Tropicana Rosetta

Tropicana Rosetta Hotel

by TripAdvisor Member Divehappy

Just returned from a week in Sharm staying at the Rosetta and diving with Emperor Divers.
Hotel was clean and the rooms very spacious, staff were extremely friendly and made us feel very welcome.
Only had breakfast in the hotel which was ample, not overly lavish, but good enough to get you going for the day.
Diving with Emperor was excellent, well organised, great boat crew and the dive guide was very professional and catered to all our different needs.
Water temp varied from around 22 to 24 degrees (warm by UK standards lol!!). Vis was upwards of 20 meters, lots of grouper, napoleon wras and turtles to see as well as the usual smaller varieties of aquatic life.
All in all a well organised and very pleasant trip and we will be going back again later this year.
Eating out in Sharm is quite cheap with the average meal costing around 20 to 30 Egyptian pounds ( £2 to £3 stering).
Would recommend the camel bar for a good night with nice food, also the favourite of mine was the Little Budda. If you dont like sushi then try the chinese orange chicken, morrocan beef and the kung po chicken, they are wonderful.
Like any other holiday be careful of the ice, some bars do have filtered water but make sure you ask.
Watch out for the roads, the Egyptians tend to drive with no lights on during the evening (why I don't know), but just be safe when crossing main roads.
Finally hats off the Emperor Divers, if you want to dive then these guys are about the best you will find, so go along and get wet with the best. You will find them next to the Rosetta Hotel.
Hope this sheds some light for those of you yet to visit Sharm and here's hoping you have a great time.

Sharms best!

by Adelelunn about Tropicana Rosetta Hotel

Great hotel, explore it fully as it is very big with 3 large pools. They have a great kids club and pool complete with toys/slides/table tennis everything - it isnt air conditioned but there are big fans. The rooms are quite roomy - if you stay at the top end of the hotel across the road past the minimarket - aparently the ones by the main reception pool are much smaller. Ours had two double beds, hairdryer and small fridge which was great. There is an internet cafe for £2 per hour, a disco which we never made it to - too tired!, and a great chinese restaurant - Shanghi- which is so cheap and excellent food. Everything here is great, the food at breakfast was always fresh and the hotel was very clean. The guys around the pool and in the pool bars were great. Although the bars arent well stocked of spirits. A large bottle of stella was about £1.50 and there spaghetti bolognaise was lovely by the pool - about £2.50.

Cheap but cheerful!

by TripAdvisor Member arayet_uk

I’ll try my best to make this review as helpful as possible, so please tick the box below if you find the review helpful! I stayed for a week on a half board basis and for the last 3 days I ate solely outside as its cheap, lively and tasty. This hotel is EU grade 3 star, so don’t expect the world.

*Positive Points*
This hotels greatest advantage is that it’s very close to Nama Bay parade, where you'll find souvenir shops, restaurants including KFC, supermarkets and the beach. Approx 5 minute walk to Nama Bay. The staff are very humble and helpful, and the more you tip them the better the service. The hotel itself is very clean, within the complex you will find 2 big pools and 1 children’s pool, they also have a small basic gym. Onsite you’ll also find a nightclub, Chinese restaurant and a sheisha bar with live entertainment every night, which was very popular with the locals and other hotel guests. Drinks are cheaper at this hotel than hotels on the beach, stick to local beer. There was a different buffet menu everynight served in a clean and hygenie envronment, eat as much as you want, so if you come late then you get the leftovers.

*Negative Points *
No beach, you have to walk across the main road to access the beach. Toilets throughout Egypt are extremely nasty, be warned. Take some toilet roll with you especially for excursions. The toilets in the room are perfect but the shower needs major upgrading, no water pressure, so its really difficult to shower. Get ready to be hassled by shopkeepers they don’t take no for an answer. On the trip back, the airport check in is very chaotic, one small entrance to the check in lounge for 800 visitors departing, it was an experience, duty free shop is useless, do your shopping at UK Duty Free and pick it up on return.

