Stayed in Sonesta beach after week on Thomson spirit, wish I could have stayed on board!!

Rooms are ok for a 3 star, but this was supposed to be 4+, rooms were a good size, bathrooms were poorly designed, very brown water even before a shower. Our room-711, only 5 metres from pool and so quiet with no kids there, they were in main pool bars ok, treated like royalty, if you were Italian,!!

Food was not very good but was that because we had been on a cruise before we arrived.

The gardens were an absolute joy to walk through, well kept and well stocked, why they could not do the same for the rooms.

Few days before we left found out Brit newspapers were sold across peace road. Try to cross that road and arrive back in hotel in 1 piece is quite an achievement. Good luck.

Arrived at Sonesta Beach after spending 3 nights in Cairo, what a lovely hotel that was, and we wish we had stayed there. Going to the Sonesta was a come down from the Sofitel in Cairo!

I asked for 5 star but with the Sonesta it's more like and 2/3. Kuoni say it's a 5 are they blind.

On arrival we asked for a ground floor room and reminded them of the email I sent previously and why I needed it but I got a first floor room that took me 20 mins to walk to the reception and restaurant so I complained and reminded them again of my disabilities they moved me straight away.

I found the language barrier very hard! We was given our new room again first floor I'm now starting to think are they stupid or what don't they understand about me finding it hard to climb stairs? We stayed there and called our rep, thought we might get more luck out of him. After looking round the room we found the shower head was tied up with a carrier bag, the toilet constantly run, there was broken tiles and the dust was amazing. Flies are also a problem here and found loads of the squashed over the walls and mirror.

Our Kuoni rep was useless he didn't understand a word of what I said, he was Egyptian!

We cleaned our room ourself after I video'd it to send to Kuoni.

We did in fact enjoy the holiday in the end. Sharm itself is lovely. The beach was small and cramped even for April.

We found it hard to get a sun bed a bit silly really for the amount of guests Sonesta holds. The pools was very nice I counted 6 while I was there, the main pool by the restaurant I found a bit dirty and in need of a clean.

The food was served around the pool in the evening and was buffet style didn't think this was very good, as, the amount of flies and birds about that constantly hang around you, we did in fact eat out most evening didn't find the food very nice!

We also noticed that there is not many English people at this hotel more Russians and Italians than anything!

The weather was lovely in the 30's every day, the fish was amazing the resort was great but shame about the Sonesta I will be most definitely coming back to Sharm but not this hotel!!

This was our second visit to this hotel - we love it that much.

The hotel has 7 Pools. We were in room 708 so the nearest pool was within 5 metres of our veranda.

The hotel staff cannot do enough for you. They guy who cleaned our room was fantastic. 1 day we came in and he had left us a "surprise" - a lovely spray of flowers. Another day he came rushing to us with a small tapestry. Nothing was too much trouble for him at all.

Security - We were here in January 2005 - before the bombing, and we felt safe then. This year it was noticeable not just in the hotel but all around Na'amma Bay the addisiotn hotel and police presence, making me personal feel even more safe.

Food - We were on a B& B basis. The made to order omelette's are to die for - they'll fry your eggs just as you like them as well. You were spoilt for choice at breakfast.

What amazed me this and last time was how cheap the food is. I wouldn't go on any other basis than B&B.

Ignore the Reps - the bank in the Hotel offered the best exchange rate and you didn't have to risk life & limb crossing Peace Road.

I dare anyone not to enjoy the Sonesta Beach Resort.

My friend and I stayed for a week in this hotel and to be honest were very sad to leave as we felt so comfortable here. In fact I would say this is pretty much the perfect hotel for a number of reasons. The grounds are superb and there are a number of pools guaranteed to suit every taste. We were able to find a sunbed with ease every day - no matter what time - although the beach area did get very crowded as everyone was wanting to make the most of the stunning snorkelling and marine life that makes Sharm the fabulous resort that it is.

In terms of cleanliness you will be hard pressed to beat this hotel. Yes our room was also a bit on the shabby side and was the only thing to let the hotel down but how long do you spend in your room?? Note however that each room is cleaned every day and you have fresh bedding and towels also daily. There is adequate air-con and a fridge to keep your drinks cool so in essence what more do you need? Hot water was a wee bit lacking dependent on time of day you chose to use it but again we certainly didnt find that it caused us any real problems. The room itself was lovely and quiet and we were able to sleep soundly with no disturbances so again, what more do you need?

We booked on a Bed and Breakfast basis and the ample buffet style breakfast served us perfectly. Food was fresh and plentiful and on a couple of occasions we decided to eat within the complex at night as well - both in house and at the various restaurants located on site. Again these were excellent and could not be faulted so whether you chose full or half board you wont be disappointed.

