Я там был I was there

Rested in the period from 29.09. 2011 to 08.10. 2011.
In general, I can say that my stay in this hotel was a success, but I (as I understand it) belong to the minority. I'll start with ratings and then comments.
Overall score: 4- (fading luxury), including:
- Sharm el-Sheikh airport - 4;
- administration (reception) - 2;
- hotel rooms - 4;
- hotel territory - 4;
- the sea - 5++++++++!!!!!!!!;
- food - 3;
- bartenders - 2;
- guides Turtes - 3;
- excursions - 4;
- animation - 3.
And now in order. I used to rest in the good fives of Turkey and the triples of Europe. I went to Egypt for the first time and ran into the problem of the lack of truthful information, which is why I decided to write this review upon arrival. I chose not an expensive 5 star hotel (the crisis crushed). I am writing for those who are traveling for the first time.

I'll start with the airport. The Arabs cannot organize the normal passage of customs, so there is confusion, queues and chaos in some places. First you need to go to the operator's sign to check in and get forms (in English and Arabic) for passport control. Then, go buy a visa at the bank for $15. Fill out the forms in English, paste the visas into your passport yourself and stand in a long queue at passport control. Right there, initially, the first divorce begins. When issuing forms, operators are trying to get a visa for $ 20, but like without a queue and with a completed form for passport control. Dear, the queues go quickly, and if you don’t know how to fill out the questionnaire yourself, ask our people at the tables or in line - they will help for free, you shouldn’t give 5 bucks per person just like that. Don't rush - they won't leave without you. For example, at the travel agency they didn’t give us a sample of filling out the form (I didn’t know and therefore didn’t demand it), but the guys who flew with us and, ironically, later ended up in the same hotel with us, were given a sample with which they shared with us. Many were given these forms on the plane and they had time to figure it out and calmly fill it out.
Upon arrival at the hotel fell into the hands of the administration (reception). We arrived in the evening, the room was given quickly, they did not give money. We went to the room for the receptionist, leaving the suitcases near the reception (they said they would bring), but the “worker” only brought us to the exit to the street from the main building (exactly 5m) and pointed his finger into the darkness - towards the room. The hotel turned out to be large and we were looking for a room ourselves for quite a long time, in a place with the above mentioned couple (their room was a couple of doors from ours).
Personally, our room turned out to be good (the view is the same as we requested). They checked everything right away - so that later they would not bill for broken furniture and appliances, curtains, etc. , which often happens there. Only the refrigerator did not work for us, which was reported to the reception and went to dinner. When I returned everything worked. As for the dust in the corners, mold and dirty curtains - maybe it was somewhere, but I did not pay attention to it. At the same time, our friends were given a room with a broken safe and separate beds (they were newlyweds and asked for one large bed), there was also no declared congratulations to the newlyweds. After a complaint to the reception, these two beds were turned around and connected, and the safe came to be repaired three times (the last one at 3 a. m. they got it) and they never did it. We were only able to do it on the third day. For a room change with a sea view, they asked for $ 20 per day. The guys refused. Then we found out that you can change the room to a room with a large bed for free, and with a sea view for $ 20 for the entire period.
Once again about the reception. When they brought the luggage to the room - I give 1 bucks. The porter, turning his nose in displeasure, says little and asks for $ 5, while taking out a wad of bucks and saying that everyone gives it like that. This is a divorce of pure water - do not believe and send! For them, and a lot of bucks! Say that this is not the first time in Egypt. They removed it like that. Towels were not changed every day. When they left for excursions, they didn’t clean it at all, although they try to follow it (I saw the controller myself). Bax did not change anything (they tried to leave it). At our new acquaintances (then we rested together), they twisted figures from linen and laid out things beautifully (a couple of times it was pretty vulgar), although the dollar was left only a couple of times. Personally, I do not like it when others touch my things, so I hid everything in the closet. The guys liked it. But at the same time, they forgot to bring towels (they took the old ones) and water (always wanted to drink), which annoyed them and ended with periodic abuse at the reception. After meeting people at the hotel, we realized that we were not alone. Moreover, money was stolen from five of the safe (as they said, they stole it at the beginning of the holiday and at the end). We avoided such a fate, but in order not to run into trouble, at the beginning and at the end we carried money with us. I will write about the rest of the problems with the reception along the way - and they were! It is worth noting that for registration at the reception, they first took their passports. They came the next day to pick it up - they didn’t want to give it back for a long time. People! Take your passports! Without them, you are slaves there! When leaving, they can count anything and anything and not yours (it happened) and not give your passport until you pay!