*Very Important*
Do not drink the local ice tea offered by shops, as I’ve never in my life before had such bad diarrhea after drinking one, stick to bottled drinks. During the day it’s very safe to walk, avoid taxies, if you do take one agree on a price first, they will rip you off.

This is a islamic country so dress appropriately when visiting Cairo, nudity on private beachs away from Nama Bay is tolerated under the hotels discretion.

*Pyramids*
It takes 6 hours by bus to Cairo, 1st stop is at the Museum to see the artifacts. It costs additional £7 per person to view the mummys. Next stop for lunch, good food, you only pay for drinks, then finally Pyramids. Total cost with Peltours was £70 per person including guide, day trip. For £170 per person you can fly to Cairo for same day trip.

Dusty Disappointment!

by TripAdvisor Member HappyGils

Oh dear where do I start?. When we arrived at this hotel the room (2132) we were given was a 15 minute walkaway from reception with Twin beds (not double as requested). I took a shower in this room and found that the towels were filthy &frayed (in some parts covered in blood though I am not sure!). I complained to reception which was made quite difficult due to language barriers and my husband & I were moved to room 206. The bed ,in this room was on a mezzanine floor but to get to it was a filthy & tiny spiral wooden stair not even large enough to filt an adult foot on each tread. The room is also not sound proofed so you can hear aeroplanes going over till about 10pm. This room was behind reception so anyone in reception or just outside could clearly see into the room unless you kept (which we did) the curtains drawn and sat in the dark for our stay.
Overall very poor condition of the room. Another couple in our party of 16 had to change rooms.
We only tried breakfast at the hotel which was decidedly average and generally not
the temperature it was meant to be. Crockery in some cases dirty or greasy. Fruit juice at breakfast not available, just squash!!!.

Don't be fooled by this hotels' reception that is honestly the best bit!!

old and dirty

by A TripAdvisor Member

I am a UK travel agent, myself and my partner stayed at this hotel for 7nts b/b from the 3rd november.We decided on this hotel as it was close to naama bay very reasonably priced and had mostly good reviews.On arrival we thought great what a lovely hotel,that was our initial thought but that soon changed as soon as we saw our room.We were allocated one of the mezzanine rooms and yes the staircase was hanging off the wall, was very steep and you could only get half your foot on one step at a time it was very dangerous! The rest of the room was scruffy,the furniture was falling to bits,the sofas looked like they had been in a grotty squatt for 20yrs,the bathroom was disgusting,towels were threadbare and stained,the bed was about 30cms off the scruffy carpet which hadnt been fitted.The music from the sheesha bar went on till around 1am so it kept us awake.We asked to change rooms the next morning which wasnt a problem and i must say the second room was a huge improvment,it was a normal room with 2 beds and it was clean and it had a wardrobe with doors! The bathroom was still pretty grotty and the shower was naff but compared to the first room we were happy.

The reception of the hotel as one other reviewer commented is the nicest part of this hotel.It was very clean and modern,as for the rest of the hotel the grounds were clean and tidy but the swimming pools were horrible.The water was dirty,the tiles were cracked and chipped,the sunbeds were knackered and the mattresses to lie on were either filthy or ripped with the foam hanging out or if you were lucky both!

The restaurant seemed okay on first impressions,the food wasnt too bad to be honest but the tables and chairs had wobbly legs,they werent even given so much as a wipe over when people were finished,all the cups plates and glasses were dirty cracked and chipped.Needless to say we only went to breakfast twice.

The staff we found were really rude or maybe its just their sense of humour we didnt get.On the one day we sat at the pool my partner went to the pool bar to order us some drinks he was chased away and told they would come and take our order,about 20 mins later when the waiters had finished their conversation they came to take the order,i tried to order for us but me being a woman they just shook their heads and went tut tut tut tut tut and then looked at my partner to take the order from him.When they returned with the drinks around 10 mins later they go to give you your drink and just as your about to take it from them they pull it away and laugh.Now to some people (3 yr olds maybe)this might be funny the first time they do it but when its every time you soon get narked.To us it felt like they were taking the pi** out of us at every opportunity.We never went back to the pool after that first time it just wasnt worth the aggravation.We tried to move hotels but both the hilton across the road and the movenpick jolie ville were fully booked.

