Review of the 4* Coral Sea Resort Sharm El Sheikh Egypt

by DGC Holiday Travel  October 2006

Photographs from our visit to the Coral Sea Resort

 

Surroundings:  Excellent, well maintained family oriented hotel running all-inclusive.

Location: On the Beach.  As with most Sharm el Sheikh Hotels, distant from the resort which is easily accessible by taxi or shuttle (courtesy of the hotel).

 

Food:  Good on the whole.  5* in places with plenty of variety.  Don't expect bacon - this is Egypt - but you will never be short of something to enjoy.  For those who say the food is repetitive, I would comment that if you load your plate with every dish available, ie chicken, beef, pasta etc., then yes you might find it a struggle to have something different by the end of the week.  The only criticism is the Italian where the service quick, the food boring and we had a very surly waiter.  Considering you pay for drinks here and have to book in advance, in my opinion it's not worth the effort.

 

Service:  Not 5* certainly but you can tip the waiter a small amount and to serve you if you don't want to queue for drinks.  Having said that, there is never a long wait..  In the restaurant, drinks service was acceptable although the waiters here were a little less friendly than in other areas.  Fantastic service from the pool boys especially 'Bob' on the beach.  The restaurant service was a little variable this time.  It was excellent last time we stayed.  It was early in Ramadan when we arrived and perhaps staff changeovers affected it.  The second week the service was back to it's normal pace.  We tipped the towel boy £2 on our first day and he actually offered it back saying he went home in 3 days so he couldn't look after us all week.

 

Entertainment:  I would say this was average compared to most similar holidays but it is perhaps the one thing that lets the hotel down.  It's a shame really as it could be really good. 

First the outside acts, a little boring and at least one, the Tito Show, was repeated both weeks we were there, there is only so much male shimmying I can take.

The kiddie's disco is what you'd expect and the First Choice reps were better than any I've seen at keeping the kids entertained and under control when necessary. 

 

One game of cash bingo each night before the main entertainment with prizes up to £140. 

HOWEVER - they had the most appalling spot between the kids disco and the bingo, EVERY NIGHT, called 'Challenge the Entertainer'. Admittedly the kids won more often than not but can you imagine what happens to a 7 year old on the stage, sometimes on their own or with a sibling?  Bad enough to lose but to have the entertainers and audience pointing and singing 'You're thick, you're thick, you are, you're thick'!!!  Really First Choice, is that supposed to be entertaining, humiliating small children?  We saw at least two in tears when they left the stage.

On a better note, the 3 shows we saw over the 2 weeks performed by the First Choice Team, were the best we've ever seen.  This was largely due to Jamie and Leslie who are very talented and some brilliant choreography.  Erin, who I think runs the team, actually comes alive when she performs.  I suspect she has been doing it for a while and she seems a bit jaded otherwise.

 

Room:  As with most of this resort, the room was excellent value for money, very spacious, clean and well equipped with hairdryer, toiletries and free safe.  The mini bar is chargeable - a few complaints there from people with kids. We had a sea view and loved being right on the beach.

 

First Choice:  Waste of time attending the welcome meeting.  When will they wake up to the fact that we want information not a sales talk about over-priced trips.  The first time we went to this resort, First Choice sold it as a best for adults.  If you want child free avoid the Coral Sea at all costs.  We complained bitterly to First Choice and got a paltry £50 refund.  Having said that, we returned outside the kids holidays and put up with a few kids in return for being at this very well run hotel.

 

All Inclusive:  Much on a par with other all inclusive facilities although the food is better than most.  The cocktails were infinitely better than the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach which is supposed to be 5*!

 

 

Is it 4*?  Yes it is.  But for the tendency to catering for families, it wouldn't take much for this hotel to be 5*.

 

Finally:

One of the things I like is that this hotel is exactly what it aims to be - a good 4* all-inclusive family holiday.

It is extremely well managed.  Any minor problems are attended to instantly.  Our air conditioning, normally very efficient, seemed a bit warm one day.  It was dealt with instantly.

Around reception, you will be asked for your comments and these will be taken on board.

Wardrobe space was more than adequate.  Another pet hate of mine is not having enough space but no problems here.

The beds are comfortable and the maid service excellent.

The pools are great and heated when required.  The beach is to die for and compared to the 5* Sol y Mar a few minutes away, it doesn't feel too crowded.  Do take water shoes as the sea if full of coral, great for snorkelling, not so good on the feet!

 

Diving:

We can wholeheartedly recommend the diving centre at the Coral Sea.  Try a discover Scuba course or maybe even something a bit more adventurous.  Best to contact them direct though and save yourself 10%.

Red Sea Diving at the Coral Sea Resort.

 

 

Would I go back to the Coral Sea Resort?

Absolutely - again and again.

 

Coral Sea Resort   Their website
Coral Sea Resort

Nabq Bay

Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt

Tel: 0020 693 710500

Location

The resort is approximately 10km. distance from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport taking about 20 minutes to transfer

369 rooms; 3 floors

All Inclusive, What's Included:

• Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
• All domestic brand alcoholic drinks by the glass, including beer, wine and spirits and soft drinks between 11am - midnight
• Afternoon tea
• 1 visit to the á la carte restaurant per stay - drinks are payable locally
• Snacks between 11am - noon
• Ice cream for kids between 11am - 3pm
  

Rooms at the Coral Sea Resort:

• Standard rooms sleep up to 4. Twin beds (extra beds are a sofa bed and fold up bed), bathroom with shower, air-conditioning, mini-bar*, safe, satellite TV, telephone and hairdryer with garden views.
• Standard rooms with 1 king-size or twin beds, bath and balcony or terrace are available at a supplement.
• Standard rooms with 1 king-size or twin beds, bath, balcony or terrace with sea views are available at a supplement.
• Select rooms with 1 king-size bed, facilities as Standard rooms with bath, tea & coffee making facilities, DVD player, bathrobes and balcony or terrace with sea views.
• Select Jacuzzi rooms. Facilities as Select rooms with the added luxury of a Jacuzzi bath.
• Select Jacuzzi Junior Suite. Facilities as Select Jacuzzi rooms with a lounge area.

Sports at the Coral Sea Resort:

• Scuba diving (payable locally)
• Snorkelling (payable locally)
• Tennis court (floodlit, payable locally)
• Multi-sports court (payable locally)
• Table tennis (payable locally)
• Beach volleyball

Amenities at the Coral Sea Resort:

• 2 outdoor swimming pools
• 2 children’s pools
• Sun terrace
• Sunbeds & umbrellas - free pool towels
•  2 restaurants (including buffet restaurant and Italian a la carte restaurant, reservations required for Italian restaurant)
• Poolside bar
• Beach bar
• Irish style pub
• Shopping arcade (payable locally)
• Internet facilities (payable locally)
• Laundry service (payable locally)
• Amphitheatre
• Kids club
• Fitness centre
• Gym
• Sauna
• Indoor Jacuzzi
• Steam bath (payable locally)
• Spa (payable locally)
• Beauty salon (payable locally)
• Hairdressing salon (payable locally)
• Massage (payable locally)