Just returned from a superb, relaxing experience at this charming place. Some of the poor reviews above are either just humbug or extremely bad luck. My accommodation was roomy, clean and pleasant. Free access is given to umpteen restaurants, each offering fine varieties of soup, salads, vegetables, meat, fish, fruit and puddings; variety was enormous, and flavours produced with herbs (particularly dill) and local spices were delightful. Spinach and egg plant dishes were tasty, as were the many traditional Egyptian recipes for fish, chicken and beef. Hibiscus juice, local yoghurts and ice cream were another treat. Breakfast pancakes, individually cooked omelettes, (with fine local breads) and tomatoes with cheese were enjoyed enormously. Some evenings, meat was cooked on charcoal outside the restaurants.
Free drinks were ok, and generously supplied, particularly the red wine, lager and local brandy. Some of our Russian cousins did seem rather morose and somewhat rude, though the excellent beetroot and cabbage dishes should have helped cheer them up.
The swimming pools were luxurious- I particularly loved the elongated one at Ali Baba- and the little zoo at Aladdin was charming. They take good care of the gardens and grounds, with splendid walkways and good, thorough maintenance throughout.
Evening entertainment was plentiful, with a good range of vocalists, dancers and specialist acts; there were several choices for late night discos. I also loved watching the youngsters being well entertained daytime and early evenings.
Sea swimming and snorkelling was wonderful- do go on the glass bottom boat (quite cheap). They take you out to an island, passing over phenomenal coral reefs, supplying snorkel equipment to swim around and observe the most exotic coloured fish I've ever seen- supervision was excellent, absolutely exquisite!
Yes I had several small criticisms, which were taken up with management and rectified immediately, but the overall drive, energy and skill needed to run such a big project successfully, were evident everywhere. Monarch Airways got me there comfortably, and I am extremely indebted to Karen at Holidays Your Way, Gwent House, Cwmbran NP44 1Pl for her excellent, thoughtful assistance and advice- listening to others, I am sure that she fixed a very good price for me!
Regrettably, the people are very poor, with sparse education- I understand that newspapers and information are strictly controlled, and criticism is harshly dealt with by the army- I desperately hope that Egypt will find ways to improve these conditions, it doesn't seem to be happening yet! Do support this beautiful country if you can, not least by holidaying there!
Room Tip: first floor balconies give good privacy, as opposed to ground floor and bungalow style.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC