Our stay at this hotel is one of the worst examples of customer service we have witnessed in this industry.

We booked our stay at the Novotel Beach six months prior to our arrival via an external website.

Several weeks prior to arrival I contacted the hotel to enquire re a transfer service as we were not part of a tour group/package deal.
I was advised by the Asst. Front Office Manager that a free transfer service is offered and hence via emails I provided our arrival/flight details to arrange this.

We arrived to find NO transport to collect us and then ran the gauntlet of enthusiastic taxi drivers wishing to start the bidding at £30 GBP for a 10 minute taxi ride! Needless to say we did not pay this much but were still ripped off.
On arrival to the Novotel we were told by staff that our tour operator did not 'organise' the transport although as independent travelers we did not have a tour operator hence my own emails to arrange this !!

At check in we were told that whilst we did have a booking at the Novotel Beach, the hotel was overbooked and hence we were required to stay across the road in The Palm.

Having read the Tripadvisor reviews re The Palm and knowing it's distance from the beach we basically stood our ground and refused to move elsewhere. During this time the Front Desk Supervisor repeatedly attempted to coerce us into walking over to see the Palm whilst not offering any other alternative. Not the situation I imagined would greet us after the 5 hour flight.

During this discussion another party arrived who it transpired had booked via the same website more than six months ago and was being told exactly the same thing (overbooked). We all refused to budge and after several phone calls from the supervisor a room was magically found for both parties at The Beach after some time waiting!

The room we were allocated whilst at least on the beach side was of a fairly poor standard. The light fitting in the centre of the room did not work and was never fixed despite requests. In addition to this the plaster around it was hanging from the ceiling and the plaster was dropping onto the bed.
The room was one of a small number with no balcony and the view from our window was less than inspiring.
The shower had a habit fluctuating temperatures, sending scalding water intermittently.
Additionally the safe did not work and the plug in the bathroom sink was jamming.

We were never offered any information about the hotel most likely due to the way we were checked in (and nil to find in the room) such as basics of how and when to find breakfast. Quite a small thing but all off this does not make a 5 star service.

We used the hotel as a base for scuba diving via an operation close by. Hence our initial interest in booking this hotel at this location. To this end I would say the hotel is well located and had a nice pool and lovely beach area.

Sadly the hotel fails to educate guests at all about the house coral reef and resulting has it's guests walking and stomping all over it, snapping the coral as they go. A simple brochure or a poster in the bathroom re the value of protecting such a unique environment may go a long way to preventing damage and preserving the area for future guests.

As we were scuba diving each day we spent little time at the hotel/beach by day during our stay. On our last day we spent time on the beach which was very nice. We were disappointed to be interrogated by the beach staff (after identifying ourselves as guests and providing our room number) as to why we were choosing to using our own towels rather the hotel beach towels. Very rude staff!
Having said all this we did have great fun snorkeling and watching the beautiful fish on our last day.

On a positive note (there has to be one lol) we were given a late check out at request at no additional cost.

So lots of negatives to report though we still enjoyed our holiday. This stay left us regretting our hotel choice and would cause us to think again before considering a Novotel anywhere! You have been warned!

Having been a loyal and regular Novotel customer and poring over numerous hotels in the Naama Bay area I decided that I would book the Novotel Beach given its location and of course the Novotel reputation.

I couldn't have been more wrong! Sure the location is great, but the service abysmal!

Upon arrival at the airport, the hotel car was no where to be seen and I eventually made my own way to the hotel by taxi. I raised this with the hotel and was essentially lied to and told that my tour operator hadn't arranged it (I did point out that I didn't have a tour operator and that I had made my own arrangements and had the emails / names to prove it!).

When I arrived at the hotel, like other reviewers experienced, I was told that despite having a confirmed booking there were no rooms available and I would have to stay in the Novotel Palm (which is across the 4 lane main road and not beach front - in fact its like a desert!!). I objected to this and pointed out that I had paid a premium to stay beach front and at the better of the two resorts. I was given blank looks and told there wasn't an option! After much pushing, a room was found - albeit the pokiest, smallest and tucked away room and 1 of only 4 that do not have a balcony. Nice service so far!

Further to that there were a number of faulty items in the room which I requested to have repaired. None of which were fixed during the the two weeks I stayed there, despite repeated requests.

During check out, I had to wait 40 mins to get my bill and the transport back to airport wasn't arranged, so again I had to push to have a private car take me out to the airport so I wouldn't miss my flight.

