More about Sonesta Beach Resort Taba
A very relaxing resort
by A TripAdvisor Member
Having being introduced to trip advisor by a close friend the first thing I did after booking my trip to the Sonesta was look to see what it had to see. Having done this, I thought I'd made a huge error in my choice of holiday resort. Having only ever done one package holiday, this kind of thing was quite new to me.
Where to begin. The hotel is immaculate and the staff waited on us hand and foot. Our chamber maid was infact a man with excellent towel origami skills and our room was spotless everyday.
The staff didn't speak the best english but they are keen to learn and who are we to criticise seeing as we can't speak any arabic. They are friendly and keen to help you where possible. We were not hounded for tips except by one crazy man at the pyramids in Cairo.
We did the trip to Cairo, which was long (but we knew this in advance) but very well organised by the tour company.
The food was fine, it wasn't nouvelle cuisine but there was lots of it and a wide variety of dishes. I certainly did not starve and I am very fussy when it comes to the quality of the food I eat. Drinks were also in an abundance, yes you had to collect them by the glass but this wasn't a problem. Even the wine was drinkable (and again I am fussy about my wine as well as my food!)
The pool area was fine, the pool was very cold but the sea was a perfect temperature for swimming and snorkelling. You have to be careful because of the coral but there is a roped area where you should enter the sea which is perfectly foot friendly. The snorkelling was excellent - lots of different type of fish to see.
Maybe we were just lucky with our trip but as far as we were concerned the hotel was fine. There is nothing to do outside of the hotel complex but if you are content with relaxing, sunbathing, swimming/snorkelling with the occasional bouts of tennis then this is the place to go.
Loved it!!!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
I despair at some of the reviews of the Sonesta Beach! This is an excellent hotel, with lovely staff and high standards all round. In 15 years of travelling I've backpacked in the remotest corners of the globe and been pampered at the best hotels, with plenty of in-betweens, and this is as a good a holiday I've ever had. Two fabulous weeks! There is obviously some thinly veiled snobbery among some of the other reviews and evidence that some people were born for the purpose of complaining. Hey, the sinks get blocked in paradise sometimes, you know! My wife and I took our seven year old daugter and had very few complaints. The food was as good as you can hope for unless you want cordon bleu cooked to order for you personally. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive - although some perhaps don't share our concepts of over-attentiveness. The hotel IS isolated and there's nothing immediately outside the hotel complex - if you want more life go to sharm or hurghada! We took a few trips between us - Cairo, Mount Sinai and Jerusalem - using the guided tour companies at the hotel. Compare prices and barter with them. The trips can be very full days and very tiring, but well worth it. We also found it really easy to travel to Petra (Jordan) by ourselves for a few days going through Israel. Ignore the tour reps who will tell you trips like these are dangerous or impossible - they're bound to say that when it's their commission you're going off travelling with! Pay £25 for a return taxi to the israeli border and do your own thing - it's easy. The snorkelling is excellent, but ensure you enter the sea between the two guide ropes near the dive centre - there is coral elsewhere close to shore along the beach. Ask for Morris or Mr Bean at the dive centre near the beach, they were very friendly and helpful. One of them will escort you out to the coral on any afternoon for your first snorkelling session to show you the best spots and the safe route. Go and have a good time, have fun learning some arabic with the staff and don't get dragged into conversations with moaners who want English food and English staff in paradise for two bob a week!
hated taba do not go
by TripAdvisor Member silverware
Taba if you want to be alone go to Taba.It is so boring no nice beaches to walk along stuck at the hotel.No other hotels around exceped far hotels that were started but left to rot
Great Hotel for a Relaxing Holiday
by A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed in Sonesta over the Christmas Holiday and had an absolutly amazing time. Don't listen to all the dreadful reviews, the hotal IS great and as long as you're an easy doing relaxed person you'll have a wonderfull time. I'm a well travelled lass, and have stayed in some great and not so great hotels in my time, with this in mind i feel i can given an honest review.
Accom great and the rooms are gorgeous. The staff are really friendly and loved teaching us arobic greetings. It was heart breaking to see how some holiday makers treated the staff - snaping their fingers and expecting them to act as servents. If you treat them with respect and maybe learn a couple of phrases (please/thank you/good morning/good bye) you'll reap the rewards of your efforts by making friends, and in doing so get good service as second nature. Amazing towel animals - our guests at home think we're nuts as we now leave towels for them in the shape of swans, aligaters etc... Bathroom huge and very clean and tidy.
Complex its self vast with lots of facilities restaurants and many hidden activities (pool, snooker, tennis).
Food lovely, plently of choice, and something for everyone. (Remember you are going to Egypt, and Egypt is not famous for it's food) dont expect Gordan Ramsey but dont worry, we ate well every day and food is good. Chicken, beef, fish, rice, pasta, lots of salad, cous-cous, potatos and veg.
Drink free flowing and although local and limited in choice there is something you will enjoy!
The lobby can get loud with the music from the 'band' but we found plenty of quite corners to enjoy a relaxing evening.
The spa and beauty treatments are great and well worth booking. Also there are two pools in the hotel, the main pool around the bar and a second pool outside the front of the complex - this is unknown about and we were the only folk there all holiday - bliss!
Taba is a quiet location, so dont book sonesta if you want to see the sights - head for LUXOR and stay in the Sheraton. However, If all you want is a break in the sun, and a holiday to read, relax and recharge this will be perfect for you.
I must just tell you Snorkling in the sea amazing. Head out between the ropes, swim to the reef and look down - wow. Finding Nemo, never imagined i'd ever see fish like that (other than in books). You MUST do it, even if only once!
Have a great trip,and if you enjoy your stay, do write a review yourself so this hotel gets the praise it deserves.
C.W. St Albans
Fantastic Views
by A TripAdvisor Member
What a fabulous hotel, staff were great always helpful and friendly, we really enjoyed the food, a good selection and plenty of it. The whole hotel was always clean and tidy including the beach. I would recommend that guests go all inclusive it is simpler, fun, and a lot cheaper. The Taba area is very remote there is nothing around the hotel, though there seems to be the promise of more to come in the future. To see the places of interest you need to travel and sometimes this is costly. Overall we really enjoyed our holiday.
Wonderful!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Dya know, some people are just never happy are they?! I'd read some really bad reviews before going to Sonesta so I was a little apprehensive, kept thinking I should have booked Taba Heights or 1 of the others. I'm SO glad I didn't!
When we first arrived it was dark so we couldn't see much on the transfer apart from other hotels that were lit up. To be honest they didn't look too inviting, I was a bit worried! However upon arrival to our hotel we were very pleasantly surprised. We were shown to our lovely room which was a twin room so we pushed the beds together to make a HUGE one! The staff were considerate of this and they made the bed up every day as if it was just one bed. They also used to fold towels in the shape of animals and flowers it was lovely!
The staff were so friendly, always willing to help. We were expecting to be mithered left, right and centre but there was none of this at all. They'd give you information about events and things but left it entirely up to you to decide with no pressure at all. I had a full body Egyptian Massage which was really invigorating!
The whole place was absolutely beautiful! The hotel, the beach and the food! There was so much choice I put on loads of weight! Everything was always so fresh and presented beautifully. The hotel and grounds were always kept spotless everywhere. The views around the hotel were breathtaking. The beach was gorgeous and the sea so lovely and warm. We went snorkelling, it was amazing. Was like swimming around an a tropical fish tank! Definitely the highlight for us so if you go you must try it.
The only downside to this hotel is that the All Inclusive drinking stopped at 11pm. To most thats when you just get going but it didn't bother us that much as we went for a quiet, relaxing holiday so didn't want to stay out late every night.
It really does show you that some people are never happy because we couldn't find anything to complain about at all, even if we looked for something and we would most definitely go back tomorrow if we could!
Absolutely Fabulous
by TripAdvisor Member gillmcg
Lets get the moans out of the way first - why is it British people go on holiday and moan constantly all day.
Please dont be put off by the negative comments go and make your own mind up like I did.
We were unfortunate enough to have been there at a time when the vomiting/sickness bug from the uk seemed to have followed us and lots of people were ill but on speaking to people on the flight home other hotels were affected by this and there was no blame on the hotel.
