Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh Hotel

Booked this trip a while ago and some of the reviews made me nervous, but as with all things some people just have to moan. If you are in the boat I was - do not worry!! I actually contacted the hotel beforehand to arrange for a bottle of bubbly to be in the room (paid for and reasonable) and at the same time to ask for a high floor as close to the beach as possible. Had great emails exchanges with Eva and she promised she would do her best. Our room was 5117 and the quote from Sobhy, the man who showed us to the room, was it was the third best room in the hotel. Eva - massive thanks - the room was amazing. Sobhy was also superb, took us around the various parts of the hotel and gave very useful hints and tips as to what worked and what to avoid. Over and above he went and for that we were very thankful. Our room was looked after by Emad and was spotless and had different towel creations daily and 2 litres of eater each day without fail. We chose to spend every day on the beach and Karim was brilliant. Water on arrival arrived and then every time he passed he asked if we wanted our usual or something else. Everytime without fail. Best employee for us was Abdallah at the evening pool bar. He was a one man bar serving machine. Nothing was too much trouble, tables moved to accommodate people, drinks poured and waiting a couple of times as he had spotted us in the distance. When he was busy, it just took a nod and two fingers held up or one if only I was having a drink and they would be over ASAP. The snorkelling was great (take own gear) from the jetty and we saw rays, lion fish, stone fish, turtle, octopus and dozens of coloured other fish. They have free life jackets to use as well - never had to wait more than about two minutes and much easier floating with one on. Somewhat surprised every day to hear people getting whistled at when walking shin deep in the sea and towards the reef. In the end asked what the issue was and was told about the stone fish - google it!! A simple letter on arrival would have sufficed. Hired a small buggy type sports car and did the one km to the right of the hotel (facing the sea) and also the none km the other way. Follow the hours if beach party has blocked the way, there is a diversion and you can get to the path runs out. Only issue was got a price the day before, checked with the other half and booked the next day and price had gone up. When came to pay heard another person having the same issue. Used the Mexican and Italian that come with the all inc and 10/10 and 9/10 respectively for the food and overall service. Good and drinks everywhere and almost when wanted - the snack bar we wished we had used earlier for lunch as a change to sing the buffet or the Mexican/Italian which guests can use with all inc. Buffet was very good with amazing choices and good service and the only small grumble was the temperature of the food at times, even if eating at the opening times. Still very edible temperature and best way to describe is that you would let your very young/small child eat it without any need to blow on it for them... Would 100% return and I did follow what I had read tipping wise and that is maybe why we got the amazing service. Took a lot of £1 coins and tipped the people who first served us in each bar a couple and then they tended to focus on you more keenly than others. Did the same then every 2/3 days and always had a full glass and the attention required without needing to queue or ask. Spent £30 and worth every coin as the staff are lowly paid and if helping them helped me to get quicker drinks - win/win! Tips for TUI/First Choice customers (anyone I guess) 1 - Get your visa online (from correct Egypt website) before you travel or face mayhem at the airport trying to queue to buy one. Its the same price and you then just walk right through to the passport control!! 2 - Book a taxi transfer as will get you there ages quicker, moreso if you have done the above. We were at the hotel over 75 minutes before the coach drop off!! 3 - Don't accept the taxi time back to the airport, as it gets you there 3.5 hours pre the flight and check in not even open. Get the time put back so you are there 2.5 hours maximum beforehand To get me to 100% on the hotel: 1 - Food a few degrees warmer in the buffet 2 - Signage/notices on arrival why you should not walk out to sea (found out after hearing numerous whistles at people from the 'lifeguards'. The stone fish being present 3 - Fixed prices for the car/buggy hires, as they changed daily and by whomever was serving at the time

We had a wonderful vacation there and the reception crew were very cooperative although we made a last minute reservation but they were able to help us and did their best to comfort us. The food was very tasty and the variety was amazing. The workers there were very nice and hospitable. Although the view wasn't that good from our room but i hope next time we have the time to reserve earlier better view to enjoy every second. Thanks and sure we will repeat it again.

I sitting in dinning area writing this review.. what can I say about this place, beautiful, staff outstanding they work very hard to make your stay a happy one, food is very nice and plenty of choices,we are staying in room 5044 the view is great, sea and pool view and its spotlessly clean and housekeeping are very helpful nothing is to much trouble, this is our 1st time in Egypt and it definitely wont be the last, thank you tropitel for making my holiday special