281 Reviews
Traveller Rating
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Excellent91
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Very Good127
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Good46
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Average14
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Poor2
Review Overview
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Cleanliness
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Entertainment
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Food
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Service
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Location
All inclusive food was varied and as we were spoilt for choice it appeared very much the same-- BUT on closer discussion it was very different and catered for a wide choice of people.
The location was perfect, on the beach which was clean and well cared for.
As for the staff - Well they worked hard from the first moment we arrived to make it a pleasant stay. friendly and helpful all the way through.
As for whether we would visit again... we are booking it now!!!!
Top place 10 out of 10
First Choice staff were excellent!!
Travel operator: Eclipse
Everything you could want to eat was available and they would make anything you asked. I was embarrassed on several occasions to hear people moaning about the food, what more can you want! Its Egypt - not Blackpool, people trying to find MacDonalds!!!
Hotel location was remote but everything you would want was there. The beach, the pools, diving centre, snorkelling, shops etc. It only cost
Travel operator: First Choice
When you arrive you are warmly welcomed by the staff and your bags taken to your rooms for you so you can go straight to the restaurant/bar.
The food at the restaurants is very good and of the standard that you would expect for a 4 star hotel. They do make the effort to vary the menu everyday. Poeple moan that the choice is limited, but I would disagree to this. Let's face it, there is only so many ways that you can cook a potato!
Food is served virtually all day with 5 different sittings. You could hardly starve.
Naama Bay is about 13 miles away and well worth a visit at least once in the evening. Book a taxi from the hotel at the 'limosines' desk. They only charge 11 Egyptian Pounds return and you pay when you get back at the hotel, not at the start so no rip-offs. People always talk about Hard Rock Cafe (35 Egyptian Pounds for a 1/4 pounder with cheese meal) but for a change I would suggest The Camel Bar where you eat on the roof under the stars for the same price.
Back to the hotel, it is very clean and well kept. The staff are always cleaning and tidying things up. They work very hard for their pittance of a wage (350 Egyptian Pounds a month). It beats me how they can always have a smile on their faces for such low financial reward. They are a friendly lot, always willing to help and assist you( towels taken to your beds for you, drinks brought to your table etc). I know that they work for tips, but I do feel that they are genuine and sincere although obviously envious of the riches of the western world.
The hotel rooms are wrapped around the pool area in a U shape on 3 levels. This is very impressive with the beach at the back.The rooms are spacious and there is a free safe deposit. There is also a fridge, don't use what is already in it as it is very expensive. I would suggest that you ask the hotel to empty the contents when you arrrive.
As people say there are no toilets by the pool but you naturally sit in an area by the pool near to your room, so what's the problem? There are always sunbeds available by the poolside and the on beach. The beds are very comfortable and of a good quality.
To the right of the beach you can hire electric bikes from 'Donald Duck' a very friendly and likeable character from Aswan, and to the left Camel rides along the beach, don't pay more that gbp1 per ride.
The beach is lovely and the snorkelling out of this world. Go to the left of the beach by the last sunbeds and walk out in the shallow water for about 200 metres. You will see a pole sticking out of the sea. That is a great place to snorkel. I would also recommend the Garden Reef trip. This is an allday boat trip excursion where you can snorkel in the deeper water (30 metres) and see some different fish that live here. At gbp26 it is well worth the money. The free buffet lunch is great.
The entertainment in the hotel is limited and usually in the Irish Bar. This bar is indoors and did not appeal to us. We would prefer to have a drink outside, much more pleasant and something you can't do in this country in October.
We will be returning to Sharm El Sheikh that's for sure. You are guarenteed the weather, October is a good time - cooler than September when it gets up to 110F. We would not have a problem in going back to the Coral Sea Resort as we had a great holiday there, but as there are so many nice hotels in this area we will probally try another next time..