We tipped very well every time we bought drinks and we left a tip for mohammed who cleaned our room every day but this didnt make any difference.One evening we had been out for a meal and we came back to the hotel i wanted a cornetto rather than a drink,my partner asked if we could but one as their was a lock on the freezer and the waiter just tutted and said why? Very pleasant eh?

I would not recommend this hotel unless you are on a very tight budget.

Very simple hotel

by TripAdvisor Member flymedmeg

Just returned from Sharm this morning after 6 nights stay at the Rosetta.

I booked my room through a website and did not buy a package. I was given a room with a pool view but the room was facing the Hilton's huge generators which made incredible noises all day long. I asked the reception if they could change my room and they did so with no problems. So be aware, if your room faces the Hilton, do change it immediately before you unpack.

The rooms are simple, old fashioned but clean and reasonable. I paid about 20 Euros per night for B&B so I couldnt expect more.

The hotel is huge with several UNHEATED swimming pools. In summer they could be swimmable but in winter certainly not. They have a beach about 10 minutes away from the hotel and it must be the dirtiest beach of all in the area. The beds are incredibly uncomfartable and the staff very rude too.

The Food and beverage outlets of the hotel is well below average. Try not to opt for full board or half board, you will have serious stomach problems. After my first breakfast at the incredibly unhygenic looking restaurant and buffet, I did not eat at the main restaurant again. They have a Chinese and an Italian as well which are also certainly not advisable.

The front line staff is friendly and helpful but the housekeepers, maintenance people or cleaning people will stare at you as if you come from Mars.

The hotel is extremely popular with Russains who tend to be very unsophisticated travellers as you might all have noticed. So beware. They are rude and noisy (sorry just what everyone thinks)

The housekeepers will do anything to make the room clean and tidy. They even rearrange your toliteries and shoes etc so tell them in advance not to touch any of your personal belongings. They do this to get a good tip.

In short, I would not recommkend this hotel to anyone unless you are on a really tight budget.

Excellent!!

by A TripAdvisor Member

I have stayed in sharm many times, this being the third visit in two months, and i have stayed in the so called 5 star hotels, but this hotel is just as good, the breakfast was as the 5 star hotels, the rooms are clean the staff was friendly, the position in Naama bay was good, and was even quicker to get to the centre if you cut through the Hilton to the sea front. Overal its a cheap and cheerful hotel with a good position, the only downside is that it has lots of steps and slopes, but i would stay there again to avoid the 5 star prices. I must recomend (-) for the smooth transaction of the purchase of my new villa! top marks guys.

Value for money

by TripAdvisor Member CarlCambridge

I stayed at this hotel with my girlfriend for a week on 19th January 2006. I was a bit concerned when I read some of the reviews on here but decided to see for myself. I stayed in Sharm in September at the Hilton Fayrouz opposite the Rosetta. When I first arrived at the Rosetta I was impressed with the reception, very big and looked smart. Our room was quite a walk from the main reception but it didn't bother us. Yes there are some steps and slopes but so what, can't see what the fuss is all about to be honest. The pool near our room was big and and looked very nice, although some of the felt around the edges was a bit tired! When we walked into our room I was a little disappointed to begin with. Having stayed at the Hilton in September I still had that picture in my head. The Rosetta room was huge but the furniture looked a bit tatty at first glance and it didn't help the overall appearance of the room. The beds were a bit hard too, girlfriend moaned about it but didn't really bother me. However the rooms were very clean and were kept very clean by the cleaners too. After a couple of days the place grew on me and I began to really like it. Staff were very friendly, breakfast was as good as the Hilton breakfast. Had lunch there once which was ok and didn't eat there in the evenings so can't comment on the food. There is no entertainment really, although apparently a belly dancer sometimes in the restaurant on site, but with being so close to Naama Bay who needs entertainment at the hotel! The other hotels along the promenade have entertainment and there's bars and clubs in town. I wont go on about Sharm and Naama Bay, other than it's a brilliant place and if you haven't been then you'll love it and if you don't then there's something wrong with you. Overall the Rosetta is a basic but nice hotel. Good location for Naama Bay. If you go expecting 5* then you will be disappointed but if you go expecting 3* which is what it is, and consider the price you are paying to stay there then you will be happy. I am looking to go back to Sharm in October and have had a price for 2 weeks in the Rosetta for £430. I would rather pay £430 and stay at the Rosetta than pay £800 and stay at the Hilton. I shall be booking the Rosetta for this year!

