Sofitel Taba Heights Hotel, Taba, Egypt
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £148
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
The Sofitel Taba Heights Is Located On The Gulf Of Aqaba In The Heart Of Taba Heights. The Sofitel Hotel Is 20 Kilometres Away From Taba City Centre And 40 Kilometres From Taba Airport. The Hotel Features Two Restaurants, Three Bars, Two Swimming Pools 1 For Children , A Private Beach, A Fitness Centre And Meeting Rooms. Additionally, The Hotel Offers Facilities For Water Sport, Tennis, Golf And Excursions. loading...
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Sofitel Taba Heights Hotel Reviews
" Just Awful "
Submitted By: GFP
Arrived at midnight, get to room, no bed for our 5 year old, we had to wait 3 hours; not 5 star service. Hotel and Pool area filthy, food dire; only good point was the staff, when they wern't ill from the food, as were most of the guests. do not go there
Advice: any hotel but the Sofitel
Activities:
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" 2 star at best "
Submitted By: GFP
I am sorry to write this as I don’t like to be too negative about our holiday experience, but the truth must be posted. We have travelled extensively in Egypt on an all inclusive basis and have also enjoyed the delights of the Caribbean; this demonstrates that the Sofitel is NOT all inclusive it is PART inclusive and 3 star at best. Sofitel are part of the ACORR group, you will recognise IBIS, Mecure etc, all cheap and nasty; at least this hotel doesn’t let that reputation down.
We arrived as previous contibuters late Tuesday evening; we had to wait at Taba airport whilst the remaining 2 planes could arrive, in order that we travel in convoy? This only happens with Thomson/First Choice; the other carriers depart as soon as ready! Thomson/first Choice on departure day leave the hotel at 6pm, resulting in a three hour wait in an un-serviced airport, the other carriers depart at 7.30 pm much more civilised; I accept this is not the hotels fault, but it is an issue.
When arriving at the hotel, yes, they kindly keep the buffet restaurant open, and take your bags to your room; here’s where it starts to go wrong. We have our meal, such as it was, not much food left; where is our room? The restaurant staff speak good restaurant English, but did not understand our question about the location of our room, the reception has over 100 tired people queuing for their keys and there are no signs to block 3???? After wondering around aimlessly, we discover a couple on their second week and they direct us, it takes 20 minutes for us to find our room. At last we get in, we have a very tired 5 year old with us, but there is no bed for her, we call reception who are very busy, but will get somebody to us in 30 minutes, it is now 1am. At 1.30am I return to reception and they promise to get somebody ASAP, when I get back to the room a porter arrives and suggests our daughter sleeps on the couch; this has a camber that means she would roll off and besides it is not a bed; eventually he is persuaded we need a bed. We hear the bed leaving the lift 40 minutes later, but the porter receives a mobile phone call and spends the next 20 minutes putting the world to rights; he agrees finally at 2.30am to deliver the bed, our daughter gets to sleep at 3am Wednesday having left home at 8am on Tuesday, we are expected to attend a welcome meeting at 10am, yeh right! Our luggage now finally arrives. During the next few days we find out that this issue affected every parent, not one child got a bed on arrival, and one parent shared a bed with her two children for three days; do you think this is 5 star service? When questioned the Rep says this happened because we were 180 arriving but she was only expecting 100 also the hotel don’t know the demographics of the new guests and if pre allocated rooms are for somebody disabled or old and they are far away, they may change the allocation resulting in some mix up with beds. Total BS, this would not result in every child not having a bed; it is just poor management and planning; this is the issue throughout the hotel.
