Hi Elliedee

The Rihana is possibly closer to downtown than the Arena Inn where I believe you were last year - at worst it would be equi-distant so very easy to walk to Tamr Henna Square etc. 5 minutes would be tops from Reception to the main square. You can always cut through the Italian Compund at the back of the hotel, across the back of the Go-Kart Track and walk to the Marina that way - takes 15-20mins at a briskish pace, or the Marina Line bus runs a route from Downtown/Tamr Henna, Rihana 3 Corners, Sheraton, Marina and then the same in reverse every 20 minutes for £1.50 a week. no risk then of feeling cut-off!!!

When we are in Gouna, sad that they are, my children always want to eat once in the Rihana Buffet. Personally I think there is too much choice everywhere else to do the "holiday buffet line" - but to be fair there has always been a very good selection and they theme buffet nights each evening, International, Oriental (i.e. Egyptian), American etc so there is always good variety. There is a salda section, 2 soups, a kids corner, large bread section, then the mains line which has several meat options,(5 or 6 at a guess) usually at least a couple of fish choices, rice, potatoes in a couple of styles and selection of vegetables/veggie options. There is a station at the far end of the line which has been a pasta station, carvery etc on different visits. There is always loads of fresh fruit and a good selection of naughty-but-nice desserts.

I can however strongly recommend Chez Pascal the Belgian Restaurant in the Rihana grounds (marvellous steaks) and also the Kasbah (the cinema/restaurant next door) which has the most fantastic lamb couscous I've eaten and their Tagine's are also superb! Not sure, but you may be able to get a credit from your meal plan towards eating in either of these restaurants - would certainly be worth asking

Yes they do supply beach towels (free) from the pool areas.

We have only been into the pool area there in winter - it's the warmest pool in Gouna in the colder season . The main pool does have a lively animation programme - water polo, aquarobics etc - but at least they don't play piped music & between activities it's quiet. It's a good sheltered area too if it's windy. There is a second, quieter pool - but I have no idea what the rooms numbers/blocks are having not stayed in the place, maybe someone else can help? If you are still struggling with that info nearer the time, drop me a pm and I'll send my spies in!!!

The Rihana largely seems to cater to Scandinavian guests, but as it has now been included in the First Choice brochures for 2007, maybe the ratios will change a little. Many of the guests wear wristbands for all-inc etc, but personally I wouldn't recommend FB etc in Gouna - too many fab restaurants at excellent value to try. Have you discovered the "Oriental Grill" yet - or "Boxers" for a lighter option, with loads of options, tapas style - both EASILY walkable from the Rihana?

hope that helps a bit at least !

Thanks for that... sounds perfect. I am really glad that we shall be able to walk downtown - after lazing about all day its nice to have a bit of a walk in the evening We were pretty much the only british guests in the Arena this year, mostly Dutch, German or Egyptian, and thats not really something we bother about at all.

We did enjoy going b and b this year and agree that there are loads of nice restaurants to visit. However, the only thing we found they were lacking in atmosphere a bit, most places we found were the only diners and possibly had three or four waiters fussing round - apart from the Marina on a Friday night of course! We do plan to eat out whilst there, probably every third evening as I can get very fed up with buffet style eating and do enjoy being served at a table. My favourite was Tabasco's I have got to say, but would have loved to have seen it with more guests... everything was served piping hot. Kiki's was a bit disappointing, admitedly more diners there and a bit more atmosphere, but food wasn't cooked properly, we got someone else's bill...

And what is it about light over there!!!!! All the restaurants we went to were so dim, found it hard to read the menu and that was 'with' my glasses on! Even on the beach, they had fabbie places with tables and chairs on the beach but they were so uninviting - all they needed were a chunky candle or two on the tables and am sure it would have attracted people - especially as they had a big screen and the world cup was on at that time.

Oh well, I have got lots of months of looking forward till we go

Just spoken to a friend who lives in an apartment nearby the Rihana - I checked with her about pool noise, and she says

My roof terrace overlooks the pool and the only time it gets noisy is between 11.30 and 12.00 when they do water aerobics. There are a few announcements with the microphone at other times but not for long. The rooms on the road side would be quieter but I guess the view is not so nice unless you are higher up.

Hope that makes you feel a bit more comfortable!!!

Thats reassuring... not that I dont like a bit of life about the place, but sometimes its nice just to have a bit of peace to read

One place we didnt go to last year was Mangroovy Beach [apart from the beach party at night a couple of times] - how does it compare to Zeytona? As we were staying at the Arena we got free beds and towels there, I would expect this time we would have to pay?? I know the Rihana does have a beach, but sounds like its on the lagoon, and I really prefer the 'sea' so you can do a bit of snorkelling.

Oh, something else... we did a very expensive trip to Mahmeya Beach through Thomas Cook, but wonder if this is actually Gifton island that the guys on the beach try to sell trips to which were much, much cheaper? Got to say it was a wonderful beach though, snorkelling was great, albeit not quite as clear as Sharm but the lovely beach made up for it but did feel we did pay a bit over the top for the trip x 4 compared to others we have done in the past?

Giftun is further from Gouna than Mahmeya - have to say that despite all our visits we haven't yet been to either (too much time on the dive boats to fit it in!!) - but have heard many folk say they have had excellent trips there. Not usually too many available to Giftun though - that tends to be more from Hurghada. Trips booked direct from the beach will be considerably cheaper than those from the reps!! for a snorkelling trip I'd personally prefer to use one of the dive schools as you would get better supervision and kit & the diveguides are able to point out marine life etc accurately. Divetribe took the kids out for a couple of hours last Easter and they had a fab time - the Diveguide even managed to point out some seahorses which made my daughter's holiday!!

The Rihana has a private area of beach between Marina Beach and Mangroovy (as well as the lagoon beach) and it's easy to catch the shuttle bus there. Has a beach bar, sun beds and wind breaks etc. They have started work on the new super-marina in that general direction though - I don't THINK the beach itself is affected but there is the possibility of some additional noise - not sure..... just a word of caution.

Mangroovy is very quiet - great fun watching the kite-surfers do their thing - again easily accessible by the shuttle buses. The advantage of Zeytoona is better snorkelling from the jetty if you are so inclined, but if it's just waves and wind and sun you're after, Mangroovy is excellent.

Shall look out for Divetribe... do you know if the hotel has a shuttle bus going to their private beach and if beds are supplied there, or is it the local bus? Will towels be provided in this area too and their own AI beach bar? Their web site isnt very informative!!!! I shall email them nearer the time as I want to make sure we get a room one floor up... dont want the ground floor just in case we get any 'uninvited guests'with more that two legs!!!!
Thanks for all your info... I take it you are a regular visitor to El Gouna...

I've never seen a bus around marked up specifically as a Rihana shuttle bus - but I definitely HAVE seen Rihana guests on the Marina line bus that goes out to the Rihana's beach area.
There are sun beds and shades out at the beach - no idea about the towels - I would suspect you'd need to collect from the hotel pool and take them with you....

Yes - we have a 3 bed apartment in Gouna - have been there 4 times this year alone! I'm not out there again until next year now - but can try to find out anything you've failed to solve in Feb if that's any help.....

Thanks for all this info think thats all my questions answered... lucky you, an apartment in El Gouna - reckon you have acquired this at the right time, and also that we have discovered this brilliant resort just before it becomes too commercialised! We got our paper confirmation today which I was pleased about, as for the first time I have booked a 'whole' package holiday on line... all thats left is to count the months down now until we go!!!