Last minute booking done before reading reviews on Tripadvisor.
Read reviews and they were somewhat mixed but thought Heck! you cant please everyone and some are quite picky!
1. Hotel: not a five star as advertised but a good four star is more appropriate, was quite taken aback that my accommodation was a good ten minutes walk from reception and dining rooms. Several pools gave enough rooms for all nationalities to wallow in the sunshine on the loungers provided, I may be wrong but it seemed as if the Brits were shoved to the back of the vast complex. All staff were very obliging and all requests were promptly carried out, daily linen changes/room cleaning with "bed decorations" (see photos). Room had kettle/tv/minibar/bath with shower attachment and for the fellows, three channels which seem to show 24hr football ranging from vintage games to latest champions league (much to the wifes disgust!)
2. Food: We were told as halfboard that we could eat outside our alloted foodhall and that the allowance given would be £1.40 per meal and we would have to pay the rest, We thought this was a little on the cheap side and we were prepared to stay with the allocated hall. That is until we tried the food! Breakfast was ok, two fried eggs on toast and a bit of fruit was enough and other variations were available (if you liked continental) Evening meals were, quite frankly absolute rubbish!. I have never encountered such bad main courses in my life (and I served in the forces for 15 years) usually two choices, chicken casserole and bits of fish. The whole place is geared up to cater for the Italian/Germanic taste but they must have no teeth as you could serve it to an infant as it was so mushy! I am not a fussy eater and have travelled vastly over the years but after a few days we decided "enough was enough" and ate outside in the many resteraunts along the sea front (but dont try the lobster or your risking a dodgy tum)
3. Hassle: There were quite a few comments about the constant hassle people got from the vendors, some getting quite upset! I'm sorry but you have to be prepared for this in most places now a days, you just have to be strong enough to say "no" I find that if you give as good as you get, it can be quite a game and have its funny moments and usually you get a better bargain. Rule of thumb in Sharm is dont buy in Sharm, go to the old market for your buys but check to see if they are not seconds! If they ask for 20ep offer 5 and settle for maybe 7 or 8, if you start to walk out of the shop they usually take the last price you offered. "Be Strong"
3. Nightlife: None in the hotel as far as we could see but plenty of life outside including a couple of casino's, plenty of bars and lots of cafe/bars where you can sit and enjoy the local water pipes with plenty of herbal essences (and so I was informed, stronger substances were available). Beer is 2GBP a bottle and forget about shorts, only Heather McCartney can afford them! Sakara is a good local brew and checkout the Camel divers bar in the main street (upstairs) for the cheapest drink and good views.
4. Trips: Went snorkelling off the wreck near Sharm and that was fantastic, like swimming in someones aquarium - recommended. Jeep safari was quite good with a snorkelling session in the Blue pool - also recommended. The submarine boat was a let down for the money but purely because we were sat on the right side of the boat and all the fish were on the left (no room to move over!) People who visited Petra and Cairo all agreed that it was well worth the visit for the antiquaties but quite expensive and that Cairo was a dirty smoggy very busy dump!
5. Return?: I would go back just for the sun and snorkelling (best in the world), and would love to complete the Padi diving course. I would only go B & B or room only, The Dreams is ideally located and as previously stated of good standard.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities, Older travelers
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Shopping, Other