Hi

Sorry can't actually answer your question, as we go after you, on 20th April. But would love to know the answer too! I expect I'll be asking YOU questions on your return. If anyone out there has stayed at the Sofitel recently all info gratefully received.

Juliet

Hi RJ,

Regarding the wines that are available at the Sofitel. I cant tell you specifically as I haven't stayed in that hotel. I can however tell you the wines that you are "likely" to be offered in Egypt.
Omar Khayyam- A good red wine, quite smooth.
Cru de Ptolomees- White wine, tastes to me, a bit like paint stripper!
Rubis D'Egypt- My favourite for the climate, a reasonable rose if served cold enough. Get them to bung ice in if necessary!
Chateau de Reves- Castle of Dreams in French, by far the best red wine I have ever tasted in Egypt!
Obelisk, red, white and rose- Probably the most widely used "house wine"
in Egypt. Red, average; white, abyssmal; rose okayish.

If you really want to drink only white wine, as you can see, if you trust my opinion, it is best to take a good few bottles or boxes of duty free with you!

Almost forgot about the water. If you are all inclusive, then why would you pay for it?

Hi

Sorry, again I can't definitely answer your question, but we are just back from a stay at the Sofitel Karnak on a HB basis and I have to say that the house wine was disgusting, so if it is the same wine that is served as part of your AI all I can say is take a box.
The wine had a chemical smell and taste and it was so bad I couldn't drink it, and to be honest I can drink most wine although I can tell a good wine from a bad wine.

THIS WINE WAS AWFUL, I can't say if all the Sofitel house wines are the same

Take your own!

hi just got back form taba heights but didnt stay at sofitel but a lot of people were drinking wine so should be half decent at least. but just so you are aware there is building work at the back of the sofitel . it wasnt noisey when we were on the beach but it cold be worth checking with your travel agent/tour op to see what they say. have a great hol kev

Hi,

Looking for opinions on the Sofitel in Taba Heights. Holiday for the family (4 year old and < 1 year old baby) in the beginning of April.

Also, is it recommended to book an airport transfer beforehand or find a taxi once we have arrived.

Thanks

Rafa

If you fly into Taba International then book a transfer in advance - don't think I've ever seen a taxi waiting there, it a verey quiet airport in the middle of nowhere...

We stayed here last April and had a lovely time. Didn't take our kids though so had a different type of holiday. Very quiet and peaceful, hardly any children when we went but it was term time. The hotel is extremely clean and spacious. Brilliant staff, couldn't do enough for us. Food good and varied. All in all it was a great holiday for Egypt "virgins" which we were. Would happily go back but have decided on Sharm for a different viewpoint this spring.

Juliet

hi have stayed at the marriott beach next door, and had a look round the sofitel, amenaties look good for children.

I dont think you can book private transfers its a bit different than landing in spain etc. all the coaches leave together in convoy and are checked regularly with mirrors under the coaches etc you also have a security agent with you for safety. it sounds scary but it is very routine and is for your benefit. You would not venture outside the resort by yourself it would be tours only.

the beach etc is lovely and all the hotels are accessable so there is plenty of varity.

I hope you have a good time we are going back in november hopefully

i preferred this resort to hurgharda there were loads of russians there and they are ignorant.!

rebecca

Hi All
Was undecided between the Sofitel and the Coral Hilton got them both at the sameish price, and after staying at the Sofitel Karnak in luxor a month ago was sorely tempted but as it's my other half Ann's special birthday she got to choose by tossing a coin best of three and surprisingly the Coral Hilton won 3 out of 3 (it's Ann's most favourite hotel) so the Hilton it was, if you get there please let us have a review. By the way we will be at the Hilton nuweiba on the 3rd June 08.

Happy hols
Pete & Ann

Has anybody stayed here recently please? Wondering about the quality of the AI food really and if it is on an OK beach ? I am assuming there is little if nothing outside the hotel, but would be happy to hear otherwise?

Thanks to anyone who answers.

Doe

I haven't stayed at the Sofitel, but I stayed at the Hyatt which is next door. The Sofitel is a nice hotel with its own bit of beach. The beach is lovely.
The resort of Taba is very quiet but they are making every effort to improve the facilites there. Most of the entertainment is hotel based, but you can go around all the other hotels and share the facilities there. There is a free shuttle bus that runs every half hour on a loop.

By the 3 Corners, there is a small shopping complex with a few nick nack shops, a few eateries and a supermarket. There is also a dive school..Red Sea Waterworld (essential for someone like me!). There is quite alot of building work in Taba itself but this does not really disturb anyone.

As for the food, I would class it as average..same old same old that you get with AI really. Always beautifully presented though..but as with any AI..you get abit fed up with it after a few days. Luckily, there are a number of restaurants ( I think there was a very good one at the Hyatt), there are a couple of Indians, an English style pub and a Mexican if you fancy a change.

Happy holidays Doe.

Many thanks Val. I am quite keen and fancy a change from Sharm having been 3 times. Its only for a week I dont really fancy the red sea resorts for more than 7 days at a time as there just insn't enough outside the hotels, however I love the hotels and their facilites for a week in the winter. Just doing research at this point and as every trying to find a value for money deal.

Doe

Hi
I'm thinking of taking a trip to Taba or Taba Heights but can anyone tell me, do these resorts have any kind of village centre? Do they have any independent bars or shops? Im not looking for shopping malls or anything like that its just always nice to escape the big hotels and get a beer at a local bar...or some supplies from a supermarket. The brochures i have aren't really clear about what there is in either of these resorts. Also, watersports - are there independent water sports providers around?
thanks

right..Taba is a resort right on the border with Israel and is different to Taba Heights which is a seperate built resort in Egypt about 35 to 40 mins drive from airport/border.

they both seem to be under the same restrictions as I remember....

There is not alot at Taba heights...everything is resort based but if you are in one hotel you can use the facilities at all the other hotels.
There is a free shuttle bus which operates every half hour on a loop for 24 hrs a day to take you to the centre..which is where there is a little shopping centre wit a couple of pubs, an Indian and a mexican place...

Dont go to Taba if you are looking for owt lively.....but the diving from there is good..all reefs...Red sea waterworld.....you will enjoy it if you want somwhere quiet and friendly..ps forgot to mention the camel rides, golf course and the casino...

We stayed at the movenpick hotel Taba. Practically right on the israeli border!! One of the best holiday's I've ever had. I wouldn't go to Tabe if I fancied a drink at this bar and a drink at that bar, because practically apart for the hotel or the one next to it, there's nothing there!!

thanks for your replies. Taba or Taba Heights sounds like its going to suit us rather than the other resorts because we would really like to spend 3-4 days over in Jordan. We're not party goers...but we do like to walk to a nice bar on an evening for sundowners rather than be tied to hotels...and hotel prices!! Still not sure whether we need Taba or Taba Heights tho..... !!

My other half would like to do some sailing - is this possible from Taba or Taba Heights??

hmm, I think if you want to go sailing you are more likely to be better off at Taba rather than Taba heights..
There is a dive school at Taba Heights called Red Sea waterworld obviously with access to its own boat, so maybe you could get a day trip out on that to go snorkelling etc..they also do little trips to try parasailing etc..but I don't know about just sailing.
As the resort of Taba Heights is so small and purpose built, I guess it limits your options somewhat..although you can go on trips to Jordan and into Israel.

Have been considering Taba Heights late Feb or early March does anyone know:
Is there a mozi problem?
How warm is it likely to be?
Lots of the Egyptian hotels have poor food ratings anybody any comments?
Looking at either the Sofitel or Intercontinental again any comments?