We booked this hotel as I wanted to treat my partner, Kim to a holiday in Sharm for her birthday.
I have to say that overall, our holiday was great.
We booked an all inclusive deal which meant that all our meals and snacks were free as were local beer, wines and spirits, and soft drinks like coke, sprite etc.
Ice cold water was always available at meal times and was eagerly served by the waiters.
Although you have to buy bottled water, you can re-fill the bottle from the water dispenser in the restaurant (free) or the bar staff will do it for you at the bar (free)
Whilst on the subject of staff, I have to say they were extremely polite and helpful.
You need to remember that you are in Egypt and that Egyptian is their native tongue. As long as you show an interest in trying to learn a few Egyptian words, they were more than willing to help. They do understand and speak some English (some more fluently than others)
The menu was always varied, even if a little repetitive, but there was always something different to eat at every mealtime.
We had an apartment to the side of the hotel, away from the pool which was perfect (had air conditioning)
Nice big bed, mini bar, TV, and a bathroom with shower. It also had a terrace which overlooked the fountain bar.
We preferred to use the smaller pool on the upper level as it was away from the hustle and bustle of the main pool, and therefore much more peaceful.
The snorkelling from the nearby beach is a must as it's awesome.
If you want to try scuba diving, Aqua Sharm Diving School is attached to the hotel. We went for a day's diving in Ras Mohammed with them and it was simply stunning !
There is entertainment most nights in the amphitheatre adjacent to the main pool but if you prefer to stay in the air conditioned reception area, look out for Egypts' answer to the pub singers ! I just hope Simon Cowell doesn't hear them !
I have to say a big "Thank You" to Sayeed, the Front of House Manager who made Kim's birthday a day to remember by providing a surprise birthday cake, and making our stay such a memorable one.
We will definitely be back !!!!!

Well where should I start.............................
To be honest I suppose you get what you pay for!! Im not saying dont go to Egypt but choose wisely where you stay and check the reviews carefuly, Im one for trying out new things and hotels and always check the reviews, but some were good and some where bad, take it from me, as friendling as these people may appear, take note, its not al what it seems. but a holiday is what you make it!!

we wanted a rest and that it what we got, just ot happy with other things.

Arrival - this was our first upset of ther day!! we had trandsport booked from the airport to hotel, and though we arrived in Egypt at 8.30pm, there was some confusion about transport, firstly they wanted to cram me and my Husband in a mini bus that only had one seat left then after 15 minutes realised we were not going to fit, arranged other transport, we than had to sit in a hot mini bus
( so they say waiting for other people) after about 35-40 minutes, someone came and aploigied for the wait, and told us what was happening, after about a further 10-15 minutes the driver arrived and said sorry and drove off to hotel.

Hotel - when we arrive, you can image, hot bothered and wanting food!! no welcome drinks as everyone else stated in their review, not even water, respection guy was friendly and polite, we soon arrive to out rooms, plesantly surpised, but at night when you are tired every thing looks good!! because we arrrived late ( 10.10pm) we missed the so called all inclusive evening meal, and no one could bebothered to tell us were we could get food from, what they did tell us was that we could not bring food into the hotel. after traveling from 1.30pm arriving at destination at 10.10pm you whould have thought this was taken into account!!

Holiday rep ................ Not very good did not know much about anything we asked!! to be honest was a waste of time!!

Room - Clean and tidy and the guys made every effort to ensure this was done daily! thanks ( Mohammad) but rooms could do with a uplift, old tatty and well woren.

Staffing - Generally ok, but we felt people were being friendly, for the sake of it, not because it was ment!! but because they had to be this way ( very false in some cases)

Entertainment - None what can I say , if you call two people singing in the lounge area entertainment, then this will be ok for some of us. as I said we went for a rest so this did not make much different for us!!

Weather - Very nice but too hot, unable to do anything in the day, but sunbath, if this is what you want a holday for your in the right country!! because gosh its hot hot hot belong belief, drink plenty of water but beware where you get the water from.

Food - very repetitive and boring, beware of what you eat!!!! I enjoyed breakfast only and we missed out on some lunches and dinners 1, beause it was the same, 2 we became ill. I dont think this was because of Hygine, more to do with food , water etc so stock up on immodium, you will need it!! most people we met were having the runs at some time or other. expect to pay for jucie in the morning at breakfast and they dont tell you. and you can bring food in, after all if you dont want to eat in, they cannot make you, you have paid for it! and if you choose to eat out, why not. you will find mc Donalds Kentucky, which i think is a same, if you feel you need all this type of food should have stayed at home. if your sick dont as the staff were not help ful, we needed toilet paper due to feeling unwell ( you know what I mean) and we made several called to the reception and my husdand even went to the desk all now we have not recieved it!!! poor service, I mmay as well have brought my own, ( carry toilet disposabal issiue Ladies) you will need it they were our life saver.

