Sharm El Sheikh - anyone been?

[AB]

We had loads of nightlife, Pacha, Hard Rock, Little Buddha etc. We did a couple of nights out but the rest was very quiet.

[HIS LM]

I was thinking of going to Sharm but have no clue what to expect.
I have never heard such a wide range of opinions and contradictions before are we talking about the same place ?

I just want a beach holiday 2 weeks in August somewhere hot (25c+) 4 star Hotel all inclusive, Budget is £3.5k

Any suggestions ?

[justin220]

If you have that amount to spend, in August, and only needing 25+ I'd go elsewhere!

[sjg]

If 25 is your idea of "hot" then avoid the place in August, it'll be well over 35 at that time of year. Unbearable for me, it doesn't even drop below 25 overnight.

[B16JUS]

Biggest thing is hotels choose a good one and you will have a fantastic time pick a bad one and it may be a pony holiday

Stick with the main hotel chains, its a lovely place lots to do and lovely weather

J

[audidoody]

If you want to go to Sharm in August I recommend turning your fan oven up to max, and once it has reached that temperature, open the door and stick your head inside. Welcome to Egypt.

[nick s]

I went Last July. Sharm is a lovely place as long as you just want to stay at the Resort and enjoy the private beaches and pools. When you stray into the tourist areas (nama bay etc) It becomes a bit dirty and full of annoying men relentlessly pestering you and trying to get you into their bars!

We stayed in the Thomson Sensatori 5* all incclusive resort. It was brand new. Lovely resort and i would definitely recommend it!!!

A pure relaxation holiday though. I got a bit bored towards the end of the week as there isn't much else to do apart form sunbathing and diving IMO.

[AB]

As far as I'm aware, SES can get up towards 50 in the hottest period with 40 not uncommon and 35 being about average.

That is HOT.

[HIS LM]

I did say 25c+ but holy cow up to 50 deg that is insanely hot

I looked at the Sensatori and they want over £4k for 2 adults and a brat

I think I will need to look elsewhere, any suggestions:

Beach holiday, all inclusive , Hotel 4+, Temp 25c+ Budget £3.5k
and the killer as far as pricing goes August

and not Cape Verde as I went there last year

[R1-Jay]

Just booked up 10 days at Hilton Sharks Bay Resort

Anyone been here? gets good reviews

[northwest monkey]

HIS LM said:

I did say 25c+ but holy cow up to 50 deg that is insanely hot

I looked at the Sensatori and they want over £4k for 2 adults and a brat

I think I will need to look elsewhere, any suggestions:

Beach holiday, all inclusive , Hotel 4+, Temp 25c+ Budget £3.5k
and the killer as far as pricing goes August

and not Cape Verde as I went there last year

Riu Merengue / Bachata in the Dom Rep. It's not Puerto Plata so there aren't loads of hen / stag parties, hotels have loads to do (2 or 3 Riu hotels in the same resort - Bahia Maimon) as they share the facilities - pools, restaurants etc. Nice clean beach & good for exploring as well.

[Jarcy]

R1-Jay said:

Just booked up 10 days at Hilton Sharks Bay Resort

Anyone been here? gets good reviews

I have also just booked 14 days there, first 2 weeks in August.
A friend had her honeymoon there - loved it. Other than that all I know is the reviews on tripadvisor.

Which part of the hotel have you booked?
It appears almost as if there's 2 separate hotels. Inland is the new part with the delux rooms and very large pool.
A slight premium but this seems to be where most Brits head for.

I'm planning to do a bit of diving. Would be interested to hear whether anyone's tried the hotel's dive school, or whether to head for an independent operator.

Also any tips regarding excursions would be appreciated. Want to do quad bikes for my lads and any other petrol head activities on hand (I noticed there's a go-kart track in Sharm - hot work!). I also want to fly to Cairo for a day-trip to see the old pointy things. Again any advice welcome. Also - is it worth - or possible, to hire a car in Sharm. Or do you just hail a taxi if you want to get around a bit?

