More about Hilton Dahab
Hilton Dahab - fantastic place to stay!!
by TripAdvisor Member intabinda
Stayed at this hotel at the end of march 07 through mark warner, the place was great looked just like the pictures and had incredibly friendly and halpful staff thoughout from, reception, house keeping, bar and restaurant teams, gardening, towel guys... the list goes on.
Mark warner teams were also great for the packagaes they run out of this hotel, being very knowlegable and helpful with everythign we needed.
but back to the hotel, it is kept in fantastic shape every day ad looks brand new despite bing about 5 years old now, one of te other upsides is that its the only hotel i have ever stayed at where i have not been afraid to use the hotel bars for fear of being ripped off. even within the hotel ain bars it was about £2 for a large beer, and our total tab for the week was only about £100 without too many sore heas to show for it. the facitilites are all well maintained, inlcuding the pool alhtough most of the day time is focussed on the beach with plenty of umbrellas, free towels and sun beds and the beach bar has plnety of comfortable slots both to eat at and to hang out if you need to get out of the sun for a while. as is te nature of the people and the staff you wont get hassled to move on if you are not eating at the bar and just wat to have a quiet read, but they are very attentive as soon as you need something!.
the coconut bar is great for a sunset drink, with a good happy hour discount and the music is good to watch the sun go down, although could doo with a bit more of a chilled flavour...will have to mail them dock of the bay...but again Ramy, the head bar tender there was a great guy and very friendly, whether there is one person to serve or 50!
the hotel isalso well placed for local excursions either for diving, snokeling, camel trips or longer day trips out to st.cats monastery etc.
we will defitely be back in dahab for a holiday soon, and the hilton will be top of the list for a destination.
Fantastic Hotel and facilities
by TripAdvisor Member Leyland-wanderer
My wife and I stayed at the Hilton Dahab for one week in March 2007. We upgraded to a deluxe room that was spacious, clean and well equipped. Their are a number of restaurants on the site and we tried them all. We found all were to a very good standard and, saying you are in a 5 star Hilton, they were reasonably priced. The beach is clean with the opportunity for every kind of watersport you can think of. I went scuba diving with Sinai Divers who are based in the hotel and found them to be professional and friendly but most of all they did everything possible to ensure we went to and did what we wanted to - they were fantastic. Whilst we were there the occupancy of the hotel was low but everything remained open with the right number of staff in attendance. All the staff were friendly and helpful and we are already planning our next trip back.
Dahab town is only a short taxi ride away £1 GB each way. The best way to get a taxi is to go to the main gate of the hotel and the security guard will summon one from up an adjoining road. He will negotiate for you and if you want to nominate a time to return the guard will make sure the driver knows when to come and collect you. You only need pay after the return journey. There is considerable competition for custom in the town's restaurants and great deals can be negotiated if you are patient. Don't be fooled though - if you don't agree a price beforehand the prices in the town can be exhorbitant especially for seafood. Agreeing the price first though meant that a meal for two with soft drinks averaged out to about £10 pounds in total, about half to a third of that in the hotel.
Would I go back - yes, without hesitation.
A very lovely setting and atmosphere, amazing hotel with really helpful staff
by TripAdvisor Member Ruusu
My boyfriend and I visited Hilton Dahab on 25th April 2007 for one week. We had a very relaxing stay. The land that the hotel is on is very vast, so you get a great sense of space which we loved. The scenery of the mountains, as well as in the hotel itself (lagoons, sea etc) is very beautiful.
I liked the hotel as it didn't seem commercialised at all. It was very peaceful and you did not get the feeling it was very busy (even though I beleive the hotel was fully booked). You could always get sun loungers on the (private) beach and the staff on the beach were always very willing and polite with supplying sunbed mattresses, towels, drinks etc. Although they did not bother or pester you at all.
