Louis Tiran Sharm - Thompson took my booking, hotel won't be built!!!

milkydrink

UPDATE, just looked on the Louis web site & they have this message...

Due to open October/November 2008
Based on the decision to construct additional facilities at the hotel which include the creation of swim up rooms, as well as rooms with private pools, a very extensive and unique spa center, a club room and additional sport facilities, the Louis Tiran Sharm is due to open in October/November 2008.

When were Thompson going to tell me, that the holiday I had booked for June, wasn't going to happen!!!!!!

Louis Tiran Sharm
They are still building this in Sharm, due to open in April 08, I'm thinking of booking for the end of June 08.
Do you think it will all be up & running by then?
Can anyone tell me what area of Sharm its in? I understand its oposite the Tiran islands.
Is there much else around it?
Do you think they will run buses out to & from it?
I've never been to Sharm so don't know anywhere. Just wondering if its out on its own or not.
Thank you

sloppychops

Cant answer your questions,sorry but maybe their website will tell you more.


http://www.louishotels.com/hotels_in_egypt/tiran_sharm_hotel_egypt.html

Vampgirl

My experience of building in Egypt is that they are never finished on time. Whilst I have no idea with this hotel,the City Stars Holiday Inn in Cairo has been "almost finished" for over 2 years now and still isn't available to book. Another example of how "optimistic" they tend to be in Egypt regarding opening dates is a large hypermarket that we were told would be opening May 2005 didn't actually open until June 2007!

Your hotel might be further along the way and it is possible that it will be finished by the time you want to travel, but if it were me making this decision then I'd never book into a hotel that wasn't yet completed...the risk of the building works overrunning (especially in Egypt) are just too high for me.

milkydrink

I can get a great price off Eclipse (First Choices web only part) for just over £1,600 for 2 of us for 2 weeks on June the 26th 08. Thats the front sea view max upgrade.

You know how these hotels always offer a special price for the first year, we probably wouldn't be able to think about that place in 09.

BUT yes, it does worry me, especially being Egypt. I asked the travel agent (First Choice) & she said "if a 5 star hotel says it, its OK it will be built", but she would have to say that wouldn't she??? LOL.

I'm looking for something REALLY nice in the Red Sea. Must be on (not near) the beach & I must be able to get a sea-view option. AI & the food must be great, not big drinkers so not too bothered about that side of it. Nice if it had a nice spa or a dine-around option or anything that makes it a little different. Want 5 star (rather than 4).

ANY IDEAS????

milkydrink

Oh & as for being further along, according to people on Tripadviser its about 2 meters high!!!

BUT if I did book it, the deposits £60 & the rest wouldn't be due till 1st April 08. So if its not built I don't pay. Would you book it with the low deposit & the balance not being due till when its susposed to open????

sloppychops

Have you tried pricing it up on the Thomson website?might be cheaper if you can use a promo code.

milkydrink

Thanks but its more & I can't get the ocean front room I want with Thomson only a seaview. There are inland, side, sea & front rooms and I want to front room. Its one of the joys of being abroad, waking up to the sea lapping near your bedroom window.

Even if Thomson did that upgrade I think they would still work out more.

Vampgirl

kimevans wrote: »

BUT yes, it does worry me, especially being Egypt. I asked the travel agent (First Choice) & she said "if a 5 star hotel says it, its OK it will be built", but she would have to say that wouldn't she??? LOL.

That would be ringing alarm bells....she really has no idea how things work in Egypt! One of the Intercontinentals in Cairo (4/5 stars) was also delayed by at least a year so the star rating is no guarantee of completion on time...they're still be using local builders! I know she's just trying to sell you the holiday, but its not really good advice she's giving.

You've got quite a list of requirements and I can't help thinking that if price is an issue then you're going to end up dissapointed. If you want something ON the beach in Sharm then you need to be looking at hotels outside the main town (Naama Bay)...if I remember correctly the hotels in Naama Bay have a public promenade between the hotel and the beach. The trouble is tho that many of the hotels out of the town are built on cliffs and many don't actually have "beaches" as such due to the reef.

I would also never advise people to go all inclusive in Sharm...there are just too many lovely little restaurants in town that are cheap and are just begging to be tried.

payless

This is in Nabq Bay not Naama bay..

Area is mainly high class 4/5* beach front hotels most are All Inc - as not sure there are any other food outlets without a trip into Naama bay

milkydrink

payless wrote: »

This is in Nabq Bay not Naama bay..

Area is mainly high class 4/5* beach front hotels most are All Inc - as not sure there are any other food outlets without a trip into Naama bay

Yes, all of them big luxurious 5 stars are a way out & thats one reason why they need to be AI.

Is Nabq bay far from the centre of Sharm, also am I right in thinking the airport is very near? I'm a little worried about planes landing down the road day & night, LOL.

milkydrink

Vampgirl wrote: »

That would be ringing alarm bells....she really has no idea how things work in Egypt! One of the Intercontinentals in Cairo (4/5 stars) was also delayed by at least a year so the star rating is no guarantee of completion on time...they're still be using local builders! I know she's just trying to sell you the holiday, but its not really good advice she's giving..

Yes true. The main bonus in my favour is that the bulk of the money isn't due till the hotel is susposed to be built. If its not built, I take my money & book a late deal. Chance I take, but at least I wouldn't be stuck with what FC can offer.

Vampgirl wrote: »

You've got quite a list of requirements and I can't help thinking that if price is an issue then you're going to end up dissapointed. If you want something ON the beach in Sharm then you need to be looking at hotels outside the main town (Naama Bay)...if I remember correctly the hotels in Naama Bay have a public promenade between the hotel and the beach. The trouble is tho that many of the hotels out of the town are built on cliffs and many don't actually have "beaches" as such due to the reef..

Do you really think the budget i've set won't get me a 5* AI on the beach with a sea-view! I though it was a very healthy budget. If you go on Portland you could get a 4* for 2 for 1K ish.
Wondered about a promenade, thanks for that. So Naama bay is the cental area of Sharm.
I wouldn't even want to stay in the resort centre or too near it.
Thanks for the warnings about cliffs & lack of beaches, I will be careful about that.

Vampgirl wrote: »

I would also never advise people to go all inclusive in Sharm...there are just too many lovely little restaurants in town that are cheap and are just begging to be tried.

Again, not wanting to be in the centre AI is best for us. Also I worry more about the food from little local places than the big hotels, I could be wrong but its just how I feel about it.

Oh & we do still eat out, when we are off the hotel out & about & come across somewhere we like the look of or have been recommended. But we just don't like resort centre busy places. Hubby works in London, so he likes a bit of peace on holiday, LOL.