Anyone been to Sharm?

miamoo

Hiya got our flights booked with Easyjet, for 4 nights end November.

Just need to get a hotel booked, but its so hard to decide!

I either want a REALLY good all-inclusive (nice drinks, good food)
or B+B budget is £500. Its a birthday treat for me!

And most importantly there must be good snorkeling near the hotel.

Thanks for reading

pinkstarsx

Why not look at the Sultan Gardens or Royal Albatros Moderna for All Inclusive?

Both 5*s, Sultan has v good reviews. (Standards in Egypt however are different from ours so 5* is more a 3+/4)

http://www.sultangardens.com/

http://www.pickalbatros.com/modernasharm/index.htm

You have quite a high budget if you're looking at possibly B&B,What about the Savoy or afew of the Hiltons are quite nice?

charlea

just came back from sharm i stayed at the coral hotel in nabaq bay
hotel was great for family and kids but if itis for couple i would
i the hilton at sharks bay or the sunrise island view ( junior suite) sharks bay - both are fab for snorkling really really good
these hotesl have big floating platform so that you can get directly on to the reef and the fish are huge
also the concorde el salam at sharks bay has an amazing infinity pool

if you are going B&B though remember that booze in particular wine is very expensive in egypt

miamoo

Thanks very much. Can I ask what you thought of Naama bay? I dont know whether we should get a beach hotel there and eat out.

ellybelly89

miamoo wrote: »

Thanks very much. Can I ask what you thought of Naama bay? I dont know whether we should get a beach hotel there and eat out.

I went to Sharm in 2006. The snorkelling is incredible. Naama Bay is extremely stressful for the first couple of visits. I couldn't cope the first night I went and had to go back to the hotel. You will get stopped every few yards by people trying to usher you into their restaurant or shop just blank out all sound and keep walking. That's the only way I could cope.
Be careful when getting change in restaurants. Several times I was giving completely the wrong change because the notes all look the same and the waiter had a smirk on his face when I caught him out the first time and handed over the correct money.
In the shops haggle haggle haggle. Everything is at least half the price they say. Walk away and they reduce everything to rock bottom prices. Old sharm is cheaper than naama bay.

Be very weary of illegal taxis. They will grab you and escort you to their cars and they are not licenced. Only go to the official taxi ranks. We made the mistake of following this helpful man and when we got to the taxi we saw it was a beaten up wreck and we walked away while they shouted at us. Always wear a seat belt if the taxis have them!!! The taxis drive at over 100km an hour slam their breaks on then do u-turns. It is quite frightening. Also with taxis ask others in your hotel the price they pay and then use that as a base but try and get it lower. 1 st day we paid 80 egyptian punds by the end of the week we were paying 30 for the same journey.

Have fun!!

p.s. we were there 2 weeks and ate out every night. The one night we tried to cook in our self catered apartment we got massively ripped off in the corner shop as nothing has prices and they invent the prices as you go along. The water in our apartment was filthy and our food tasted crap so ended up eating out again.

Old sharm is the best for traditional food. We went in september and ate at sunset during ramadam and the atmosphere was incredible because the fast was over for the day and the air was full of singing, chanting and a happy buzz.

Picasso is an english owned cafe and is really cheap for english dishes if you get home sick. The jacket potatoes are ENORMOUS!

jtr2803

I 2nd the hilton sharks bay or the reef oasis for good snorkelling!

Keith

We stayed at the Tropicana Grand Azure in early May.

Best holiday ever!

miamoo

WOW thanks everyone, especially ellybelly89! Great tips there I will make a note of everything and all the hotels you all recommended.

jaks111

we went the xmas before stayed at the holiday village booked through first choice excellent hotel right on the beach in sharm
we would go back again we went into narma bay by taxi never again it was awful could not wait to get back to the hotel it was worse for us i think as there were no male people with us

kingston_toon

Ignore most of what ellybelly89 wrote... if you are a naive wet behind the ears traveller, then you might get stung by 25% of what she describes, but if you are in any way shape or form savvy, then you'll be fine, and have a great holiday. Haggle then agree taxi fares before getting in, smile and say no to the touts trying to get you into their restaurant, and just go out and have a good time. Alternatively, if you want to feel completely safe and totally in your comfort zone, why not try a week on the beach in Clacton on Sea instead? There... that's better

ellybelly89

kingston_toon wrote: »

Ignore most of what ellybelly89 wrote... if you are a naive wet behind the ears traveller, then you might get stung by 25% of what she describes, but if you are in any way shape or form savvy, then you'll be fine, and have a great holiday. Haggle then agree taxi fares before getting in, smile and say no to the touts trying to get you into their restaurant, and just go out and have a good time. Alternatively, if you want to feel completely safe and totally in your comfort zone, why not try a week on the beach in Clacton on Sea instead? There... that's better

How can you say ignore what I said when you suggest to them to not go at all?
I gave an honest account of what Sharm is like which other MSErs have confirmed.
You have basically reiterated what I said anyway:
Taxis - I said to find out the going fare from other hotel users and you can haggle it down.
Touts - Smiling and saying no is not always enough when you get grabbed or they follow you or block your path. Blocking them out completely and walk confidently along is often better.

Other tips for Op.
If locals offer you directions don't follow them because they will demand a tip ask other tourists or staff in hotels, restaurants.

Shops not in naama bay will sometimes lock you in (Like we did on our first day!). They are being 'hospitable' when they offer you drinks and will often give you a present. DOn't feel pressurised into buying anything to get out. Just keep saying no.

There are police absolutely everywhere in Naama Bay which does make you feel safer.

Have lots of fun and ignore what Kingstoon-!!!! said and go to Sharm and not Crapton on sea.
:A