written by on 06/11/2009
There was a mouse in the dining room over a 4 night period, when we went to the rep she said she would sort it out and she never. There was a rat in the pool bar which i find disgusting, the gardener brought out an rat in a cage from a bush that was behind the hildrens play area then proceded to show to passing people and children. The food was repeated day after day. The staff couldn't do enough for us. Also the room was imaculate.
written by on 19/09/2008
Nice hotel staff were nice and rooms were clean. The food wasnt the best but if you looked you could find at least one thing that you could eat. The sea was really good with tropical fish and snakes in it! Camel rides on the beach were good too. Went with our 2 year old and he loved it. Would go again
written by on 03/09/2008
The Radisson Sas Taba is absolutely amazing. I got back weds 27th, but didn't want to go home. All the staff are really nice, although you should watch out for sales techniques. The Italian restaurant was amazing, we ate their every night as the other food place was always packed. It has a great atmosphere in the Italian, the manager was absolutely lovely and a great help. I was a vegetarian so he helped me see what I can eat and showed me around. The beach has bars on it so you can keep hydrated whilst sunbathing. The staff come up to you and see if your okay, I think they are called recreation. I also made friends with the animation team when I was there. They were all lovely and I miss everyone lots. The cleaner leaves you animals on your bed, which are a shame to ruin, but you get a new one everyday. I can honestly say I will go again with pleasure, it was worth the long flights and money. x
written by gingerjosh on 23/09/2006
A great relaxing holiday!!
The weather was heaven, there was a constant breeze from the sea and constant sunshine........On the last two days of our holiday the sea breeze stopped and the temp rocketed to over 40 degree the breeze that did blow felt like a fan on hot setting, so when we do venture back to this part of the world we shall make sure we don't go any later that mid June.
There was plenty of shade by the pool for my son and friend (fair and ginger variety LOL) and the swim up bar was put to use.
We indulged in Aqua Aerobics and Belly Dancing by the pool - We usually avoid the Hotel Entertainment when we go away but Memo, Ahmed and the rest of the Animation Team were really great and if you didn't want to join in they didn't pester you. We watched a fantastic evening show 'Man of Steel' which made you wince cringe and gasp but I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone so enough said. However, the singers in the Coral Bar were awful. It was karaoke at it's worst if you go to see them do it for a laugh like we did!!!! The beach party music was too loud. All distorted and you have to pay for drinks after you have used your vouchers included in ticket price which no one wants to do on an all inclusive package!! The busiest evening entertainment was watching the world cup in the amphitheatre - what an atmosphere.
My son was happy to play in the pool and sit in the shade with his Gameboy and that's what a lot of the other children did, only on one occassion did he try the kids club and there was a grand total of three of them in there doing some clay modelling and drawing. He also spent time with his holiday chums on the adventure frame on the beach which if you pick a good spot by the pool you can still keep an eye on them.
And we agree with the previous review the staff are all very friendly, helpful and polite, especially the staff at the pool bar and the restaurant. There may be some males who are slightly over friendly, but - and this includes my friend who was single at the time we found it was all done in a good humoured way and no offence was meant.
There was a good variety of food every day - limited if like my seven year old you like everything plain with no sauce or seasoning. The lunch buffet by the pool area was ideal for fussy kids every day there would be pizza, chips or hotdogs and burgers and on the occassion when the evening meal in the resturant all had sauces and spices they did prepare a plain dish of chicken and potatoes without a hint of it being a problem. And at no point during the holiday did we suffer 'Taba tummy'.
The trips were expensive and involved a lot of traveling, so we only went on a boat trip which included lunch and snorkling, we had never done this before but really enjoyed and got some great photos.
The rooms were cleaned and checked at least twice a day, the furnishings were a little old and worn but as I said before clean. I was a little disappointed at this that. The 5 star quality was not what I expected.