The rooms were vey nice and clean, and cleaners had nice touches like folding all you clothes and leaving towels on the bed in heart shapes with Rose petals. I liked the fact they were separate apartments - not a tower block. Terrace very nice.
As far as eating and drinking were concerned, there were 3 bars and 3 resturants on the hotel grounds. To my surprise were all very good. On the first night we had the buffet in the Mirage resturant - being a buffet I was not expecting very good quality food. But there was so much choice and the quality was great - very nice fresh bread, lots of different types, english, egyptian and internaltional foods, the option of having something cooked there and then by the chef. All seemed very fresh and well prepared. Plus you can eat as much as you like! All of this was for about £9 GBP per person. One night this included a huge bbq party with so much lovely food (mainly egyptian) and also a fire show. The staff went to so much effort for this event and spent all day carefully preparing.
Other resturants were good too, italian was lovely with great view, Neptunes had amazing fresh fish.
We especially like the coconut bar, with it's roof top terrace and spacius seating with a fabulous view of the mountains and sea. Brilliant and friendly barman Rammi was a happy face and offering cocktails (which were excellent).
The drinks were very expensive though. I realise that we would have been paying quarter of the price outside of the hotel. Although beer was cheaper than england - about £1.80GBP per pint. Wine was ridiculously priced at about £6+ per small glasS and £35 per bottle.
The only downside we found was a couple of bad experiences with reception staff. They were not very polite, and made you feel rather unwelcome. Also we paid in 2 separate chunks, and on the morning the 2nd lot was due we had someone banging on our door at 9am for us to come and pay. I thought this was very rude and uncalled for, considering checkout is not until midday anyway. And we were planning to pay well before then.
We were rather lazy and only went into Dahab town once! But we didn't really feel the need to as everything was there at the hotel. I think we would have saved some money if we had on drinks, food etc as egypt is very cheap. But we were happy relaxing where we were!
We got a taxi arranged by the hotel from Sharm airport to the hotel, which was very good - prompt driver. Manager of this separate company (Max travel) was very rude and unfriendly though and hassled us for payment as soon as we walked through the hotel door.
Beware - you have to go through 3 checkpoints driving from airport to Dahab - military may ask to see you passports etc. Rather intimidating!! Airport is also VERY overpriced - more expensive than Gatwick or Heathrow!
I would reccomend the Hilton Dahab for a relaxing holiday. Also we booked directly with the hotel and flights separately which turned out much cheaper. £400 per person including flights and breakfast.
Anyway this review is long enough now, go and see for yourself!!!
Definitely not 5 star!
by TripAdvisor Member Maz945
These people need to get out more! I have just returned from a week at the Hilton Dahab (May 12-19th) and cannot believe that Tripadvisor members rate it at 5*. Sure the pictures look great from a distance, but it is a basic 3* resort and nobody has mentioned so far that the beautiful blue lagoons are dirty and infested with beetles. By the way, don’t even think about taking a swim – even if you didn’t contract some horrible tropical disease, you’d just end up paddling in about 6 inches of scummy water. Good job they’ve got those oh so friendly “do not swim” signs.
What looks at first like nice stone paving, has in fact been coated with something that is peeling off badly and the outside walls of the buildings are covered in crumbling paintwork. Oh, and the pièce de resistance was the fact that maintenance insisted on hammering and banging outside our room to remove a broken paving stone one morning when our “do not disturb” sign was on. Then they wandered off and left the hole unmarked, so anybody could have fallen over and hurt themselves. Strange thing was the paving in the whole place is falling to bits so why on earth they did that particular slab, is a mystery.
The staff are surly and although there is supposed to be service all the way along the beach, they only serve the area immediately in front of the beach bar. Even if you decide to give up and go to get the drinks yourself, it takes an age to get served. If you go by the pool, you may as well give up any hope of service -the pool bar wasn’t even open and the pool staff weren’t interested in rustling up any waiters from the beach bar to take orders.
