Taba, Hyatt Regency Hotel Review

Good Points
Snorkelling, Beach, Pools, Very clean (best we have had from many trips abroad), location. Staff, quiet, rooms, unsuite facilities.

Bad Points
Getting there, Egypt's Taba International airport (very poor with - it seems everyone asking - demanding tips - even for a piece of paper towel when leaving the toilets (as there none there).

General Comments
We selected the Hyatt Regency Taba heights after first carrying out extensive research on the net where by far the majority of reviews read were positive.

The flight over was tight with little legroom and no entertainment and I found having to buy a drink a bit off.

1st impressions when arriving at Taba International were not good as there is little there and the surrounding area looked unfinished.

When arriving at the hotel we were served a cool drink, which was a welcome hello after the 45 minute of so transfer from the airport. We had booked two rooms, one with a double bed and the other with twins for our two children, 15 and 16 though were allocated two rooms with double beds so had to arrange for a 'Z' type bed to be put in one of the rooms (wish we had asked to be moved to rooms with beds as booked and view as expected - you live and learn as the hotel would probably have relocated us without any hassle).

It stated on their website that all rooms had a view of the sea, pools or mountains, ours in D block did not! This has since been pointed out to the hotel where they have assured us they will correct the information on their website.

Once settled in we explored the hotel and other than the poor onsite shops we have nothing but good to say about the hotel, the location, the weather (even though on day one we experienced an all but unheard of one hour thunderstorm which had the staff jumping for joy - it certainly cleared the air), the gym, the snorkelling, Longwood Holidays, the staff, the beach and especially the cleanliness of the rooms (the best we have ever had). Another positive of this resort hotel is the lack of nasty insects.

We would certainly go back taking the knowledge learned from this visit).

On returning to the airport several staff waved the coach goodbye, which was an excellent touch.

On arriving back at the airport (after a 45 minute transfer) you again realise that Egypt is not Europe with people almost begging for tips, even giving a piece of paper towel when you come out the toilet as there's none in the toilet!

There is nothing to do in the airport for what, at the time, seems an eternity - this is so far removed from our experience at the Hyatt Regency where doing nothing (it that took your fancy) was fantastic.

Tips we recommend you take note of: take your own kettle if you want to make tea or coffee in your room, take your own snacks and drink as these are expensive and be aware that a few of the Egyptians (not in the hotel I am pleased to say) expect tips for everything (many were giving pound coin - take dollars as a dollar bill is only about 60p!