OK, full report to follow:
had a great time BUT was really hacked off that the pool was FREEZING.
The Intercontinental and Mark Warner brochure both say that it is heated, but it wasn't and hasn't been since Mark Warner started there 8 months ago.
It is a HUGE white elephant of a hotel in the middle of nowhere, amazing, money poured and poured into it. Mark Warner have a complete wing and have built kids club behind it. It works well alongside the rest of the hotel, mainly because there are hardly any other guests. Really strange.
Rooms are marble, clean, we had a HUMUNGOUS suite that could have had my sons entire class camping in there on camp beds! Air conditioning, and each day they would deliver 2 large bottles of water. Telly delivers cartoon network!
Mark Warner have a reception area at the bottom of the wings stairs, manned for a couple of hours in the morning and evening. Other than that there is no 'central' feel to Mark Warner like there is at the other resorts. As mArk Warner don't run the bar, there is no social atmosphere, they had a quiz night one night. No mixing at meal times, unless you make friends and fix a date. So that social side of Mark Warner isn't there, which some people prefer or not ...
Food is fantastic. The restaurant that is included in the price has the most amazing variety of foods, our picky picky son could always find something. Huge huge buffet, lovely fruit and lovely cakes (!!) wide selection of hot foods and a chef always there making up pastas and sauces of your choice, or pancakes and waffles at breakfast time. You can sit inside or out. Really good place.
If you want to venture across to another restaurant, we tried the lebanese, you pay a supplement at the end of the meal. They have a trio of musicians to create an atmosphere. Italian was good, HUGE pizzas. We didnt get to the seafood. Big bar with big telly and the most amazing disco where they do the welcome talk and kids show. Hieroglyphics and mummies in neon round the room, very wacky!
The beach is long and clean, because there are no other guests except Mark Warner, we all managed to get a sun bed. Sea was warm. Not many fish. You need to go further afield on one of the snorkelling trips to see coral/fish.
Loads of boats, windsurfing, canoes and kitesurfing! Which brings me to the wind, IT WAS SOOOOO WINDY, I hated the first two days. But it dies down in the afternoon and you get used to it. Great for the water enthusiasts, and then the beginner sailors have a calmer sea in the afternoon.
The Egyptian men who run the excursions are lovely. Can really recommend the half day to Sharm-el-Naga beach for snorkelling, it takes 15-20mins in a 4x4, you leave at 8.30am. There are clean loos, snorkelling equipment, cafe and little shop, a camel too! But the good thing is Mark Warner can get there early as so close, by 10am, the coach loads were piling in, and it got really busy, we then left at 12.45, perfect. Lots of coral and amazing Finding Nemo type fish.
Lots of other guests did go on the Luxur trip and Cairo trip, Luxor involved a 3hr journey there and a couple of hours at temple etc, then long trek home. Cairo involved a 4.30am departure and aeroplane.
Kids club were 100% fantastic, wonderful nannies, great itineraries, lovely for any age. when out and about they do lots of loud singing so you know if your child is about to appear!! Binoculars very useful for keeping your eye on them from the sun lounger when they are canoeing or sailing with their group! Club is 9-1pm and 3pm til later (depending on their age) Kids supper was again good. The nannies do it, you don't even have to go!
The swimming pool is massive and fantastic, waterfalls, bridges, caves, but has become a lake in the middle of the resort really, as no one swims, the occassional desparate child, but then after getting brave up to their knees, jumps out again. It could be wonderful with the loungers all around it and the bar/ice creams nearby. (The owner won't heat it as he doesnt have enough people in the hotel). We were there on Mark Warners busiest week, so thought it appalling that they hadn't put it on. Mark Warner are stuck really. I know they are applying pressure. My point was us brits like a warm pool on our holiday, and if you are spending £3-4 grand on a holiday you expect one too, ESPECIALLY if it says it is going to be in the brochure.
Also took, all our tennis racquets and trainers, but the courts don't exist either. There is a sort of grass one around the corner apparently!?
Phew ..... so yes we had a good time but no we wouldn't go back, purely because of the pool issue and the feeling that the hotel owner needs to get alot of issues sorted, bizarre place.
Think it is a good concept for Mark Warner to try though. The Paleros guy is now out there running it, for any of you Paleros people.
Try and get small demonination notes for tips, ie your housekeeping guy on the last day, excursions, the chap and the driver etc. Beware at the airport, they offer to get your trolley and carry your bags, but they just want your money, same for toilet, and same for the play area in Hurghada departure lounge.
On the plane Excel sell headphones for £2.50 onboard for the radio and movie/programmes, but your own will work. They sell small tubs of pringles and chocolate bars before the meals come through. They will try and sell you mineral water for arriving at Hurghada, but Mark Warner put water on your coach seat.
Hope this helps, I know when I was about to go, I felt I was going blind as there has been no feedback anywhere on this site or others about this resort.
PS: Didnt hear about any bad tummies. Mosquitoes were OK as they have drained all the ponds, there are many ponds!! they had a huge mozzy problem. Don't know what they are planning to do with all the holes now!
PPS: Mickey the Camel is available to ride up and down the beach every day! Don't wait for the last day when he becomes very popular!