The Sharm Plaza Sharm El Sheikh

Average Five Star Experience

Very much agree with one other review in that you would expect more from a 5 star hotel. It does not compare with the Far East (Malaysia) where the quality is bettter and the service considerably so.

We booked through a UK tour operator (Odyssey Worldwide) and went in Feb 2005. There were two disappointing factors we experienced - food and service.

Although there are 4 restaurants only one is included if booking half board. The food was distinctly average but much better than food experienced in the Nile region of Egypt. You do receive a discount of LE£25 per person if you eat at the Italian or Beach Bar - the most expensive meal was LE£85 so quite a good discount really.

Drinks are relatively expensive in the hotel and they make good use of the fact they are a little isolated from Naama Bay (beer is LE£25 compared to LE£16 in the Bay). However, the wine is good value in comparison (LE£30 for a glass compared to LE£40). The Italian and Beach bar both serve good fish.

The waiter service is lacking at times. Although very friendly and accomodating they appear to lack communication with each other with no one in overall control so confusion often rains. This leads to places not being set or available and occasionally long periods between orders being placed and food/drink arriving. On one occasion I had to ask for the bill about three times and it still did not arrive until 20 minutes later.

This is a good hotel in a great location - away from Naama Bay which was particularly disappointing. I was glad that I did not pay extra to stay in Naama Bay despite feeling that I was going to be cut off a little from the action. There is not much in the way of action - a couple of bars and lots of tacky tourist shops but quiet in general.

One other warning is that if you are on a late checkout (after 13:00) but wish to keep the room for a little longer the standard charge is US$50. We negotiated this down to US$20.

Unique Quality: The facilities are very good including plenty of "beach" space available and fantastic snorkelling on the Far Garden Reef. Warning there is no beach here - the hotel leads directly onto the reef via two jettys.

I would recommend this hotel as it represents good value for money (paid GBP£350 for a week including flights from the UK). Having spoken to other people staying in Sharm this hotel is possibly one of the better ones.

The aesthetics of the hotel are one of the best features - Moorish style. It is split into many sections and so feels small despite its size.

The leisure facilties are well worth using - with a free gym. The tennis is €9 for one hour. The massges are also good value (€20 for 30 minutes) and are a very popular so book up as soon as you get there.

The hotel also runs two shuttle buses into Naama Bay (afternoon and early evening). If you stay later you can get a taxi for LE£30 (and no more - haggle!!).