Overall a relaxing holiday we really enjoyed and would do again.
written by misslisasandy on 28/05/2006
RADISSON SAS TABA
MAY 19TH - 26TH 2006
THOMSON ALL INCLUSIVE
Having just returned from Taba, I thought I best set the record straight!
Before we went I'd done all the usual - read all the reviews, thought phew when I'd read a good one and lay awake worrying when ever I came across a bad one. I can safely say now there is no need to worry!
The hotel is a total paradise; it's literally an oasis in the desert!
The rooms are large, well equipped with TV, safe, fridge, bath and power shower and clean. In fact the whole hotel is very clean, and there is a constant stream of staff cleaning and tidying.
The rooms are scattered throughout a beautiful setting of lush grass, palms trees and shrubs.
Back in the main hotel there are 3 bars, 2 restaurants and several shops. From the coral bar you can enjoy a sundowner watching the sun set over Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
If you are looking for total R 'n' R then this is the place for you. There is nothing to do all day but lay in the sun and relax, and I do mean nothing. You can't even leave the hotel complex for a walk. You are literally in the middle of nowhere. Taba Heights is just 10 minutes in a cab, but there is nothing much there. The Radisson does have a few shops on site, and a fabulous man who makes sand pictures and will make any design for you, and very cheap too.
There is some entertainment during the day - twice daily water polo and water aerobics, and camel rides on the beach.
We found all the trips very expensive, so we chose not to do them, but those people who did seemed to enjoy them, but the Cairo and Petra ones were very long and tiring.
The staff are all very friendly, helpful and polite, especially the staff at the pool bar and the restaurant. Yes, there may be some males who are slightly over friendly, but if you are married or clearly with someone they will respect that, and we found it was all done in a good humoured way and no offence was meant.
The food in the all-inclusive restaurant is good. There is a wide range of different food is available, with a different theme each night. Getting drinks can be a bit slow, but slip the waiter 50 Egyptian pounds (£5) on your first night and you will find a huge improvement in the service. Our drinks were poured out as we walked in on the second night, and they were kept topped up all night.
We did have a touch of Taba tummy, but I would put this down to the different content of the mineral water more than the food.
The entertainment is rather poor, and it was the same band every night in the coral bar, but we find the evenings best spent after dinner watching a movie under the stars in the amphitheatre.
All in all we had a fabulous holiday, and we would defiantly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for total relaxation and recuperation, but if you do have any issues when you are out there it's reassuring to know the guest relations manager is an extremely helpful English lady. We did find the usual set of people who were determined to pick holes in the place and moan, but I don't think they'd know a good holiday if it came up and bit them! And talking of bites; they spray the resort every night, so there is no need to worry about mossies and bites.
Our top tips:
1 - A little tipping goes a long way.
2 - Take plenty of sun cream - it's very expensive (£10) to buy in the shops.
3 - Put on your goggles/mask before you go in the sea - it is really salty and will really hurt your eyes.
4 - Go for dinner at the start of service not during the second sitting. The quality of the food is so much better.
5 - Get your towel on the sun bed early (before breakfast). The best position is in front of the pool bar; not to the side.
written by KarenRickRachel on 19/04/2006
This was the best holiday we have ever had, and one week was not enough. The staff at the Radisson SAS Resort hotel in Taba, Egypt are wonderful, friendly, fun and helpful. The resort was well laid out, and we enjoyed playing tennis and jogging around the jog path. The sea was out of this world for snorkeling. We did a two day trip to Cairo to see the Cairo museum and the pyramids, although this was tiring, we were very well looked after. We will definitely be going back.
written by A Shevchuk on 18/04/2006
We had a fabulous time at the Radisson SAS Resort hotel in Egypt. Initially we were quite put off by some of the reviews, but they are rubbish. None of us were ill. Rooms are cleaned daily, and our suite was lovely. The animation team try their hardest, but it's too hot to get people really motivated. My kids loved them, and joined in pool games etc. The kids made a lot of friends. (Thanks to Abraham etal). Radisson SAS is an experience, multi national and quite beautiful all times of the day and night. I advise you to turn off the air con, eat normally, don't drink too much (advice given on Nile cruiser in 140F last year, and it works. Your body does a back-flips otherwise) and you will be fine. Don't be put off by the drive in to Taba. It's a dump and a building site. This resort could be something else in a couple of years.
