We first went to Camel in 2002, and although we didn't go last year, we were very pleased to see last week that it still remains a great place to centre a dive trip.
It never pretends to big a big shiny hotel, but what it lacks on that front, it more than makes up for in friendliness and atmosphere.
The two restaurants both offer great value and good top end if you want to spend a bit more. The Camel bar is still legendary and the Dive centre is always a freindly place for a beer after a day out on and under the water.
Since our last trip they seem to have added another set of double-glazed doors to each bedroom, so there is no noise at all from outside despite being in the centre of town. I note they also have a sound monitor outside so presumably have some agreememnt with local businesses not to turn up the volume too much.
Namma bay unfortuantely is getting more and more tacky, but if you don't stray too far from Camel, you won't be disappointed.

I don't usually do hotel reviews after I've stayed in them, but my stay at the Camel Hotel in January 2008 was impossible to fault, so a proper review is the least I can do.

Location is the best in Sharm - right in the middle of one of the two pedestrian cafe and nightclub strips, yet the rooms are tucked away behind the dive centre and hotel restaurants so were quite secluded. There can be some noise from the nearly nightclub or camel bar but it certainly wasn't significant. If people want complete peace and quiet they will go to a resort out of the centre anyway.

Rooms were large, modern, comfortable with all the facilities you'd expect, and all overlook the hotel pool.

The two hotel restaurants - Pomodoro (italian) and Tandoori (indian) were in my view the best in Sharm, and we tried alot. Reasonably priced, excellent food. It also has an excellent bar that overlooks the main drag that serves awesome cheap drinks and cocktails and is great for chilling out after a dive or people watching.

The dive centre was full of mainly young English guys and girls who lived and breathed diving, and were incredibly helpful and pleasant to deal with. They take care of everything so whether you're doing a scuba course or just want to do some boat dives they sort you out with all equipment you need and put it on the boat \, so all you need to is choose which boat and location you want to go to, and show up.

The hotel also has arrangements with two local beaches where you can chill out on a sunlounge. You can do this by the hotel pool as well, but it's more aimed at dive classes than as a resort pool.

The hotel staff (waiters, dive centre staff, reception) were all genuinely friendly and remembered you and what you'd been doing. The guests also interacted a lot more than usual in hotels as we were mostly all there for a common purpose - diving.

This hotel is perfect for divers, snorkellers or mid to young people who want to be in the centre of the action or to meet other travellers. But if you want a choice of lagoon pools and a kids club, stay at a resort.

Thanks Camel, looking forward to my next stay.

I always take the reviews of others with a pinch of salt, particularly where Americans are concerned..sorry guys but on the whole you expect to be carried everywhere and fed by spoon. Anyway, I digress. I have travelled to Sharm as my 'regular' I need to get away break for seven years now. I am extremly well travelled, particularly when it comes to dive travel, and trust me Camel has a tried and tested combination that just works.
As a dive company they are by far the most professional, personable and enthusiastic staff anywhere. Nothing is too much trouble, and listening to the views of others, one recurring theme is that staff from the cleaners, boat staff, bar staff across the board remember you and make you feel welcome. Its that personal touch that money just can't buy!!!

With regard to the hotel itself, it provides incredible value for money! My advice would be to book direct - Speak to Aga, she arranged my transfers, diving, accomodation and added a personal touch to all the guest by making time to see you on the last day and assist with any queries ref transfer, bills, diving blah blah. A really nice touch that some of the bigger corporate hotels could learn from!!!

On arrival at the brand new airport, I had my own personal transfer mini bus, avoiding the dozens of coaches collecting 40 guests for the HOTEL RUN!! My transfer carried my bags, and drove me into the hotel complex, I walked through to reception was given a refreshing drink, 2 minute check in, and by the time I had my key card my bags were waiting for me in the room!!!

The rooms at Camel are huge, all with patios or balconies overlooking the pool, the bathrooms are a good size with big walk in showers, lots of storage space, the essential fridge, room safe and everything else you would expect. The dive centre even has a central storage room to stow and clean wet dive gear - on top of this all of your dive gear is transported for you to the dive boat every day! All you gotta do is set your tank up on the boat!!

The Pomodoro Resteraunt and the Indian are both among the best places in naema bay to eat - can highly recommend the Lamb at Pomodoro and the spicey chicken thingys. The Indian is as good if not better than the best available in the UK.

My December trip was the first in a couple of years, and one of the nice things to see was the improvements to the Hotel, Resteraunts and Roof Terrace Bar.

It is far too easy in life to complain, and so few people take the time to compliment good service, or a positive experience. Well, for once I've gotten off my horse and decided to write a few words. Thankyou to the Camel Dive & Hotel Team and hopefully see you at some point in the future. I can highly recommend this Hotel.

This is a great hotel and location is immediately in the heart of Na'ama bay, right next to Pacha nightclub. While we were on the opposite side of the hotel (thank god) from Pacha, you will not escape the music regardless where your room is. It really does go from about 10 to 4am. Rooms are very nice, clean, and very big. Breakfast is very good, great selection and attentive service. Tandoori restrauant onsite- food is overrated, service good but skip this and go to the Chinese down on the corner. We used the hotel transfer service which is 18 euros each way (not really any other option unless you want to haul all your stuff our of the bay to the main road). Hotel was nice but we had a missing luggage crisis and without a lap top we were left to self service our problem by phone. Hotel staff really isnt dying to help you where a chain might take it the extra mile. We also made inquiries about taking a trip to St. Katherines, and again, staff isnt prepared/equipped to handle these requests. Dive staff is great, very safe and professional and well organized. We were with Claudio and he did a great job. The water is 75 but we were freezing and aborted the other days. If you are not diving, then I do not recommend the Camel. If you are, there is no better place to be if you can stomach the noise. You can quickly walk to the beachfront boardwalk to see the other hotels, which are walking distance from the heart of NB. The Camel bar is indeed the best and be sure not to miss the rooftop area as well. If you are heading to Sharm anytime soon, dress in warm layers, its a very cold 70 degrees. We were in Luxor and Cairo and were so much more warm. The best thing in Sharm was meeting Tony Blair, who dined at the Chinese on Christmas night 20 feet from our table! Another tip, if you are not diving in Sharm and hitting this as a stop of your tour of Egypt, you only really need 1 day, maybe 2 for beach time and walking in town eating and drinking. There is a bowling alley which we found to be fun that you can walk to. Also, Sharm airport is only 6 months old.