Sierra Resort

2 readers found this review helpful

After having read the last review, I think we must have gone to the wrong hotel! The Sierra Hotel is absolutely gorgeous. The staff are extremely friendly and couldn't do enough for us. We did tip the staff where we felt it was appropriate which just made them bend over backwards to help you in any way possible. We were welcomed to the hotel with open arms and shown around the complex. Our room was large complete with air con, large bathroom, tv, safe, fridge etc and had a little terrace at the front overlooking the well maintained gardens and mini-golf course. The pools were lovely and slightly heated although by 11am the sun had heated them up sufficiently. Temperature was in the early 30's each day and sun cream is definitly required but if you forget to take any you can buy some from the shops on Soho Square just behind the hotel (a very new small shopping area complete with a variety of restaurants, an ice rink (!), a theatre showing how egypt has evolved, some bars, a chemist (which is owned and run by a doctor) and a couple of camels walking along the road). I ordered room service on one occasion which was very cheap but very tasty at the same time and I couldn't complain about the food at all. It was always freshly cooked, hot and plenty variety. You obviously have to be sensible about what you eat wherever you go (such as don't drink tap water) but one tip we were given by our rep was not to eat chocolate or ice-cream during the day because it curdles in your stomach due to the heat. I have to say, this is the first holiday I have ever had where I haven't had an upset stomach! There were a lot of Russians staying at the hotel who always pinch the best sunbeds in the morning but there are plenty to go around and we always managed to get somewhere in the sun. Even if you do not smoke, you must try a Shisha Pipe one evening - lightly flavoured tobacco that isn't as harsh as a cigarette which is smoked through a decorative shisha pipe. It costs only 15 egyptian pounds (around £1.50!) and if you give them a small tip they will carry on topping it up for you until you have had enough. The beach is nice and clean, and the waiters are very attentive always making sure you have a drink. We went to Naama Bay one even and can highly recommend the Hard Rock Cafe. It is your typical Hard Rock Cafe - good food, a bit of rock music, and staff that are just completely nuts and dance around to the YMCA! Very enjoyable and once again very cheap. Did a bit of shopping whilst we were in Naama Bay but it can be a bit intimidating at times when you are getting badgered by shop owners but they don't mean anything by it and are still very polite. A trip on the Seascope Submarine is a must - clear waters where you can see coral and tropical fish - a great alternative if you are not into scuba diving or snorkling.
I have stayed at a lot of 5 star hotels around the world including such hotel chains as Riu, and have to say that I was very impressed with this one. I am the type of person who is known to complain at anything but I cannot say a bad word about this holiday (apart from coming back with a few midge bites). This is a location we would definitly recommend and will be returning to.

Hotel, people, food, drink, service, hygiene, general attitude towards the customers, levels of honesty, value for money all appalling.
It seems that if you are easily amused very forgiving and are totally irresponsible with your money then Sierra Sharms sham five star experience is the way for you, I can virtually guarantee gorgeous weather but then I could give you a list of places where you can get a tan without being ripped off, poisoned and fobbed off. So if you want to pay European money for third world services and a case of D+V then go for it, on the other hand if you're not from a family that resembles a clan of football strip wearing eastenders rejects and you think you deserve a little better for your annual break, for the love of god avoid this middle eastern sinkhole, it would be far less hassle just to burn your money.

1 reader found this review helpful

Having read some of the other reviews , I really wonder what some people expect for the price they pay. As a family we have been to many "all inclusive " resorts around the world -both Mediteranean and Carribean and we can honestly say ,this was by far and away the best.
I have 2 daughters who are 12 and 15 -they had their own room and were completely safe and unhasseld-sure the 15 year old was the subject of some flirting -but that happens when she walks down the high street in Wimbledon, there was never anything inappropriate and I do think that some of your reviewers fail to understand the difference in cultures and the difficulties in communication ( how many of us can speak as much Arabic as most of the Egyptians can speak English).
Please approach Egypt with this in mind, the staff and the local population are entirely dedicated to trying to make your stay comfortable. We were impresed by the number of Police and Tourist Police looking after us day & night.
As for the hotel it was spotless with some of the hardest working staff I have come across, there is waiter service at the bars and ths is a rarity in all-inclusives which can be a bit cattle like. The food was excellent ,sure it was based on the same formula for all meals,but so is all catering in hotels unless you go a la carte, which you can do at any of the excellent restaurants at the Savoy (with a 25 % discount).Food hygeine-take it from a professional- was impeccable. There were no upset stomachs in my family and for those who report them in reviews -it is far more likely to be due to having too many very cold drinks with ice when you are too hot,all the ice is made from bottled water.I would be surprised if anything was caught from the hotel.Too much alcohol is usually the cause if the symptoms go on!
The staff were helpful and attentive and never failed to smile.
It is only 10 mins from the airport but you only occasionally notice a plane and it was not an intrusion.
The rooms were spacious and well equipped and had efficient air conditioning as well as plenty of free bottled water.
We would thouroughly recommend this hotel to anyone with a family who wants a quiet relaxing holiday with a high standard of accomodation and easy access to some of the most amazing sites in the world.

