Sierra4* в отзывах и наяву Sierra4* in reviews and reality

Sierra 4 * in reviews and in reality.
In gratitude for the information received from the reviews before traveling to Egypt, I will try to describe my subjective impressions of my stay at the Sierra 4 * hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.
Since this was my first tourist trip to Egypt (I was previously abroad only for work, I visited Iraq from Arab countries), I had to be a little nervous upon arrival at Sharm El Sheikh airport, because no one could really explain the sequence of actions. Therefore, for beginners, I explain. After you go up to the second floor, on the left you will see a counter with consultants (actually, I don’t know exactly who they are, but their duties include pasting visas into passports and issuing cards). The cost of filling out a card and a visa is 15-20 dollars, as you're lucky. The guy in front of me paid $30 for two visas without change. I decided to change 100 dollars there, but when I asked how much the visa costs, they answered me 20 dollars, and if I want it for 15 dollars,

then go to the cashier. It is very close and I chose an economical option. I took a card from the consultant, filled it out on my own (no problems filling it out). At the box office I received visas for 15 dollars, change from 100 dollars. and went further in the opposite direction from the ticket office, where they pass passport control. Attempts to independently separate the self-adhesive tape from the visa, both for me and for my wife, did not give results. At that moment, we saw an employee in front of the passport control, who said that it was necessary to present the passport already open on the page with a visa, they approached him. He easily peeled off the tape and slapped a visa on the first blank page in the middle of his wife's new passport. I can't stand such a mess, so I decided to pick up this film again and slap it neatly on the first clean page. Again failure. I approached this magician and asked him to repeat the manipulation of the film. The focus was
that we tried to pick up the film from the back of the visa, but it should be from the front. Phew, we coped with this, passed passport control. Then we met a representative with a Pegas sign, asked him where to get luggage and which bus to follow. Upon receiving my luggage, I saw that there was no belt on the bag and remembered that I unfastened it in Rostov and took it with me on the plane. Attempts to return to the plane or otherwise get it to no avail. Representatives of Pegasus said that this was not in their competence and nothing could be done. Therefore, advice, before leaving the plane, carefully check whether you have taken everything with you.
We boarded the bus, the representative of Pegasus explained in what sequence he would deliver tourists to hotels. We were lucky we were the first. The bus drove to the hotel, unloaded on the street (in front of the reception) luggage. The hotel employee asked to go to the reception and explained,
that luggage will be delivered to the room after check-in. There were 3-4 people working at the reception. I went to the free one, he took my documents, gave out cards and asked me to fill them out. They sat down at a cozy table to do clerical work. We were served a cold hibiscus, congratulated on the arrival and asked if everything was fine with us, if there were any questions. There were no questions, we drank the hibiscus with pleasure, the cards were filled out and I went to the reception with thoughts on how to get a good number. A compatriot stood in front of me and in "pure" English-Russian with a pleading (and it seemed to me rather humiliating) facial expressions said that she was not the first time here and wanted to get a good number. The representative of the hotel very dignifiedly answered that he, of course, also remembers her, asks not to worry and go to the table to fill in the entry documents. After what he saw, he spat on the desire to beg for a number,

especially not really understanding how it should look and where it is located, except of course the legendary 5th building. I submitted the documents, the employee politely asked how I was feeling and began to look for available rooms on the computer (I had a garden view). In the process of searching, I nevertheless blurted out that tomorrow is my 50th birthday and fell silent. He reacted very lively, congratulated me, told his colleagues about this event, who also congratulated me. Gave cards for towels and keys to room 6512 saying it was on the second floor. Didn't notice any hints of reward. Everything is very worthy.
The staff member who met us took our luggage and escorted us to our room. Unfortunately, I was never able to get small dollar bills, and the ATM in the reception room was out of order. He thanked for the delivery of luggage with chocolate, but as it seemed not only to me, but also to his wife, he accepted it without much enthusiasm, and even with some kind of bewilderment. Okay, we'll survive
took it as our inability to thank beautifully.
The room turned out to be in a good location, clean, view of the garden patio, but without a loggia. I also wanted a loggia. Began to be placed. In the bathroom there are three small bottles with liquids (shampoo, gels), towels. Two half-liter bottles of water, a shoe brush and some other little things for care. Hairdryer in the bathroom and air conditioner worked well. While my wife was doing things, I decided to try out the electronic safe. I read the instructions in three languages, including Russian. I did all the necessary manipulations and the safe closed. But he didn't want to open up. I went to the reception and reported my problem and at the same time asked about the next room with a loggia. They promised to fix the problem with the safe in five minutes, but this number is busy (later I saw for myself that this is really the case). Therefore, if possible, they will try to provide me with a room with a loggia tomorrow afternoon.

