Egypt doubts...

grim_2_da_bo

Hi guys,

I have recently booked my first 'proper' holiday away with my girlfriend of four years to Egypt.

We have been away with each-others folks abroad and around the UK alone, but this one is special to both of us.

We went into our local travel agent and enquired about a two week holiday to Sharm el Sheikh. We found a place that we both liked and thought we'd shop around before committing.

We happened to find the holiday a lot cheaper, which we informed the travel agent, and they matched the price.

We went all inclusive, as we didn't really want to worry about eating out and drinks will be included too.

When researching the holiday, it looked absolutely great. Everything we could possibly want.

We kept an eye on the trip advisor website and the reviews really were blinding...until the last six weeks.

The hotel itself, gets top marks but it is the food that is getting slated.

I know Egypt is renowned for deli belly, but the reviews are now beyond dreadful. Reviews say that health and safety have been in, everybody you speak to on the complex is seriously ill; the list goes on.

We are due to make our final payment this weekend, but i just wanted your thoughts on how i stand with the travel agent.

We don't want to cancel the holiday by any means. We just wanted to express our feelings to the TA, as we don't want to be paying good money for what appears to be a bit of a hole!

What is the best way to approach the TA and what can i expect to come of expressing our concerns.

I'm kind of hoping that it is just the time of year/low staff etc.

We are due to go mid June, which i'm guessing is getting on for peak periods!

I'm sorry to be so long winded!

All the best,

Graham

duggo1

Mid June would be off peak for Egypt - most British people go in our winter as it is nice temperatures then (25C+). Do you realise in June temperatures will be 40C+?

Re. the food - is it worth contacting the hotel direct to see why there is an issue and what they plan to do to resolve it.

grim_2_da_bo

Yeah, i have been to Egypt around a similar time of year before and it was scorching.

I will try and contact the hotel.

misgrace

I know reviews can make or break your choice of holiday, but I have picked places where its had good reviews, then about 2 weeks before I go, they are all negative :eek:
But I go with an open mind and I know what to expect with regards to the food, makes more vigellant to what I am eating lol.

Not too sure about your TA, they might have to charge you a cancellation fee, and the nearer it is to your holiday the more the cancellation fee costs, as its you who are changing your mind.
Now, if it was them that changed your hotel, then they would have to accept the loss.
Have a word with the TA and see what the score is.

CSA_Debt_Bod

What is the name of the hotel?

For peace of mind, why don't you just swap you booking to another hotel? I think this should cost about £50 but would be worth it if you avoided food poisoning! If you want a recommendation, we stayed at the Kirosiez Three Corners in Sharm this month all inclusive and neither of us was sick, and we didn't hear of anyone else that was either. The food was always very hot and fresh and the restaurants were spotlessly clean.

Alias_Omega

Funny enough, alot of english people go abroad and expect food to look and appear like it would back in the uk.

If you dont like the look of the food, then you can stray away from the hotel & eat out as of an evening.

We have been on many an All Inc holidays in the past, and have used it as a base for breakfast / early lunch with the remainder of the day away, and eating out occasionally in the evening.

I think the best holiday was a last-minute august trip to Tunisia, to a former holiday from hell which was £300 each.

Oggyoi

I'd be interested in you saying which hotel it is.
I am going to Sharm in April/May and spent ages reading Trip Advisor hotel reviews.
They are stunning at times, where people say best hotel ever, next review is worst hotel ever. Then the next says worst food on the planet, but the following says it is the best food going...

If there have been problems with food posioning then that is cause for concern.
Look on Holiday Truths and Holiday Watchdog sites too, for additional peace of mind.

swtchick87

I haven't stayed in sharm but was in luxor for 7 days at the end of July. Boy was it hot! Didn't go out till after midday. We stayed in a top hotel but on a breakfast only basis as we knew we would have plans through out the day. I did get an upset tummy for 2 days but I think that was down to the restaurants outside the hotel. I actually wrote reviews about my experiance on trip advisor. And would use the reviews to base my final decision on wheather to stay at a particular hotel for the future. I do have to add though the hotel I stayed at was fantastic but I did come accross negative reviews about them before I booked but I went with an open mind.

I say contact the hotel direct.

DKLS

Never had any trouble with stomach bugs in Egypt, but I do deliberately avoid any AI hotel like the plague which helps.

Keep some antibac hand wash with you at all times, use after handling bank notes and you will be fine.

grim_2_da_bo

Thanks for the replies.

We are going to the Laguna Vista Garden Resort in Nabq Bay.

We are staying in a 'hut', in a quaint village-style arrangement; no kids, just peace and quiet (a lot more glamourous than it sounds)!

I think we will just use it as a base for breakfast and lunch, as Alias said, and take more money knowing that we'll have to eat out more often than not.

Am i within my rights to express my concern with the TA?

G

Oggyoi

grim_2_da_bo wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

We are going to the Laguna Vista Garden Resort in Nabq Bay.

Am i within my rights to express my concern with the TA?

G

I hope you enjoy it.

As for expressing concern, I'd personally email the travel agent, setting out your concerns and see what they say in a response.
Obviously keep the emails and their replies, just in case.