Sharm El Sheikh Hotel Advice Needed

scottishpurplefairy

Hello! My fiance and I have (finally) decided to go to Sharm El Sheikh for our honeymoon at the end of June.

We would like to stay somewhere 5 star all inclusive (as close to "real" 5 star as possible, though I have read that the AI places will never be true 5 star), walking distance of Naama Bay (but not right in it, too busy), private beach, less family-orientated - not necessarily adult only but that would be good and choice of AI restaurants. We would also like some activities / interesting places to walk through because we would get bored sunbathing all the time.

Obviously since it will be our honeymoon we want it to be as romantic and special as possible.

Can anyone recommend the perfect place or tell me if I am being unrealistic? We are hoping to spend up to £1500 for both of us but if this is not possible we could go up to about £2000. If this is not realistic how much should I expect to pay?

Thanks a lot!
scottishpurplefairy

tinker1001

Hi, congrats on your upcoming marriage. My husband and I went to sharm a couple of years ago, and here are the things we found from doing lots of research online, asking around when we got there and checking out some of the hotels:

Best hotel there is the Hyatt. It looks really lush and we wish we'd stayed there. Not sure if it has a private beach (think it does) but you could check online.

Problem is it's not all inclusive. However, we went all inclusive (5 star hotel) and were very disappointed with the food, and especially the drinks. we ended up going out for drinks/food a few times.

I think the restaurants in the Hyatt are supposed to be very nice, but pretty expensive, but there are loads of optons for eating out in naama bay - and really cheap.

Also, it is within walking dist of naama, but not in the middle of it.

If you look on tripadvisor and holidaysuncovered, there are loads of reviews.

Hope you have a great honeymoon!

Gosia

Hi Scottishpurpleferry

I myself am going to Sharma el Sheik in early June and also wanted to stay at a good quality 5 * though preferred the HB option.

I actually spent a couple of weeks researching different hotels on the tripadvisor website.

It looks like the best 5* hotels are probably

- the Hyatt Regency
- the Ritz Carlton
- possibly the Savoy

Though admittedly I haven't stayed at any of these resorts before. However even the feedback (on Tripadvisor) for these top end hotels can be somewhat mixed.

In the end I chose to stay at another 5* resort called the Renaissance Golden View Beach hotel - on the basis that I got a good deal, there's a coral reef excellent for snorkelling in front of the hotel, and that most of the feedback was positive.

Thanks to Sloppychops I got a good deal via www.travelrepublic.com Their price was about £250 cheaper (for two) than all the other websites.

I therefore recommend that you read up on Tripadvisor about the 3 hotels I mentioned above and then search for a good deal. I think that your budget of £1,500 should be sufficient to stay at a good 5* hotel like the Ritz on an AI basis.

scottishpurplefairy

Thanks tinker1001 and Gosia!

The Hyatt does look lovely, it is one that I looked at but we are really keen to go all inclusive so that we don't have to worry about money while we are there - it can all be for trips and trinkets.

tinker1001 - which hotel did you go AI to when you didn't like the food?

We had also been looking at The Savoy, it is a serious consideration. We will have a look at The Ritz too, just the thought of being able to say I'm staying at The Ritz is appealing :rotfl:

I have read very mixed reviews about food in each hotel, that's why we want somewhere with a few AI restaurants so at least we have some form of choice.

Thanks again, your help is appreciated!
scottishpurplefairy

tinker1001

I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but will have a root around through my 'memories box' to find it.

We, like Gosia, ended up picking it because it was a much better deal than some of the others, and seemed to have really good reviews. It was a nice hotel, but not what I would consider 5 star (ie not like UK or US 5 star). I agree with Gosia that sometimes the same hotel can have mixed reviews - I think this is because people's expectations can be quite different.

Anyway, I'll find the name of our hotel for you. Also, I have some friends who've been to sharm also - i'll ask them where they stayed xx

wan2lan

Hyatt Regency but upgrade to the Hyatt Regency Club. When you arrive a golf buggy arrives and whisks you off to 'The Club' where you are served a refershing drink of your choice while they check you in. Then your bags are taken to your room and you are free to have some food and some more drinks, all complimentary. There is a provate pool, very big and relaxing, and a private beach. All soft drinks are free all day, very nice in the Egyptian sun. The beach gives you access to a pontoon where you can snorkel and look at the most amazing coral. Scuba centre and snorkel on site, and being in 'The Club' they bring everything you need to your sunbed. In the evenings start the night off with some complimentary drinks, alchol included and some cannapes. I cannot recommend the Hyatt regency Club enough.

tinker1001

yes, that's what we heard about the Hyatt. The people we spoke to who worked out in sharm (from the UK - dive instructors etc) all said Hyatt definately the best hotel there. If I go back, I will definately say there.

wan2lan - what sort of price were the meals there?

lindsey_toffee_girl

scottishpurplefairy wrote: »

Thanks tinker1001 and Gosia!