Regarding the territory of the hotel, I want to say that it is 5 points, but some nuances that affected us lowered this rating to 4. First, the destroyed bar in the pool bar, where we liked to drink while swimming. Secondly, the lack of a fence on the pontoon (the pontoon should have been sorted out and brought to mind) - it was not convenient for the girl to walk along it (it’s cool for us, but she’s afraid to fall). Thirdly, the lack of signs for the hotel - at first it was difficult to navigate. Fourthly, the music was playing by the pool, and not by the sea, where most people were, and then it didn’t play the same thing all the time. It should also be noted that the territory of our hotel is combined with the territory of the neighboring hotel Continental Plaza Beach (one owner). You won’t see fences, you can walk everywhere, but in their bars, drinks are paid for us (although I took it without showing the bracelet). They have several large water slides (access to them through their reception, I advise you to get dressed), where it is free for us (although at first they wanted to divorce us for 5 bucks).
Now about the most important thing - the SEA! We sat in the sea all the time and only went out to drink and eat a little. This is a bomb! Very beautiful corals and fish, from large to small. The reef is one for two hotels, so it is very big! We could not stand it, we decided to buy a case for the camera, they bought it at the hotel for $30, in Naama Bay they bargained for $12 (initially they asked for $20). Fears were in vain - half of the photos are fish and reefs. The beach is very large and is combined with a neighboring hotel (indicated above). On the sand you can go knee-deep (further stones). The guys took safety shoes, but they didn’t walk along the beach in them (once they put them on to go to the sunken pontoon, because it was slippery there, but we also walked there in ordinary bast shoes). They brought their good masks (made of normal silicone and with valves on the mask and snorkel). Our comrades had simple ones that were also sold in Egypt. Our friends were not happy with the masks - they let water through (they had to constantly emerge) and one cracked. They took ours. For the sake of interest, we found out how much their masks cost: simple, about $ 10-15 (just like ours), similar to our $ 20-25 (cheaper, but I can’t say anything about the quality).
Now about nutrition. I completely agree with those who say that food is bad and do not listen to those who scream about good things or like “you don’t cook so much at home”. I am not picky about food, but I think that I paid for the standard of 5 stars (albeit the lowest), which includes a certain set of services and specific meals. So, given the bad reviews, I was hoping for a minimum 5 star food standard, but that was the 3 star standard. Immediately it is worth noting that he was not hungry. From what I saw in the main restaurant, the first thing I did was weed out half that could be poisoned. Then from the rest I chose what was not disgusting. And then, which is nice, a tenth of the table remained at best. Really tasty was only flour products (pastries) except bread. I went to the Arabic restaurant Ala carte - the food is as it should have been in the main restaurant, so I did not leave a tip. I also want to talk about the service. Tables were cleaned poorly and not in a timely manner (although there were only 200 people out of 1200 possible in the hotel), napkins were not interrogated, as well as problems on the tables with salt and pepper (sorry, but I think that drying your hands is not a trifle). Good service on the street. A couple of examples. Went to get some chicken and vegetables. In front of me, the Arab cook chose the perfect clean chicken from the vat, and when he came up, I didn’t let me pick it up myself, I started to put it on myself. Moreover, mostly chicken skins, onions and some other crap. It became unpleasant. I, revealingly, made me put almost the entire vat on my plate (how much fit on the plate), after which I sat opposite them and chose only a normal chicken. The rest (a full plate) was poured with juice so that these skins could not be returned back to the vat and left. The next time I will dial this product myself (of course I took a little bit). At the same time, women tried to swear that there were no fruits and berries. As for me, it's not worth it - they still didn't achieve anything, but they spoiled their nerves. I met our "women" who, without understanding, threw tantrums. For example, I bought a fresh juice - they brought her an invoice to sign. I didn’t have any money with me, but I didn’t figure it out and thought that I had to pay right away. She threw a tantrum, not listening to the explanations of the Arabs in broken Russian. Until I barked at ours that she could pay at any time or when leaving at the reception, and the bill must be signed to confirm agreement with the sum, she did not calm down.
