Taba, Sonesta Beach Resort Taba

Whilst pitched as a 5 star this hotel is more like a 3 star. It's in dire need of a good spring clean and all communal areas are very grubby.

The food is decidely average with the lunchtime menu food being particularly awful. The waiters however are a very pleasant bunch as is the animation team. It is meant to be all inclusive but be aware that you can only get wine with your meal in the evening and generally this is limited to two glasses - three if you keep on. All of the locally produced drinks taste the same, having a strange after taste.

We had been told for the two days leading up to our departure that it was likely we could pay to keep our room a little longer and that we needed to come back at 10am on day of departure. However when we (and another couple)arrived in reception we were told that they were full to capacity and there would be no chance of this. It was ridiculous that they didn't seem to realise that they could use the rooms of the people that would be arriving much later on as we personally only required the room for half an hour at 4pm. Following a very challenging cnversation we were told we could use the shower in the spa area which turned out to be a shower attachment in the corner of the room where men were milling around. My husband pointed out that this was wholly inappropriate for his wife and they asked why I couldn't shower in my bikini. I can just imagine the Egyptian men allowing their women to do this.

Eventually the guy at reception said we 'could' use a room but we had to be very quick.

Steer clear of this hotel if you can.