Hi Lyn,

You've just reminded me of an extra question

Can you remember what room numbers those are as I'm going to try and email ahead next week and request one of those rooms near the sea.

Thx

Hi Lyn and Miss_Chief

I am just looking at the hotel plan this morning- the blocks nearest the sea are rooms 101-114, beside the dive club and the Sunset Bar, and rooms 201-216 beside the stage.

We had a standard room - number 1238- which looked over the front of the hotel and was to the right of reception. When we checked in we were offered a choice of 2 rooms - the one we took, and an identical room but with a pool view which would cost an extra £105 per week. No thanks! We were out of the room from early morning until around 6pm by which time it was dark, so we wouldn't really have benefited from a pool view. Didn't get offered the new part, although I believ some people did fro an extracharge.

I wouldn't like to stay in the new part, although the rooms are lovely there, because I want to be closer to the sea. Now that the new part is open it does put pressure on the beach - very difficult to get a bed there -9am had no chance - we were told we would need to be there by 7am at the latest for a bed.

To get to the new part, go out of the front door, cross the road, and then you are basically walking up the drive to reception. A couple of minutes walk. There is a little bus which regularly goes between the two parts and to the beach, and golf buggies which whiz you around if you don't want to walk. We had no problems using the facilities here.

There is loads of space around the massive pools at the new part - lovely sunbeds and plenty brollies. You can hand your towel card over as normal there. When we were there in November there was one bar open inside the hotel (we used to go there for a drink before dinner and sit on the balcony overlooking the pools) and one pool bar. Work was still being done around the grounds, and rooms were still being finished.

I would still rather stay in the old part- I preferred the atmosphere there, and the beach, but the food is better in the new part so we did eat there in the evening. The pools at the new part are fantastic - a couple of waterslides, and it was heated in November so it was lovely and warm. Not deep,and part was done like a beach where you could wade in.

I was happy with our room and location because it was handy for reception and the pool bar and restaurant etc. These are rooms 1201-1255 and I will probably request to stay in this part again.

Where do you want to be in the middle Lyn? Blocks around the little pool on the way to the beach are 801-824 and 901-924. Actually wouldn't mind being here. Then the ones in the next section are 601-612, 401-416, 501-512, 701-712 and 301-324.

I'll see if I have any photos which may be useful Lyn to let you see what it's like now.

When we went the first time (with portland) we were in the seperate blocks halfway between the main pool and the beach and the far end of a block closest to the side road leading down to the dive centre.. We had to cross that little wooden bridge over the small pool . When we arrived we were asked if we wanted to upgrade to a seaview which we declined because like you we dont spend any time in the room . The only time we would see the view is when hubby sits outside for 10 minutes of a morning having a fag and the coffee I have brought him to wake him up. The good news is we had the sea view room anyway so they had already given us those rooms but were trying it on .

The 2nd time I booked direct as Ive done this time and we were in the main building but overlooking the roof and a small fraction of the childrens pool .

Both times our rooms were identical , very nice , bright and airy with a walk in shower . The main part of the hotel isnt very old anyway and has only been open for around 5 /6 years.

I think we would wander into the new part of an evening but arnt keen on peace and quiet around the pool . We like to do plenty of people watching and are quite happy to chat to others occasionally and prefer some music .Is the main pool in the old part still best for that Pat or is the pool over at the new part lively ?


Ideally we would like to be where we were the first time . I will pull up that plan and try and work out the block. Is it online pat ?? I wont be paying any extra but if I can wangle something for nothing with my silver hilton honors card I will be trying ,although I think you need the gold card to get free upgrades. As repeat guests last time we were given fizzy drinks and beer in our fridge . It was quite funny because after giving the guy who seats you in the restuarant a couple of tips we had a bit of banter and light hearted moaning that we were repeat guests and not getting any freebies .He looked shocked and Immediately saw to our fridges being stocked ,but the funny thing was it was our teenagers room that was being stocked with the beer while we had the soft drinks . They were very happy but only 14 and 16 at the time

Personally I think the atmosphere round the pool at the old part is better- plenty going on and music etc. Oh and people watching - particularly the old lady with the fly swatter! It was very sedate at the new part - but maybe that's because it was November. There was an animation team there, but not many people joining in so they looked quite bored! Might be completely different in the summer though with more kids.

I will be looking for some stocking of the fridge this time as repeat guests! We have 2 rooms - my girls are 18 and 15 so they would be happy with fizzy stuff. I will drop some hints when I get there!

I haven't seen the plan online - I have my info from November. Unfortunately I don't have scanner but if you want a copy I can send via snail mail if you pm me.

Thanks Pat. We have a while to wait yet . Have my holiday to the sonesta Beach resort in 3 weeks time so will concentrate on that first . I wont worry too much about the room numbers and just ask for something with a seaview in that vicinity then wait for the reply that tells me politely to take a hike or cough up

lyn

I keep reading this and its making me want to go here next Easter break. and I dont even know when next Easter falls. Dont really want to do DIY so I will have to keep checking the sites for bargain packages as the prices do keep fluctuating and I may get lucky.