The bartenders leave a lot to be desired. We met two normal people: one of them was named Tarek. They worked mainly in the Los Amigos bar. But during the day they were everywhere. The rest molested our women, behaved inappropriately, cursed, constantly offered hashish, etc. Many wanted to give in the face. Poured into 150g plastic small cups. Of the drinks, they drank rum and beer most of all. Although by our standards - this is complete gay. Beer periodically ended (brought through time). We had our own, so we didn't get bored. They found Duty Free in Naama Bay - they bought it there (they sell it within two days after arrival with a passport, but I spoke ours and offered rights instead of a passport - they sold it without problems throughout the rest. The only thing is that there are no fixed prices indicated, so in the hall first they asked the workers for prices, at the checkout they said more, but we pointed to the workers and sold at that price). The bartenders at the pool did not want to pour alcohol, arguing that there was no main bartender, while foreigners were poured. In the Los Amigos bar, they almost always have a main manager, whom they are afraid of like hell. If you find a common language with him, they will lick your ass.

Guides Turtes met normally. We had a good introduction. About the change of guides and the time informed regularly in the room. I found out about the date of departure in a timely manner in the lobby. Only this is their basic job when everything is fine. Truth appeared in problems. Initially, they hung noodles that insurance does not work if you go on excursions not through TurTes. People! Read the insurance policy! It says that we are insured by a third party (an insurance company) through Turtes (Turtes does not have a license for this). This means that the entire trip to Egypt is insured without being tied to TurTes. And in case of problems, you should call this third party, and TurTes can only help you with this or not help you. Tour guides at the hotel are much more expensive, but more about them below. The second divorce, when you go on excursions far away, you should be given a dry ration with you and provide a late dinner (in my case, there was a ration in the room). This is included in the ticket price. I took an excursion to Cairo from the street, they gave rations normally, but at the reception they asked through whom I was going. To avoid problems with rations, which I already knew about (from the street - they refused to give rations), and not to waste my nerves, I said that I was going through TurTes. After the trip, the TourTes guide came up to me and asked how we went, and then he began to read the seals. I didn't argue. He said that he didn’t figure it out and that’s it (it turns out that the guide was brought a paper to sign for us to receive rations and he signed it). The third joke arose when leaving, when our friends were billed for a hookah of $ 3, which they did not smoke (others were billed for significant sums). The hotel guide was absent, and the bus guide was frostbitten. Guide Pegasus took the side of the reception and began to help us load. At the same time, the reception did not show us the bill and immediately forgot the Russian language, although before that everyone spoke perfectly. Considering the sum and the fact that the time was rushing, they paid, but the sediment remained! In general, in such cases, you should immediately call guides, administration, hookah workers and press, do not be fooled by words, wait 30 minutes. they will bring the bill (it should be initially at the reception). And the offer not to take the bus, and then go to the airport by taxi infuriated (maybe they would have come to the airport with a taxi bill)! By the way, we guess what kind of Ukrainian freaks (for information, Ukrainians themselves too) wrote down the bill on our room and it’s a pity that they didn’t fly in dreams. I wanted to punch them in the face while still at the hotel, but the Arabs stopped us (they didn't want problems with the police). On the example of such, they think badly about all Ukrainians. By the way, this is the scourge of everyone from the former USSR. A couple of katsaps arrived on the last day to replace these Ukrainians. Judging by what I saw - the same moral freaks.