After waiting 10 minutes without result, I called from the room (you dial 0) regarding problems with the safe. They asked if I could wait until tomorrow. I categorically rejected this offer and received another “wait 5 minutes”, then more calls and already 20 minutes. He spat on these expectations, took his wife and went to dinner. The safe was fixed the next day. There was no free room with a loggia, they invited me to come the next day. But we have already got used to our own and I no longer bothered at the reception. We met with neighbors who have a loggia. They said that when they moved in they invested 20 dollars. and asked for a nice room. They were given in the sixth building without a loggia. They returned and asked with a loggia, mentioning that they would celebrate their birthday on vacation, they got what they wanted. The room was cleaned daily with the change of linen, in the evening the cleaner asked again if there were any problems. I was able to exchange money only two days later,
so left the first five pounds on the third day. The hotel staff gave me a birthday surprise. They decorated the wall with the inscription Happy birthday, brought a cake with cutlery and a candle. We were pleasantly surprised by this, took a picture and began to think about how to light a candle. Both do not smoke, there were no matches in the next room either. We went to Soho Square to get a fire, and the next day we found out that the Sierra staff had provided for everything, we just didn’t see a grater with matches in the business card holder on the table. Well, how can one remain indifferent, went up to the cleaner after dinner, clarified that it was he who decorated the room. I thanked him (he said he was hungry and I had money in my room). I understand that he took the money and once again thanked for his work and went to the room. I entered the room and was surprised to find the money left for the cleaner (I put it on a plate and cutlery that was with the cake, so be mistaken,
that this gratitude he could not) untouched. I took the money, found him cleaning another room, gave it back and agreed that he could take the money on the table in the hallway. I did not notice the difference in cleaning with and without a tip. Left five pounds. Before the trip to the pyramids, during the next evening blitz survey, they asked for additional water for the journey. No problem, he gave me exactly what I needed. Wi-Fi is available in the room as well as in the lobby.
On the day of arrival, we decided to eat outdoors. We sat down at a table and called the waiter. He brought us napkins and cutlery. We waited for another half an hour to be served food. In the process of contemplating the surroundings, the thought came to me, what can self-service do here? Went to check out the restaurant. I saw tourists with plates, looked at their routes and followed suit. We had a nice dinner, the evening was very warm (+30 after the Rostov mines 1). Regarding the food, everything was good. I will not say that there is a very large variety of dishes,

especially for breakfast, but I didn't come here to overeat. Fresh vegetables, juices, quite tasty dishes were enough for me. I just wish there was more seafood. As for the service, everything is also worthy and courteous even without a tip. There was a moment of not momentary serving of a clean cup, but everything was resolved by a reminder and mutual smiles with gratitude. I will give specific examples of goodwill and attentive attitude on the part of the employees of the main restaurant (in others it is similar). My wife, not fluent in English, in my absence tried to find out in Russian from the waiter where they give ice cream, he did not understand. Then she remembered Ice's words, but she's not sure what ice-cream said. In short, the waiter apologized for not understanding her and left. When I returned, I reassured her that after lunch we would go together in search of a point with free ice cream. What was the surprise
when, after some time, this waiter came up and explained to his wife where the bar is, in which they give ice cream, and its opening hours. I wished you bon appetit and once again apologized for not being able to help right away. Second case. (meals at the hotel by time: breakfast 06.30-10.00, lunch 13.00-15.00, dinner 18.00-22.00). We left on a free bus from the hotel at 18.00 to Naama Bay. Before that, we had lunch at sea. We realized that we had flown by with lunch and dinner, because we returned at 22.00. We were not particularly upset, since you can refresh yourself in bars open until 01.00. Returned somewhere around 22.00, and maybe later. They did not look at the clock, but they saw that there were still people in the main restaurant. Uncertainty went inside. The senior manager immediately approached us, asked us to go to the served table and instructed the waiters to serve us. They ate and drank for lunch and dinner. No one stood over the soul that it was time to leave. The only thing I recommend
if you were late with food and came at the end of the time interval, then try to immediately get yourself the necessary food, otherwise the waiters immediately, as soon as the time comes, remove the food (especially salads). But I personally have no complaints about this, since I saw that everything was put on a well-functioning conveyor. At 10.00 they already begin to lay tables for lunch and, accordingly, at 15.00 already for dinner, etc. That is, with our disorganization, we can only make a failure in this mechanism. Local beer and Henekel (sometimes poured on the beach) I liked it. Three types of dry wines (white, rose and red) of average quality. I liked white better, and I drank it. Strong drinks were not interested. Juices are delicious, especially in the morning, even with pulp, where wine is poured at lunch and dinner, plus hibiscus. I advise you not to miss dinner on Friday. This is an oriental evening, with belly dancing, skirts, grill, barbecue. I like it. Starts around 7:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
I also advise you to visit the English bar, it is located right next to it on the left, where the bus stop to the beach, if you are facing Soho Square. The English flag is on the building. Free until 20:00, found it only on the last day and three minutes before the end of the free service, but had no problems drinking beer and watching football.

