Firstly, don't worry about the taxis - they're perfectly safe.
Book trips locally not through your tour operator as they asre so much cheaper. Step out of the hotel, turn right and walk along the row of shops, there is a local operator offering good boat trips etc at good prices.

As for the hotel, don't worry about it. It's actually a really good hotel. Very nice, great pool, bars etc and fantastic private beach. Unfortunately the hotel and Hurghada is almost entirely German. Most guest are German and all the locals will speak in German to you. We felt that we received inferior service for being English but try not to let it spoil your holiday - it's not really a problem unless you let it be.
I'm assuming you are All Inclusive so I'll give you my opinion on the food etc. We weren't really impressed with the food on offer at the evening meal either, but the rest was fine. Fill up on a lunch time at the buffet in the restaurant on the beach, and top up with burgers, hot dogs and crepes on offer throughout the day then you won't need the crap on offer at night!
If you really can't cope with the food there is a McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and other restaurants close by.
Also don't expect a balcony - you will be on the ground floor as the balconies are deemed to be unsafe by British tour operators, although the Germans are ok to use them!! Seriously, the Brits aren't allowed to book anything except the ground floor.

Don't even think about cancelling or changing your booking, it's a beautiful place and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Any other questions, just ask.

Thanks Nigel, Its great to hear someone say that its not so bad. Im sure we will be ok, and like you say if the food is bad we can always eat else where. Yes we are going AI. If we don't get a balcony do we get a terrace or something? I did pay the extra for a room upgrade to a junior suite with the hope that it would be a better room. Is there any thing you would advise us to take with us from home? What is the alcohol situation over there as regards to the choice of drinks? Do you get such things as Baileys or Archers? Anyway, thanks for your reply!
Katie.

Like all AI, all the drinks are local so only beers, vodka, whiskey etc. They are very generous with it though and mix some pretty potent cocktails. Watch out for them trying to sell you extras though such as fruit juices and some cocktails which they charge for.
Your room, as I said will be on the ground floor. Having paid for a family room you will be in the main hotel and not int the bungalows. You'll have a really nice terrace and easy access to the pool as the Brits are all at the furthest end from the reception.
As for things to take - just suncream and your cossie!! There's a shop on sight and loads of shops local, so if you forget anything you'll be able to get it there. If you're particular about booze then maybe take Baileys with you coz I can't remember seeing an alternative out there, Possibly had a peach schnapps though but not certain.

Nigel
We have booked to go to the Siva Grand beach in april and have just noticed that the Junior suites now dont take more than 3 people.At the moment Panorama are saying little, are the rooms going to be cramped with 2 adults and 2 children in?

As far as I know, Panorama don't do family rooms. The rooms available are large and would probably accomodate 4 people but I think you've got a room which we were told we couldn't have. There are family rooms which sleep 4 but these are not on the ground floor, so I'm a little confused.
Panorama's brochure states " second child in room not possible", so I think you need to clarify, they will probably tell you there aren't any bigger rooms, but they are wrong. It's just that the Germans have them all!

when i booked last april jnr suites allowed 4 people suddenly this year they dont. i have found out that they probably intend to squash us as booked and if you dont like it you can upgrade on arrival at a cost of £200.00 to a family room!
I would think that something has been said abouth the size over the last year but panorama have just left people as booked hoping we would put up with it.
I have contacted the hotel who said they could sort out on arrival and panorama havent come back yet with their suggestions.

Don't pay the extra unless you like loads of room.
The junior suites have two single beds, plus loads of room to put in an extra bed, which they did for us. Even after that there was a a decent amount of space, plus a small sofa etc, so if you don't mind losing a bit of furniture, you'll be fine.
There's alwys the terrace to sleep on, it's certainly big enough!
Still not convinced the hotel will upgrade you, as when we were there, there was a family who had requested through Panorama not to be on the ground floor and so complained to the hotel. The hotel refused to move them even though there was space as they have been instructed by British tour companies that they were not aloud to do this under any circumstances.

Thanks for your help i will wait and see what they say, as the opinion of the Rep and Hotel is that the rooms are too small for 4 people .The family rooms are apparently 2 inter connecting rooms so this might be worth the extra.

Help i have just read the reviews on this hotel and i am very concerned. I have booked to go at the beginning of april are the staff really that bad, and are the germans a problem. Any info would help ta.

Hi Debbie!!!

I hope it's not bad as I've just booked it too!

I'm not too fussed though cos as long as the pool is nice, the food is eatable and the booze is drinkable then I'll be happy!

We go in September so not to go now!

The Siva is part of the same group as Grand, Grand Resort, Shedwan and Grand Makadi. Their website is: http://www.redseahotels.com

There is plenty of information about the hotel; 360 degree tour and 'movie' - accessible from the home page. There are also written testimonials from guests - if your German is good enough. Hope this helps.
Caro

Thanks for that Caro - no good at German right enough but the Hotel looks ok.

I'm sure it will be fine - even if being British means you're in the minority!!!!!!!

We're off to the Siva Grand Beach for a week after a week's Nile Cruise starting on 20th May. Has anyone been to the SGB recently and can give some tips on how to make the most of our time there.

I have read the mixed reviews on the Hotel and am a little concerned about the reports on the German guests in particular.

It's our first time to Egypt so I really want to make the most of it

I'd appreciate any information

Thanks

stayed at xmas very clean hotel the staff are constantly on the go
the cleaners for your room will go out of there way to make sure everthing is perfect for you.as you walk through reception area you can smell the polish /cleaner they use
the pool felt like it was heated as for the germans some were fine others treated the staff poor but some brits probably did as well all in all you will have a great time,the pool bar staff are superb really looked after me well if you need any more info please pm me
mike

Thanks for your reply Mike. Nice to hear positive things about the SGB. I'm sure I'll have more questions so I will no doubt PM you

Cheers

one thing i forgot to mention was that due to british laws they put all brits on the ground floor because the balconies are not high enough at first i thought it may have been a problem with noise but it was fine and we were very close to lobby bars
mike

I had read previously that that was the case but wondered if it was possible to request a move once we got there, though if it's to do with British law that doesn't seem likely ..... is there a nice terrace with the ground floor rooms and is there anything like a view ?

where i was the balcony was a fair size looking over the grounds then the pool i stayed in the main hotel there are bungalows as well but not sure of view from them
i told the travel company i wasnt happy before i went out there and got her to log it on computer so if i had a problem with ground floor they would have to change things
but like i said the room was fine !
one other thing if they ask you (waiters walking round in evening)if you want a special drink say no ! they charge you for it

hi my daughter and her boyfriend are going to the siva grand in four weeks has anyone been there lately? she is vegitarian do they cater for this and if so what are the meals like? also whats the night life like? thanks netsie