We stayed here for 8 nights during my second visit to Sharm El Sheikh. We booked this hotel as from the map it looked walking distance to Naama Bay. However upon arriving we realized that it was too far. The hotel did operate a mini bus service to Naama Bay during the evenings so we caught this most of the times.

As we checked into our room it was clean and tidy and we had a massive 42" TV as a bonus. However I went to use the bathroom and the noticed the sink was blocked. I called reception who sent someone over straight away. They managed to get this sorted straight away.

We made friends with some of the staff who worked there. Ahmed the pool guy was always very helpful and provided us with advice when ever we needed it. Mustafa the handy man was also very nice to use who went out of his way to get us things such as a Iron to keep in our room and insect repellent.

We had booked bed and breakfast with our room but we found the breakfast to be very plain. It was pretty much the same food every day. Would have like to see them provide a different variety each day. There was definitely a lack of fresh fruit during breakfast, which was upsetting.

The only real problem we had with the hotel was the water system. Sometimes just randomly the water would turn Yellow or would just come out hot instead of cold. It would normally sort itself out after a couple of minutes but we did find that we had to wake up at 5:00 AM for our trip to Cairo and had no access to water as nothing was coming out of the shower or tap. We rang reception a couple of times to try and get this sorted ASAP but they just kept telling up to wait a while and it would come back by itself. In the end we had no choice but to use a couple of the water bottles from the mini bar. We informed the receptionist about this and he said it was ok to do so. When we arrived back from Cairo we had told Hani (Assistant Manager) about our problems but he seemed to think we were just exaggerating and didn't really seem to care.

For our activities and excursions, we used a company called Falcon Adventures rather than the hotel rep. They have a very good rating over here on TripAdvisor and there prices were more than reasonable. To be honest the hotel rep seemed a bit angry when he found out that we had used another company but it was our decision to make. I contacted Said from Falcon Adventures before departing and he agreed to meet us at our hotel. Said was very nice and his English was very good. I couldn't recommend Said enough and will defintely use him again when I return to Sharm in the future. Please see my review for Falcon adventures for more details.

Overall you can expect to get what you pay for from the hotel but we were disappointed not to have water on demand as it is a necessity. Apart from that the hotel was fine and I would recommend it, if your on a tight budget. The on site aqua park was great and we spent plenty of time there.

The reason for my title is because 'average' seemed unfair but 'very good' was not quite right.

My best friend and I stayed at Panorama Naama Heights for one week from the 21st April. We arrived late in the evening and after the 15 minute chat from the manager on reception (he meant well but we were really tired and just wanted to chill out by then) we were shown to our room.

Our room was nice and clean. The shower was basic but absolutely fine. Our room was cleaned daily and again like some other reviews have said, we were left AMAZING animal towel shapes. We looked forward to seeing what it would be each day!

The food though was very poor and the dining room so dull. Absolutely no atmosphere. Even some low lighting and candles would have made it feel nicer at dinner time. It was too bright all the time. My friend and I ended up eating out more than 4 nights simply because of the atmosphere. We could be done with dinner in about 15 minutes if we stayed at the hotel (no fresh fruit - I had to steal it off the top of the cakes), no real choice, just very basic. Not really what we wanted. The wine was also AWFUL! I'm not normally fussy but I couldnt even sip this!

We were very lucky that our hotel was less than a quarter full. It meant that we didnt need to fight for sun beds and could truly relax. The pool area was lovely and we had a great view of it from our balcony. The downer on the number of guests though meant that we were constantly harrassed either by the beautician guys with massages and henna or the animation team. It drove us insane. With the animation team you would say 'no thanks' and then within 1 minute the next one was round asking you the same thing. The massage and henna guys also got too much. What really aggravated us and some others was when they asked if you wanted a massage and then subsequently asked 'why not' when you said no. I dont think that's very cool. It also meant that my friend and I were spending daily dodge with them. We often stuck in the pool to keep away from them for a bit. On the last day one of them took my photo on his camera whilst I was sleeping. I was going to complain to reception but I didnt want to get him in trouble as up until then he had been fine but for me - that was the last straw. I wanted to come home.

Mid afternoon ice cream - Never saw it! We had breakfast, lunch and dinner available to us. Sometimes I saw people with things mid afternoon like crepes but that was it.

Bars - I echo another review. The bar upstairs from reception was soul-less. Really dark and no atmosphere. We went up there, stayed 5 minutes and left. The bar they open at night is the one by the waterpark (which is brill by the way) but it meant it was so out the way it didnt make you want to bother going over. I dont know why they dont put the evening entertainment in the bar by the pool - where everyone can see it. Surely that would draw in more guests?!

Location - NOT near Naama Bay like some say. My friend and I did walk to the bay every day BUT people were shocked to hear we were doing that mainly because of the distance. It's a good 1.5 miles, it's bloody hot and you get harrassed to bits by taxi drivers!! The hotel is also up a hill (not steep at all). Along each side of the hill looks to be reminents of other hotels. Bricks and rubbish! Not pretty at all. We could have got a taxi but on our first night we took one back to the hotel from Naama Bay and the guy grabbed at us and tried to kiss us. We decided to risk the walk after that! (This is not every taxi driver - I think this one got a bit excited about some tipsy English girls laughing in his car and he did take my stern 'no!' quite well). If you stay at this hotel, walk down to the bay before sunset and book the hotel taxi man who is lovely on the way home!

Overall the basis for a lovely hotel but just needs some 'tweaks'

We stayed here for 10 days at the end of March, Weather in Sharm was perfect, the hotel not so perfect.

Reception: - This area was very basic; the red sofas were very comfortable. Wael was very helpful and always avail.

There is a taxi service in the main reception avail anytime. We used this once and were happy
with the service

The hotel is not situated in main area in Naama bay as some websites suggest, they offer 3 free shuttles in the evening but last one is 2315.