You will get ill if you use this hotel, of the guests that arrived with us we know of nobody who wasn’t ill, you will note even the good reports earlier say they were ill and are still suffering now they are home, well so are the waiters. One girl on our arrival date, ate Tuesday night spent the next 5 days in bed not having been in the sun or pool, she recovered, ate again and immediately fell ill, recovered but this time chose to eat every day in town at her expense and was fine for the balance of her holiday. Another family were on drips and received injections that finally sorted things out again 5 days later; they were also prescribed medication for a parasitical bowel infection, one of the family was a nurse and recognised the prescription, when her daughter got her tablets out at the Buffet restaurant, their waiter said “Oh I am on those tablets”; should he be handling food??? We befriended one of the waiters who couldn’t have been more helpful and in fairness this was the case with all the staff, excepting they have no management; he kept complaining of a bad stomach; I asked if he had seen the doctor to which he replied it doesn’t matter it is just the food, it makes you ill. This hotel was extended by one third recently but they haven’t increased the catering capacity, net result restaurant chaos; they can’t cope at peak times. The BBQ staff start preparing at 3pm and serve from 6.30-until 10pm, the chicken hangs in the sun on skewers un-chilled all this time, one evening I noticed a queue of Palestinians, very odd as they don’t do queuing, I asked if this was the back of the queue and was told, “no go ahead” the chef pulled out some Chicken from under the counter and offered it to me; when I sat down it was only part cooked, I returned to the BBQ only to see the Palestinians pounce once there was some freshly BBQ’d chicken, they were laughing and winking with the Chef. This BBQ services approximately 1000 guests and is the size of a large gas BBQ from B&Q, clearly it can’t cope so they pre cook food store it un- refrigerated and serve it many hours later recipe for salmonella.
As I said earlier we have stayed all inclusive in Egypt and the Caribbean, we have always been very happy with the food, service, facilities and cleanliness; this is not true of the Sofitel. When at Baron Palms last year, you couldn’t get near the pool until they had scrubbed the floor, washed down the beds and tables and had a management inspection approving the readiness of the facilities, at the Sofitel we witnessed ice cream being dropped and not cleaned for 10 days, discarded plasters on the steps to the pool not collected for the duration of our holiday, we would clean up the area we used ourselves before laying our towels etc. At Hotels Iberotel Lamaya in Marsa and Baron Palms, Sharm the toilets were spotless with no nasty odours and both hotels were immaculate. The Sofitel stank, often with no toilet paper and general cleanliness and hygiene was appalling. We were amazed at the stoicism of the guests; the common retort was “what we didn’t expect much, it is all inclusive” Well, we do expect much as we have witnessed what is possible with a bit of management.
One of the biggest gripes from European guests was the all inclusive drinks, they are awful; you can only get wine in the buffet restaurant at lunch and dinner, WHY? If you choose to eat at the poolside bar restaurant, you need to take your food into the buffet to enjoy a glass of wine, it is only 50 yards; but we Europeans change to go into a restaurant rather than through on a wrap or tea shirt over our swimming gear, don’t we? Ultimately we have paid for all inclusive and you don’t get it at the Sofitel; I hear the supporters saying but the all inclusive details are in the brochure and you get what you booked. We didn’t book this hotel, we booked the Jaz Royal Taba; this had 4 all inclusive a le cartes and wine was available in any bar. At the Sofitel you had to pay for the Asiatic restaurant hence it only had 4-10 guests per night and was often cancelled due lack of interest, this has always been inclusive at any other hotel we have been to. Also they charged for the Egyptian restaurant, all inclusive everywhere else.
Lastly, facilities; Childrens club looked good, we didn’t use it, Childrens entertainment, cinema at 7.30pm and 4 songs in a mini disco; they play at offering a service, staff are great but they can only deliver as instructed. General entertainment, Rubbish with the exception of the whirling dervish on Monday nights. The reef is dead and therefore the snorkling is not as good as Sharm or Marsa, the reef is dead because people walk all over it, either out of ignorance or because they are ignorant, this wouldn’t happen at Sharm or Marsa because the reef is policed by staff, not at the Sofitel; lack of management again.
One positive, the general staff are great, but they so need their enthusiasm being given some direction. I would not book this hotel again, however we never go back as we try to find different experiences, this does mean doing a lot of research, we did this but can’t plan for being moved to a hotel we didn’t plan for, there endeth the lesson.
We arrived as previous contibuters late Tuesday evening; we had to wait at Taba airport whilst the remaining 2 planes could arrive, in order that we travel in convoy? This only happens with Thomson/First Choice; the other carriers depart as soon as ready! Thomson/first Choice on departure day leave the hotel at 6pm, resulting in a three hour wait in an un-serviced airport, the other carriers depart at 7.30 pm much more civilised; I accept this is not the hotels fault, but it is an issue.