The beach is excellent. The road to it really takes 15-20 minutes. There is a bus every half an hour. The path was not particularly stressful. Often went different routes to see the territory of Savoy. We went by bus several times, went according to the schedule. The beach and the bar on it are open until 17.00. There are always enough sun loungers, towels are changed without problems. They also visited the territory of Savoy - no one drove. Towels at Savoy are dark blue (we have light and white ones). That is, it is easy to distinguish Siera's clients from Savoyites, but the staff treats everyone loyally. I swam to the Sunrise beach, also not bad, well, somehow heaped up.
but loses control in deeper places. This was confirmed even in a pool measuring 1.5 x 2.0 m in a bathhouse. She managed to drown there, because the depth was 1.8 meters. Attempts to persuade her to swim next to the pontoon only brought horror to her pretty face when she found out about the depth. I'm trying to persuade at least to wet my feet from the ladder. He agrees with difficulty, grabs the ladder with a death grip and slightly descends into the sea knee-deep. Well, I didn't miss mine. I also have a weak grip. In short, I grabbed her in an armful and, with the help of my compatriots who came to the rescue and calmed me, tore her off the ladder and dunked her half a meter from the pontoon. Screeching, oohs and eyes from the orbits are useless to describe it must be seen. So, knowing this, before leaving Russia, I bought inflatable armlets for 56 rubles (I had seen that children swim in them on the Black Sea).
And on our next visit to the sea, I solemnly hoisted this floating tool on the handles of my half and lo and behold, she calmly swam. This must be seen, a person who, in his 40s, has never swum deeper than 1.5 meters (not counting the pool in the bathhouse) calmly swam up to 100 meters (then it just started to freeze - if it’s thin skin, if it’s a tender soul, well, I calmly at the same time he was in the water for up to an hour and did not feel cold). Somewhere in four days, the wife wanted to improve her skills and swim in fins. Bought in Naama Bay for $20. (we took the sizeless ones with back fixing elastic bands, they are easier to put on and they can fit anyone). She put on flippers and swam. Somewhere in about twenty meters she says that the fins are too heavy and her head is somehow pulled down. I look at her, I don’t understand anything, how flippers can pull her head down, and then I see that she is without her rescue sleeves. Calmly, without a second thought,
I tell her about this and watch the instant change of bliss on my face to horror and chaotic "dog" strokes. She whipped the foam, the breakers went, but she could not swim. I scold myself for thoughtlessly informing my half that she is without life-saving equipment and drag her to the pontoon. We got there, I became her savior, drank a beer, put on rescue sleeves and calmly plunged into the contemplation of the underwater world. Therefore, sleeves for non-swimmers are a 100% guarantee of solving problems. They don't restrict you like circles, so it's not just for kids. Verified personally.