The Hyatt does look lovely, it is one that I looked at but we are really keen to go all inclusive so that we don't have to worry about money while we are there - it can all be for trips and trinkets.

tinker1001 - which hotel did you go AI to when you didn't like the food?

We had also been looking at The Savoy, it is a serious consideration. We will have a look at The Ritz too, just the thought of being able to say I'm staying at The Ritz is appealing :rotfl:

I have read very mixed reviews about food in each hotel, that's why we want somewhere with a few AI restaurants so at least we have some form of choice.

Thanks again, your help is appreciated!
scottishpurplefairy

Hi I stayed in Sharm last year and loved it the raddison is nice though it is not in walking distance to namma bay it is only £5 in a taxi. Also food is very cheap we went to hard rock cafe ate two meals with starters and drinks for £15 madness!! HAve a fab time

scottishpurplefairy

Thanks for the replies!

tinker1001 - thanks for the advice, it does seem that one person's paradise is another's hell on the review sites. To be honest we have never stayed 5* before - since we don't have UK standard 5* to compare it to I hope we will be pleased!

wan2lan - thank you, the Hyatt does look really tempting. If we went bed and breakfast can anyone give me an idea what sort of amount we would actually need to budget for daily food spending? Bearing in mind we would go for the club upgrade and all it has to offer!

lindsey toffee girl - we did look at the Raddison but really want to be near Naama and the old town. We want to be able to take lazy strolls to nearby places to see different things - it is not a money issue.

We have been looking at The Grand Hotel in Ras Um El Sid. Has anyone been there? Also, does anyone know a travel agent that I can book it through, as I can't find it on holidayhypermarket, teletext, travelsupermarket, first choice or thomson holidays. It is quite confusing as there are a few hotels with similar names!

scottishpurplefairy

scottishpurplefairy

Well, we have now booked our honeymoon after getting a PM from delwynsholidaydeals

Del was patient and really helpful in finding the best hotel we could get within budget in our chosen area. We got what I think is a great deal on Calimera Royal Diamond - the price on Expedia was about £1000 more than we paid.

I can highly recommend delwynsholidaydeals services - thank you Del :j
Link to delwynsholidaydeals profile page -
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.html?u=535209

scottishpurplefairy

malid

scottishpurplefairy wrote: »

Thanks for the replies!

tinker1001 - thanks for the advice, it does seem that one person's paradise is another's hell on the review sites. To be honest we have never stayed 5* before - since we don't have UK standard 5* to compare it to I hope we will be pleased!

wan2lan - thank you, the Hyatt does look really tempting. If we went bed and breakfast can anyone give me an idea what sort of amount we would actually need to budget for daily food spending? Bearing in mind we would go for the club upgrade and all it has to offer!

lindsey toffee girl - we did look at the Raddison but really want to be near Naama and the old town. We want to be able to take lazy strolls to nearby places to see different things - it is not a money issue.

We have been looking at The Grand Hotel in Ras Um El Sid. Has anyone been there? Also, does anyone know a travel agent that I can book it through, as I can't find it on holidayhypermarket, teletext, travelsupermarket, first choice or thomson holidays. It is quite confusing as there are a few hotels with similar names!

scottishpurplefairy

We are returning to the Golden Renaissance View for the third time on 20th April. Yes it is outside Narma Bay but to be honest, we 've been happy about this. You can get a cheap taxi in any time or there is a hotel mini bus for a small chargeYou can get all inclusive but we have B & B as we like the experience of going out for evening meals to different places. Meals and overly expensive as I recall and at least you get to chose. Some people we have met on all inclusive have found menus limited and they have not been allowed into the hotel's other restaurants for free (just get a discount). And of course, you don't have to take your meals at the hotel. We may have one or tow but do like going out to experience other place. Can recommend Camel Bar and Roof.

Beware that alcoholic drinks will not be available everywhere and when they are, they are expensive. We're taking a box of wine with us and will buy a bottle of spirits at Duty free. This way we can enjoy a relaxing in our hotel room - well sittign outside hopefully overlooking the sea and just have a soft drink/water with our meals.

Narma Bay and Old town is not really a place for lazy strolling as such. It is really busy in the evenings and you will be pesetered by shop keepers and restauranters. In the day, I'm sure you will find it too hot to be strolling. It's mid to high 30s in April so June will be much hotter.

Whatever you chose, hope you have a fab time and best wishes for your wedding day.

:beer: