Sharm el Sheikh, Conrad Review

Overall Rating

Please see general comments.

When we stayed at the Conrad in 2005 we were charged for items from the mini bars in both rooms which we knew full well we HAD NOT consumed. As we had consumed some items though it was difficult to try and work out what we should be liable to pay for and what we shouldn't so we had to swallow our annoyance and pay the full amount.

Due to our previous experience we decided this time to ask for both mini bars to be emptied to avoid being charged for items we hadn't consumed.

Between us the reps and myself requested they be emptied a total of SIX times! Nobody came to empty the mini bars.
Ok, fine, we simply didn't take anything from either mini bar that way there could be no question as to what we'd consumed and what we hadn't at the end of the holiday.

You can imagine my anger when on the day before our departure the hotel reception staff tried to bill us for items taken from the mini bars in both our rooms, I was absolutely furious and told them so.
I pointed out we'd had the same problem in 2005 and that was why we'd asked for the bars to be emptied this time. I pointed out the fact we'd requested they be emptied six times.

The staff at reception were very polite about the situation, agreed we didn't owe any money and offered us the use of room 3131 until 18.00 on the day of our departure (rooms are usually vacated at 12.00) by way of an apology, this would normally cost $30 and would normally only be until 15.00 for a late check-out room.

My advice to anyone staying at the hotel would be to absolutely insist the staff come and empty the mini bar the moment you check-in, this is what I intend doing when I next visit.

I informed one of the First Choice reps what had happened and he was less than happy about the situation as he remembered requesting the bars be emptied. He also told me three other guests had that day been charged for items they hadn't consumed. The rep said he was going to speak to the hotel manager.
I suggested the reps warn guests at the welcome meetings to keep a very careful note of what they consume from the mini bars, or better still to have them emptied.

This was my second visit to the Conrad Sharm El Sheikh Resort.

Prior to the holiday I emailed the hotel to request the two rooms my family and I stayed in during our 2005 holiday, 3131 and 3132. My request was granted which we were delighted about as the rooms are in such a great location, right on the beach with a fantastic view.

The Conrad is in a great location if you want a beach holiday with fantastic snorkelling but within a bus or taxi ride of the main resort (Naama Bay).
Most rooms are within a couple of minutes walk of the pool and beach, some with a view of both/either. Rooms 3131 and 3132 look directly out over the beach and across to Tiran Island.

The hotel offers a shuttle bus service to/from Naama Bay at a cost of £1 per person each way, bookable at reception. Alternatively you may use the hotel taxi service, again bookable at reception, or walk to the end of the drive and use one of the taxis situated outside the hotel gates... ALWAYS agree a price prior to travelling! You should pay no more than about £5 from the hotel to Naama Bay. Ask the driver NOT to turn on the air conditioning as this will cost you more.

Staff at the hotel are friendly and attentive and most have a great sense of humour! They are experts at massaging the egos of the ladies too!

Our rooms were as exactly as they were in 2005, tired looking and in need of refurbishment (we requested these rooms for their location, not their decor!). The bathrooms in particular look scruffy.

I'm pleased to say there is a refurbishment programme under way. Apparently the rooms are being refurbished at a rate of ten at a time and we saw evidence of this happening.

I have posted photos of the hotel and rooms here....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9228142@N08/sets /72157601490203541/

I've included several photos of my room.

Our rooms were spacious and kept clean. There is ample hanging/storage space. One of our rooms needed a third bed but was still spacious enough even with the extra bed. There are plenty of side lights in the rooms.

Bathrooms are spacious with bath/shower, basin, toilet and bidet. Towels and toiletries are provided. Water pressure/temperature was great throughout my stay.

Sliding doors open onto a spacious balcony which in turn opens onto a huge terrace. From our rooms we were able to turn left and immediately descend the steps onto the beach.

All public areas of the hotel were kept clean during our stay. There are plenty of toilets all well stocked with toilet paper and liquid soap as well as face cloths.

There is a well equipped gym complete with showering facilities... these can be used by guests on their last day if they require a shower before their departure once they've checked out of their rooms. Towels are provided.

There are various gift/clothes/jewellery shops near the lobby area of the hotel as well as a bank and ATM. Shop keepers do not hassle guests! (There are more shops at the neighbouring Baron hotel a few minutes walk away but you WILL be hassled! Take it in good humour and haggle, they're harmless enough).

A games and internet room is situated between the shops and gym. Cards for internet access can be purchased from reception at a cost of £5 per hour (you can buy less time but I'm not sure of the price).

Adjacent to the reception is the lobby bar. Drinks are available on A/I until 23.00.

Water is available in the restaurants at all meal times, just ask for as many bottles as you require until the next meal time. Water is also available from the pool and beach bars from the water coolers there.

I thought the food was delicious! It would have been possible to have something different on each of the fourteen nights of my stay but I found I tended to stick to my favourites! We had no problems being served drinks, there was usually a waiter waiting to take our drinks order within seconds of sitting down. Sometime it took a while at breakfast, if this happens just go the kitchen door and ask, you'll soon be served.

The restaurant is too warm, the air conditioning doesn't seem to be adequate for the area.

The pool area is large and always busy. There are three bar areas, food is available at various times of the day including a barbecue some lunch times. Drinks are available all day. I didn't use the sunbeds at all as I prefer the beach but I think they soon become reserved so get up early or tip the pool towel guy at the beginning of your holiday.

The beach is kept clean, sand is soft (and very hot in summer!), water is lovely and warm and sunbeds very comfortable!
The same applies to sunbeds on the beach as around the pool. Tip the towel guys at the beginning of your holiday and they will reserve the same sunbeds for you for the duration of your stay. You may or may not agree with this but the fact is if you don't do it you'll have to be on the beach to reserve your sunbed by 06.30 at the latest, I joke not!

If you want to paddle/swim or lie in the shallow area of the sea you can enter the water directly from the beach. If you want to snorkel the house reef you must enter the water via the jetty.
Don't touch the coral or feed the fish! We saw so many people doing just this and believe me, you will be extremely unpopular with the beach staff if they catch you!

I strongly recommend you snorkel the reef, it is amazing! You can see photos of the reef in my previous link. If you're not a strong swimmer or if you tire easily you can hire a life jacket at a cost of £1.50 per day.

Inflatables, life jackets and snorkelling equipment are also available for sale from the shops at the neighbouring Baron hotel just a few minutes walk from the Conrad.

Water sports, boat trips and snorkelling trips are available from the beach, book at the Aquarius Diving hut near the beach bar (warning, I broke a rib falling from the banana boat and my daughter's friend was covered with bruises to her legs...take care!).

Also available on the beach is a massage service, scuba diving, newspapers and jewellery! Horse riding is bookable on the beach, transport provided from hotel to stables.

Do visit the man who makes the most wonderful beaded necklaces and bracelets, they're very pretty and if you tell him the colours you prefer he'll come up with a design for you and make it while you watch. Expect to pay approximately £5-£7 for a necklace depending on length and approximately £2 for a bracelet.

There is an extensive entertainment programme throughout the day and night if that's your thing...it's not mine but each to their own! See the display boards for details.

First Choice offer various excursions from the hotel. We chose to go on the Sunset Cruise, great choice!
For £35 you get a delicious meal (drinks cost extra but are not too pricey), a cruise lasting several hours, a beautiful sunset and, if you're really lucky (we were!) you'll see dolphins leaping out of the water right next to the boat!
There is a photographer on board who takes photos of everyone throughout the cruise. You can purchase a disc of all the photos (they will be previewed on a laptop at the end of the cruise) at a cost of £22. First Choice limit the number of people on the cruise to just twenty two people which is perfect. The boat isn't at all crowded and there are various viewing areas (take care climbing the steps). Shoes must be removed once on the boat.

A word about the Conrad First Choice reps. What lovely people they are!

When we stayed at the hotel in 2005 we were very disappointed with the rep at the time, a very miserable, unhelpful woman indeed.

This time they couldn't be more different! They are very helpful, are approachable, easy to find and have a wealth of local knowledge. If you experience any problems during your stay don't hesitate to inform the reps. They are a credit to First Choice!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Conrad and will definitely be visiting for a third time in the future!

Members' Comments onpippy's Review

• Anonymous101 on 23rd Aug 2007

  Enjoyed this review, many thanks.