Purchases. They were not particularly interested in this, well, I wanted to compare prices. Twice we went on a free bus to Naama Bay. The prices on Soho and Naama Bay for the items that attracted us did not differ much, and sometimes, for example sundresses, on Soho they were even cheaper. Everywhere you have to bargain. I went to Naama Bay with caution, because I am familiar with the deliverability of Arab sellers.
Considering this, we tried to quickly overcome the bazaar rows and visited the shops further. Buy your daughter a bag (they say leather, like from China) for 30 or 40 dollars, hibiscus tea 0.5 kg for 85 pounds, a mixture of hair oils for 125 pounds (the wife read grateful reviews from Russians, and maybe other CIS citizens, but on in Russian, posted right there in the store), he pampered himself with shorts, it seems like 30-40 dollars. Well, these prices do not stick in my head. We were very pleasantly surprised by the courtesy and friendliness of the seller in the bazaar (which we tried to quickly slip through), next to our bus stop. If you stand with your back to the bus, its point is the second from the right. Sells crockery and souvenirs. We bought from him on the first visit already at the exit a plate for 7 dollars. (in duty it is 12dol, in other places they asked for at least 10). On the next visit, we also returned to the bus stop 5 minutes before departure.
The bus was delayed (by the way, the driver apologized after a long time, there were some problems with the passage, they blocked the street). We went to the seller to take a look at the goods. In the course of the conversation, they began to look for what to buy as a gift for a friend in Rostov, who gave us a lift to the airport. We stopped at the ashtray. He went through a bunch of them. Have chosen. Starting price 10 dollars. Since I was not entirely sure of the correct choice of a gift, there was no particular desire to buy. Before that, they saw worse and also asked for about 10 dollars for it. Bargained for $5. He said it was her cost price and he got nothing. He just wants to please us. The bus was still not approaching, and I asked where I could buy 3 batteries for a flashlight. He readily escorted me to the nearest department store, but there were none. Then he went on his own to other points. Find out where you can buy cheaper. I was afraid,
that we would miss the bus and did not want to go far, so he suggested that he himself get off or delay the bus if we do not have time. But I refused, somehow it was already inconvenient that we were paid so much attention for small purchases. Further time before the bus we spent in a pleasant conversation on the chairs that he found for us. They wanted to give him cigarettes from the hotel in gratitude the next day through the bus driver. The driver at first realized that I myself wanted to go and pass the cigarettes, and since there were no seats on the bus, we went to the counter where they signed up for the bus. The hotel employee, after listening to the driver, allowed him to take me, but realizing that I could not go, but only wanted to betray the cigarettes, he explained this to the driver. He categorically refused to do this, because he does not personally know this seller and can only take me back and forth. East is a delicate matter,

so I didn’t manage to thank the kind and sympathetic merchant in such frightening bazaar rows.
Of the excursions went only to the Pyramids. Two days after arrival, we phoned Irina Sharm (thanks to her for always timely and comprehensive answers to questions, in my opinion she is a professional in her field and inspires confidence) and were very upset when they found out that you can go to Israel only on Thursday, and return on the night from Friday to Saturday. Since we were leaving on Saturday, we did not take risks. We went to Naama Bay hoping to buy a ticket to Israel on Wednesday. On the advice of one of the sellers in the mall, they turned to the agency. There we were told that reputable companies would organize a trip to Israel on the same days that Irina suggested to us, and they themselves would not sell us tickets for Thursday, because there is a risk of not being able to catch the plane home. Their prices really differed from those offered by Ira. So Ira has $120 in Israel,
in this agency, and in others, too, the price was $ 90. But I think it’s worth clarifying with Ira the reason, maybe there are nuances in organizing excursions, in particular the border crossing, the number of nationalities in the group, etc. We had to buy a tour to Cairo to the pyramids for $50. Specially specified what buses will be and how professional the guide. The bus was said to be with an increased distance between the seats, and the guide speaks excellent Russian and is only certified. To work as a guide, you need to train for two years, etc. That is, this agency deals only with professionals. Departure from the hotel 01.15. Ordered dry rations (bottle of water 0.5, juice, sandwich, cheese, banana) in general is normal. A minibus drove up to the hotel, to our question about a comfortable bus they answered that we would transfer to it later. Go. On the way we stopped at other hotels for tourists. Somewhere in half an hour a thought began to creep in,
that a comfortable bus will be given only in Cairo. But everything was fair. After about an hour of cruising around the hotels, we were transferred to a bus, only the distance between the seats was no more, or maybe even less, than in a minibus. This caused some inconvenience during the trip. Also, try not to sit next to the dry closet. The smell is felt and does not add comfort. In addition to two drivers, there was an escort from a travel agency, who, to the best of his mediocre abilities, spoke about Egypt in not very good English and bad Russian, two policemen in civilian clothes. In the middle of the way we made a stop to some eatery in the middle of the desert. He put his half in a cafe, and he went to the toilet. Seeing a considerable queue (there were about 6 buses with tourists near the cafe), I decided to relieve my little need on the bus and returned to the cafe. The dirt there amazed me so much,