Staff are all male due to the culture. They do not hassle the guests and we found them to be an extremely polite and friendly race. They remain discreetly in the background at all times so again we could not fault them.

Yes we would most certainly visit this hotel again and have vowed one day to return for a longer holiday.

Hi everyone, I make no apologies for the informed report i am going to make, hopefully it will give a true picture of the above hotel.
.....................................................................................................May 23rd 2005 - June 6th 2005, date of travel.

From the airport, just off the "Peace Road" we ventured through the front entrance of the Sonesta Hotel, the beach and Naama bay are at the rear of the hotel, so do not have kittens when you arrive, and think nothing is there.

We were met by very friendly staff, who were organised and photocopied our passports, gave us some sticky labels for our luggage, and the porter took them all to our individual hotel room.

From reception to our hotel which was opposite the Italian live entertainment show and the large pool they laid to declare theirs, we came across our room.

Description of our room. (Room number 1105)
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We opened the room door and thought we were in the wrong place, it was huge for just the two of us. On entrance, a hallway, to the left is a bath and shower, hair dryer, sink etc. To the right is another room with a double wardrobe, dressing table and seat, large mirror, old fashioned bench seat which was nice and carved. Come out of that room and turn right into, a huge bedroom with a 6ft bed, either side a bed side carved table with telephone. Also present was a glass carved wood table.
You then go down 3 brick steps to the lounge, where upon two wooden sofas, a side board and TV are present. Another room off this lounge goes into another bedroom about 10ft x 8ft. A/C was good.

There is also a 'box seat' under the window for yet another bed/mattress if necessary. 6 people can actually stay in this room, there is tones of space. All walls are which and extremely thick, you cannot hear your neighbours as it is like being in a semi. They are Colonial in style, a fridge is present, a bit old, but it works fine, the tv channels have almost every nationality on them, watched Euro sport the most with the tennis. We had another door which lead onto a double ground floor patio with beautiful landscaped gardens, it was our own special garden, and very quiet area.

The downside to our room
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If i had to be really picky, and it wasnt a problem to us, but it maybe to future guests is the furniture could do with a upgrade, and the bath tiles could be brightened up, but I feel they are like this because it adds to the character of the room.

Small lights although romantic were a pain sometimes as putting your make up on, was difficult to see properly, they are dotted all over the place. Space in this 'family' Thomson room was fantastic I would recommend it.

When we departed to go home, we couldnt keep our room on as the hotel was full, so we had a shower free of charge in the shower room. Basically this was a room for two persons, and really tiny, so my advice is, ask Thomson or the hotel via email for a family room, because if there were two of you, it is most likely your room would be this small.

Good points
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Very quiet, except the Italian entertainment programme in the day, no noise at night, no shouting, banging of doors because as I have already mentioned, the walls are very thick. All rooms in the Sonesta are different sizes, so if you have a preference, ask before you come to Egypt.

The Reception
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Air con very present in here, lovely, drinks and little snacks can be bought here, and this is where you will find your rep whoever you go with. There is also a board which displays the daily temperature in the shade. There is a toilet in reception. The staff speak fairly good English and will do the up most to help you.

Bank
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Yes there is a bank here and to be frank, a very good exchange rate, better than banks a long the Naama Bay strip. He opens most of the day, but sometimes 'disappears' !!!

Currency in General
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We were advised by Thomas Cook travel shop to take Egyptian LE and $ (Dollars)....

Please just take Egytian LE as they do not like Euros or $ very much, all prices in Naama bay are in LE, some beach trips maybe in Euros, buy why they do this I do not know, but when we booked one, we just paid in LE, no questions asked.

Advice
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Please only take minimal LE to Egypt when flying over, about

Great hotel for January - not full - so plenty of room everywhere. It has around 600 rooms and 7 pools, although they are not all for general use. It has its own desalination plant, water clean and always hot. We had 2 rooms by the main pool which were very nice, 6ft+ bed and also a single which was situated so it could be used as sofa if you didn't need an extra bed, bathrooms need refurbishing (pink tiled walls, grey tiles on floor, green suite) as they are a bit tatty but not really a big problem. Shower only. Wardrobe, desk, shelf unit (all built in) TV coffee table. High domed ceiling so kept room cool, outside patio area. Plenty of electrical points but no tea coffee facility. If I went again I would take a travel kettle etc as the tea / coffee is quite weak at the hotel. Hotel and pools kept very clean, didn't come across anything on site (incl. pool areas etc) that was desparately in need of repair, there are new parts being built but we were totally unaware of any work going on. Only noticed there were new parts when we walked past the new buildings. Staff all friendly and helpful. Internet Cafe if you must!

