Cant help on the area Chris but just wanted to say how chuffed I am that you have finally got something booked.

Looks lovely for a chilled out week. Can't wait to hear about it!

I'm well please Lyn. The hotel looks lovely and the Thomson site allocated us a deluxe room rather than a standard room. Not sue if we will get that although the paperwork that has been emailed does confirm it.

The pictures on the website if you go to the gallery make it look very nice. Seems to be part of a group of 5 hotels with a min water park at the back. But looking at the image on holiday check it all seems to be pretty isolated, we like it quiet but I just hope it isn't too quite for us.

http://www.jaz.travel/destinations/egypt/madinat-coraya-hotels/iberotel-coraya-beach-resort.aspx

http://www.travcotravel.com/images/maps/Madinat-Coraya-Map.jpg

http://www.holidaycheck.de/data/urlaubsbilder/images/1/1156111776.jpg

Opps, Hi starry I didn't see you there. I am quite happy with it all, was begining to think i wasn't going to find anything. I did look about for that other hotel we all discussed earlier in the year Concorde Moreen Beach (???) but couldn't find it, then i thought maybe it wasn't coming on-line until next May.

I really wanted to book with a tour operator, rather than TR, OTB etc if I can get a good price I feel happier on a Package Holiday for somereason - think it's an age thing.

xxxx

Just been taking a look at the hotel Doe and it looks lovely

Thank you Graham. When we first started to investigate travelling to the Red Sea Resorts back in 2005/2006 one of the places that attracted us was Marsa Alam. There was a big TV promotion on it at the time and it may have been when the first of the hotels were opening up. Then of course we ended up in Sharm liked it and spent our next four winter holidays there instead. So I am glad we have finally got round to booking Marsa.

Now having a panic that I did not go for the AI upgade, but Thomson wanted another £450 for the two of us for the week over HB & I'm sure we would not get through that in 7 lunches and drinks. Think I am going to try and find an email address and see if there is the option to upgrade to AI in the resort if once we arrive that looks like the sensible option, plus I can put in a room request. Not that we're bothered much about room location, but it's my way to check Thomson have passed on the details.

Doe

Oh wow , that does look lovely

Sorry Chris I pm'ed you before I had looked here . I would definately email the hotel direct about the cost of an A/I upgrade, personally I think Thomsons £450 sounds a lot for a weeks upgrade in Egypt, particularly when you already have HB.

If the email has confirmed a deluxe room Im sure you would get it although sometimes I notice standard room being sold as "deluxe" and then the real deluxe being sold as super dooper deluxe or something similar . good for you

It does look nice. I'm going to find the email address & ask for a quiet room plus how much the AI upgrade is if you pay on site. I think lots of Italian people got to this hotel so it has got my hopes up that the food will be lovely & of a high standard. Heres hoping anyway.

The room thing was really odd, the web-site allocated the deluxe room, then it showed the standard room below at the same price. Maybe they were using it as a way to shift the rooms rather than having them sit there empty, it's large 300 plus rooms and Nov & Dec are low season.

I think this is what you are looking for Doe? details at bottom of the web page.

http://www.jaz.travel/destinations/egypt/madinat-coraya-hotels/iberotel-coraya-beach-resort.aspx

also just found an online contact form if you wish to try that also

http://www.madinatcoraya.com/madinat-coraya-contact-us1.html

Thanks Graham, will give those a go. I am wondering if the intial email goes to the 'Jaz Group' of hotels and then gets forwarded to the specific hotel? I might be best trying the on-line form.

Doe

Just had a reply to my email to the Coraya Beach so am impressed with their speedy response.

They charge 25 euros per person per day to upgrade from Half Board to AI at the hotel.

So if I calculate that correctly it will be 350 euros whereas Thomson was £442. Still not sure if it is worth it as we are not big drinkers and I beleive a large bottle of Sakara is £2.50 and a glass of wine £3.50, so we might be better off on a pay as you go system. Not sure what to do now Only thing is there are no restaurants nearby, just the 5 other hotels and little water park. There may be a small arcade of shops outside of the hotels where you can have a stroll and stock up on small bottles of water etc. Not much info on the net about this though can't work out if they are hotel shops or a few independants that maybe cater for the staff.

Doe