Excursions were taken on the street (much cheaper). We went through 5 local travel agencies in Naama Bay. I will not mention the names, so as not to think that advertising. None of those that I read about on the Internet (Eva, Taba, To Egypt, Vantur did not see and their prices were higher). At first it was dumb to take on the street. In four, the Arabs did not inspire confidence. In the fifth, the Arab spoke almost pure Russian and spoke clearly, specifically, in detail, did not grab, did not shout, etc. Responsible for words. Who cares about the yellow office next to the Hard Rock Cafe disco. But his prices were $5 more expensive than the rest. At first they took ATVs from him for 20 bucks. And first we returned to the hotel thought and ordered by phone half an hour before the tour. The reaction was clear, ring back, a good bus in 15 minutes. Liked. Moreover, they traveled the same way, that people through hotel guides, that we did. In front of and behind a person, periodic stops for counting, there were minor problems such as a motorcycle stalled or hard, which were resolved quickly and efficiently. Then, they took a trip to Cairo from him. The bus is good with air conditioning and a toilet (really important, we went to the toilet). The trip was well organized, the guide speaks Russian. Little information was given, but as I understood it, the same thing happened through the hotel guides. I liked the pyramids and the museum, but black Cairo and rabid Arabs (really angry and rushed) overshadowed the trip. Everywhere they went in a bunch (it was dumb). They wanted to make a trip along the Nile to the place of lunch (we won’t see this from the bus) for 10 bucks. Real divorce! We stayed on the bus, drove along the embankment and saw the same thing. Hotel guides have the same divorce. The trip left an extraordinary impression! I advise our women who like Egyptians (seen at discos)! After what I see, I think your eyes will be opened. Sharm is a separate city (although also well... ), Cairo showed the face of the country and the people! Do not take anything near the pyramids - do not even show the money! Remember! They ask for 1 bucks, but they are bred for all the money, just show what you have! Walk quickly and in groups of several people, do not get excited and do not talk to them as much as possible. Do not take any gifts - a divorce. Don't give them anything of your own. For a photo (even their help in this) they demand money very evil.
We were also at the Hard Rock Cafe disco for $ 15 with animators from the hotel. It's cheaper through them. Didn't live up to expectations. Small. House is spinning. Tired after an hour. We went out and went for a walk in Naama Bay. Others went to BudaBar (there was Russian music) and Pasha. Pasha is the coolest disco (if through the animators 35 bucks, by yourself taxi fare is 5 dollars one way (from the hotel 10) plus entrance up to 11 - 29 dollars with one drink, after 11 - 36 dollars with one drink). Alcohol there is better to take through the animators - cheaper.
Animation in the hotel was almost non-existent. During the day there was darts, water volleyball, volleyball, aerobics, table ping pong, billiards (two Americans free of charge until 8 in the afternoon), but there were no balls from time to time (as they later learned one inventory for two hotels). We used balls brought by tourists. Animators most of the time stupidly went picking their nose. It was normal to talk only with Katya (animator). There was only one normal evening show, but as they later found out, it was a one-time free presentation of a new local entertainment company, so I won’t talk about it. The animation shows were terrible. As for me, the main animator (he is from Tunisia) should be naked in the ass. All he did was hit on white girls. The discos in the Los Amigos bar are also very bad (organized by animators) and delayed. The music is so-so (offered to take mine - they freeze). They need to lure people to the disco in Naama Bay (where they mow money).

Separately, it must be said about trips to Naama Bay and shopping. There are a limited number of seats on the free bus to Naama Bay and you need to sign up in the morning (from 6-50). We woke up, so we didn’t go a couple of times until we started approaching the bus exit, agreed and drove (another minus of the reception). Council, in the city look ask the price. You can drop prices by 2-3 times. Brought to the street, where the market is not the best. Closer to Duty Free, the parallel street is better. Without women, they throw off more, when you return with a woman, they throw it on. During one of the trips to Naama Bay, two girls disappeared. This is certainly not Cairo, but be careful and do not shine money.
Enough is enough. Last tip. Approach everyone with a smile and life will smile at you. Deal with problems calmly and do not get hung up on trifles, treat everything with laughter and light irony and you will have a good rest. At least I got it.
Happy holidays everyone.
P. S. For book lovers. Please do not treat my speech errors strictly, since I write mainly in Ukrainian, I wanted everyone to be able to read the review.