When arriving at the hotel, yes, they kindly keep the buffet restaurant open, and take your bags to your room; here’s where it starts to go wrong. We have our meal, such as it was, not much food left; where is our room? The restaurant staff speak good restaurant English, but did not understand our question about the location of our room, the reception has over 100 tired people queuing for their keys and there are no signs to block 3???? After wondering around aimlessly, we discover a couple on their second week and they direct us, it takes 20 minutes for us to find our room. At last we get in, we have a very tired 5 year old with us, but there is no bed for her, we call reception who are very busy, but will get somebody to us in 30 minutes, it is now 1am. At 1.30am I return to reception and they promise to get somebody ASAP, when I get back to the room a porter arrives and suggests our daughter sleeps on the couch; this has a camber that means she would roll off and besides it is not a bed; eventually he is persuaded we need a bed. We hear the bed leaving the lift 40 minutes later, but the porter receives a mobile phone call and spends the next 20 minutes putting the world to rights; he agrees finally at 2.30am to deliver the bed, our daughter gets to sleep at 3am Wednesday having left home at 8am on Tuesday, we are expected to attend a welcome meeting at 10am, yeh right! Our luggage now finally arrives. During the next few days we find out that this issue affected every parent, not one child got a bed on arrival, and one parent shared a bed with her two children for three days; do you think this is 5 star service? When questioned the Rep says this happened because we were 180 arriving but she was only expecting 100 also the hotel don’t know the demographics of the new guests and if pre allocated rooms are for somebody disabled or old and they are far away, they may change the allocation resulting in some mix up with beds. Total BS, this would not result in every child not having a bed; it is just poor management and planning; this is the issue throughout the hotel.
You will get ill if you use this hotel, of the guests that arrived with us we know of nobody who wasn’t ill, you will note even the good reports earlier say they were ill and are still suffering now they are home, well so are the waiters. One girl on our arrival date, ate Tuesday night spent the next 5 days in bed not having been in the sun or pool, she recovered, ate again and immediately fell ill, recovered but this time chose to eat every day in town at her expense and was fine for the balance of her holiday. Another family were on drips and received injections that finally sorted things out again 5 days later; they were also prescribed medication for a parasitical bowel infection, one of the family was a nurse and recognised the prescription, when her daughter got her tablets out at the Buffet restaurant, their waiter said “Oh I am on those tablets”; should he be handling food??? We befriended one of the waiters who couldn’t have been more helpful and in fairness this was the case with all the staff, excepting they have no management; he kept complaining of a bad stomach; I asked if he had seen the doctor to which he replied it doesn’t matter it is just the food, it makes you ill. This hotel was extended by one third recently but they haven’t increased the catering capacity, net result restaurant chaos; they can’t cope at peak times. The BBQ staff start preparing at 3pm and serve from 6.30-until 10pm, the chicken hangs in the sun on skewers un-chilled all this time, one evening I noticed a queue of Palestinians, very odd as they don’t do queuing, I asked if this was the back of the queue and was told, “no go ahead” the chef pulled out some Chicken from under the counter and offered it to me; when I sat down it was only part cooked, I returned to the BBQ only to see the Palestinians pounce once there was some freshly BBQ’d chicken, they were laughing and winking with the Chef. This BBQ services approximately 1000 guests and is the size of a large gas BBQ from B&Q, clearly it can’t cope so they pre cook food store it un- refrigerated and serve it many hours later recipe for salmonella.
As I said earlier we have stayed all inclusive in Egypt and the Caribbean, we have always been very happy with the food, service, facilities and cleanliness; this is not true of the Sofitel. When at Baron Palms last year, you couldn’t get near the pool until they had scrubbed the floor, washed down the beds and tables and had a management inspection approving the readiness of the facilities, at the Sofitel we witnessed ice cream being dropped and not cleaned for 10 days, discarded plasters on the steps to the pool not collected for the duration of our holiday, we would clean up the area we used ourselves before laying our towels etc. At Hotels Iberotel Lamaya in Marsa and Baron Palms, Sharm the toilets were spotless with no nasty odours and both hotels were immaculate. The Sofitel stank, often with no toilet paper and general cleanliness and hygiene was appalling. We were amazed at the stoicism of the guests; the common retort was “what we didn’t expect much, it is all inclusive” Well, we do expect much as we have witnessed what is possible with a bit of management.
One of the biggest gripes from European guests was the all inclusive drinks, they are awful; you can only get wine in the buffet restaurant at lunch and dinner, WHY? If you choose to eat at the poolside bar restaurant, you need to take your food into the buffet to enjoy a glass of wine, it is only 50 yards; but we Europeans change to go into a restaurant rather than through on a wrap or tea shirt over our swimming gear, don’t we? Ultimately we have paid for all inclusive and you don’t get it at the Sofitel; I hear the supporters saying but the all inclusive details are in the brochure and you get what you booked. We didn’t book this hotel, we booked the Jaz Royal Taba; this had 4 all inclusive a le cartes and wine was available in any bar. At the Sofitel you had to pay for the Asiatic restaurant hence it only had 4-10 guests per night and was often cancelled due lack of interest, this has always been inclusive at any other hotel we have been to. Also they charged for the Egyptian restaurant, all inclusive everywhere else.
Lastly, facilities; Childrens club looked good, we didn’t use it, Childrens entertainment, cinema at 7.30pm and 4 songs in a mini disco; they play at offering a service, staff are great but they can only deliver as instructed. General entertainment, Rubbish with the exception of the whirling dervish on Monday nights. The reef is dead and therefore the snorkling is not as good as Sharm or Marsa, the reef is dead because people walk all over it, either out of ignorance or because they are ignorant, this wouldn’t happen at Sharm or Marsa because the reef is policed by staff, not at the Sofitel; lack of management again.
One positive, the general staff are great, but they so need their enthusiasm being given some direction. I would not book this hotel again, however we never go back as we try to find different experiences, this does mean doing a lot of research, we did this but can’t plan for being moved to a hotel we didn’t plan for, there endeth the lesson.
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Fantastic relaxing break "
Submitted By: kimmy50
Having stayed at the Marriott next door last september and got ripped off for the cost of food and drink we decided this time to go all inclusive to the Sofitel. It was worth every penny! The hotel is luxurious with plenty of space and right on the beach. The whole place is kept immaculately clean and the restaurant was welcoming with an abundance of food at your disposal. Ok it became a bit samey after a few days but it was edible. The staff were amazing and much friendlier than at that marriott. Everyone was extremely helpful and would only want you satisfied with every aspect of your holiday. Unlike the Thomson reps, when our Sons case turned up at the airport literally falling apart he was told "This happens frequently" and then told to tape the case together for the return journey home! Loved the hotel and would reccommend to anyone, we will definately being going back but would like to think I could find another tour operator to go with as I was not impressed with Thomson at all! light also very cramped.
Ok Taba airport is small and smelly but don't forget this was once a military airport and is fairly new to tourism here. Lets hope in time it will improve, but don't let it put you off this wonderful "away from it all" resort with some wonderful diving experiences to be had.
Ok Taba airport is small and smelly but don't forget this was once a military airport and is fairly new to tourism here. Lets hope in time it will improve, but don't let it put you off this wonderful "away from it all" resort with some wonderful diving experiences to be had.
Advice: A wonderful relaxing place right on the beach
Activities: Sofitel has a number of restaurants to choose from
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" shame about the food! "
Submitted By: sar1
Returned from a weeks holiday here from the 16th dec to the 22nd. All in all had a nice time. The hotel itself is extremely clean and tidy and the staff cannnot do too musch for you.
The weather was very good for the time of year somedays even reaching highs as 34degrees celsius!
The swimming pools and beach area are great.plenty of sunbeds and space , however the beach is a little rocky into the sea and so it is best to use the jetty. but the snorkelling is fantastic!
Unfortunately however the food at this hotel is not fantastic!.There is very little choice and for less adventurous eaters there is practically nothing! I ate bread rolls and the lunch time pizzas for my stay! In the whole of the week they served chips at one lunchtime!(the queue was out of the door!!!). Also like other reviews there was some complaints of upset stomach bugs and what not, however i was fortunate enough to escape this!(perhaps because i didnt really eat the food!)
Also the entertainment is extremely poor, and in the week we saw the same show 3 times, granted the show was good, but once you have seen a spinning man , youve seen it!! the entertainment resembled Butlins ten years ago! definately could uses some improvements.
Taba airport is also a disgrace, and i would reccomend NEVER using the toilet facilities there..
All in all i had an enjoyable week at the Sofitel Taba Heights, but will i be returning ..probably not.
The weather was very good for the time of year somedays even reaching highs as 34degrees celsius!