The sea is the real star! Go snorkeling and marvel. I would recommend the boat trip to Pharoah Island, as the water is incredible. I also recommend the Egyptian night barby at Mirage bar. They had fab Belly dancers and a Spinning man. Will probably go back to Red Sea but to Sharm, to try it out. But would definitely go back to the Radisson.
One more thing. Do not underestimate the SUN. It will burn through factor 20 as I found out - painfully! Enjoy. I wish I was still there!
Written on: 20/04/2006
A very good review thank you. I am pleased that you emphasised the prices issue as Africa/Asia/Egypt has many visitors from emerging countries such as Russia whose visitors often expect (and can only afford) third world prices. For example, most Egyptians are effectively prisoners within their own country and know nothing of the West, or our pricing structures, and consequently assume that prices can be hiked up ad infinitum! You are correct about us having to communicate and perhaps set good examples. I personally had to explain to my hotel that its price for poor white wine (before its final account was duly uplifted) was twice the cost of U.K. champagne! I also found myself explaining that although only workers in their country ate vegetarian/vegan food many of their visitors welcomed it. I was however a little sad to read your comment about 'rubbish' other reviews. I believe that most people try to write honestly, and also standards are occasionally improved in the face of bad reviews. So reviews can quickly become outdated: A year ago reviews may have advised that Sharm was one of the most dangerous places on earth. Now its security is possibly second to none.
written by jackian on 05/04/2006
The Radisson SAS Resort hotel in Taba is very big, and it has its own jogging track, which will let you know roughly how big it is. The beach is lovely and very close to the hotel complex. The restaurant food is the usual all inclusive food, which is buffet style food kept warm in bain-maries (wasn't too bad, sometimes cold). Although this hotel has a wide variety of live cooking stations which will cook you pasta/spaghetti to your liking, you can also get freshly cooked food, including pizza in one of the restaurants, which was lovely. You have to pay separately for this, but it was worth it.
The staff are very hard working and quite pleasant, and we found that if you tip openly in the early days then you will receive a better service - all tips are pooled and shared out equally with all staff, which is pretty decent, so if you tip them individually you will see them place the money in the tip boxes displayed around the hotel.
The scenery around the hotel is just fantastic.
The sea was very cold at this time of year, so if you are interested in swimming in the sea and viewing all the sea-life, which is plentiful and very beautiful, then I would go later in the year when it is warmer.
We would return to this hotel, as we had a very good time.
If you are just planning on staying in the hotel then you do not have to buy a visa at the airport in Egypt, but you will have to if you plan on leaving the resort and going on any trips. A visa is priced at £13.00 each.
written by lorainekeeney on 26/03/2006
We have just returned from a vacation in the Radisson SAS Resort Taba...and truely cannot sing its praises loud enough!!
The hotel is so well thought out, the staff are absolutely wonderful at all levels. Kind and Courtious, polite and genuinely helpful.
The food....again, catered for every taste....
The beach.....the pools.....just perfect.
We really loved our stay....and intend to return later in the year....for us this says it all as we never go to the same place twice....in respect of the Radisson SAS Taba....we intend to become regular guests. Enjoy!!!! We certainly did.
written by Trish0082 on 11/03/2006
The Radisson SAS is what you would expect. Little things which make a difference - such as your baggage being taken to and from your room. If you are a wine drinker, take some with you as this is only served with your meals. To buy wine there is very expensive as I said in the bad points, £15 is the cheapest bottle they have. Also if you would like a cup of tea or coffee in your room, take a travel kettle and all the necessaries as these are not provided in the package. Towels are provided for the pool and the beach, which is great as this leaves more space in your suitcase for the wine!
written by Dee Wood on 22/02/2006
On arrival at Radisson SAS Resort, the Customer Relations Manager - Anne Hendry - made herself known to us and immediately started our holiday off in a welcoming and extremely helpful manner. Being partially disabled, she assisted myself and my family throughout our entire stay and made it a pleasurable one.
