Sharm is a purpose built resort aimed at us the tourists. If you want sun, sea, nightlife although can be limited for some is the place to be. However if you wanted to see the history and the real side of Egypt then Cairo/Luxor etc is for that.

I have been to many resorts in the med and even the states now has hassle, sign of the times. I do not get much attention, suppose being a frequent visitor i do not notice as much as a first time visitor. They know the newbies as mostly we are white when we arrive Perhaps get a spray tan is an idea before you go. Avoid direct line attention, they are very quick. Alternately a firm NO always does the trick. Saying this i do have the time to chat, they like the banter, so no harms done.

There are a few B & B hotels around and certainly more A1 hotels.

You will have to make the decision firstly which area you need to be in, eg, in the heart of it, or a cab/bus ride away. If you feel you want to stay in the hotel complex without venturing out then sharks bay area has some really nice hotels mainly A1. Nothing else is really up that end unless you get a cab or do trips.

If on the other hand you may want to venture out but not pay for cabs then there are some very good beach front hotels - Jolieville, Marriott, Hilton, Sonesta Beach Karahama (sp) etc, all within 5 - 25 mins walk along the promenade.

There are some great choices of restaurants in sharm.

Prices are reasonable, but imported beer spirits is very expensive.

Hope this starts you off

Michelle x

Many thanks, that's really useful. Funny thing is I am quite dark skinned which still didn't stop me getting hassled. I don't mind a bit of hassle (like in Turkey) where you can say no, but in the Gambia they would grab hold of you or keep tugging at your arm and just follow you. We ended up having to walk into the sea at one stage as it was so annoying.

Do you recommend Sharks Bay - you say there are hotel complexes there but what about restaurants. I see Sharma looks quite big so just not sure which is the best area to go. Would prefer to be able to walk into the town even 25 minute walk.

Also can you go to Cairo on a trip from Sharma?

Many thanks

The resort known as Sharm stretches for miles along the coast with a wide choice of hotels . If you want to be within walking distance of the bars/restaurants and action you need to look for a hotel in or within walking distance of Naama bay which is the centre. Michelle has given a few suggestions above.
There is also old sharm town which is close to the ras em sid area which I believe also has a shopping centre or an area to stroll around .I havnt stayed at that end or visited old sharm but I believe it is more authentic and Egyptian . The other side of Naama Bay stretches along the coast past Sharks bay(hilton sharks bay ,sunrise island view , concord El Salem etc and onto the Narq bay end where you will find the holiday village, coral sea resort , tropicana grand azure , Laguna vista to name a few . All of these will be A/I as are all of the hotels outside of Naama Bay but Narq bay is a new area and has some restuarants , bars, hardrock Cafe and I believe shops for strolling around although I dont think it will have the buzz of Naama Bay .
The best way to picture Sharm is long highway with desert on one side of the road and the beautiful red Sea on the other with hotels along the full stretch of red sea. Other than Naama bay ,old Sharm and a few other areas outside of the hotels you will find a long driveway and desert.

Another option for you to look at would be El Gouna rather than sharm , again a purpose built resort but with the added benefit of a marina and downtown areas with life outside of the hotels. Many of the hotels offer a dine around choice whereby as part of your HB or AI you can use resturants within the resort so many times a week. I havnt been yet but have spent a lot of time researching it.

lyn

That's really helpful thank you I will look into that.