Disappointing Holiday
Ok, just to get this out of the way, we are not generally moaners, or complainers. We have been on many holidays and are very happy to let the small things slide – nowhere is perfect and all we ask is people try their best but this holiday was very disappointing for us.
Outbound Journey –
Thomson were fab, no delays, airline food and in-flight entertainment were is little ropey but this was no big deal as it was such a short flight. We could not believe that we were off the plane, collected our bags and at the hotel within an hour – very efficient!
Check-in –
This hotel gives an amazing first impression! Maybe this throws you a little (to expect too much) but it is beautiful! We located our room in the vast complex and finally got our bags after a bit of a wait but there were many arrivals so we didn’t grumble.
The Room –
It was ok, felt slightly grubby but was adequate, as was the bathroom. It had a lovely veranda and we had a part-sea view, which was nice. The minibar wasn’t included in the AI but wasn’t that expensive. The maid was very sweet and did a towel sculpture one day and did a good job cleaning the room. We did feel that he was a bit to ready to knock on the door for any reason at all (asking for cans from the minibar to stock another room, asking for laundry we did not ask to be done!) But he was very nice so we didn’t mind.
The Food/Service –
As said in other reviews the main restaurant staff were not very attentive, mostly you had to call them or go over to them, but when you did they were friendly. Beware if you are a female alone at anytime they will drip all over you – a bit cringey. The food was tasty and good variety but it gave us the runs from day one. In fact as I write this we are still suffering!!! Why should we avoid the salads I thought? Well I wish I had!
We stuck to the pool bars during the day but the meals here are very small and sometimes we had 3 to share. The staff here were as inattentive, one day because they were all crowding around a couple of girls who were getting drunk. I understand everyone wants to have fun but we just wanted a quick bite and a drink.
Probably the worst experience of the holiday was the Italian Restaurant, which through Thomson you could go free once (for food – pay for alcohol) Mohammed (they are all called Mohammed) from the pool bar by the long fountain encouraged us to book here as he worked there (we wanted to try the Lebanese at first but he persuaded us). So we booked in. As we arrived he seated us and gave us the menu and everything we ordered he tried to get us to upgrade to the main menu – he wouldn’t take no for answer! Then he tried and tried to get us to have a £50 bottle of wine – That’s the price for Champagne in restaurants over here!!! We were very embarrassed as he kept saying ‘this is normal, £50 is not expensive, it is normal? Yes? Yes?’ we stuck to our guns but he still maintained the cheapest bottle was not available (funny that) and we settled for a £25 bottle, it was cheap plonk. We looked over at the couple next to us and they had received the same treatment! The girl wanted one glass and he tried to flog the £50 bottle!! The funniest was to come when he brought over a compliments book for us to sign, we were just shaking our heads in disbelief at this point and left.
It is true what people say, the men stare and make silly comments to the women, most ladies we met found this very uncomfortable and I am not a prude but this just isn’t what you want on holiday. I compare them to Cubans, Mexicans etc who are so respectful and fun at the same time – this is possible!!!!
The Entertainment –
As everyone said, awful. The Animation staff do work hard I just think us Brits are a bit too difficult to cater for, and Bingo and learning silly dances just aren’t what we come away for.
The Alcohol –
Beer, is ok, wine is drinkable. Spirits, they don’t ‘fill the up’ like in other AI resorts – very weak. In fact the only time we felt a little drunk was in the disco, after 12:00 when we were paying for it!!!!
The Beach –
Very, very disappointing. Ok, IT IS NOT A SANDY BEACH. It is shingle and very painful to walk on. You have to walk 15 minutes out for it to be above your knees so not good to swim, which is a shame, as I love the sea. Really do not be conned by the brochure this beach is terrible!
The pools –
Very nice and lots of them.
Naam Bay and getting there –
You can get a taxi by the road but the will want it to be two way and again do not like taking no for an answer, in fact they will pretend you didn’t say no. Pay around £10 (100 Egyptian Pounds) one way. And the drive like maniacs, one clocked 110mph most were going 100 and weaving in and out of traffic whilst using their mobile phones.
The bay is a strip with all the charm of Blackpool ;-) people trying to get you into their restaurants ‘Hey English’. We ignored all this as we were going to The Tavern – very good food and they have the football on, it gets very packed so if you are going to watch your team get there early. We also went to Hardrock Café, which was good too.
I did buy some scarves for Bellydancing classes which were nice but you must haggle as they say go just below half and don’t let them use the guilt trip pay what it is worth!
In conclusion –
This hotel is a 5* complex with 3* rooms and restaurants and bars and 2* staff. They seem to forget how much we pay to get there in the first place and just try to eek money out of you. They go on and on about how they prefer the English to the Russians but that’s only because we are polite! And all you get in return for that politeness is being treated like a commodity.
We will never return on this basis. Not when there are so many resorts around the world that gets this sort of thing right most of the time.
Any questions feel free to email me xxx




Rooms
Rooms




