Firstly if you have not travelled to this area of Egypt then you must
understand that Marsa Alam is a small village with no tourist attractions or amenities. Similarly El Quseir which is about 100 kilometers further north is a small urbanised town again with little or no cultural feel or appeal.

What you have here is 400 kilometers of Red Sea coast with resort style hotels sometimes many kilometers apart. If you want a purpose built resort with restaurants, bars and shopping then this part of Egypyt is not what you are looking for. In 10/15 years when the Airport is extended and the marina at Port Ghalib is completed and frequented by the "Jet set" then maybe you will not wish to come here for other reasons. For now you have peace, space and a feeling of something different apart from one thing; The Italians found this place 12 years earlier! So the majority of the Hotels (We have stayed in 3: Coral Beach, Flamenco Beach and Abu Nawas) are predominantly catering for the Italian package tour industry so whilst you do not yet have many UK package tours here you will find the usual animation teams, loud music and games etc at your hotel. Not as many Russian guests as find in Sharm but you will know when they are there!

Most of the resort hotels have excellent diving schools and this is why most current tourists come to this area, there is little else to see or do. Luxor is too far for a day trip which would consist of 12/14 hours travelling and only 4/5 hours there. Abu Nawas- A nice building in traditional style with basic but clean and adequate accomodation.

Lovely pool and beach area with access to the reef via the jetty.
When were there only the buffet restaurant was open and we would have liked a choice and this was dissapointing. The food was average buffet fare, so we did not go hungry but if you are choosy about the presentation of your food and the ambience of the surroundings this may not be the best choice.

The manager stated that only 10 rooms are allocated to UK agents with 100 going to Italians so you should have some British speakers to avoid. We took the "Hard" all inclusive option which included as you would expect all food and drinks. The choice for you Alcoholics is very limited, one type of house wines (you have red or white) which is just about drinkable. Local spirits but very short on the something to mix it with (no tonic for my Gin) the local Stella beer is good though.

What I found quite strange is that around 4pm when sat at the pool bar we saw the bar staff filling empty spirit bottles with sprite, coke and Fanta. when sitting in the lobby bar at night these bottles are the means of dispensing soft drinks for your mixers since they do not have a cold drinks dispenser in the bar. The nicest part of this hotel is the staff who from the receptionist, bar staff to the room boys were some of the freindliest anywhere.

As I have said the entertainment is aimed at the Italian guests but you are asked to take part and the animation team work hard to get you involved without being intrusive.

The previous reviewer (if you have translated the German) talks about the poisoned food caused by the Anti-Bug man. Yes they do use a guy to go round smoking out the mossies and yes it did smell pretty
bad but this happened only twice while we were there and they went round at about 5.30 when the restaurant was closed and most people were in their rooms so not a problem.

Beach towels and matresses provided together with elastic to keep your towel in place cos for most of the time you have a strong breeze.

Overall we had a nice relaxing holiday and having booked the flights through Flythomascook and the hotel direct we bought ourselves a week of guaranteed sunshine at what you would pay for weekend in the Lake District so would we return..maybe someday to Abu Nawas but certainly to Marsa Alam.

Just arrived home from spending a week all inclusive at the Abu Nawas Hotel. This holiday was booked through ON THE BEACH. No transfers included in the package.

OK first report and first time to Egypt!! I am very impressed with it all. After much worry about trying to get transfers sorted out (many phone emails sent, no replies!!) I was more than chuffed to find a Rep shouting out my hotel name. He then sorted out the visas and tranferes. (all very fast track!!) The cost was approx £100 for visas and transferes for 3 peep). The hotel is about a 30min drive. (40km).

The hotel and it's staff I found to be great. Lovely private beach, pier to take you out to the coral for some snorkling. Equipment hire was 13Euros for 1 day.

No ATM on site. Euros readily accepted.

5 outside pools, all treacheously cold, including the heated. Probably due to time of year? Plenty of daytime entertainment. Unfortunatly the only nightime entertainment was an Arabic dance night which was a lot of fun. I'm sure when the peak season arrives then entertainment will increase.

Overall a great place to stay for relaxation.