Reef Oasis Blue Bay Hotel

best holiday ive ever had couldnt complain about a thing well maybe how hot it was but who can complain about that.thomson reps were brilliant and more than helpful,couldnt fault the food or staff.hardly any kids so that was a plus.cant wait to go back

I am very surprised at the other negative reviews of the Reef Oasis Blue Bay Hotel. I have just returned from a weeks stay there and found it to be a very pleasant experience and I have stayed in hotels all over the world and have gone 'all inclusive' in the likes of: Greece, Spain and the Caribbean but none come close to the Reef Oasis Blue Bay.

The hotel and complex itself is vast so may be a problem for those who have mobility problems; there are however wheelchairs provided should you need one and a small open bus service which can whisk you around the complex and up and down the steep road to and from the beach.

The hotel and grounds are impeccable; the army of staff constantly cleaning and maintaining the paths, gardens and pools. All paths are surrounded by lush gardens and are brightly lit at night for ease of use.

Rooms are large, clean and comfortable with all the facilities you should need and all have air conditioning - which is vital where temperatures can reach the high 30's as they did in May. The rooms all have a 'room boy' who comes in every day to clean. You need to tip these cleaners (approx £1 or 1 euro) every couple of days and they will keep your room absolutely spotless trust me.

There are numerous restaurants to choose from including a fresh fish and Italian restuarant (you need to book 48 hours in advance for the two latter) and food is plentiful with a good choice to be had however this is a Muslim country so there is no Pork on the menu at any time.

Drinks are plentiful and available 24 hours a day should you require it. Alcohol is all locally produced and okay but if you want your favourite branded tipple you will be charged.

There are lots of swimming pools all over the complex and planned and situated to suit all tastes. There is the loud disco and water slide pool if you have children, the beautiful infinity pool which looks like it goes into the sea and the adults only pool which is more or less empty during the day if you prefer a more relaxed poolside experience. (these are the only three we used but there are more on site)

Sunbeds are plentiful beside the pool or on the beach but like just about everywhere you need to get your towel on them early to avoid disappointment!

The beach is accessible via a steep and winding road (bus service to and from if you wait though) and the beach is beautiful and serviced by a restaurant serving hot and cold drinks (including beer) and meals all day long. The sea is flanked by the coral reef and is only accessible via a floating jetty but is simply heaven for snorkelers with the vast variety of marine fish and coral - it is simply stunning! Scuba diving is also available from a hut on the beach and offer beginners courses or dives for the experienced - we did two dives and it was one of the best experiences of my life (bearing in mind that I have dived all over the world)

To sum up The Reef Oasis Blue Bay offers a comfortable, clean and uncrowded (hotel was full during our stay but we never felt crowded or hemmed in) hotel in a blissful spot with everything you should need for a fantastic holiday - I recommend it and would go there again without a doubt ( and I am fussy believe me!)

A few points to consider though:

1) No Pork so don't ask.

2) no swimwear allowed in restaurants in the evenings.

3) tip the room boys and waiters a british pound every so often for top service.(cost me £15 for one week so not expensive)

4) ignore your welcome meeting on arrival - just an excuse to give you the excursion hard sell - all excursions are considerably cheaper by going direct and haggling)

5) You are expected to haggle when buying anything here (scuba diving is the only fixed price) so do not pay any more than you think an item is worth - be warned!

6) Hotel is all inclusive but if you want branded drinks, ice cream, fresh fruit juice and some al la carte meals you will be paying extra.

Weather brilliant. Food terrible, dirty room and en suite, waiters very rude and wont help unless given a tip. Thomson rep not interested. Worst holiday ever, wouldn't give this place a one star rating. Save your money there a lot better places in Egypt for less

Hotel was perfectly finished to a very high standard staff was exellent couldn't ask for more, wasn't a low point in the holiday. Rooms were brilliant loads of space clean and tidy and mini bar always full. Food was very good lots of choice. Thomson were great always there if you needed anything anytime.

Egypt was fine the hotel staff were great, but Thomson forgot to tell us the hotel was not finished, we had no electricity for two days and the hotel generators were not up to it. The sewers stank as they were worked on and sickness nearly ruined our holiday, we missed 2 trips through sickness but at least the holidays rep was sympathetic coz that don't cost anything, after 6 months we have been offered £39, I will never use Thomsons ever again.