Trips - Cario, museum, tombs Pryimids the best part of our holiday, a lot of information to take in, and to be honest we prepared Cario it was much cooler and it was nice to be amongst the locals, and see the real Egyptions this is a must for anyone that goes to Egypt, but take a plane its only 45 minutes, unless you want to spend 6 hours in a hot mini bus.

Naama Bay - for experience its a must once you have done it, you wont go again, the Locals call it Blackpool, they are so right!!! found this boring, if you love to shop and barter you will be fine, but it canget annoying at times.

We do think Egypt is spoilt in the tourist areas, because its like being at home without the sun!!! e.g the shops are the same food malls are the same, Coffee nero, Mc Donalds, Kentucky, Nike shop, Caries, every shop you have in your town will be there, sad really.

Back to the Hotel - if I went again I would go for Hiton, Hyatt etc something that is 4-5 star

As im sitting here at home i can think of many differnet pro's and con's about the hotel. For a start it was very hot weather and the pool was just a god send.
Throughout the week i didnt eat much because i am a fussy eater but the food wasnt great.
Although it says all inclusive it isnt. the coctails arnt free, the ice cream aint free, the pizza isnt free and neither is room service.
The night time entertainment was boring and resulted in everyone just walking away from it but i guess its there culture.
you have to get up early in the morining to secure yourself a sunlougner and you feel angry when people put towels on them and then go out for the day, kind of selfish.
The staff were friendly to us but whist we were there two people got sacked for innapropraite touching of a femle chest and the other was an entertainment staff who was pure rubbish.
I dont think i would choose to go back to this hotel again but i did like it whislt i was there. i had a good holiday but if it wernt for the people i was with it would have been rubbish.

oh everyone i no that went for 2 weeks regretted it so i wud advise this for a week stay only

egypt is lovely, beware of narma bay just dont make eye contact and i would have to advise the hard rock cafe for a grea evening out with the family. dont let taxi drivers rip you off, you say a price and they will agree to it.

We have just returned from Sol y Mar, Sharming inn for the third time, June 2008.

Arrival - On arrival you are given a welcome drink, and as you check in, staff arrange for your bags to be taken to your room. Very special thanks to Saad, who made sure we were looked after and had everything we needed.

Reception – I found the reception staff to be very helpful. Hotel Managers are always available to discuss any concerns. On checking out, we requested a late check out which was not a problem. Thank you Said.

Room - The accommodation is excellent, especially if you request an upgrade to the villas. The villas are situation away from the main hotel and offer spacious accommodation, balcony and beautiful views. The rooms are very clean and of a good standard. This was due to the excellent service provided by the cleaning staff that cleans the rooms on a daily basis. The staff are amazing, and our cleaner, Hassan, made the children animals out of the towels every day, and even took the time to show them how it’s done, which was amazing and kept the children amused for hours. Children got very upset when I attempted to use the towels for a shower, so Hassan made sure there were additional towels for showering purposes. Thank you Hassan.

Hotel / Restaurant- The hotel itself is spacious, and offers a lovely relaxing atmosphere. We went all inclusive, and this proved to be great value for money. Plenty choice of food, and the waiters ensure that you have plenty to drink. The only down fall is that you tend to eat morning, lunch and tea, much more than you would do at home, came home about a stone heavier.

Swimming - The two swimming pools are crystal clear and cleaned every night and monitored throughout the day. Plenty of sun loungers and clean towels are included. Due to the size of the complex, you never feel the hotel is overcrowded. You will be approached by staff offering massage, tattoo’s and outings, however if you do not wish this service a polite no thanks will do. The staff are so friendly, they get to know you and make you feel so welcome.

Entertainment - Entertainment at night can become a bit repetitive, however the children thought it was great. We sat by the fountain bar in the evening which is a bit quieter than the pool bar. There is also entertainment in the reception, which is pleasant and a good place to meet other people. If you fancy going out in the evening, the hotel run a bus service to and from Naama Bay, worth a trip to experience the shopping, but be ready to haggle for prices, but it’s fun.

Shisha tent - Yasser, Hussain, and Alaa, in the shisha tent is an experience you must try. I was a bit reluctant at first, however visited every night. Children are very welcomed.

Bar/Reception staff – could not do enough to ensure a pleasant stay. Special thanks to Mohammed at the fountain bar and Yaman at the pool bar who furnished us with rosy wine every evening, did not even have to ask!!!! Thanks guys.

Tummy bugs – Lot’s of reports this is a major problem, this is not the case. If you experience a bad stomach, let it take its course, we found after a few hours it passed. However, appreciate not everyone has this experience. There is a chemist across the road that recommend medication to sort it out promptly. Make sure to drink plenty bottled water as we are not used to the extreme heat.

Overall – This is an excellent hotel, which offers a relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff and great value for money. Just back two weeks and looking forward to returning very soon. Love this place.