Travel operator: First Choice
The entertainment team (Michael, Natasha, Nikki & Kelly) all work really hard but really they need six members of the team to provide a full service all day and night. At the time we left Michael and Natasha were leaving in one week to be replaced by two new members of the team and Nikki and Kelly were still to find out whether they were staying or not. Mini Disco every night, show at 10pm, games in Irish bar also at 10pm.
My son hurt his chin while we were there and had to have 6 stiches,the doctor was not very well mannered and although obviously very capable had no bedside manner at all with a very distraught 5 year old being held down by 3 abults to be given the pain killer before the stiches.
All the hotal staff we encountered were excellent and very well mannered, most people struck up a friendship with one member of staff or another.
We found the free Italian was ok but the food was quite similar to the Dine Around room. The Dine Around was very good and we never heard any complaints during our two weeks stay and our children (one is very fussy) had no problems eating at all during our stay. Fresh Pizza, Pasta, Eggs & Omlettes.
The bus is 1 GBP per person to Naama Bay each way and the Limo (nice car with leather seats and Air ????) is 11 GBP return for 4/5 passengers so we paid the little extra for the Limo.
The pool bars had very little in the way of music choice so we left them NOW 61 and a few other oldish CD's for the rest of you to enjoy! Again the staff were excellent especially Aziz in the big pool bar.
I used Aquarius to dive for three days 109 GBP for 6 dives, 14 GBP for a third dive if you can fit it in, dived with all the main fish, rays and a massive turtle. on the boat it is 2 GBP for unlimited soft drinks and a further 2 GPB for a very nice lunch. Dive guides were very good and gave a very full briefing before the dive.
We went on a camel ride for 2 hours but it was not comfortable at all, fun and enjoyable but we asked them to change to a 1 hour trip and they were fine about it, the moutains at dusk were fabulous.
My wife went horse riding for 2 hours for 17 GBP including pick up and drop off and had a great time.
Quad bikes and scooters and mini youth scooters were available from the beach front at the CSR and at the adjacent hotels, 5 GPB for 30 minutes.
Quads were more but not sure how much.
You shoud try and have a day at Sharks bay, book a Limo from reception and its about 6 GPB return, then 1.5 GBP for access to the beach once you arrive (only Adults pay). There you can Snorkle a divers site with loads to see, waterski, paraglide rubber rings etc... Food there is soooo cheap we got 2 large pizza's 1 Burger and Chips, 3 Portions of Chips, 2 Cokes and 2 Coffee's for a whopping 6.50 GBP. Sharks bay is definately the place to go for a good cheap day.
Any questions then please feel free to ask I have some leaflets on trips and diving if you need prices. We had a great time and are already looking to return next year (we might try and stay at either Sharks bay or Naama Bay just for a slight change but would not hesitate to return to the CSR).
Travel operator: First Choice
On then to the food - make or break for some people I suspect! There was always a fair variety, but whether it would be sufficient for more than a week is questionable. Mindful of hygiene, I avoided all cold meats, some of which didn
Travel operator: First Choice
Again food good, it is hard to have something different every night, if you go to the same restuarant 14 nights in a row are you going to be able to choose something different off the menu? I dont think so, and if you do get bored it is sooooooo cheap to eat out in Egypt that you can still get value for money all inclusive and eat out when you want
Location is close to airport and a good 30 minutes to namma bay, but then it depends what you want, we were happy not to be near loads of shops but when we wanted we could go shopping, we go on holiday for diving, the sea, beach and to relax, shopping comes last and it is a breath of fresh air not to see an english sunday lunch pub or english breakfast cafe in sight, if you want that go to the costas or cannaries dont go to Egypt because thank god its not spoilt YET
Hotel staff are brill, one of my sons has made so many friends he is going back on his own to meet up with his friends , he wont wait till we all go back. If you need something and they can help they will, but then manners come into it as well, treat people the way you would like to be treated and everything is possible
we didnt do the entertainment, we were in the Irish bar and the DJ and my sister had quite a few run ins , he liked to play for himself or the Russians but she had a few words and good old soul music could be heard, a good old boggie at the end of the night was lacking.
we will be back as the famous saying goes
Travel operator: First Choice
The hotel staff and the first choice reps are willing and trying to put new ideas into practice and welcome any suggestions.
