You've nothing to worry about, a holiday is what you make of it. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at this hotel and made friends easily with lots of other british couples including a pair of newlyweds. It has a high proportion of Italian guests but this is no problem. The evening entertainment can be a bit naff but ther's plenty of other things to do especially in sharm itself.

Have no fear you'll love it

regards

Stew

Although we are not going there ourselves we know some people who are. I agree that there are mixed reviews about the Trop. Oasis, mostly about the standard of food, service and entertainment. It is also a good way out of Sharm/Na'ama Bay, about a 15-20 min taxi ride, and nothing much nearby in sharks Bay, except a few other hotels, so you'll need to go into Na'ama if you want a change from the hotel.

Thanks for replying to my queries. I didn't however realise it was so far away from Na'ama bay??? I was told and have read in brochures that it is only a few minutes away in a taxi and it would only cost about £4. Can anyone let me know for sure if the Tropicana Grand Oasis, is this far out of the town??

Stew, when did you visit this hotel? Was it this year? I am pleased to read you had a good experience of it, any idea how hot it will be? Also any info on 'tipping' the staff would be appreciated, as according to other people's reviews, if we want a good holiday we would need to 'tip' every member of staf we meet, everyday!! is it really going to be a never-ending suppy of money just to ensure we have a good holiday??!!

nelliwoo

Hi, sorry if I worried you about the location of the Trop. Oasis, it is quite far out from Na'ama centre BUT still doesn't cost much in a taxi as they are so cheap, or you can get the free shuttle bus - but you need to book your place on it well in advance. Please see link below for a map showing hotel location (listed as 'Grand Oasis'):

http://www.sinaidivers.com/cgi-bin/sd/mg_genlist.cgi?template=search_frame_e&file=sv_sea&cols=1&col0=1&op0=eq&con0=21

Hope this helps.

Thanks Ray. I really appreciate your help. I am slightly confused now, as I believe there is a hotel called just 'Grand Oasis' which is different to the Tropicana, however on the website link you sent me, the Tropicana doesn't appear to be on it. I have just checked some details we received from our travel agents, and it does specify that the Tropicana is 5k from Na'ama Bay, which I believe is just over 3 miles (sorry metric means nothing to me! ) So as you can tell I am now even more confiused than before!!

nevermind, our holiday will soon be here and then we will know for sure! Thanks again for your help.

nelliwoo

As far as I am aware the "Grand Oasis" is the SAME hotel as the Tropicana Grand Oasis, part of the 'Tropicana' Group.
Sunset Holidays 2005 state that it is 12km from Na'ama centre and Panorama state 15km

If you search for "Grand Oasis" in Sharm, it only returns the TGO, so I don't think there are two, but not 100% sure??

Ray

There is a hotel shuttle bus that takes you to and from a sister hotel in Na'ama bay. Rougly 20 min drive. Taxis cost about £30 egyptian. We went in middle of august last year and are trying Hurghada out this year. It was very hot but the breeze took the edge of it. The kids were fine and no one got fryed so you should be ok. If you go on any trips ie. Luxor it can be considerably hotter 50+. If you want maps etc try this address.

http://www.goredsea.com/EN_home.aspx

As far as tipping goes. The waiting staff £1 egyptian. Most important is the room cleaners. I gave £50 egyptian a week to him and he couldn't do enough for us.

Hope this helps

regards

Stew

Wow.... All this constant 'tipping' to everyone and their cat! You'll need to budget for it on top of usual holiday spending. We've been to Tunisia and Turkey loads of times, and whilst we DO always tip for good, pleasant and friendly service, I don't like this ritual of having to tip to GET the service.

Both Tunisia and Turkey also pay low wages to their local workers, so why is it so bad in Egypt

hi nelliwoo
well me and the family went to the grand oasis in dec last year
my wife loved it my children well two girls 9 and 4 absoultly adored the hotel and me i relaxed for the first time ever the staff were great above and beyond the food was good better than i thought it would be
so much so we will be out there for my wifes birthday in june (we arrive june 2nd ) same hotel and we requested the same room
the holls will be what you make it but my impression is a clean hotel and helpfull and friendly staff i am hopeing most of the same staff will still be there and my children want the same entertainers to be there
it was a shock to see how hard they worked and still had to buy thier own drinks and when we said we would be returning at some point and would they like anything all they asked for were tea bags if your still going to be there when we arrive then e-mail me and il send some pics i took of the hotel and surroundings
gw

Having also been on holiday to Turkey and Tunisia many times, to different resorts, in Hotels and Apartments, I certainly get the impression from HT and other Egypt Hol sites, that tipping in Egypt far exceeds anything (expected) in the other two countries? As said previously I will always tip having received good service etc, but why do you have to tip BEFORE you've received something... to ensure you get it?!?
Anyway I'll see for myself very soon....off to Sharm in 4 weeks.....can't wait, and taking PLENTY of cash!

Hi Lucifergw1.

Thank you so much for putting my mind to rest. I have been so worried about this hotel, that I was starting to think the whole holiday will stress me out more than I am here at home! We are off to Sharm on the 16th May and we return on the 30th May. We will just miss you, which is a shame. I would love to see your photos, I really have no idea what to expect from our holiday. All I would like, is for the weather to be good, and that I can get a sunbed!! Do you think the weather will be good then? I really hope so.

Ray P - I think you are right in taking PLENTY of money! From what I can gather from other friends, tipping is going to take up most of our cash!!

Nelliwoo

Nelliwoo

only me again having a blonde moment. Looked at the date after i had sent the message and realised i was a year too late. But i would still like to see your pics if possible. Is there anyone else going to the tropicana grand oasis in june?

We are off to this hotel on the 7th

Just look for a guy in an Australian hat with a goatee beard (you'll find me most nights at the bar)

We tip but not until we leave except for a little at the start to attract attention (improves service)
Don't worry too much as 10 LE {Egyptian Pounds} equal £1
so the taxi at 30LE is £3 and that's not each its for the taxi so four of you can go to Naama for 75p each

see you in the Bar

Regards
From
Gray
The Madcaravanner from Chesterfield
http://www.madcaravanner.co.uk
You don't have to be mad but it helps

Pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/madcaravanner
http://www.flickr.com/photos/madcaravanner/

All you folks off here soon

http://tropicanahotels.com/en/oasis/index.htm

We've just got an email back from the hotel management about the health club
and that is that it is free to use if you are on All-Inclusive you only pay for Sauna, massage and tattoo's

Also got a price list from the dive school at the hotel
If anyone wants it I can mail it direct as it is a word document attachment
*Edit as per T&C please use PM for exchange of email addys Briar

Regards
Gray
the madcaravanner

who can't wait for May 7th

Sorry Briar forgot about PM's

also lost the thread as your edit didn't flag up

Anyway

Who else is going to be at the Grand Oasis anytime between 7th and 21st May

We can meet up in the bar and chat

I've just put a detailed review up about this hotel

WE ARE going back as soon as we can afford it
the staff are fantastic
the dive centre is brill

Need more money please help!!!!!

Just read your review,glad you had a good time. We want to go back to Sharm next April (went this April with Portland to the Crowne Plaza), so perhaps this is one for our shortlist. Would be taking a 12 year old and a 14 year old, did you see may young teens about or would we feel out of place?

Quite a few youner teens but mostly Italian

the English there were mostly adult couples

but the staff are very god with the kids that were there
for the younger ones there is a kids club