The whole hotel complex is fantastic, clean, tidy and with beautiful gardens. It is quite spread out, but still manageable (plus they have golf buggies to taxi you about if you're really lazy!).
Hotel caters for a wide variety of ages. It was half-term week when we arrived and they were not inundated with screaming children. Quite a few groups of 'more mature' people, but a real cross-section
The food was superb - not chips every day (unless you eat at the outdoor restaurant lunch buffet), with themed evenings and a huge selection.
We will definitely be paying the Radisson SAS, Taba a return visit in the Summer - it was excellent.
The weather in February wasn't fantastic (very windy), but we still came back with a tan and enjoyed a thoroughly relaxing time in Taba.
Highly recommend it.
written by kathrynsalthouse on 05/12/2005
We found the Radisson SAS Resort hotel on the whole to be very nice, the staff couldn't be friendlier and spoke quite good English for such a remote area. The weather for the end of November was fantastic. The pool area was very clean, in fact there was always someone cleaning somewhere. The gardens were beautiful and well kept. The food was good although the main dining room wasn't that well lit in the evening, it could have been brighter. The entertainment was pretty poor, if we were there for a fortnight I think it would have driven us mad.
On the whole I would recommend this hotel for a week or 10 days relaxing stay - well worth the money.
written by pjo on 19/11/2005
We had read some very mixed views about the Radisson Hotel at Taba, so we were unsure of what to expect when we visited there recently.
First impressions were extremely positive however. We were greeted by a colourful display of local dancers when we arrived, and were quickly and efficiently booked in. Our room was very spacious and clean with a TV [with two English movie channels], and fridge etc...
The hotel itself is spread over a large area [with all buildings being low rise] set amongst well tended gardens. The pool area is nicely laid out, and the pool is shallow enough to be safe, but also large enough to do some proper swimming if you are that way inclined. The beach is at the bottom of the gardens, no more than a minutes walk away.
Food was plentiful and varied, and generally very tasty. The waiters were extremely attentive and helpful.
written by sexipompeybird on 13/09/2005
I highly recommend the Radisson SAS Resort. It was relaxing and nice weather everyday the pool staff got up at the crack of dawn to clean the pool so it was clean and safe for when tourists came. I enjoyed the experience and the entertainment staff where brilliant excellent holiday.
written by Clarasell on 22/07/2005
Overall the Taba, Radisson SAS Resort is very good, very clean and all together one of the best hotels I have been to.
written by MattH on 19/07/2005
Should you want a holiday which consists of sun, sand and sea, Taba, Radisson SAS Resort is the place for you. However, my advice is, not to go if you have teenagers accompanying you as there is absolutely nothing for them to do in the evenings. Shows in the hotel are around 23.00hrs (a little late) and last for about half an hour and are generally rubbish. Animation team are far from entertaining.
Disco starts at 23.00hrs also but under 18's are not allowed entrance!
Snorkelling is apparently great as is the diving.
Otherwise you are left to swim or ride up and down on a camel along the beach!
Would imagine that Taba will be nice in a couple of years when golf courses are complete and flowers and trees have grown etc...They are busy building like mad.
written by MattH on 15/07/2005
I went to the Radisson SAS TABA for one week and that was a little too short maybe. 10 days would be ok but 2 weeks is too long.
We entered the hotel after 90 minutes driving with the coach from TABA Airport to our hotel.
The check in went very quickly.
Our rooms were great, they were clean and had a very nice sea view.
Breakfast was great; you had a lot to choose from. Lunch and dinner were just ok.
If you are a fanatic diver or snorkler then this is the place to be. You can see a lot of beautiful fishes and corals. We were lucky and even saw an octopus and there is a lot more! You can just dip into the sea from the pier. You can get a boat but you don't need to.
