BTW there is no review of this hotel in the guide. Was it formerly called something else?

Think it used to be the Holiday Inn, but there are not any reviews for that either.

There are loads of reviews on Trip advisor.The manger also contributes to the forum.It sounds a very well run hotel.

Thanks. I had a look at Trip Adviser and was very impressed with the reviews. Are the reviews there generally accurate? I have emailed the exec manager/owner directly to ask these questions as well, as I was very impressed that he had put his email address up on the site. I'll let you know if he comes back to me.

The hotel's website is pretty good (sultangardens dot com - sorry, can't post links yet), but it doesn't really indicate whether the hotel is next to the sea and whether all of the bars/restaurants are included in the AI price. I guess those are the questions to which I need answers and piece of mind before pressing the "book now" button!

It is on the beach.Its number 238 on the map of Sharm.(Sorry I cant do links either!)If you look at the airport on the map then click on the bay about 2 along to the west from those directly south of the airport you will find it.

Oh fab! Thanks for that... I shall go and investigate.

its number 112 on this map http://www.sharm-el-sheikh.ovh.org/mapa_prawa.html.
lesley is right it used to be the holiday inn.

Hi Lyn

The map seems to have morphed into the Russian version, when you click on the little numbers to get more details. I know they are all over Sharm but now even the map. Or is it just me, how do we change it back to English?

so it has chris . . just had it saved into my favourites so dont know how that happened ,but at least the hotel names were in English. see if this works better .

http://www.sharm-el-sheikh.ovh.org/mapa_prawa_engl.html

Just got back from the Sultan Gardens yesterday after a fantastic Christmas and new year. You can walk to the beach, no need to take the taftaf. The fish restaurant isn't included in the AI but is available with a discount - and is well worth a visit. We had a junior suite and really enjoyed it. It's not in Na'ama Bay - the cost of a taxi is 80Le return (less than £8). There's also a free shuttle bus from the hotel if you book in advance. The hotel is pretty close to the airport but you're not disturbed by the planes. It's a fantastic hotel and Basel the manager is great. Any questions, just ask.

JAKKI

Hi Jakki. Thanks for your response.

What is included in the AI then? Is it all of the other restaurants? I hate being stuck with chips, pasta, etc, although I'm happy with rice with fish, etc. I'd really appreciate a heads up on that side of things. Also, is it the standard beers, cola and juices included in the AI?

Thanks ever so much! I'm getting really excited about booking the trip now... I just have to wait for my boss to ok it!

The food was great. Breakfast - cereals, scrambled and boiled eggs, beef and veal sausages, beef bacon (strange but good), cooking station for omelettes or fried eggs, cooking station for pancakes (yummy), fantastic bread, salad stuff, cheese, omelette, cold meats, pastries, fruit juices (although fresh orange is extra), coffee, tea, whatever you want. Both the lunch and the dinner again have a vast array of food - soup, salad, fantastic bread, cooking station for pasta, meat, fish, rice, potatoes (no chips on the menu apart from at the snack bar round the big pool), fruit, desserts to die for - everything you could want. Try booking in at the Italian restaurant (limited choice but served to your table and good). The fish restaurant is fantastic (extra to the AI but well worth a night out in there). Drinks - whatever you want, the beer (Sakara) was good, the vodka tasted a little strange but I enjoyed it, the whisky was decent, all soft drinks good. The coffee served from the pool and lounge bars is like cappucino, the hot chocolate is really nice. We enjoyed the rose wine. I'm sure you'll be able to find something to eat and drink whatever your tastes. And if there's nothing you really want, have a word with the waiters as they can usually rustle you up something if really necessary (so I believe although we didn't do that 'cos we were pleased with what was on offer). Hope you manage to book your holiday, you'll have a fantastic time.

sorry to go a bit off topic here and I know I really should ask this elsewhere but what sort of weather did you get Jakki as Im seriously considering going to egypt next christmas but not sure if its sunbathing /diving weather . We usually go to Egypt Easter so really just wondering how the weather differed from then .

lyn

Well I've got a lovely tan to show for my 11 days over there! The weather was great, you could sunbathe from 0830 hours in the morning until about 1530 hours in the afternoon (and on occasions I got really hot!!) and then you lost the sun and it was dark by 1700 hours. On a couple of days, there were some clouds but not enough to bother us. The Sultan Gardens has four pools - two of them heated, the other two were absolutely freezing!! We did snorkel in the sea and found the sea temperature okay (much warmer than the two freezing pools).

Thanks very much Jakki . sounds like the day is a bit shorter but you only really get until 4.30 at easter. Im assuming the temps would b a bit lower though . at easter around 30 degrees but maybe a better time of year heat wise to do a cairo or luxor trip.

lyn

I don't know what temps Jakki got, but I've been in late November and over Christmas before... both times it was around 20°C which isn't too bad when you look out of the window here today and shudder at the thought of going out!

Thanks so much for the info Jakki... I think we're going to go ahead and book and hope that the boss will come around to the idea of me escaping for a week! It sounds great!

Lyn,I have just come back from 2 weeks in Sharm on the 13th December and the temps were fine.The first couple of days there was scattered cloud and by the last 2 days I was having to go in the shade around midday.One evening at 10pm while waiting for the hotel bus in Naama bay the stand with the clock and temp was showing 20c.It wasnt as hot as the same 2 weeks 2 years ago when we were at the Conrad but that may have been because the Conrad is built on a slope and more sheltered than the Holiday village in Nabq bay which was quite breezy.I can recommend the HV for families with children of all ages as there is loads for them to do.

Thanks for that Jay and im glad you had a great time and managed to get away at last . Obviously you will all be the first to know if i decide to book for next christmas . we had such a great time this christmas in Francde that we have decided to make a habbit of it at least for a few days anyway. my only hestitation at the moment is if we go at christmas , what will we do at Easter . cant afford 3 expensive holidays .i havnt priced anything yet but have a feeling its going to be more expensive at christmas than easter.

lyn

miss gnomer can i ask who you booked with ?
we are looking at booking after my earlier post on here - thanks Jakki !
we want to book independantly - i have emailed basel and he has quoted em 75 euros per night 2 adults and 1 child standard room
this is for oct half term