1 reader found this review helpful

We loved it here that staff were friendly and always happy to help. The rooms were spacious and comfortable with everything that you needed. The hotel was very clean as were the rooms, always had fresh flowers in the room daily.
The food was varied especially being on an all inc basis. Would love to go back again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Me and my wife have just came back to Bethlehem in the West Bank after spending an amazing week in Sierra Sharm. Pools were great. Rooms were large and well-prepared. The staff was very friendly and polite. Food was fantastic. Animation team was also interesting with their simplicity.

1 reader found this review helpful

We went as a family to the sierra hotel last august.
it was one of the best holidays iv had.. but just dont go around the last week of august to the first week of september...its the annual eygption holiday...
dont get me wrong the staff were superb but the eygption holiday makers werent!
they were extremly rude, i think the complaints from the english got that bad we had to dine in separte rooms from them.. riduculous!
the hotel itself was amazign.. and as a scuba diver it was one of the best holidays yet.. especially venturing out to Ras Mohammed one the most protected dive sites in the world. also good for snorkelling if the current isnt to much, if your not good on boats this is not recommended!
i loved relaxing by the pool and not being hasseled as you would down in narma bay but afta a few visits you learn to ignore them! they wil by pass you with comments, especially the ladies!
if you get a big fed up of the repetitive food in the hotel there is always a choice of havin a mcdonalds delivered or even nipping into narma bay by getin the shuttle bus for free.. as long as u pre book or simply orderin a taxi.. and eatin out in places such as TGI's or Hard Rock Cafe... tasty at cheap prices.
this is a must do holiday... i would recommend the sierra as a hotel as the clenliness and staff are spectacular yet just dont go from the last week of august to the first week in september.... no wonder it was so much cheaper the beginning or august.. they 4got to mention the eygption holiday and how rude and arrogant they are
go and have fun... i no i did... got a tan aswell

1 reader found this review helpful

After returning from our 2 week stay in the Sierra we have nothing but satisfaction and praise for our holiday and will definately be looking to return again. The hotel is ideally located near the beach and is a sister hotel to the world famous Savoy.The airport is also only a 10 minute drive away so the transfers are not to much of a drag. The facilities are top notch with 5 different pools, gym, massage and sauna areas. Rooms are cleaned on a daily basis by very helpful and tidy cleaners who do a great job. Tip your cleaner on your 1st day and you will get extra care and extra items throughout your stay which was very pleasing. The food is great too. There is food available all day from different areas so you will never go hungry especially when you see the great variety on offer which gives you a more flexible approach to eating when going all inclusive. We must mention the staff as they were extremely helpful, very friendly and made us feel very at home. The hotel is good for both couples and families and has its own range of international animation staff who provide entertainment all day long for both adults and children. The hotel averages 100 brits a week at the Sierra along with many other nationalities and is always very lively. The temperature was 34+ everyday with it hitting 42 on 3 successive days. Overall This was a great Holiday in excellent hotel.

1 reader found this review helpful

Me and my boyfriend went to this hotel and had an amazing time. Weather was excellent, complex was excellent. Food average (what is expected in a foreign country). Booking again for this year. Staff very friendly. Would highly recommend this hotel. However everyone has different opinions. I read bad ratings before I went and couldn't justify what the problems were

1 reader found this review helpful

I have just read some negative reviews on hear for the Sierra Hotel - i honestly had the best week and would not only go to Sharm again i would stay in Sierra hotel again!
I had an excellent, relaxing week where all the staff just waited on you hand and foot and were so pleasant. It was my birthday and i had my towels shaped into a swan with all rose petals, a posy of flowers and a lovley birthday cake - i couldnt ask for more!
the grounds were amazing clean and tidy and i cant beleive one comment on here that the pool was too small - there are 5 to choose from!
I agree that the food can be repetative but always delicious and always choice (take it from me i'm a fussy eater!).
It is an out of the way hotel, but you book a taxi in reception and barter for a price, not only did our taxi driver take us into the old town but also came and picked us up without excepting payment on the way out - I cant see taxi drivers do that in this country!
I have to admit the entertainment wasn't that great - the Animation team did try their hardest but it was all geared up to the Russian tourists (which go there in their droves!) Be warned they are very rude.
I recommend the Red Sea Snorkelling trip - even if you dont like snorkelling the day on the boat is amazing and great food to match. - take your own snorkel and mask - you will have to rent one!
The Thomsons reps are no where to be seen either, they turn up and certain times of the day and if you blink they are gone! I know other companies come looking for their holiday makers but thomsons made no effort at all.
If you have any problems the hotel staff will sort it out - they were fab! - leave it to Thomsons and they might get it sorted by the time you fly home!
One thing that kept cropping up talking to other guests was the close proximity to the airport - yes the first night i found it strange but after that it was just some noise you heard every now and again - didnt bother me at all - living in a city i found street noise at home far more annoying than a plane taking off every now and again - not a problem!

A fantastic hotel, excellent service, out of town so peaceful, music is a little loud by the pool but thats probably cos its right next to the airport and although it is we rarely noticed the planes going over. Shares beach with Savoy hotel, a short walk away, where the jetty goes right into the sea, idea for snorkling and many dive centres around, close to shops and chemist. would definately go back, Louis the waiter was absolutely first class, bringing you drinks by the pool before you had to think about it. Marvellous place.
Good shuttle buses to town for night life and trips out. would definately go back.