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
food is great recommend omlette in the morning and spagetti not on the same plate spagetti seved at lunch
location is amazing nothing more to say about that
staff are so friendly[load own bags into coach at airport
entertainment is more based on kids than adults
Travel operator: first choice
The food in the main restaurant was excellent with plenty of choice, plus, the food that should be hot, was hot. Don`t look for Pork chops, sausages or bacon, they don`t exist in Egypt. For lunch you can eat in the restaurant, mermaid bar, or the poolside barbeque. Water, juice, tea and coffee is available 24 hours a day. All the staff are very pleasant and helpful, the same applies to the First Choice entertainment team and the three reps who work very hard. Finally, the staff are on low pay, they rely on tips. Small notes are sometimes found on Ebay.
Travel operator: First Choice
The food was plentiful and would cater for all types. The Italian restaurant was the best, the food and presentation was exceptional and the ambience was lovely.
The staff work very hard and long hours but always manage to smile and make time to get to know you as individuals. At the time we were there ramadam was in place therefore, the staff were unable to have anything to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, they were tired due to the heat and unable to have a drink but still attentative to holidaymakers.
The frist choice entertainment team worked hard and again got to know you as individuals.
If I wanted to be picky I must say that the hotel needs to cater for non smokers better.
I am not an anti smoker but found that the entertainment bar, the reception bar, the italian and indian restaurants did not have designated areas for smokers, therefore, we were not able to participate in shows at Finnleys bar as it was not a huge room and soon became full of smoke which was very uncomfortable.
The buffet restaurant did have designated areas and this achieved its goal.
Travel operator: First Choice
Travel operator: first choice
We arrived at about 10 p.m with a drink and a calm reception area,even better was the fact that they had kept the dining room open late so we could get something to eat,we were pleasantly surprised to find the food fresh and hot.
We did have 2 problems on arrival though,we did have to wait a couple of hours for our luggage and both families were placed on totally different sides of the hotel.We had to wait 5 days for our room to be changed but this was done with as little fuss as possible by the friendly reception staff.
Both rooms we had were extremely clean and well kept,the room boys done some amazing things with towels!!!We had 2 lots of laundry done whilst we were there,although it can be pricey it was deffinately worth the money as all items came back immaculately clean and pressed.
We ate at the Mermaid twice for lunch and although the food was very good be prepared to wait a long time for it,they do do lovely cheese rolls between 11 and 12.We stuck with the dine around for most meals,which on the whole were very good,well prepared,fresh with plenty of variety if you wanted to try something new,they also had a BBQ outside at both lunch and dinner.
The only time any of us had any real tummy problems was the night after we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe,funny that!!!They have a very good beauty studio,I had a french manicure for 15 english,be careful though,once you've been there once they will keep pestering you to go back.
The pool area was very well kept although it was a bit murky on our last 3 days,this was explained by the use of a certain chemical that has to be used once a month and takes a few days to clear.Just a couple of words of warning,the shallow entrance to the pool was very corse,a few sraped knees and toes were had,also around the pool was a bit rough,Alan who we had met there split his toe open on his last day and had to pay 105.00 english pounds for 4 stitches,ouch!!!
The pool boy Mahmood was fantastic,after he knew what sunbeds we preffered,the towels were on the bed waiting at 8 a.m every morning.
The gardening staff were always busy weeding and watering the grass which kept the grounds lush and green. We only used the big pool as we preferred to be in the centre of the daytime activities,the bar staff at this bar were awesome, they also went on to do the bar at the ampitheatre at night,they always had a smile and knew what you were drinking.
I had read some pretty bad reviews on the entertainment at this hotel and all I can say to these people is lighten up a bit and join in,the first choice entertainment team worked their socks off trying to make everybody's holiday a happy one, which most nights on their part was extremely hard work,I could not believe the lack of reponse they were getting from most people.
I must admit I seemed to spend more time on stage than off it,I'm sorry if this got on some guests nerves but I think the reps kept picking on me because they knew I was up for a laugh and didn't mind making a bit of a fool of myself, maybe if certain guests joined in a bit more they would have a much more enjoyable holiday and the reps jobs would be so much easier and rewarding.
We really didn't want to leave and this was mainly due to the reps Davey, Tash, Kimmy, Ronan and their team leader Smelly Kelly. Thanks guys for making this holiday definately one to remember!!!
Travel operator: First Choice
Travel operator: FIRST CHOICE
The hotel is spotlessly clean with staff cleaning from early morning to late night.Special mention to our room manager Mohammed who could not do enough for us.Everything we asked of him he seemed to go out of his way to do(a few quid tip when we arrived may have helped but was more than worth it).The toilets outside around the pool were spotless too (a first in my experiance)
The food we found was more than exceptable with a fantastic choice and very well presented.Our particular fravourite was the roast beef carved in front of you at least 4 times during our stay.There is a barbercue around the pool every lunch( not brilliant but ideal if you cant be botherd drying of and going to the resteraunt.there is also the Mermaid at lunch time. This is waiter service and a nice chane from buffet style.(very good food as well). We tried the al'acarte italian (1 vist aloud per week)and was pretty impressed with it.Drinks were hit and miss , somtimes from bottles and a bit flat and not very cold.