There was one person who seemed to pounce on new people and say the hotel had passed on food poisoning but this was incorrect as my sister did not get ill!!
Check in
Filled in check in paperwork in bus enroute so check in - very quick
Room
We had been upgraded free of charge to a suite in a new part of the hotel. Brilliant we had a living room with a double sofa bed and a TV. Twin bedroom again with another tv and plenty of storage with a safe which was easy to use. Lastly a bathroom with bath/shower. All was very clean and sheets were changed daily if you wished. You were given a large bottle of water on arrival in your room and you could fill this up at the bars with cold water when required.
Restaurant - Palmira (Buffet)
I can only comment on this one - food was very nice and plenty of it and tasted great. I had soup every night and it was gorgeous. Spoke to people who had used other restaurants and every comment was positive.
There was a new restaurant opened for breakfast/dinner whilst we were there don't know if this is because they were using the three new accomodation blocks.
Complex
Was very clean swimming pools - both cleaned every day, towels were always clean.
Not much entertainment but it depends what you want. I travelled with my daughter who played waterpolo/beach volleyball every day with the animation team and other kids she had met.
Staff
Very very friendly and helpful - do not ask for tips very professional
Like other people say it is best to go all inclusive although it does finish at 11pm.
This looks like it is an area which is up and coming, if you want peace and tranquil then visit taba.
I recommend the Blue Hole trip as the snorkelling is fabulous!!
I loved this resort and hotel so much I will be going back later this year.
A Lot Better Than Most Reviews suggest
by A TripAdvisor Member
We visited this hotel from the 14/2/6 to 28/2/6, before we went I read the reviews on this website.
After reading the reviews I was a little anxious as to what we would find when we got there! But, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised!
Ok, the hotel is somewhat in the middle of nowhere, so if you are a party animal looking for a wild time, then this hotel is not for you! But, if you are looking for a nice relaxing hassle free holiday, then I would definitely recommend the Sonesta.
The staff were very friendly and most spoke good English, the ones that didn't understood enough to get by. We stayed in one of the new blocks and had a suite, I thought that the standard of accommodation was excellent, with nice large well appointed rooms, only let down by the hardness of the bed.
With the resort being a long way from any towns it's important that you let the Rep know if anyone in your party is feeling ill. We did so and the Rep got us some medication from the nearest pharmacy the same day, problem sorted!
Food was typical Egyptian all inclusive fayre, buffets with a good choice and of a decent standard. We had plenty of good laughs with the restaurant staff and learned a number or words in arabic off them. If you are willing to take the little time it needs to get friendly with them, you'll get service second-to-none.
Overall I would say don't listen to the bad reviews on this hotel, we had a fantastic time and will be returing next year. If you are looking for a party capital, don't go here, but then again, if you are looking for a party capital, why are you going to Taba in egypt?
Sharm el Sheikh
by Swisschris
I have been several times at Sharm el sheikh. A wonderful place to dive and relax at the beach or in the first class hotels. we stood first at marriot hotel. then the following years at Sonesta Beach Resort. It was very nice and the people are very pleasant. Next year i will go back there, if it is a little bit calmer in this region of the world.
Forum Posts
staying at Sonesta beach resort hotel
by penb
hi everyone,
has anyone heard of or stayed at the Sonesta beach hotel in taba coast? whats the weather like in March? is the sea warm?
do you know if the hotel has any evening entertainment, because i know the Taba resort doesnt have much nightlife?
thanks
penny
RE: staying at Sonesta beach resort hotel
by AndyB779
I am going there in March. If you find anything out please let me know, Thanks
RE: staying at Sonesta beach resort hotel
by geoffa
We have just returned from Taba Holiday Inn which is a few hundred yards down the coast.The weather was sunny every day mid 70s when the wind was low but when it got up was a bit chilly.I spoke to someone staying at Sonesta, said there was a jetty to get you over the coral. Sea is warm and loads of fish.Taba is a region running from the Israeli border down to Nuewiba about 60 kms.The area around Sonesta is not developed so most people stay around the hotel except for organised trips.Check out http://www.holiday-truth.com/resort_review_details.php?resort=Taba
for other views
geoffa
RE: RE: staying at Sonesta beach resort hotel
by geoffa
see my reply to penb
