This is a lovely hotel and is kept exceptionally clean. We stayed in a standard room, and after reading reviews I was a bit worried about it. When we checked in and I saw the room I was very pleased, it was extremely spacious and well maintained. I am really not sure what people were complaining about with regard to this aspect.

The hotel grounds are beautifully maintained, the pool areas are well designed, as is the terrace down to the sea. The pool staff, particularly at the Royal Wing pool, are very attentive and helpful.

We were disappointed with the reception and concierge staff, they were very dismissive and unhelpful.

We stayed on a b&b basis, as all inclusive is just not for us. Having suffered the chaos of the buffet breakfast, we were somewhat relieved to be just b&b. The choice of food for breakfast was good, but it was a bit of a bun fight. The waiting staff were mostly of a low standard.

As there is nothing in walking distance from the hotel, you are bound to the hotel taxi service to get to anywhere. Not only was this somewhat higher priced than local taxis, but we had to wait 30 minutes for them to even get a taxi for us to set off in. This was very disappointing service. Once we got out and about we picked up local taxis, which were generally fine.

We ventured out for dinner to Naama Bay and to Old Sharm. This was mostly because the food choices at the Golf were a bit limited - there are lots of resturants listed as being available at the hotel, but they open one per night - ie Chinese on Tuesday, Japanese on Wednesday - it was a bit restricting.

There was a wide variety of restuarants in Naama Bay, and we did manage to seek out a couple of good ones. However, Namma Bay is just like Benidorm; loud music, touts everywhere, McDonalds - our idea of hell on earth.

Old Sharm was a good experience - a bit further away from the hotel, so slightly more expensive in a taxi. It's worth a trip though. There were less restaurants, but better ones. Quite a few seafood places, and we chose to go to Seras on recommendation. It was about as authentic as the holiday got, but at least we got a small taste of the culture. The fish was fabulous and value for money.

I would recommend this hotel location if you are seeking a quiet holiday, which luckily we were. The entertainment is usually over by 10pm and there's nowhere else to go - which suited us but may not suit others. For a relaxing holiday, doing nothing at all, this hotel was good.

One point to note: this is not just a tourist hotel. There was a large congress on when we stayed there. Although I dress conservatively on holiday anyway, and am very culturally aware, I did find sitting next to suited Arabian businessman at the next table a bit uncomfortable from time to time.

We only decided to go to Sharm in early January and knowing very little about it went on to the internet to find out what we could. As we wished to golf and to snorkel we quickly found this hotel. We then became extremely lucky as we then hit on the Holiday Designers web site; more about this later.

The hotel was very quiet when we were there so service and all aspects of the management were never under strain and could not have been more helpful. One slight point for visitors to prepare for is the difficulty in getting sufficient small enough Egyption notes........£5 and £10 ....for tipping, which seems essential anot just in the hotel but everywhere. The Hotel should have available far more low denomination notes than they appear to have.

The room was large, clean and very comfortable, it was serviced both efficiently and promptly each morning. The restaurants were good , sometimes very good. The pools were very good, the access to the beach was a bit of a 'hike' but well worth the effort. All areas of the resort were kept very clean and attractive.

The golf course was surprisingly good and the greens remarkable, particularly when the desert was ony a couple of hundred yeards away. The staff both there and at the hotel were attentaive and helpful, and revealed a delightful sense of humour.

Because we were golfing we only went on one excursion, which was organised by Holiday Designers' local rep. He was extremely well organised, not only with regard to that excursion( A trip to snorkel off shore at a wreck site) but both on arrival at and departure from the airport. We have travelled throughout the world over many many years and have never been looked after quite so efficiently as he and the company he acts for Holiday Designers, looked after us from the first contact to the last.

The older one gets, fit and active though we are, the more you appreciate such care and attention. It is very pleasant to be able just to relax and leave the travel hassle to somebody else.

JOLIE VILLE MARITIM

I recently returned from a magical first time trip to Sharm el Sheikh where I stayed for 12 nights at the Jolie Ville Maritim. From the imposing marble reception area I was whisked to a comfortable and spacious room a few yards from Main reception and even closer to one of several pools not all of which I explored. I could walk to the breathtaking private beach, complete with liveried life guards at each jetty, on hand to assist with snorkelling equipment and to tell of the various sightings of over 300 types of marine life. For me it was a first time snorkelling, at 60 years and female, it was something of a revelation and so effortless. The beach is arranged in a series of terraces, where a lounger and towels are supplied; you can be as private or as sociable as you desire. At lunch the buzz and euphoria are heightened by a supeb mouthwatering menu, small but unique and delicious. I had booked half-board but was soon tempted to upgrade and was delighted with the choice at lunch. Far too much, but it is so beautifully presented that you are able to select judiciously and have your taste buds tickled 3 times a day with ease! The food needs a chapter of its own; the vast selection of dishes imaginative and tasty - the buffet never failed to surprise. The delicate aroma of carefully judged herbs and spices as they should be used permeated everything; the food was so clearly cooked by a professional and dedicated team of chefs whose experience shone through at every meal. I noticed the head chef discreetly keeping an eye on everything and one only had to ask for something individual and presto - the answer was always “yes, of course, Madame”.

Entertainment, which I would not normally stay up for, was mesmerising, especially the belly dancing. The facilities are stunning. I took tennis lessons a short walk from the Reception, from a brilliant in house coach, surveyed the pristine golf course and vowed to return for a golf trip. You can feel part of a bijoux small hotel, yet it is a vast complex and this is only one of the surprises which await. The hotel caters for children in a big way, yet I was never conscious of any noise or rowdy behaviour; in fact it was all very sedate. I heard the nightlife in the town was buzzing with rather a café trottoir atmosphere.

The staff are each accomplished at what they do and the acme of charm with a natural desire to please. I was so seduced by the beach, the food, the facilities and pools that I did not even get round to doing any sightseeing tours. The ratio of staff to guests was so generous that they could cater to my every, not always reasonable, whim! There is something about the Egyptian people that is both enigmatic and warm; their wonderful disposition is almost disarming and they seem to have a sense of inner calm which radiates. Just lovely in all ways and not expensive at all considering the distance (which at 5.½ hrs is my limit) and exemplary standard of care, hospitality and that ubiquitous charm.

Sarah Middleton Sherman
Middleton Cheney
Oxon.

A lovely hotel with plenty of facilities for relaxing;the beach, the pool around the royal wing,and the main pools with swimming rivers and slides.
We chose to go 'all-inclusive' on the first morning which involved complicated 'instructions' as to where and when you could eat/drink. This, i would say, was the only downfall as you should be able to eat and drink anywhere. So, 'all-inclusive' did not quite mean 'all-inclusive'.
The entertainment was novel.
The golf course was very good with plenty of attentive staff.
Room was excellent and clean but the view from the balcony poor if you are in a standard room. As the hotel was running at 30% occupancy, we felt we could easily have been given a pool view room.
All in all though, a very relaxing enjoyable stay- the Noodle house is not to be missed!