If you like your shorts strong just ask for a large one.
Location is not remote , with hotels all around. But if you want bars and night life you will have to travel to Nama Bay(30 mins)
Hotel staff are very friendly and helpful apart from with the people who are rude to them.( and who could blame them)
Your kids will love the entertainment you will more than likely not. They do work really hard it has to be said.Our kids were old enough to was on there own while we had a queit drink upstairs.
All in all we would have no problems visiting this hotel again ,it is the best holiday we have every had , but we like to try differant places.
Travel operator: first choice
The staff worked very hard but there were some pool bars which had slow service due to high demand and not enough staff to cope.
The location of the hotel was close to the airport with a transfer of about 10 mins. However, due to the reef and shallow waters, any water sport activities including diving had to be run from a nearby hotel 10 mins away. The centre's did run a good mini bus service to this hotel and were very well organized.
The pool gave many guests a problem. One day someone did a pooh in the pool and as a result extra chemicals were pumped in causing rashes on children's groins and legs. A complaint was made and the chemical levels in the water was changed resulting in a murky colour. Also a
Travel operator: First Choice
As soon as you arrive you are greeeted with a colourful
drink which is not nice , but its a nice gesture. Then you go the reception desk and get your wristband.
Then you wait for about 30 mins for someone to take you to your room.
Rooms - The rooms are fantastic. Even though in past holidays I've have separate bedrooms, and here you only have one, the rooms are spacious, clean, and a little too cold at times , but luckily you can change the temp on the air con.
Sunbeds - In the mornings the latest you should get a sunbed is about 8. Because some people get up so early, so basically if you go much later, your not in with much chance.
Food - The food is great. My favourite meal was breakfast because there was lots of really nice dohnuts and cakes. At lunch we would go to the Mermaid bar, which I liked . But there wasnt much choice for me as Im a vegetarian, so most lunch times I just had a greek salad or pizza.
At dinner most of the time we went to Dine Around (the buffet restaurant). Which was nice and most of the time had enough choice for me. I really loved the falafel they did. But on some of the evenings
, such as the seafood night, there was like nothing for me to eat, but at least they still have pizza. Be warned if ur veggie and have pasta - I asked for tomato sauce on mine and found pieces of meat in there as the use the same pan. I wasnt pleased to say the least!
Once a week you can go to the italian. I enjoyed it in there as its a nice change, and because you get your food brought to you. It's worth giving it a try.
The Pools - They are both really nice and big. We stayed round the smaller one though most of the time as its a bit quieter. There is a bar in each of the pools which are nice.
The only thing, was someone pooed in the bigger pool while we were there. Which is disgusiting. And luckily I was in the smaller pool while this happened.
It all got cleaned out quickly though.
The Staff - You cannot fault the staff. They are so friendly and work very hard! Some of them became me and my sisters friends while we were on holiday and even gave us a gift when we left. You should really tip them though as I'm sure they dont get paid much. They are very grateful for anything they get. If ur going soon please look out for Mohammed-Mahmoud he is a chef who is mostly in dine around. The camera man (not sure of this name but he always wears footy tops) - hes funny. Moustafa who works in dine around and it always smiling :), and Eshak who works in the Mermaid and the Italien. There is also many more.
The cleaners work especially hard. Very Long hours.
The staff are all very nice and there friendlyness added to my holiday. And it was hard saying goodbye.
Entertainment - It was crap. They are ok for entertaining little kids bt for not anyone else. As im 14 there was nothing to entertain me! You cannot enjoy it. They cannot sing at all!
Its more like screaming. They should do themselves a favour and stop doing their shows. Because there not entertaining! And thats what they are paid to do!
The only good things were the outside shows which happened about once a week.
Cleanliness - The hotel is so clean. There is always a cleaner on watch in the restaurants incase anyone drops anything.
Ok well thats basically everything. But its likely that you will get ill on holiday. But only ignorant people would blame it in the food in the hotel. Its to do with something like your body adjusting to the heat. Im not too sure to be honest. Just make sure you drink plenty of water, and if you get ill, go to the pharmacy and get tablets, Do not use you own as these will only make you worse! I warn you , the tablets are very expencive!
Travel operator: First choice
We were given all our info and room key and off we went to the room.
We opened our door to a spectacular huge room it was beautiful a basket off fruit waiting for us lovely white bathrobe's slipper's toiletries etc etc.
The balcony was huge and had lovely view' over both pool's and the sea.
We had a shower got changed and went for our tea there is so much choice from fresh pizza pasta roast beef stir fry to much to mention.
And the desert trolley is to die for
the waiter's can not do enough for you we got treat like royalty
breakfast time there is lots off choice also lots off different bread rolls cake's yogurt
Travel operator: ECLIPSE
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