The swimming pools and beach area are great.plenty of sunbeds and space , however the beach is a little rocky into the sea and so it is best to use the jetty. but the snorkelling is fantastic!
Unfortunately however the food at this hotel is not fantastic!.There is very little choice and for less adventurous eaters there is practically nothing! I ate bread rolls and the lunch time pizzas for my stay! In the whole of the week they served chips at one lunchtime!(the queue was out of the door!!!). Also like other reviews there was some complaints of upset stomach bugs and what not, however i was fortunate enough to escape this!(perhaps because i didnt really eat the food!)
Also the entertainment is extremely poor, and in the week we saw the same show 3 times, granted the show was good, but once you have seen a spinning man , youve seen it!! the entertainment resembled Butlins ten years ago! definately could uses some improvements.
Taba airport is also a disgrace, and i would reccomend NEVER using the toilet facilities there..
All in all i had an enjoyable week at the Sofitel Taba Heights, but will i be returning ..probably not.
Advice: very quiet and relaxing, but could get a tad boring!
Activities:
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Dec 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" Insult to French food "
Submitted By: tashnoon50
Hotel facilities only 4 star. General staff mainly very good helpful and welcoming. Training and hygiene standards poor. Middle management were oblivious to problems with an Inshalla attitude. Food bland tasteless and repetitive an insult to France. One woman said "If I have any more chicken I will grow feathers on my Bum." Food would struggle to rate 1 star. Managers customer care excellent but is being let down by his lower managers telling him what they think he wants to hear. He told us that he was changing the menues to a fortnightly rota but he really needs new chefs.The pay as you go outlets for food were at best 3 star.Climate and the staffs sense of humour were the redeeming features. Overall only 3 star rating.
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Great holiday, wonderful resort &... "
Submitted By: Mr S Barber
Great holiday, wonderful resort & hotel, fantastic staff. However, do NOT use Freedom Direct - their idea of customer service is total incompetence. They lost my request for a transfer to and from the hotel, as I found out on arrival (important at Taba). In the seven months since I got back and raised the issue, I've had two identical letters from Freedom Direct saying that it might take them 56 days to investigate the matter... I've written to Freedom Direct again, their managing director (no respons) and ABTA (as much use as a chocolate fire-guard. Typical industry body, more interested in protecting members than helping customers). Never again.
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- Date of Holiday:Feb 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked IndependentlyFreedom Direct - hotel Hotels4U, flight Thompson
" My partner and I have just returned... "
Submitted By: Miss T Grange
My partner and I have just returned from a wonderful 14 day holiday at the Sofitel. I could not fault one aspect of this holiday. The staff literally could not do enough for you. The hotel and the grounds are kept immaculate. The weather was fantastic...the list is endless!!
The hotel is situated directly on the beach and has stunning views of the sea and neighbouring countries. All rooms have a pool and sea view. We had no complaints about the choice of food, but if you fancy a change of scenery, we would highly recommend 'Al Frego', the mexican restaurant in the centre of Taba, which is a 10 minute, free bus ride on the "Taff Taff". Here you will also find a supermarket, shops, other restaurants and a pharmacy for those with a weak stomach!!
We chose Taba for a lovely relaxing holiday and we certainly were not disappointed. We would highly recommend the V.I.P cruise, which gave us the opportunity to leave the hotel for the day where you sail around various points in Taba and snorkle. We were very lucky that we got to see a SHARK!! Brilliant!! U are also provided with a wonderful BBQ lunch and drinks all day. You do not have to lift a finger, just simply sunbathe for those of you that are a little less adventurous!
Best holiday we have ever had!!!
The hotel is situated directly on the beach and has stunning views of the sea and neighbouring countries. All rooms have a pool and sea view. We had no complaints about the choice of food, but if you fancy a change of scenery, we would highly recommend 'Al Frego', the mexican restaurant in the centre of Taba, which is a 10 minute, free bus ride on the "Taff Taff". Here you will also find a supermarket, shops, other restaurants and a pharmacy for those with a weak stomach!!
We chose Taba for a lovely relaxing holiday and we certainly were not disappointed. We would highly recommend the V.I.P cruise, which gave us the opportunity to leave the hotel for the day where you sail around various points in Taba and snorkle. We were very lucky that we got to see a SHARK!! Brilliant!! U are also provided with a wonderful BBQ lunch and drinks all day. You do not have to lift a finger, just simply sunbathe for those of you that are a little less adventurous!
