Sharm El Sheikh: Resort Review Review

Overall Rating

Lots of activities
Excellent hotel staff
Good choice for an early spring break

Naama bay

I stayed at the Sierra hotel in Sharm which is a part of the savoy hotel albeit one star rating lower and further from the beach
The hotel itself is a breath of fresh air. the staff are great and will endeavour to make your stay as wonderful as they can, if you give them a small tip here and there, they will almost be your personal assistant
the hotels pool areas were lovely. there are several to choose from to suit your needs, each has a bar with attentive staff.
The beach is a short walk from the hotel and is very nice if a little small but adequate for the number of visitors in March
It is for the private use of the hotel guests so you don't get hassled in to renting sun beds and shades. The reef is protected so there are short pontoons which take you to the reef edge where you can experience the wonderful snorkeling available in the red sea.

Naama bay is the market place local to the resort but unless you enjoy haggling and lots of hassle from the shops and restaurants, limit yourself to a quick visit for gifts and a meal.

I would advise travel via the hotels cabs (called limousines but actually Daewoo's and Mitsubishi's!) although a trip in a twenty odd year old peugeot seven seater taxi is an experience in itself suitable for the thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies!
There seem to be very few rules and no lane discipline on sharms roads so car hire would be scary.

Prices are agreed before the trip so haggle hard and refuse to pay too much.

There are lots of excursions available -
We did quad biking in the desert which was to include a visit to the bedouin people who live there.
The biking was good fun but the visit to the supposed bedouin was a disappointment. It was run by staff who charged extortionate amount for drinks and played matchstick tricks!
Not what I expected for £30 each!!

A word of advice to female travellers...... while I fully respect the right to dress as you please on holiday, you may want to cover up for desert excursions and trips to the market as some feel they have the right to place their hands wherever they please. A surprising number of holiday makers at our hotel had worrying experiences.

The weather in March was unpredictable but generally sunbathing weather with a couple of days of wind and cloud. (I came back with a great tan)
I would advise a sun protection factor of five higher than your usual choice.

Overall a very good holiday experience, I'm usually ready to go home come the end of a holiday abroad but I felt I could have stayed longer at Sharm
not sure if we'll return but glad we went.