Sharm El Sheik

silkcutblue

I went there in August. One of the worst experiences of my entire holidaying life (and I have been to some really iffy places). Cockroaches in the 4* hotel, room falling apart, ended up catching stomach bug from the hotel food, and the "beach" (this is all of Naama Bay so it's not hotel specific) was obviously where carrier bags go to die because you couldn't even walk in the water without being covered in them.

Sharm is like Benidorm at its worst - but in Egypt.

Totally tacky strip, unbelievably overpriced (£22 for some Nivea sun lotion so take every single solitary thing you need), and just downright rancid scamming place.

Saying that, if you are going to spend your whole time scuba diving then it is great. Stick to that (and the 4x4 quads in the desert although a scam is they drive you around in the heat and stop off at a fake bedoin "oasis" that charges £4 for a small bottle of water - take lots of your own and it's a great deal of fun) and you will get the best and miss the icky stuff.

Taxis. Dirt cheap and hassle you non stop. Agree a price before you get in.
Supermarkets - there aren't any big ones just small 7/11 type stores, most of which do nto have prices. MAKE THEM SCAN YOUR STUFF! or they enter the "tourist" rate which is much more than the normal rate. if they enter the goods manually then go somewhere else.
Wifi - Hmmm, Stabucks has it but you need an egyptian phone number to actuivate it (oh, the irony of that rule in a tourist hub). There are some places that have it for free like Camel Bar in the centre of Naama Bay.
Wash your hands all the time, and take stomach meds (or just buy a few lemons and drink them in a cup of black coffee to cleanse your system)
NEVER rely on the doctors. One tried to give me some meds that had a penicilin derivitive in despite me telling him I was alergic. They just want your money (yes, they do. Fact, not opinion)


Took a great trip to Cairo and loved it. So, Sharm is a pit. Cairo is great. Luxor is nice, too. :j

GRM

silkcutblue wrote: »

and the "beach" (this is all of Naama Bay so it's not hotel specific) was obviously where carrier bags go to die because you couldn't even walk in the water without being covered in them.

We stayed in the Royal Grand Azure in Naamba Bay during late July - the beach and sea were spotless. Free wifi too.

silkcutblue wrote: »

Sharm is like Benidorm at its worst - but in Egypt. Totally tacky strip, unbelievably overpriced (£22 for some Nivea sun lotion so take every single solitary thing you need), and just downright rancid scamming place.

Agreed. However, if all you want to do is sunbathe and scuba and eat/drink on an all inclusive basis then it was certainly value for money IMO.

YMMV.

Bob_the_Saver

Sharm El Sheik, is that the one in Dorset?