Sadly, I'm no longer residing in El Gounna (We were moved to our camp on January). However, I had the opportunity to visit there last weekend (Thurs, Fr, Sat night) and I'm pleased to say that it's as good as ever.
For some reason the resort is very busy and getting a room was something of a nightmare. Finally managed to get in the Arenna on Thursday night (so at least I had a bed for 1 night). The following day, the Arenna manager booked a room at the Three Corners Rihana and I was back to Arenna on Saturday night.
The switch from Arenna to Rihana allowed me to do a direct comparison between the 2 hotels and in my opinion, the Arenna wins hands down.
Don't get me wrong, the Rihana has got lots more entertainment and facilities. But the Arenna's breakfast arrangements are far superior. There's a lot less people and (best of all) next to no children.
Please don't think I'm having a go at kids (after all, I used to be one). But the peace and tranquility of breakfast time in Arenna was just what I needed on Sat morning. What I didn't need was to be queuing at every serving point in Rihana (toast queue, coffee queue, eggs queue, orange juice queue, then I gave up). NB Not the kid's fault..
Almost as hard to bear was that the Rihana was considerably more expensive than the Arenna (23% higher). Perhaps they could use the extra revenue to revamp their dining facilities.
I know there's more to life than breakfast and these are only my views, but I'd recommend Arenna for anyone who wanted a quieter holiday and a stress free breakfast.
Willie G
PS Apologies to anyone with children (some of them are lovely), but they do not mix well with a hangover.
Hi Willie
We missed you last year when we were at the Arena! I think you left just as we arrived last July.
I'm sorry to hear you didnt like the Rihanna - we enjoyed El Gouna so much last year we are returning again in July, to the Rihanna!
I agree that it was pretty relaxing at breakfast, but I think I actually made it to breakfast three times out of the fortnight, so breakfast isnt a major issue for me!
The reason we didnt go back to the Arena was we got such a great offer for All Inc at the Rihanna, and I really dont think the Arena was geared for B and B guests... everyone else that stayed at the Arena were from Europe and they were All Inc deals, which caused problems when trying to buy drinks, they never had a till at the bar and we didnt want to run tabs, then when we paid they never had change etc. Kind of took the edge off the socialising with the guests in the evening kind of thing. We did meet some lovely people from Germany and Iceland.
ANyway.... our invoice to pay is in this week, that bit closer to actually returning to Egypt... cant wait!
We missed you last year when we were at the Arena! I think you left just as we arrived last July.
I'm sorry to hear you didnt like the Rihanna - we enjoyed El Gouna so much last year we are returning again in July, to the Rihanna!
I agree that it was pretty relaxing at breakfast, but I think I actually made it to breakfast three times out of the fortnight, so breakfast isnt a major issue for me!
The reason we didnt go back to the Arena was we got such a great offer for All Inc at the Rihanna, and I really dont think the Arena was geared for B and B guests... everyone else that stayed at the Arena were from Europe and they were All Inc deals, which caused problems when trying to buy drinks, they never had a till at the bar and we didnt want to run tabs, then when we paid they never had change etc. Kind of took the edge off the socialising with the guests in the evening kind of thing. We did meet some lovely people from Germany and Iceland.
ANyway.... our invoice to pay is in this week, that bit closer to actually returning to Egypt... cant wait!
Elledee,
Sorry if my post sounded negative, but it just proves that different people want different things. The Arenna suits my needs and I don't drink enough to run up much of a bill.
The Rihana looks like a nice enough hotel (the rooms are certainly bigger) and I would imagine that there's lots to do during the day and entertainment provided at night.
I've no doubt that I would have been complaining about the lack of entertainment and the size of the rooms at the Arenna if I had stayed at the Rihana for 8 months. As it stands now, I need quiet time in the morning (bit like Victor Meldrew) so that I can try to recover from my excesses and, for me, the Arenna gives best value for money.
I was so sorry I didn't get a chance to share a drink or two with you when you visited last year. It would have been nice to see another couple of Jocks (There's never enough Scots around).
Anyway, keep in touch and enjoy El Gounna in July.
WG
PS The temperatures soared on Thu/Fri, it was scorchio over here
Sorry if my post sounded negative, but it just proves that different people want different things. The Arenna suits my needs and I don't drink enough to run up much of a bill.
The Rihana looks like a nice enough hotel (the rooms are certainly bigger) and I would imagine that there's lots to do during the day and entertainment provided at night.
I've no doubt that I would have been complaining about the lack of entertainment and the size of the rooms at the Arenna if I had stayed at the Rihana for 8 months. As it stands now, I need quiet time in the morning (bit like Victor Meldrew) so that I can try to recover from my excesses and, for me, the Arenna gives best value for money.
I was so sorry I didn't get a chance to share a drink or two with you when you visited last year. It would have been nice to see another couple of Jocks (There's never enough Scots around).
Anyway, keep in touch and enjoy El Gounna in July.
WG
PS The temperatures soared on Thu/Fri, it was scorchio over here
Nice to hear from you again... thanks for your report. We got such a great deal with the Rihana, and all inclusive so even if we find the food boring we can afford to eat out. Plus of course they have the dine around programme. The Arena was fine last year, no complaints apart from the issue with the bar, and a couple of embarassing moments that we had with them, but all forgotton now!!!!!! It is well placed. As I said, I rarely rose for breakfast, so all inclusive probably suits us better - re the air conditoining, was the Rihana's better than the Arenas - please say yes [but be honest!]. I found that I could get the benefit of the air conditioning at one particular point in the room, nowhere else, the place was boiling! I did take sleeping tablets with me last year and was glad of them as it was so hot and also the nightclub nearby kept me awake tool Anyway, we cant wait to return... our invoice is in, so I reckon it must only be about ten weeks tops till we go!!!!!!!!! Yipee!
ElleDee,
After reading your post (AC and nightclub) I'm tempted to give the Arenna a wide berth next time (LOL). Hard for me to complain about the nightclub as I'm always done in by that time of day (honest, I work very hard down here). The AC is not an issue either as El Gounna always seems to be cooler than Cairo during the summer months.
The good news for you is that the Rihana AC's are quieter and more effective. But I can recommend Sakkara Gold as a convenient way to cool down (it also guarantees a sound sleep)
Regards
WG
After reading your post (AC and nightclub) I'm tempted to give the Arenna a wide berth next time (LOL). Hard for me to complain about the nightclub as I'm always done in by that time of day (honest, I work very hard down here). The AC is not an issue either as El Gounna always seems to be cooler than Cairo during the summer months.
The good news for you is that the Rihana AC's are quieter and more effective. But I can recommend Sakkara Gold as a convenient way to cool down (it also guarantees a sound sleep)
Regards
WG
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