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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Egypt - any thoughts please kind Mumsnetters?

16 replies

PheasantPlucker · 20/01/2009 13:33

Am looking to escape for a break with an old friend, but we are a bit stuck! Any thoughts will be gratefully read!

We googled a couple of hotels and people had reviewed them as the worst holiday they had ever had! So it is slightly putting me off!

Thanks!

OP posts:
Ilovecurry · 20/01/2009 20:31

never been but 2 friends rave about it - both have stayed on separate occassions at the Hilton Dreams Hotel in Sharm.

The only negatives they said were they didnt think it was particularly pleasant if you were 2 single girls together especially in the evening - lots of hassle plus shops were very persistant and quite bullying - however saying that they both love the place

Original poster
PheasantPlucker · 20/01/2009 21:04

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
PheasantPlucker · 20/01/2009 21:04

Thanks!

OP posts:
eandz · 20/01/2009 21:06

oooh, i go every year to sharm-- we always stay at the four seasons. i've always had a lovely time. the snorkeling is fantastic and so is the weather...

bluesky · 21/01/2009 15:53

best hotel, been twice is the Hyatt!

No hassle, lovely staff, their own reef so you don't need to go out on a boat trip, all the lovely fish are right there. They have a pontoon you can sit on and see fish, or do what you're meant to do and jump off the end into the sea!

It's LOVELY! About 4 different pools, 6 tennis courts, and the best breakfast selection I have ever seen. Great spa, where I had a wonderful Hot Stone Massage.

We booked hotel and flight separate to get a better deal.

Sniggerdoon · 21/01/2009 15:56

Hyatt in Taba Heights - totally remote, easy access to Jordan (Petra) and Jerusalem if you fancy it, but such a good holiday.

Less to do than Sharm but also not as 'touristy'.

orangina · 21/01/2009 15:58

I have also been to the Hyatt in Taba... very quiet, which suits me (knackered w kids...), but you might want to be somewhere a bit more lively....

What sort of break are you after?

newweeknewname · 21/01/2009 21:24

We went last year to the Maritim Jolie in Luxor. Was fab, infinity pool by the nile etc etc.
Would recommend you do the hot air balloon ride over the valley of the kings as well!

Original poster
PheasantPlucker · 22/01/2009 16:58

Have booked InterContinental at Taba Heights, got a good deal..... fingers crossed!
Just want to relax (minus children, who are staying behind with dh) and definitely want to take the boat trip to Petra. (Did you go, Sniggerdoom?)
Hyatt looks amazing though. My dh worked on the Hyatt in Amman, so 'one day' we hope to have a little trip to that one!
Thanks one and all!

OP posts:
cornsilk · 22/01/2009 16:59

Who did you book with?

mice · 22/01/2009 17:06

I have stayed at the Marriott Taba Heights - next door I think. Snorkelling all around there was great.
We did the boat trip to Petra and also the day trip to the Pyramids. Both were great bt tiring as so hot (in August) Petra is amazing - but one tip is to check out your visa for entry into Jordan - I think when we were there it was a lot cheaper to do when ypu arrived n Egypt - as we didn't do this we had to make a trip to the border accompanied by a rep and enter and leave Jordan in order to get a visa. It was time consuming nd complicated (and quite intimidating!) so if you want to do Jordan look into the best way round it before you go!! (I am sure it easily done at the airport on entry) The boat was great too - have lots of photos if you are interested in anything specific about Taba or the boat trip to Petra!

Original poster
PheasantPlucker · 22/01/2009 17:33

Thanks Mice, great advice.
Cornsilk, I am not sure as friend has booked from their end, in Cardiff!

OP posts:
Sniggerdoon · 22/01/2009 19:32

We didn't bother with the pre-booked visas for any of our trips - we went to Petra, Jerusalem, and Sinai.

The visas were easily obtainable on the quayside before leaving, with other forms being completed on the coach - even if you prebook, there's always someone in your group who hasn't, so you're not gaining anything in time.

CAT me if you need any more info, or check on TripAdvisor - there were good, if mixed, tips there.

Hope you have a great time, so jealous

mice · 23/01/2009 09:30

I hve just been on tripadvisor to check my ownn review back in 2006!! because I knew we had had big problems with visas as we didn't get it at the airport!! I have now discovered that the visa was in fact for us to go to Cairo - and as we hadn't paid £40 for the visa at the airport we had to leave Egypt - enter Israel and re-enter to be able to get the necessary visa. This cost us £90 plus taxi's etc - and all the necessary permissions had to be gained and the rep had to go the day before to make arrangements etc etc - it was a real pain!
Obviously my memory is fading with age as I was convinced it was for Petra but good old Tripadvisor corrected me!
Have a great time!

Pimmpom · 23/01/2009 14:29

From a no hassle point of view, you may be interested in looking at El Gouna. It is a 'no hassle' resort and unlike Sharm, you can walk around of an evening to the Marina or Downtown.

hifi · 23/01/2009 17:08

the 4 sASONS IN SHARM IS THE BEST.oops.even as a married woman with dh in tow i was harassed.

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