We stayed for a week at Coral Sea. We had a good holiday in all, but with one or two misgivings.

We arrived to find that we didn't have the room spec we'd asked for, so had to wait whilst the bed allocation was sorted. Our teenage children were expected to sleep on two flimsy folding beds in our rooms. When we said they were inadequate, miraculously, there appeared to be better quality single beds available! We also had problems with the lock on arrival. It wasn't broken, but it was tricky to operate.

The only real contact we had with First Choice reps was on arrival and we were dealt with by Ash. He was efficient, but seemed worried that we might turn out to be complainers. We didn't, but it did make me wonder what problems he'd had to deal with before!

Our room was OK, but nothing spectacular. It seems that there are different size rooms for families and it is a hit and miss thing. We got a standard room i.e no settee which some families reported as having. The beds were comfy and clean. We were ground floor even though we had requested first floor. But, we were so close to the beach (partial view of the beach) that we were OK with it. Cleanliness of the bathroom was not that great. Some days it was as if the cleaner hadn't really bothered at all. We didn't get our complimentary toiletries topped up either. I thought the hairdryer in the bathroom was more than adequate and wouldn't recommend taking your own. We only used the mini bar a couple of times when we were desperate for water to drink at night and hadn't bothered to stock up. We'd already heard that it was ridiculously expensive so didn't indulge.

Lots has been written about food at Coral Sea. I would say that it is very deceptive. On arrival it looks pretty good - loads of variety and appealing to different tastes. There are a couple of salad bars (one with fresh ingredients, the other with 'mixed' salads and 'appetisers'. Then there are usually a couple of different types of soup on offer; a pizza and pasta station (freshly cooked); roasted meat carved to order, griddled meat or fish being griddled; and heated 'troughs' of rice, potatoes, vegetables, etc. There is also a serving area for little children, set at a lower height with simple food stuff like mini sausages and chips; jelly and fruit, etc, which we thought was a nice touch.

After a couple of days of trying everything (vegetarian in my case, but my husband and children ate the meat and fish on offer), we noticed that some of the salads appeared to be recycled from the previous day's hot meal choices. For example, a vegetable 'dip' turned out to be a pureed cold version of one of the vegetable dishes from the troughs the day before. There was definitely some re-using or re-hashing of previous dishes being done. By the end of the week, everything started to taste and smell pretty much the same and all of us, except my daughter were feeling pretty ill. It started with the usual bloated stomach and grumblings and ended in full blown diarrhoea, excruciating stomach cramps coupled with nausea. We took Buscopan and Immodium but these seemed ineffective. Five days later, having returned to England 3 days ago, I am still suffering the ill- effects. My advice would be to go for freshly cooked every time. Avoid the mixed salads, particularly anything which vaguely resembles anything you had the day before. Go for the fresh pasta and pizza if you are susceptible - and of course the freshly cooked meat. The only member of our family to avoid being ill did not eat any of the salads or dips on offer, nor anything from the food troughs. She selected freshly cooked ingredients every time.

As an alternative (and maybe a better one) to the main restaurant ('Dine Around')at lunchtime there is a beachside restaurant (outdoor and overlooking sea) called 'The Mermaid' which serves fresh food every day (a bit the same, but reliable). We had a few days eating there because we were starting to get dodgy stomachs. They served griddled meat, chips, fresh fruit and salad. It all seemed very fresh, in fact. On the second day I asked if they could provide a vegetarian option in future, and they obliged, which impressed me. As everyone has said already, they are a new hotel and just finding their way.

The hotel location is fine. You know when you book that it is a new resort under development so you don't expect it to be anything more than a beach and a hotel. For us, it was fine. We lay around the pool during the day; went snorkeling later in the day (around 5pm is best if you want to snorkel off the long jetty); went for walks along the beach etc.

There were organised trips but we didn't bother with them. We did take the bus to Narma Bay, however, one evening. The bus was comfortable and the driver very efficient. We also had an armed policeman on board! Narma was good fun. We sat outside a bar and drank tea and tried smoking the hookah. We haggled for stuff in various shops and came away with a couple of bargains (Note: Be careful when haggling. Some shopkeepers start at ridiculous prices and refuse to come down to anything approaching reasonable, but if you simply walk away you often find it at half the price in a shop further down the street!).

Narma is a thriving resort and whilst we saw the fenced off areas where the bombing had taken place, there was no evidence that a tragedy had taken place just a matter of weeks earlier. The police presence was impressive, however.

Hotel staff aimed to please and were in the main, charming and well-mannered. The male members of staff seem to spend much of their time trying to charm the females (the younger the better). Our daughter was flirted with and flattered every step of the way. Even I got a fair bit of attention! I would say, however, that they seem to disregard the presence of male partners. I had full-on flirting from one of the pool guys bang in front of my husband, which I thought was a bit out of order. If the shoe was on the other foot, how would the men in their culture react, I wonder?

Bar staff in the hotel and main restaurants were very efficient, as were the waiters.