Best holiday we have ever had!!!
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Portland Direct
" Just got back from sofitel taba... "
Submitted By: Mr D ROBINSON
Just got back from sofitel taba heights and what a lovely place this is .If you want a chillout holiday with sun this is the place .staff all very freindly and geniune as well.all incluisive food was bit repetive but you will never go hungry and the puddings to die for.
We had our 14 year old with us and was bit board at nights .
Pools was very clean and beach was on our door step.
If you havnt been to egypt before and a main land spain person egyption hotels are a class above, value for money you will find it hard to beat.
We had our 14 year old with us and was bit board at nights .
Pools was very clean and beach was on our door step.
If you havnt been to egypt before and a main land spain person egyption hotels are a class above, value for money you will find it hard to beat.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Me and my partner have just returned... "
Submitted By: Miss S BATES
Me and my partner have just returned from our two week holiday at the sofitel. Before booking our holiday we read all of the watchdog reviews and felt really confident that sofitel would be a perfect choice. The reviews are correct and our holiday was completely relaxed and we loved sofitel.
The hotel was currently undergoing an extention and there is now a new block of rooms, just to make sure you are all aware, these new rooms do not have a sea view. However, they do have a really good view and brilliant access to a new pool. By the time we left the new block was virtually complete.
When we arrived at the hotel we were checked in really fast and taken straight to our rooms. Our flight had been delayed from Manchester and the hotel had kept the main restaurant open so we were able to have something to eat when we arrived.
We were extremely worried about the food before we went as we had heard alot of stories about food related illnesses in Egypt. In the whole of our stay we never heard of anyone becoming ill, the food was always throughly cooked and presented to a high standard.
The only down side about the food is that it was too fancy for us. This may sound weird as we were staying at a 5* hotel, but as fussy eater it was often hard to find something other than bread and pasta to eat. However, the pastas are lovely and are cooked to order before you and are lovely. During the day pizzas are available from 12-5 and these are all cooked fresh to order.
The hotel staff are fantastic, they are more than helpful and extremely polite. Your first impressions of egyptian men will be given at the airport when they expect you to given them £20 because they lifted your suitcases onto the coach, we gave them a smaller tip and said it was all we had. But this is the exception rather than the rule, all of the locals we encountered in taba were very freindly, and not constantly trying to sell you something like in some other countries.
Our first weeks stay was not during the school holidays and sun beds were easy to gain, however the hotel became extremely busy in the second week and people were often having to accept beds on the beach away from the pool and the bar. the recreational staff will reserve you sunbeds so you dont need to get up early to save them, we gave them £1 a day to do this and they were happy to help.
From reading the reviews we were ok with the fact that there would be very little to do, however we did expect the hotel bar and entertainment to be better than it was. The atmosphere was not inviting and alot of people were in bed/in their rooms at 2230.
The hotel also kept having power cuts due to the strong winds, these would take place during your meals and mainly at night as winds do pick up. They usually lasted around 10 minutes.
The location of the hotel is fantastic. We had amazing views of the gulf of aquaba, and could see Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia all from our balcony! The reefs were beautiful and the snorkelling was amazing. Please follow our advise and buy the snorkelling gear before you get there as one set cost £30 without flippers. The shop at the hotel is very small and there is a small super market in the town, these two shops will only provide you with basics but they were handy from buying snacks such as crisps for your room (the mini bar only supplies a bottle of water per person per day).
Our stay was completly relaxed and we definatley would recommend the softiel to anyone.
Excursions;
Cairo by coach(£85pp) by air (£169)-must obtain visa at airport on arrival to Egypt £15pp
jerusalem (£99pp+border fee £14)
Petra(£130 +£10 border fee)
Quads (from £36pp for an hour)-amazing
St Catherines Monastery (£32pp)
Cruise (from £39pp)
Eillate fun day and dolphin swim (£65pp + £35 to swim with dolphins + £14 border fee)
Star and dinner (£35pp)
Must excursions require coach travel from 1 hour upto 5 for Cairo.
The hotel was currently undergoing an extention and there is now a new block of rooms, just to make sure you are all aware, these new rooms do not have a sea view. However, they do have a really good view and brilliant access to a new pool. By the time we left the new block was virtually complete.