Advice and Recommendations

by A TripAdvisor Member

I've visited the hotel twice. The 1st time being in September 2005, I enjoyed it so much I returned this year.

A word of warning: There are boys who take your bags to the taxi they expect a tip and can get very pushy. I suggest you carry your own bags and barter for your taxi. Each time I've visited a taxi from the airport to the hotel has cost me 100EP. However, from the hotel to the airport its 60EP flat fee. You may wish to call the hotel directly to arrange for a car to pick you up at the airport, at least you will get it at a good price.

The hotel is split. You have the front Main Reception on arrival and accommodation directly behind and there are two small swimming pools with a poolside bar. This is better for those with walking difficulties. Then you have the New Rosetta which is a short walk which has a larger pool and bigger better rooms. This isn't suitable for those with walking difficulties as there are alot of steps. There's some construction work that is taking place to extend the Rosetta in that area. We stayed close by, you couldn't see it and it wasn't disruptive during our stay.

It concerned me seeing so many bad reviews on the hotel. The hotel is not a 5*, it probably rates around a 3-4*. Never the less, it makes for a good holiday and it's in a good location within Naama Bay.
We went B&B and the breakfast was average, there just isn't a huge selection - Salad bar, small selection of fruit, tons of pastries and sweet bread, tea/coffee/juice, a cooked selection (beans, eggs, veg)and toast. I wouldn't advise going HB or FB - there are just so many fantastic restaurants to eat at and they're just as cheap.

The hotel staff are soooo friendly. They went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable. They even took us out shopping to get us the best Egyptian price on gifts.

The Main Reception has a small bar with pool table and an outside raised terrace. Below the terrace is an outside Restaurant serving Egyptian food. The food costs between £3-£4 and is excellent. We just couldn't eat it all, there was just so much ...! They also put on a belly dancing show around 9pm every couple of days. There is also a small disco called the Black House Disco which is a popular night for the tourists.

*Recommmended is the "Fantasia". It's a short taxi ride away with a 15EP entrance fee. You go through beautiful gardens with fountains and ponds, illuminated trees, shops surrounding a central stage. We arrived around 10.00pm and we were entertained till 1am with dancers. You're served drinks and ice-cream at your seat.*

Our holiday in Sharm

by Delphine77

"Our stay in the Tropicana Rosetta"

Sharm el Sheik is situated on the Southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, Egypt. With the Red Sea on one side and the mountains of Mount Sinai on the other.

The diving (if you're brave enough) can be done in nearly all areas and snorkeling is also amazing.

The Tropicana Rosetta was a very friendly hotel and very central to Naama Bay.

The hotel has four fascinating swimming pools and a beautiful beach that is relaxing and refreshing.

Restaurants and bars available in Rosetta Hotel are: the El Rasheed main restaurant, the Mamma Mia Italian restaurant, the Shunghai Chinese restaurant, the Entree lobby bar, the El Dawar oriental restaurant (I recommend this one), the Pico pool bar and snacks, the Black house discotheque and the Rendezvous coffee shop. But dont forget there is a lot more to choose from if you walk into Naama Bay which is less than a 10 min walk away.