We thought the food was excellant and the retaurant staff were really eager to please especially Alaa the restaurant supervisor and our waiter Ibrahim couldent do enough for us.
We decided not to tip anyone in the hotel till the end of our holiday and found that this was the best way.
The bar in the lobby now has draft lager the bar staff still need some practice but are getting there. The water is served by the glass but at meal times you can get it by the bottle, all you have to do is to remember to keep it and refill it whenever you want.
We did get egyptian belly but that was not due to the food people seem to forget that they are in a really hot country and do not drink enough liquid and that does not mean alcohol. We went to the local chemist and it cleared up within 24 hrs.
We also went on a few trips, the garden reef snorkelling trip was brilliant, but the snorkelling on the house reef was just as good.
Entertainment is a bit basic but I think it will get better with time and the staff tried their best with the little of what they had and if the adults tried a bit harder they wouldn't be dissapointed.
The rooms are cleaned daily and if there is a problem they try and sort it within 24 hours. The grouting in the bathrooms is not dirty they do not use white grouting but grey, and all in all up to a very high standard.
If you want English food and English beer then don't go to egypt go to spain. A great holiday and we will be going back.
Travel operator: First Choice
The rooms were clean and more than adequate. A nice touch was the free use of the safety deposit box.
There are only a few areas I feel needed looking at fristly the lack of toilets around the pool and immediate beach areas and most of all the enterainment.
Although there was 'bingo' and a quiz in the Irish bar that was about it. (The Irish bar was reminisant of a grubby pool room in a really old working mans club and I really don't know how they managed to do that in a new bulding! not very nice).
In the day, there was a 'list' of activities, none of which ever happened. My hubby is a fussy eater but every day there was something for him to choose.
The fresh omlettes, pastas were a delight. The meals were beautifully presented and the staff couldn't do enough for you.
Travel operator: First Choice
One of the best holidays we have had. The hotel should be a 5 star plus.
We had a jacuzzi select room (2137) with a view to kill for. About 20m from the beach, overlooking Tiran Island and Saudi.
The room was first class, very large with TV and DVD player. Huge king size bed (which was changed daily by our housekeeper "Sherriff"). They supplied bath robes and slippers. All toiletries were supplied and topped up when needed. Free safe and tea/coffee making facilities available. FREE late check out as we had a select room.
Now for the FOOD. Some people WILL take offence to this, so here goes.
Anyone who says says the food is poor, must be the burger and chips people who do like decent food. If you do not like the food, go to Spain and to the British food outlets for your fry ups, fish and chips burgers etc. First Class food. What a choice and cooked to a high standard, to cater for most peoples tastes, I say most, as some people have moaned about the pasta, chicken chips etc. Does anyone realise that those food items set on a LOWER serving table by the door are like that for a reason, no not for vertically challenged, but the the children. IT'S THE KIDS SECTION, DOH!
Starters, main course and the sweets are excellent, plenty of drinks. No you can't get beer by the pint, were not in England and the "PINT" is a British thing, we are abroad and we should enjoy their culture and join in not moan at everything saying, "Its not the same as the food at home and can't get a pint". Need I say more.
Location was good, no "English" bars etc near. Taxi to Naama Bay was
Travel operator: First Choice
Egypt is cultural and that makes it different.
Our party thought entertainment was great too. It's not Broadway but then again you haven't paid for that. Teenagers could be catered for a little better... perhaps a games room.
Trips to do... Dhab shopping trip yes cats and beggar children, and kitchen is across pathway but again that's culture for you and the food was fine.
Snorkeling garden reef trip absolutely a must. All sorts of fish from Nemo's to blue spotted stingrays and great value.
Its not a question or will we go back ....we are without a doubt and most certainly to the Coral Sea.
Travel operator: First Choice
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