The pool guys did anything they could to please and were very helpful in finding sunbeds, getting towels, etc (very attentive). The pool bar staff left a little to be desired, however and seemed to be quite immature and silly - even unprofessional at times. The two I speak of thought it was amusing to squirt beer at the customers whilst they waited at the swim up bar for drinks. One of these actually threw a whole jug of icy water across customers as they waited, the full force of which hit the side of my face and my ear (I had an ear infection for the rest of the week, but didn't lodge a complaint, even though I felt that the onslaught was uncalled for). The other barman's speciality was to wave his swiss penknife around next to (selected) customers' throats. On more than one occasion, he ran the blade close to my daughter's neck. At the time, you laugh, but later wonder (again) what would happen if an English barman did that!

Again, one night whilst sitting outside the room on my own (we had a terrace)to have a cigarette, one of the gardeners started to water the piece of grass in front of our room. He seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time on this and I regretted having come out in just a vest top and my knickers! It was catch 22. I didn't want to get up and draw attention to this fact so I stayed put hoping he would move on fairly soon. He did, so I got up and went into the room to get something to wrap around me. On return to the terrace, he was standing outside our room again. I decided to sit down and ignore him as he started to water our tiny patch of lawn again! He then walked away and returned after a few minutes with his hand outstretched, asking me for a cigarette. I said I'd run out, or similar, but frankly I felt compromised. It was approaching midnight and I honestly would have thought it was a safe bet to sit on the terrace without being hassled.

Our cleaner was not very good at all. On day 1 my husband gave him 20 Egyptian pounds as a token gesture and thanked him for doing the room. On day 2 we had problems with our safe which the cleaner sorted. Again, my husband tipped him 20 Egyptian. For the rest of the holiday we had to endure him knocking on our door or hassling us as we returned from the beach, for tips. He was less than subtle about this too. His standard of cleaning was not good. He seemed to be doing the absolute minimum. He made the beds and mopped the floor on one occasion, gave the bathroom a cursory wipe down and that was it. There were grubby finger marks all over the inside of the bathroom door from previous occupants, chairs smeared with suncream, stained bathroom tiles, etc. When I heard what other people were getting it seemed a pretty hit and miss affair.

We've been on all-inclusives where we've come back to find fresh flowers, flower petals strewn on the bedding, towels twisted into shapes, etc. There was none of that on this holiday, despite tipping.

Entertainment was not good, I'm afraid. We went to see a belly dancing show in the theatre one night which was good, but given that it was the later half of the evening, too much time was given over to getting children from the audience involved. In fact, that was the only thing we went to. Most people seemed to make their own entertainment and a great deal of that was centred around the Irish bar. We popped in there a couple of times, but it lacked atmosphere and was full of kids playing at the pool tables.

Entertainment is something this hotel seriously needs to work on. If you're into bingo; low grade entertainment; drinking with other British holiday makers in a pub full of kids, then you'll be happy with what this hotel provides. If not, then you need to travel further afield in the evenings. 'The Mermaid' started to open in the evenings, but was poorly frequented. It was close to our room so we tended to stop there for a drink at the end of the evening.

I've said that we would return to this hotel again, but I'm not entirely sure. We made allowances for it because it is new and because we felt we'd got a reasonably good price for our holiday. Unless standards improve, I would not be prepared to pay full price for this hotel. In the past we have returned to the same hotel (Dominican Republic) because we were so wowed by it. Coral Sea does not have a 'wow factor' for me. We had a good time because we set out to. We took everything as we found it and made the best of everything on offer. It was also our second trip to Egypt (the first being more of a 'visit the sights' type holiday) so were happy to chill and just enjoy the sunshine and not having to do anything.

As a final note, if you want to see something of Egypt and its history, you're in the wrong place. You need to be nearer to Luxor or Cairo. If you just want a beach holiday, then this is just that. If you want to be close to shops, restaurants, etc, forget it. If you like good quality entertainment, you won't find it here. If you enjoy being with British holidaymakers (exclusively), then this is the holiday for you. If you want to feel immersed in the culture and life of Egypt then avoid this hotel which at times seems as if it could be anywhere in the world!

Did I mention the music played all day long on the resort? Just awful. Do we really want to hear duke box hits from the 70's when we're on holiday? I've said enough. You make your own choice.

I loved this holiday, and I'd definatley go again. The food was quite good, and althought everything wasn't different every night it was all nice.

I've only just got back, and the bottles of water were easy to get, and the waiters never argued, it shouldnt be much of a problem really, if you'd be bothered to fill yours up!

Entertainment at any hotel maked me cringe, but lots of people seemed to nejoy it. The staff were great, and all of them were happy to help, I even got presents off some!
In particular Mohammed who serves behind the bar in dine around was great.

Dont go if your not prepared to be patient with their english speaking skills, after all they are Egyptian, and English isnt their 1st language.

Drink plenty of water, and stay in the shade particually between 1 and 3, or else you'll probs get sun stroke, or just simply fry.