[oldnbold]

We went a couple of months ago, our rep told us that they had cancelled all excursions into the desert, quad biking, star gazing, camel rides etc because of the hightened security risk. The independent opporators were still running the events but some of the UK tour companies were not offering these trips to clients.

We were also advised to give Cairo a miss. As I said this was a cuople of months ago.

[bad company]

Somebody once described Sharm to me as a 'Concrete Jungle On The Edge Of The Desert'. For me that sums it up. I would go for the diving but in all honesty there are better places for just about everything else IMO.

[WinstonWolf]

Jarcy said:

R1-Jay said:

Just booked up 10 days at Hilton Sharks Bay Resort

Anyone been here? gets good reviews

I have also just booked 14 days there, first 2 weeks in August.
A friend had her honeymoon there - loved it. Other than that all I know is the reviews on tripadvisor.

Which part of the hotel have you booked?
It appears almost as if there's 2 separate hotels. Inland is the new part with the delux rooms and very large pool.
A slight premium but this seems to be where most Brits head for.

I'm planning to do a bit of diving. Would be interested to hear whether anyone's tried the hotel's dive school, or whether to head for an independent operator.

Also any tips regarding excursions would be appreciated. Want to do quad bikes for my lads and any other petrol head activities on hand (I noticed there's a go-kart track in Sharm - hot work!). I also want to fly to Cairo for a day-trip to see the old pointy things. Again any advice welcome. Also - is it worth - or possible, to hire a car in Sharm. Or do you just hail a taxi if you want to get around a bit?

Got back from our fourth trip to Sharm last week. The snorkelling in Sharks Bay is awesome

Don't bother taking Egyptian money, the pound is accepted everywhere, if you do need Egyptian you'll get a better rate there anyway.

Pound coins for tips, you might be asked to change coins for notes by hotel staff, perfectly normal.

Sharm Life tours are very good value for money, check them out on Trip Advisor for reviews. You'll pay cash (English) at the airport in advance if you book enough excursions to get a free pick up, seems dodgy but perfectly OK.

Sharm itself is a bit meh, but we didn't venture from the all inclusive this year as we were perfectly happy there

Already booked for next year.

[bakerstreet]

bad company said:

Somebody once described Sharm to me as a 'Concrete Jungle On The Edge Of The Desert'. For me that sums it up. I would go for the diving but in all honesty there are better places for just about everything else IMO.

Its changed an awful lot over the years and will keep expanding until it hits the mountains. I first went there in 2002 and at one end of the main street in Narma bay there was a single mexican restaurant. Now you can't see that restaurant for all the neon lights and other buildings around it.

Ultimately, I think the place is worse for it too. The quality of diving is deteriorating as well. The reefs just get hammered by the sheer volume of divers.

Also, Sharm used to be a cheap holiday. Not any more. I looked recently and prices have really gone up. £600pp for a decent hotel! I wouldn't mind going back, but wife isn't too keen.

[oldnbold]

bad company said:

Somebody once described Sharm to me as a 'Concrete Jungle On The Edge Of The Desert'. For me that sums it up. I would go for the diving but in all honesty there are better places for just about everything else IMO.

Couldn't agree more, we only go there because it's a fairly short flight for good winter sun and the diving/snorkeling is very good and very easy to access.

On our last two visits we have not even left the hotel, we always pick hotels where you can get straight onto the reef. We just go to chill, sit in the sun and snorkel/ dive, for that it's perfect.

[R1-Jay]

Ive got a double room with pool view.

after doing an average 80-100 hours a week every week this year, the holiday cant come quick enough!

[benters]

been twice and enjoyed it both times. one thing I wouldn't do if I went back is go to Sharm itself. It was full of 'come and eat in my restaurant' dudes and after about 100 yards this gets right on your tits.
the hotels were both great as was the service, food, etc. I cant think you would easily go wrong, so go and chill and Enjoy OP