Didn't think much of the entertainment, useless singer, same songs most nights, but unless you are partaking of the buffet you don't have to take any notice. We tried the buffet twice (different theme every night) Pasta night was OK - International night was not. Breakfast was a veritable feast- best croissants I have ever tasted, + eggs, cheese, meats, cakes, fruit etc. We stayed for 2 weeks and didn't get bored with it. I expect that it would be too busy in say, August, but as long as you don't all want to eat at 9.00am its fine. The Italian restaurant was very good - cost about the same as the buffet but excellent food and service. The other restaurants which were open at lunch time are ok but they all sell the same food, so can get boring. Cost us around

I e mailed the hotel before arrival, to ask for a nice room, and we got it! Upstairs, quiet and clean. Bathrooms a little old, but spotless. Minibar, and tv, small wardrobe space, quite a large room, with domed ceiling.

Staff polite and helpful, pool tokens given for towels.
However, some people were made unwelcome by the Italian entertainment team in the main posh pool at the rear, and they were told that the entertainment was closed, even though it went on until 1.30 in the morning.

Pool areas are grubby, with chipped cement, but the loungers and pool itself are cleaned regularly. Pools are freezing, despite weather being 22 and upwards.

Breakfast was like meal times in prison, russians stealing cutlery, coffee pots, and food for later. Poolside snack bar was good value and great food and srvice.

Beach too crowded and disappointing, I named it Sardine Bay, not an inch of sand to sit on. Tide was low, and lots of injries to peoples fingers and feet on the coral.

Buffet at dinner was okay, if a littel repetative in the second week. Meals by the pool, but it was getting very windy to sit out, and not much lighting. The hotel are erecting a marquee and bar over the pool for Xmas, and construction was underway when we left.

Cabaret every night, next to where they serve dinner - unavoidable. Singer cannot carry a tune in a bucket.

Settling bills is easy, and cheaper than it should have been, according to my rough tally!

Brochure describes hotel as being 20 mins away - I make it more than 35 if you use the promenade, and there seemed to be more rooms than described.

It is now Russian season, and every hotel is filling up fast, for the next 3 months. Would go back to Sharm, but to a hotel nearer the centre.

Didn't bother with the a la carte as it was italian themed - spaghetti all the time.

Described as first class but more 3 star. Would have been a nice hotel once but now in serious need of maintenance. First room given was unacceptable but hotel did change it and we were given a very nice room, let down by the old and dilapidated bathroom. Most of the staff were extremely friendly which one gets used to in Egypt but some did rather let the side down. Breakfast was a bun fight and we had to wait for a table. Only tried the evening buffet once and were immediately glad we were not half board. Prices for both soft and alcoholic drinks were quite expensive even by UK standards. I would not return to this hotel again and would not recommend it.

Could find no fault with breakfasts, live cooking station for eggs .... just had to say how you wanted them. Good choice of cereals,rolls,etc. Guests who stayed half board were disappointed with the quality of the evening meal and this was discussed with the manager who took on board comments made. I was advise bed and breakfast as we ate out at a different restaurant every night for less than the half board supplement and enjoyed every meal.

The palm tree part of the resort was excellent, unfortunately the part where Thompson guests were situated was not up to the official rating.

The pool areas need refurbishment and a thorough cleaning.

Location was excellent, right by the beach and a leisurely 10 minute stroll into the Centre.

The day time entertainment was beach based, unfortunately, the team were italian who spoke no English.

Full marks to the hotel staff who were extremely polite and could not do enough to help you.

Once refurbishment has been completed I would certainly return to this hotel.

We were advised by friends who had stayed at the Sonesta previously to go bed & breakfast as there are plenty of choices of restaurants in and around the resort. However we did eat in the hotel on numerous occasions and food was of a very high standard - our favourite being La Gondola (Italian) which was 5 star service. The waiters made a real fuss of you & the service was equivalent to that of a top class London Hotel. There was also a saxaphone player who added to the atmosphere perfectly - a very romantic evening!

The hotel grounds were stunning, the gardens well maintained & pool areas clean with plenty of sunbeds to go around - the pool areas were never full or overcrowded(probably because there were 7 in total). The hotel location is perfect as its in a quiet location but only a 10/15 min stroll along the beautiful promenade to the busy Marina Street. The hotel staff couldn't do enough for you & I found the Egyptian people to be the nicest people I've ever met - they are very interested to learn about England as the majority of tourists are Italian or Russian & they thoroughly enjoy chatting to you & trying to pick up new words & phrases. We will definately be going back again and again.