that I, grabbing my wife by the hand, flew out with a bullet from there, experiencing the beginning gusts of vomiting. They caught their breath in the air next to the bus, then went into it and had a quiet breakfast. Before leaving, I saw a tourist rushing between buses with a bottle of water. It turned out to be our compatriot. He lagged behind his group, that is, the bus drove off without him. Doesn't know the language. But two words, Pegasus and the name of the hotel were enough for our guide and the accompanying policeman to call and organize the delivery of this poor fellow on our bus to the suburbs of Cairo, where he was safely handed over to the representative. Then I saw him at the Sharm El Sheikh airport before departure, so everything ended well for him. I can’t even imagine what would have happened to him if the representatives of the Egyptians in our bus were not so responsive. We arrived in Cairo around 09.00. In front of the Cairo Museum, professional guides boarded our bus,
spoke really good Russian and two more for french and english. There were also Germans, but they caught information only in these three languages. Here, in my opinion, the number of guides minus. I had to listen to the same information in three languages ​ ​ in turn, though from different people (in English, it seemed to me that the guide spoke more interesting household details). In the museum itself, we were divided into groups, i. e. the Russian speakers went with their guide. They gave receivers with headphones and a transmitter from the guide. Handed over cameras, mobile phones can be left. The tour is somewhere in the region of 40 minutes, listening to the guide through the headphones is quite tolerable, then half an hour of free time around the museum. We absorbed the spirit of ancient civilization, looked at the exhibits. Impressive. Many Egyptian schoolchildren. We did not pass by the internal toilet. There the boy demanded a pound for entry. I paid for myself and my wife. Saw the scene some tourist saying sorry
sorry and asked to skip it without money. The boy was adamant and demanded money. In anticipation of his wife, he turned his head and read all sorts of inscriptions there, above the toilet too. I did not understand anything, well, I remembered the phrase. Then he asked the guide what it means? It turned out she says, do not tip. Well, just like ours: everywhere they talk and write about free parking, but right there there are uncles in reflective vests and demand a bribe. At the exit, outside the museum, local vendors offer cheap papyrus. The guide warned that this is a fake and not worth buying. Further, the path lay in a restaurant on the banks of the Nile. Along the way, there was an offer from the guide (quite insistent) to go part of the way to the restaurant along the river on a boat and see a beautiful landscape, a gorgeous view, and so on. We were warned at the travel agency that this trip was not worth the required $8. and we refused, because it was still quite windy.
Then we talked to those who accepted the offer of the guide and were glad that they had made the right decision by refusing. The trip along the Nile was not commented on by the guide in any way, we didn’t see any special species, but we froze great. The restaurant has a buffet, but drinks are not included in the price of the tour. They usually ate, without pretensions, took out the stored water and laid siege to the food. We admired the view of the Nile and moved further to Giza to the pyramids. What struck me the most was that the stones-blocks of the pyramids do not fit so tightly to each other, although I understand that time has done its job. But how much has been read about jewelry work, and here is some kind of heap. We took pictures, tried not to pay attention and not to talk to the ubiquitous sellers. Once the wife could not resist and showed attention to the goods of one of the boys. He ran after us for 200 meters and did not lure us with anything. The information read in the reviews about the policemen was confirmed, thanks to the author.

Indeed, on one of the corners of the pyramid of Cheops, there was a group of policemen and one of them asked to photograph him with my wife in a ray of sunshine between the pyramid and the sign next to which they stood. I explained to him that our customs forbid photographing a woman with a strange man. I took a picture of one wife, and at his request to pay for the service for such a gorgeous photo, he complained that he forgot the money on the bus and quickly retreated, taking his half. We wandered around the pyramids for about an hour, then got on the bus and drove to the sphinx (it turned out to be very close and it’s even surprising that we didn’t see it earlier when we walked around the pyramids). We looked at this miracle of antiquity, threw 10 rubles into the pit of desires, and on the way to the bus we still bought two statuettes of cats for 250 rubles (I didn’t describe myself, just rubles). Wife jokingly offered them,
since I grabbed another currency (our women with money for an excursion are not allowed) and the seller agreed. Upon arrival home, they offended a relative with a small number of souvenirs, I think they just had to be bought from the pyramids recklessly bargaining and knocking down the price from local sellers. Only not in remote places, so as not to run into a provocation.
In conclusion, I want to once again express my gratitude to the participants of this site, thanks to whom we were able to prepare and have a wonderful week in Egypt.
There will be questions, write.