Wear shoes in the sea, and to walk over sand, (coral not good 4 feet)

Wear a hat, and always carry a bottle of water with you.
There is a visiting doctor, who is very helpful.

I loved the hotel but one thing to all going if there is a breeze put a lot of sun cream on I burnt and I'm in bandages it's painful even if you don't burn easy put it on.

Staff were friendly and very nice food was great and so was the entertainment I didn't really use it.

Location in a few years will be second to non but there's a few building sites if you need anything in the room done ask and it will be done ie maintenance.

I would visit again 101%

I made friends as well prob friends for life everyone there is friendly. On the beach is a man he calls himself Donald duck very nice chap he runs these electric motorbikes small and big ones 5 pound English 4 30 mins so not bad it is really nice so enjoy it

Having read various reports from other hotels in the area before we travelled, bearing in mind that the Coral Sea resort has only recently opened and there were no reports from that hotel, we were expecting battles for sunbeds every morning with either the Germans or Russians, queueing for cold meals etc, etc.

However, what a surprise, there were only British people at the Coral Sea hotel and none of the above applied. Ample sun beds around the two pools and many more on the beach.
Depending on the time you went for meals, there was rarely any queueing and the food was quite varied. At breakfast you could have your eggs any style you required. Cooked in front of you by the always helpful catering staff.

The Egyptian staff were always ready the help and always very polite and friendly. They could not do enough for you. They also have a very good sense of humour.

The rooms were very large and easily accomodated the king size bed with ample room to spare. The balcony in our room was almost as big as the bedroom.

The trip to Naama Bay, costing

We have just returned from a fantastic week in the Egyptian sun. The hotel was nice and the staff were excellent, they couldn't do enough for you! Very friendly people, who made us feel very welcome. We were not hassled for tips though we tipped when we thought that something 'extra special' had been done.

Our room was clean, light and roomy. We had clean bedding and towels daily. We had a 2nd floor room with a balcony which gave us a fantastic view. We had, shall I describe it as a bit of a flood. The washer on the bath/shower tap broke and very quickly the bathroom and landing became our own personal pool. However, in a short time all hands were on deck so to speak and the problem was resolved. It didn't appear to be a problem to the staff, they just made the situation amusing rather than allowing it to spoil our holiday.

We met many nice people especially the 'Henna guy'who was always happy and made time everyday to sit with us for a chat.

The food was good with a reasonable variety to suit most tastes. Even if you are a fussy eater or prefer plain food you will not starve. The salad was good as everything was washed in bottled water. Top tip though, eat earlier in the restaurant both for breakfast and evening meal as the tables were rarely relaid for the next sitting.

The entertainment was a bit poor for adults but the younger kids appeared to fully enjoy it. I am positive that this will be addressed as the hotel reviews its first season.

We went to Luxor on a day trip to do the tourist bit, VERY expensive through the reps, but worthwhile.

On the whole a fab holiday, we would recommend the Coral Sea Resort for families and will most likely return in a couple of years.

A lovely hotel that is great value for money.

Staff are all friendly and helpful.

We had a beautiful room with lovely sea views.

The entertainment wasn't so great but there was always the option of Nama bay with the Hard Rock cafe etc.

Hotel staff were excellent and very friendly.

There was ample choice of food to suit everyone.

The location was a bit far out and walking in the heat was not very comfortable although there was a supermarket style shop just 5 mins along the front.

The entertainment was a bit hit and miss but this was by no means the fault of the entertainment staff who did a very good job with the limited resources available to them.

We would definitely go back to this hotel, if only to see if improvements have been made.

The rooms were very adequate for the stay and were cleaned everyday, our toilet leaked and within ten minutes the maintenance team were there and repaired it.

Rooms cleaned twice daily.
Food hot, tasty though a bit repetative.
Hotel away from the main towns but there are taxis available.
Hotel Staff couldn't do enough for you.
FC Entertainment rubbish.
I would visit again

The hotel was very clean. A little rough around the edges as its not 100% finished but this didn't impact our holiday.
The Location was about 35 minutes taxi from Nama Bay the Hotel had a buss for

Hotel was very clean, rooms cleaned everyday, any cups lying by the pool etc were picked up very quickly by the pool staff, if the kids and some adults had cleaned up after themselves there would be no issue around the hotel at all.

Food very good selection, fresh pasta bar, fresh pizza bar, in the mornings, omelette's cooked while you wait also fried eggs, fresh pancakes cooked, also good selection of cereals, fresh fruit etc. Dinner different theme nights good time to go 7..30pm to 8.00pm. The mermaid bar also good for lunch. Breakfast 7.00am to 10.00 am then tea and cakes mermaid bar from 11.00am, lunch main diner 12.30pm to 2.30pm mermaid bar serves till 4.00pm then high tea with sandwiches and cakes from 4.00pm till 6.00pm.

Location for us was perfect not far from airport and a trip to Namma bay only 20-25 mins away by taxi, there is a special on at the moment