The room is an ok size, but the aircon had two settings – off and Ice Station Zebra and the bathroom was a disgrace. The bath was dirty and stained and the grout was coming off the bathroom tiles. There was no soap, except for dispensers crudely attached next to the sink and in the shower.
The beach is crowed with so many umbrellas and sun loungers that it’s more reminiscent of Saturday on Oxford Street than a relaxing holiday destination. Even the sea is crowded - there’s only a small area cordoned off for swimming with the rest of the space dedicated to wakeboarders and water skiers.
Don’t even think of going there if you don’t like kids. Mark Warner have an allocation of 80 rooms and every one appears to be inhabited by cosy suburban families with at least 2.4 children. We tried to relax by the pool, only to be interrupted every half an hour or so by Mark Warner childcare staff singing nursery rhymes at the top of their voices as they lead hordes of toddlers pointlessly from one end of the resort to the other.
Oh and by the way, don’t think that you are actually staying at a Hilton. It may have the branding, but it’s owned by some Egyptian company and I don’t think any of the Hilton Management have set foot there since the deal was done. Not a great experience, Dahab town is lovely but next time, I’ll go back to the Sheraton in Sharm. A basic hotel that doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
Fabulous Family Holiday Destination
by TripAdvisor Member HolidayMummy
We spent a few days at the Dahab Hilton and really recommend it for a relaxing place for adults who want to relax and young children who want to have fun. The staff at the hotel were all extremely kind and friendly and the facilities were superb. We had a suite which was very clean and spacious and we particularly enjoyed the covered veranda and hammock. The pools are great and the private beach is a lovely place to hang out and watch the windsurfers. We enjoyed the childcare facilities provided by Mark Warner and their British staff were all great with the children. There are two small playgrounds and the food in the main restaurant has a good selection of food for both children and adults. We couldnt fault the hotel or the holiday. Highly recommended.
Superb Hilton - poor tuition at Mistral
by TripAdvisor Member conjulio
stayed at the hilton in august, and got a free upgrade which was a bonus. the hotel, staff and food was all superb - we were constantly amased as to how quiet the resort was. it is definately not a resort for those who expect an active night life. the kit at club mistral was superb as expected, but the tuition was below standard. they didnt seem to have any structure for beginers courses, nor could they teach any of the advanced freestyle moves - if you are after tuition, i would recomend hiring your kit from mistral and going down to club dahab and ask for the expert services of a one on one lesson with Simon Hurrey or if possible join one of their structured lessons. - hope you find this helpful - enjoy
Dahab..Fantastic, Hilton...Great.
by TripAdvisor Member NikfromSurrey
Stayed at the Hilton From 25th Feb to 3rd March. Had an upstairs double room with 'patio' and hammock. Room very clean, bed very big and comfortable with a choice of pillows on request if the standard is not to your likeing. If I am to be a bit picky then my only comment would be that the bedroom furniture was just slightly shabby due to wear and tear. The bathroom was functional but could have done with a make over and general tidy up, like the cistern inlet dripped inside all the time. During the day no problem but in the quiet of the night was a little noticable. Please don't get the wrong impression as everything worked and generally was good. I am just being very picky
The grounds were excellent and very well maintained. The staff were also excellent, friendly and concerned that our (your) stay was a good experience. Nearly all had a great sense of humour and enjoyed a bit of 'banter' with you. If you responded then that made things even better for them and of course you. The beach front was well laid out with sun beds and good towel service. Meals and drinks were also available from the hotel snack bar on the beach.
