoo 9 more days to go!!! any idea on what the weather is like there

We have just got back from the HV. This was our second visit (our first was March 08). A few points:

(1) The new entertainment is much better on the whole. There were magic shows, local dance troups etc. The entertainment team do not rely too heavily on singing (which we found last time). When we were there in March 08 the theatre was almost empty every night. This year it was packed solid so get there early to get seats. We only saw one dodgy act which was a british comedian who crossed the line by swearing and being racist.

(2) We found far fewer Russians when comparred to March 08. There were still a few about but only a fraction of the number previously. This meant that the buffet was calmer and more civilised as the brits are happy to take their turn, queue etc.

(3) You do need a visa to visit St Catherines (although mine was never checked). I did this trip in March 08 and it is a very long day - at least 12 hours. I am religious so wanted to visit but would not bother if you are not. We only had about an hour at the monestry which was not enough and they then took us to Dahab to do the ususal papyrus, perfume, jewellery shops (a waste of time) and we sat in a restaurant waiting for lunch for over an hour (presumably to get you to buy drinks). Most people said they'd prefer to go straight back to the resort. Might have altered this trip now though.

Hope this helps.

hi lilly glad you enjoyed your holiday..
2 questions
1 you say not meny russians this time but i thought this was a first choice only hotel which means only brits ??
2 you said you needed a visa for st catherines and i have been informed you dont ??
i'm confussed again now.
dont take a lot mind

Hi you can arrange a trip to Luxor in Nabq alot cheaper than going through the reps. PM me if you want details and prices of the trips.

Outside the hotel there are 2 new malls called Al Khan and La Strada. Here you will find a really good Chinese called Peking, Onfish restaurant, Mc D's, KFC, Burgerking, lots of shops, internet cafe, opticians, pharmacies and banks. The main bank is HSBC but be aware as you can only exchange money in the eves - think it was 6 pm onwards. There is a large well stocked Metro and 24/7 is at the front of LTI Grand Azure along with Churchills cafe where you can get an English breakfast. Further along you will find Jasmine centre that has entertainment every night outside from 11 until 2am. Upstairs is St Georges English bar and Pete shows all the footie games. At Park Inn there is a waterpark open to the public.

A 10 miniute drive away is the new Soho Square that opened in December and it is really nice with a small ice rink, bowling alley and some really nice shops restaurants and bars. They offer a shuttle bus from Nabq but havent found out yet what times and where the pick ups are from.

There is also a nice Lebanese restaurant that has just opened at Grand Mall next to Jasmine centre - underneath Idea4furniture showroom.

do we need a visa at the airport? we are only planning on staying in sharm due to the young kids!
What money shall we take, english or egyptian pounds?
We are going for 2 weeks?

No you dont need a visa. You just need to get your card stamped Sinai Only.

I would take a small amount of Egyptian to tide you over, and the rest in sterling as you will get a marginally better exchange rate there than here. The other alternative is to take a small amount of Egyptian and then your cashpoint card and draw money from that as and when you need it. Bit more secure than having large wadges of sterling hanging about the place lol. If you do have a lot of cash, remeber to hire your room safe.

Doe

Hi
In response to the question about the HV being solely for Brits from what i can gather it is only free from Russians in high season.I have been to the HV and CSR which also brags UK EXCLUSIVE but have heard that Russians are present at certain times of the year.I have been in May,June and July and am yet to encounter a Russian there.

We were there in September and there were lots of Russians !!!! but kind of kept to thenselves!!!

can't wait only 8 weeks & 2 days till we are sat in the sun by the pool.

glad most reports now are happy & really pleasing to read.

Anyone else there May 15th?

Twinton,

We go to HV on 19th May. We can't wait! Do you have kids?

hi yes we have boy girl twins who will be 6.
we have been to the HV inTurkey so can't wait for this holiday.
they will be going to kids club in the afternoons to give us a break & them some time out of the heat & sun.
roll on May 15th

We had a great holiday at the HV last August but the heat was too much for evening entertainment being outside. Until the entertainment is indoors we won't be going back.

im close to booking for the 24th aug 2weeks how hot is too hot my kids love mini disco went hol vill cyprus last year and was too hot in evnings

ps is it better and cheeper to book standard room and upgrade at hotel and what rooms are best (2 ad 2 kids)