Why do you not fancy DIY doepsmc? The hotel is really close to the airport, so a really short transfer, and you can find some really good deals, particularly for the hotel, doing it separately.

I saved a fortune this year over the TO price, and could have done even better if I hadn't dithered about the flights! I think Lyn has managed to get good deals via the Hilton site- I haven't been so lucky, but still have got a week's AI for £31.00 per person per day after scouring the net.

I did go there on a package last year, but only booked 3 weeks before going and the package was cheaper than DIY for just 2 of us. With us taking the kids this year, packages worked out way more expensive.

Hiya

I have DIYed before, but not to Sharm, been to Sharm with Portland, Panorama and am going with First Choice in a few weeks time.

I'm aware that to get a good price DIY, I will probably have to pay for 4 flights upfront now and am just not in a position to do that for a holiday 12 months hence.

Also with the credit crunch I prefer the security of a package. People are still waiting for their money back from Travel Republic due to the XL collapse, that was last September and its now April, which seems pretty poor IMHO.

So really a package has a couple of things going for me at present. Maybe another year it might be different, I'm not againt it per say, it's just not for me at present.

I dont like the idea of booking to pay in a foreign currency in 12 months time and be at the mercy of exchange rates as they can go anywhere. Yes the rate can get better, but it can get worse. Whoever thought a Euro and a Pound would ever be worth the same ? It caught most people unawares.

Doe

Good points Doe. My credit card has been hammered already this year booking 2 trips,and paying for flights in full well before the trips.

I guess I was a bit nervous about booking - I almost booked at Christmas with WSH , After what happened there I was all for a package holiday. I have booked everything on a credit card, and paid hugely for the privilege, just to have some protection.

I will always have a bit of doubt until I am actually checked into my hotel on both trips - I am by nature a bit of a pessimist.

I'm sure it will be fine. All things being equal I am sure you will save money this way. If money were no object I might give it a go myself, its just a bit of a wrench parting with the cash for 4 flights that far in advance. LOL.

I think at one point XL used to let you just pay a deposit on the flights and the balance 8 weeks before travel like you could on a package holiday, but we all know what happened to them.

Doe

I agree Chris and probably if I was to spend time thinking about it I wouldnt take the risk , but you know me when it comes to booking holidays , what you might call a little too impulsive

I booked my flight via travel republic paying only a deposit and have a Thomas cook confirmation but that is addressed to travel republic .Not sure where I would stand if TR were to go bust . Now you have me worried I may go and ask on that thread . I wouldnt be able to afford to pay for those flights that far in advance either . I actually had a real bargain for el gouna for a put together package with the cop-op and was very temped . Unfortunately they wanted a huge chunk which obviously covered the flights and a deposit for accomodation. I havnt even paid for this years 2 holidays yet , although last years are almost finished

Obviously I'm not concerned about my hilton booking as that's direct but my deposit is non refundable so I'm taking a chance and would risk having to pay very high flight prices if my TR booking was to go pear shaped .

lyn

LOL. I think you have to go with what you are hapy with. Although I have read the threads I dont really understand the travel republic/XL thing.

Its a right mess and peoples credit cards are refusing to pay out under their insurance clause, as they are saying the CAA should be paying I think, but the CAA are in dispute with TR. If you are interested I think Helen from OTL had been involved. Its a bit of a disgrace really as while all the in fighting goes on may people are out of pocket by 100's of pounds.

Hmm I've posted to ask in the TR thread in the hope that Steve will reply but I'm not sure if it will just worry me more .

Do you know I'm such a doomer in every other aspect of life but when I get a good price for a holiday 18 months ahead all I hear is Del boy's voice saying "He who dares"

The doomer in me is now telling me my luck is about to run out Oh god I hope not

Lyn

Think positive Lyn!!!! I have never had problems in the past so I will try not to worry too much this time! As soon as Globespan release their winter schedule I will be booking flights to Egypt for November - no dithering this time!!

Package holiday cost to the Hilton for our week in June are now horrendous, so I am glad I have got sorted. Hope there is nothing wrong with Hotelopia who have got all my cash for the accommodation! What's the worst that can happen?? On second thoughts don't answer that!

I cant see you would have any problems with hotelopia Pat as they are part of Thomsons

I had forgotten that Lyn! In the rush to get the good price they were offering I think I threw caution to the wind.

Actually my credit card was declined when I tried to book because they are based in Spain, and my cc provider flagged it as a potential problem. Got it sorted quickly with them, but was in severe panic for a while!

Hi Pat
I think if you are going to book with accommodation only people hotelopia are as good as any, they seem to have been around long time and at one point the layout of their site was exactly the same as First Choices the background colours and everything, the only thing different was the name.

Thanks Doe - their prices were much better than anything else I could find for the HSB. Haven't used them before but I couldn't resist. Sounds ok though!

Also found a good price for HSB with http://www.hotels.com but they didnt go up as far as next easter .Not far off though

I'm sure they would be fine as alongside Expedia and some others they are always used on TA's search engines .

Also just had a reassuring response from Steve re my booking on the TR thread