Generally, the staff are pleasant with the marked exception of the Front Desk Manager (I think) who was just awful.

Overall, it was a hideously disappointing stay and to be perfectly frank not worth what I paid. I had considered staying at the Marriott (right next door) which was marginally more expensive - however having checked it out, it was much nicer and the staff more professional. Alternatively, consider one of the smaller independent hotels in the area which are also beachfront and very nice.

In any event avoid this place like the plague!

I spent 8 weeks checking out hotels in Sharm before booking our holiday and eventually settled on the Novotel Beach - we weren't disappointed! A lovely, clean hotel where staff were only too happy to help. Rooms cleaned daily, plenty of sunbeds round the pool, aquarobics and belly dancing for those feeling active enough in the heat! The hotel is literally just a few steps from the beach where there are even more sunbeds! Guests of all nationalities were represented.

A short walk takes you right into the centre of Naama Bay where all the restaurants and shops are. We didn't experience any of the hassle other tourists have mentioned (Luxor is far, far worse) just polite and friendly people who wanted to show you their goods. A friendly "no thanks" was all that was required.

We would highly recommend this hotel and it's location and will certainly be going back later this year.

I have just returned from 2 weeks holiday in Sharm el Sheikh staying at the Novotel.
There are actually 2 Novotel Hotels based in Sharm. which you may not be aware of until you arrive .. My original booking was simply for "NOVOTEL" and I expected a beachside location, spa, entertainment each night, and all the facilities described in the Thomas Cooke brochure by the travel agent ( Ilkistone Co-op travel).
Upon arrival we were dropped of at the "Novotel PALM" which is the same company but is situated down a long drive on the other side of the busiest main road in Sharm el Sheikh. and has no facilities other than poor entertainment once in a while and is no where near the beach without a longer walk than was originaly described.
The Novotel Palm Hotel however is a pleasent location and very clean surroundings but not the location or Hotel we were led to believe we had purchased from the agent. There were many unhappy couples that had also been conned by the Thomas Cook brochure and it became apparent that the NOVOTEL PALM HOTEL is used as an overspil to the very popular NOVATEL BEACH HOTEL. and clients are simply pushed into this hotel when the other is full!

The Thomas Cook resort staff were generally very unhelpful in resolving this issue in re-locating us. and refused us a room in the Hotel location we had originally purchased (Novatel Beach) stating that "the Novatel Beach was full ! "They did however offer to stick us in a hotel in the middle of nowhere close to the airport which was totaly unacceptable.

We also had raw sewage backing up through the shower waste outlet on no less than 3 occasions and a toilet that was filling to the rim when flushed. The staff however after several attempts to clear this issue and eventually succeeded.
Also, we were asked to sign receipts for drinks on several occasions even though we paid cash only to find that I was being charged twice when I came to check out.

So, if any travelers manage to read this before they go to Sharm el Sheikh please make sure that your booking form clearly states NOVOTEL BEACH on your booking voucher if this is the hotel that you originally booked into from the UK. If it only states NOVATEL, you may end up with a problem as we and many others did.
Incidently ...the rate for the Novatell Palm is currently under 20 GBP a night per room so you may well be in pocket by adding a flight and cutting the rip off agents out by going direct. My Holiday for 2 weeks x 2 persons half board in the Novatel Palms March 9th -24 th came to in excess of ,1600GBP inc flights from Manchester. ....Thomas Cook...never again!!!!!

The excursions .... some were good and some simply a terrible rip off including submarine experiance that doesnt submerge and you see only very few if any fish.

Recomended ..... LUXOR and CAIRO by flight as the coach option will take you many hours through the night to get there.

The safari adventure trip[ is nothing more than a total rip off visit to a filthy gypsy Bedowin camp in the middle of nowhere, crammed into a 4x4 jeep, driven by a complete lunatic over the worst terrain I have ever crossed and thrown about like a peble in a tin can folowed by a stop at a snorkling location offering filthy sun beds on a filthy beach which resulted in 2 days in bed with a severely bruised back..

The "Bedowin Night" is held at the same disgusting location ...so be warned!

Sharm El Sheikh is a beautiful resort with generally friendly locals all very keen to get a few pounds from you. OLD SHARM is not as nice and the locals there are very in your face and persistant.
I would happiy go back to Egypt booking direct with a Hotel and making my own way from the airport which is only around 10 mins drive by Car to the resort.

I hope this report helps to stop someone getting conned by either the travel agent or Thomas Cook resort reps. I am available to be contacted if I can provide you with any additional information