The staff at the dive centre are really friendly.
If you like to ride a quad then this is what you should do. Our 2 hour trip trough the Sinai Desert was great.
The swimming pool is ok, a bit noisy maybe and the swimming pool is not THAT clean but it's ok.
The weather was great. The hottest day was like 41 C
At night there aren't a lot of things to do. We always went to the bar after dinner (with great view at the Red Sea) but with a terrible singer.
Later on the evening (10:45PM) there's a show, but it's really bad. Only the Egyptian show was great (this was done by people from outside of the hotel)
That's about it.
written by chrissy24 on 12/07/2005
The Taba, Radisson SAS Resort is a great resort for a relaxing holiday by the beach - but this is all it is because there really is nothing else to do in the area. But what do people expect... it is in the middle of the desert. The rooms were fine and the air con was very good, all be it a little noisy over night. The hotel reception is wonderful - really well designed and kept really cool all day. God knows how they do it! The "some place else" night club is awful though. The main bar is the size of your typical breakfast bar you find in your own house... and it caters for the whole hotel! Crazy. The grounds are immaculate and are watered every day. The gym was good, as was the health club (additional charge of £3.50 for three days) Evening meals were awful... it was like feeding time at the zoo. Food was OK in the evening - dont expect 5* standards though. Breakfast was good - great selection and lunch was OK. My advice is to stick to salads The swimming pool is an interesting one -it was missing about two foot of water - you could see a clear line on the tiles where the water should be - all that remains is a scum line which I wrote my name in on the first day and 7 days later it was still there. The water does not lap over into the grills for filtering so im not sure how it is kept circulating The beach was great. Dont expect "golden sands" its not - what do you expect in the middle of a desert? If you want a quiet, good value for money trip then this should suit you fine. if you are a fan of 5* elsewhere then think twice.. this is possibly 3* at a push
written by rachaelkennedy on 29/06/2005
Taba, Radisson SAS Resort - I visited this hotel with my fiancee & found the location a bit of a shock at first as it is set in the middle of nowhere, but when you get inside & meet the staff you realise it is lovely. It is not the sort of holiday to go 'shopping' as nothing outside of hotel however 2 shops inside but very small. The staff made our holiday - they made us laugh & were always good to us regarding the drinks. They are meant to give the all inclusives 1 at a time but we ALWAYS had 2 each and in the next 5 mins they were pouring us another! All we did was nod at them & they brought them to us - brilliant! I think that you have to get to know them for that sort of service though! The rooms were basic but just what you need, the food was lovely. I am a fussy eater & I couldn't get enough - the choice was fantastic. When I wanted a particluar sauce for my pasta, I had it made especially. The SNORKLE TRIP is worth doing, snorkelling is fab & you see so many amazing things! The boat you go on has sails & is so relaxing, at only £30 for the whole day (9-4.30)inc. lunch on board & snorkel equipment, great!!
written by thameHoops on 28/06/2005
Taba, Radisson SAS Resort - We had a nice week at the Radisson SAS Resort. The setting is fantastic, the hotel is nice, although not 4/5* as we were led to believe. I think the star ratings in Egypt are different to ours in England as they go up to 8*. We found the waiters to be bloody miserable and do get annoyed if you ask for things, i.e., my son was refused an ice cream as he already went to get one 30 mins earlier and wasn't allowed another! They are very 'jobs worth.' The hotel manager tries to get you to pay for bbq's and things but why bother when you go all inclusive! The trip to Cairo was fantastic allthough the 7 hour coach trip is a pain. Weather is fantastic and hot. The swimming pool wasn't checked for chemical levels as far as we saw and the water did start to smell and go cloudy? Everyone we met (mostly from Essex) was ill during their stay. The reps tell you its 'traveller stomach'.
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R Cattermole's Response to gingerjosh's Review
Written on: 23/11/2009
I found this review very helpful because...we are going back again in Feb 2010 did it in Feb 2009 first time fab holiday