TRANSFER

Very efficient. Suggest you get visa (if wanted, only needed if you plan to leave Sinai area) from the stall ahead of you as you enter airport, Firstchoice will try and get you to join the queue for theirs which is more expensive plus has a long queue.

TIPS

Hardly tipped on resort, not really expected. Left money for cleaners on departure as did such a great job.

ROOM

Stayed in a standard room. Had one double and 2 put up beds. Not alot of room but adequate. Had TV but no kettle which would have been nice. No bath, only shower which was a bit temperamental and not much pressure. No view from balcony, looked on to a side road but most of the other rooms had lovely views over the splendid gardens.

GARDENS/grounds

Beautifully maintained by staff who worked everso hard - not very organic though as large quantities of pestisides were being used. Lots of pretty flowers. Tennis court and footy pitch - too hot during day but good at night. Did not encounter any mosquitos!

POOLS

Swim up rooms looked good but my kids would want to go to main pool anyway. Main pool had 2 slides and was a good size. It seemed well kept and I saw staff cleaning tiles reguarly and checking water. My son loved the swim up bar. Very clean and lots of bins. 2 bars here and the towel shack - hand over your towel card for fresh towels daily. Sun beds went quickly, after about 9.30am mostly gone. Fun pool next to the main pool was great fun for kids. Bit too noisy at the main pool with music and quizes but most people there seemed to like it.

FOOD

I was extremely impressed. Everything was freshly made. I went for mostly the Egyptian buffet area which was clearly labelled - great as I am a VEGGIE - good choice, lovely dips too. Bread counter had many different types of breads and puddings were also good - especially the Egyptian. Pitzas and chips and pasta avilable for little ones (and big ones with simple tastes!). However, it was not really relaxing as we were constantly up and down from the table and it was very busy. At breakfast we sat outside which was more relaxing. Pancakes at breakfast very nice! Went to Chinese one night, food was ok but service was too 'in your face'.
Snack bar on beach lovely for drinks and limited range of food served at lunch time - all freshly prepared there. Only complaint here is that music was too loud, not needed at all really.
Some children could be better monitored, ie taking 10 pancakes or handling food and putting it back!

BEACH/snorkelling

Not a sandy beach, sort of hard gravel. Sun beds available here too. Very shallow for a long way out. Jetty takes you quite a way but good 15-20 mins snorkel from here to get to edge of reef and the best snorkelling. Plenty of idiots standing on the coral and even snapping bits off - please don't. Worth the effort to get there as many fish here, saw a 6 foot eel too. You are not allowed to use the next door jetty which is twice as long (look them up on Google Earth), they will turn you back. As we went for the snorkelling we were disappointed that it was not more accesible or more sites.

TRIPS

Booked with Sharm Club which you will find on Google. Had to cancel Cairo trip due to upset stomachs about 5 hours before departure and they still came to the hotel to give us a 50% refund. You can book on line and arrange to meet them when you arrive. Much cheaper than First choice - only thing is you are in a mixed group with Germans, Russians etc which can make communication tricky plus there are quite a few pick ups at other hotels.

Booked snorkel trips with Amerinio from Aquarias on the beach. Did Ras M and Tiran trips - both very good but could have done with a bit more time in the water. Lovely to be away from the resort for a while and out on the sea. Staff were excellent and food was super too. My favourite days and fancy a live aboard trip next time. Did not do any diving as not well enough.

STAFF

Excellent and efficient. Very courteous. Did not hasle for tips ever. Kids club staff seemed pleasant but did not use, reps friendly too.

DRINKS

Good enough range for me. Rose wine was nice but everything could have been colder. Water bottles in rooms and water fountains available at bars. Hardly needed to queue at bars, if ever.

HOLIDAY

Could not fault the resort other than it is a resort. You will not experience much of Egypt here (except the super Egyptian buffet). I did find things a bit repetative and wanted to explore but no where really to go to other than the main road which had shops and McDonalds etc! Great place for an easy holiday and winter sun. Most people seemed to be there to sit by the pool and soak up the sun - I am sure an on site tattoo parlour would do well as I have never seen so many on a holiday - even the Grannys!