Visited Sharm between the 29th of March and 12th of April 2006
On first impression, the complex seemed excellent. Got off at Sharm Airport, were out of the airport within 30 minutes, the Hotel driver was waiting to pick us up(3 kids, the missus and I). Got to the hotel, very efficient check in.
Excellent 2 bed suite, everythig worked perfectly, excellent view from the balcony of the 2 main pools and the sea.
The resort has 4 pools, however, only 1 is supposedly heated, everytime the temperature touched 28 degrees, the hotel decided to turn the heating in the pool off, result-very hot to stay out and freezing in the water. Repeated complaints to the management did not rectify this, who insisted that the water was fine or the heating will be put on etc. etc.
Another major irritant-from 10 AM till 6 PM, loud, blaring music at the pool and the beach, if your idea of relaxation is to lie in the sun at the pool or the beach and not listen to the same very loud music hour after hour, then give Hoiliday Inn a miss.
Last problem-The hotel does not let you bring any food or drink(mineral water, milk for kids, snacks for kids-all to be eaten/drunk in the room), the security guard will stop and poke through all the bags you are carrying-very irritating, happened every night when we returned from a meal from town. An argument would follow with the security guard, who can barely speak English, I would have to call the Duty Manager and insist about taking my things inside and tell him/her that we would not be dictated to. Eventually, they would let us take our things inside, but you have to be firm and put your foot down.
Apart from this, the resort was good, the diving center was brilliant, especially Tiziana, the scuba diving instructor, staff overall were good and helpful(well, only if you gave them a tip), the room attendant was brilliant, making amazing gigures out of towels.
Overall, not at all a relaxing place and would not return to Holiday Inn, even though I am planning to return to SSH over next Easter
Good, clean suite with 2 bedrooms, ample for 5 of us-3 kids and 2 adults.
Lovely, well maintained grounds and 4 swimming pools.
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