We were on B+B basis. This I would recommend. We ate in two of the Hotels restaurants, Neptunes and the Portofino. The food and service was top rate and was an enjoyable experience all round. We didn't eat in the Mirage as it was a buffet and looked a bit busy with all the families in there. All bar the above two evenings we went into Dahab to eat. A taxi from outside the hotel cost £10 Egyptian (£1 GBP) + a E£5 tip, 50p. Walk along the sea front and there are numerous good Bedouin style restaurants to choose from. Don't be put off by the little bit of polite hastling you get from the representatives trying to get you into their restaurant. They all showed respect and each, when you declined their invitation, wished us a very good evening and a hope we would retun to eat with them the next night. We ate in the Green Valley, AlCaponnes by the bridge, and Friends. They were excellent. A very full meal for two including drinks (no alcohol) came to less than £30 GBP. You could have beer/wine but had to go to a nearby bar to buy and bring back to the restaurant. It was so easy to get a taxi back as well..but negotiate a price before you get in.
Breakfast at the hotel was fine with all the regular staple breakfast foods being available. The beef bacon was very interesting though.
There were alot of famillies with very young children staying at the hotel and breakfast sometimes seemed a bit hectic. On the whole the kids were well behaved but there will always be the odd tantrum which was disturbing for those nearby. Our childeren have grown up and we went for a relaxing break from work, a week being all we could manage time wise, currently. I am not in any way anti-family or child but the numbers there did detract form what could have been a peaceful and idillic holiday.
Security.. Bearing in mind world events and it's proximity to various trouble spots, and the fact that Dahab was bombed a year or so ago we felt totally safe and at ease when out and about. The hotel has it's own security on the front gate and I did notice they were activley checking each vehicle entering. Dahab was also well covered by the Egyptian 'Tourist Police' who were present but not intrusive.
Overall a very very good hotel and town which you should visit before it looses its' relaxed small town feel. I throughly recommend the hotel and Dahab in general.
Value for Money
by TripAdvisor Member sheffamily
Excellent stay at this hotel over the Easter hols. Brilliant for families. Even if you don't book with Mark Warner can still use their facilities if available.
Great to go on one of the snorkelling trips up the coast. Fish fantastic. !! Book direct with Sinai Divers for a better deal.
Great value - non- egyptian alcohol much more expensive although still ok.
Would definitely return.
Sheffield Family
One word for this hotel Fabulous
by TripAdvisor Member Collins07
My husband and I have just returned from 2 wonderful weeks at this hotel, we booked through Libra and the only downside was our flight out with Xcel was delayed 5 hours and the return by 3 but this in no way detracted from the holiday. We went for a complete rest and that is just what we got. Every member of staff was friendly helpful and courteous, most enjoyed a banter with us which we were quite happy to go along with. We spent every day on the beach and although it was the Easter holidays never had a problem finding a sun bed. There were a lot of children but they were all very well looked after by Mark Warner reps as well as hotel staff. We stayed bed and breakfast and ate in the Portafino and Neptune restaurants both excellant. Lunch time we ate from the beach bar where they can not do enough for you, look out for Hussan a real character. Our room was excellant with tea and coffee facilities and a hammock on the balcony, pure bliss, the room was kept wonderfully clean by Mohammad who put a fresh flower in our room every day along with a swan made from a bath towel, plus clean sheets and towels regardless of whether you needed them. All in all a wonderful holiday and we will return, Hussan says its good in October.
Forum Posts
Windsurfing in the Red Sea
by Ema5
I am interested in vacationing in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt in July-August. Does anybody know the windsurfing conditions there and where to rent?
Thank you
Re: Windsurfing in the Red Sea
by Essamh
Hi,
Sharm is not a place for wind surfing but more of snorkeling and diving. There are different excellent sites for wind surfing like Dahab, which is considered one of the best sites in the world (one hour from Sharm), Hurghada is a good site and Marsa Alam in the south. I can recommend some places to rent equipment in those places if you like.
Essam
Re: Windsurfing in the Red Sea
by sharm_helper
good day from suuny egypt
you can go to dahab
hilton dahab can offer you very special rate for winserfing
best regards
sherif
Re: Re: Windsurfing in the Red Sea
by swisssinai
Dahab, Hurghada, Safaga, Ras Sudr and Tor for windsurfing. But not really Sharm.