The beach is also bus ride away approx 15mins, free shuttles avail but at inconvenient times.

Wi-Fi: - NO FREE WI-FI, Beware this only works in reception, I purchased 7 day wi-fi and only found this out later.

Bar: - Very dark and dingy, always empty. No comfortable seating and pool table needs replacing. Bar man Samaan was very nice; he worked 18+ hour shifts

Manager: - Firstly all the reviews on the manager (Bridgette) are untrue, she was very aggressive and rude when people complained, she didn't introduce herself but you'll see her walking round and staff scurry so you'll get to know who she is. Treats her staff with no respect, the staff are very hard working and often work shifts over 12hrs with no days off.

Restaurant: - The chef or manager for restaurant always looked miserable and only spoke to tell staff off. There is no variety on food and no spices.

Breakfast was not worth walking down to the restaurant, think we went 4 days out of 10.

Lunch was better that dinner but same stuff daily.

Dinner was same everyday with a chicken or meat which was monitored, left over salad from lunch which they mixed up a bit.

Fady in the restaurant was very rude, asked him to help with drinks and he ignored me and walked off. What kind of service is this...? He also took away food plates before we finished.
Staff only serve you drinks if you show them some money otherwise help yourself.

No sauces provided in the restaurant.

Pool/Aqua Park: - The water in the pool was freezing cold; the aqua park had 3 adult slides but had nice area for kids, water still cold

Pool Bar: - The sandwiches during the day were really poor, they are served 12:00-13:00. You get one scoop of ice cream between 15:00-16:00 but don’t waste your time going up for that. There is also a pool table which needs replacing as the markings on the table have gone and 2
Ping-Pong tables. Bar men was very nice.

There is also a pharmacy near the pool bar and doctor on site. We did not use this so don’t know what their charges would be

Gift Shop: - Overpriced compared to Old Market and Naama Bay. Bottle water is 2.10 Egyptian pounds in Naama Bay and costs 5, 8 and even 12 Egyptian pounds within the hotel

Rooms: - Very basic, Travel Lodge provide better rooms. Bathroom smelt all the time and bathtub was stained. No taps in the bath tub to have a bath so you can only have a shower.

Finally I would not recommend this hotel and would not stay here again. Most of the staff are very helpful and hard working but feel for them as they are underpaid and unappreciated. They work up to 15 days straight.

Whilst in Sharm-el-Sheikh you must take a Boat trip and go on the Quads

on our arrival we were greeted by rimon on reception with a smile and a laugh, he proved to be a great help during our holiday as the only problem i had with the hotel was quickly sorted out thanks to his help but more about that later,,,,,,we were quickly taken to our room which the hotel upgraded from a mountain view to a ground floor pool view at no charge which was brilll specialy when you have had a few (no stairs)....lol.our first night being a thursday the hotels run a trip to soho square at a cost of 1,50p english this is well worth a visit for the sites shows and shops.

day 2 wake up to wonderful sunshine short walk (200yrds) to resturant for beakie we tended to have freshly made omeletts and toast but various other things available but we are not big eaters in the morning the back to room change and hit the pool 10 yrds from our room.....bargin lol...the lad who looks after the pool and towels AHMED who we called "oh my god" always greeted us with a smile and a comment such as OMG floods in england or come on united lol, asked where we would like to sit and would lay our towels out and bring a table and ashtry as i smoke without fail gave him a good tip at the end for the service, return to the room about 12.30 to find it spotless and a lovely towel sculpture on the bed or one day a towel monkey hanging from the ceilingwhich my parnter loved, lunch was normally good chips most days which is good for me lol but the soup was always good and very tasty, then back to the room change and pool.then dinner which was the problem as it tended to be very samie chicken or fish cooked in different ways,evening entertainment was around the waterpark bar which the mosies loved but the hotel sprayed every night to give them credit but you will never stop them all so cover up we did and never had a problem our friend got bit loads but thats luck of the draw.

day 3,4,5,6,7 were much the same unless we went on a trip but thats what a holiday is all about.


ENTERTAINMENT
the animation team adam, tania, alania and ahmed work thier socks off from 10 in the morning till late at night although there not many children there during our stay (school time) those that were seemed happy only heard a child cry twice in a week, as for us oldies we had everything from darts (as i have never seen befor lol) to water polo which was brill,

ROOMS
our room was 2157 ground floor pool view,cleaned every day towel sculpture everyday, well stocked fridge(small charge for use) we did not use this as we never had the need, full a/c and shower room

BARS
4 bars in all one in restaurant which serves during meals, main pool bar manned by ahmed who once he gets to know your drink has it waiting with a smile,the aqua bar which we frequented at night is stunning with all its lights but the best bar for me was the lounge bar upstairs mannned by samaan who always greeted you with a smile and first class service nothing was to much trouble and made the best coffee in the hotel (cappucino) this man alone is 5 star

RESTAURANT
the restaurant was very clean apart from the odd plate but that was not a prob as always plenty available, the food was very good well presented and hot but this is where we come to the problem........ it was the same every meal chicken and fish....i brought this to rimons attention who then took me to see the assistant manager who inturn took me to see bridgette the manager who listened and summoned the head chef. after this we had a beef meal as well every day so problem sorted

MEDICAL
this is the first hotel i have stayed at which has a pharmacy and doctor on site which was handy as my partner was taken ill and treated by the dr with no interuption to holiday

OVERALL
this is a good hotel like all hotels it has good and bad points but the staff from the gardeners up to bridgette the manager make the differance for me they are great nothing is to much trouble and if you have a problem dont moan about it talk to them and if its poss they sort it as in my case.we came as a couple but return as a family with our gran kids next year so it must be good. thanks to all for a great holiday