When we arrived at the hotel we were checked in really fast and taken straight to our rooms. Our flight had been delayed from Manchester and the hotel had kept the main restaurant open so we were able to have something to eat when we arrived.
We were extremely worried about the food before we went as we had heard alot of stories about food related illnesses in Egypt. In the whole of our stay we never heard of anyone becoming ill, the food was always throughly cooked and presented to a high standard.
The only down side about the food is that it was too fancy for us. This may sound weird as we were staying at a 5* hotel, but as fussy eater it was often hard to find something other than bread and pasta to eat. However, the pastas are lovely and are cooked to order before you and are lovely. During the day pizzas are available from 12-5 and these are all cooked fresh to order.
The hotel staff are fantastic, they are more than helpful and extremely polite. Your first impressions of egyptian men will be given at the airport when they expect you to given them £20 because they lifted your suitcases onto the coach, we gave them a smaller tip and said it was all we had. But this is the exception rather than the rule, all of the locals we encountered in taba were very freindly, and not constantly trying to sell you something like in some other countries.
Our first weeks stay was not during the school holidays and sun beds were easy to gain, however the hotel became extremely busy in the second week and people were often having to accept beds on the beach away from the pool and the bar. the recreational staff will reserve you sunbeds so you dont need to get up early to save them, we gave them £1 a day to do this and they were happy to help.
From reading the reviews we were ok with the fact that there would be very little to do, however we did expect the hotel bar and entertainment to be better than it was. The atmosphere was not inviting and alot of people were in bed/in their rooms at 2230.
The hotel also kept having power cuts due to the strong winds, these would take place during your meals and mainly at night as winds do pick up. They usually lasted around 10 minutes.
The location of the hotel is fantastic. We had amazing views of the gulf of aquaba, and could see Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia all from our balcony! The reefs were beautiful and the snorkelling was amazing. Please follow our advise and buy the snorkelling gear before you get there as one set cost £30 without flippers. The shop at the hotel is very small and there is a small super market in the town, these two shops will only provide you with basics but they were handy from buying snacks such as crisps for your room (the mini bar only supplies a bottle of water per person per day).
Our stay was completly relaxed and we definatley would recommend the softiel to anyone.
Excursions;
Cairo by coach(£85pp) by air (£169)-must obtain visa at airport on arrival to Egypt £15pp
jerusalem (£99pp+border fee £14)
Petra(£130 +£10 border fee)
Quads (from £36pp for an hour)-amazing
St Catherines Monastery (£32pp)
Cruise (from £39pp)
Eillate fun day and dolphin swim (£65pp + £35 to swim with dolphins + £14 border fee)
Star and dinner (£35pp)
Must excursions require coach travel from 1 hour upto 5 for Cairo.
-
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Just returned from a two week total... "
Submitted By: Mrs K Offord
Just returned from a two week total chill out -- fantastic --
the 5 hour flight on EXL was very good with lots of leg room in all seats. The airport at Taba is very basic, the staff were very helpfull in making sure everyone knew what was expected and all travel documents were thoroughly checked.
It was a great pity that we arrived in the dark as the coach trip in convoy down through the mountains to Taba Heights would have been spectacular, however the return trip at dusk went some way to make up for this, the colours of the rocks etc was stunning.
Check in at the hotel was very easy and quick, we had a standard room that was on third floor in block 2. Huge super king size bed, massive balcony, lots of wardrobe and drawer space. We did have to call housekeeping for coat hangers and they were delivered to the room within 10 minutes. All rooms have sea view and we watched the twinkle of lights across the water from Jordan every evening.
Being all inclusive can sometimes be a worry, i.e. what if we didn't like the food!! We were very pleased to find a wide range of cuisine from tasty pasta cooked whilst you watched to spicy mexican and aromatic arabian dishes, there was something for everyone. The omlette chef surpassed himself every breakfast time keeping 6 pans on the go with all sorts of omlettes and easy over eggs.
The only down side was that the main restaurant for AI was not really big enough for the number of guests and became very busy with 300 people all trying to eat in the same two hour period. They are about to complete an extension to this which is hoped will alleviate the problem but they are opening a new wing of the hotel October so with the extra guests I don't think it will.
The 5 hotels in the area have a 'Dine Around' system where you can go eat in another hotel taking with you a credit voucher given by the hotel you are staying in and you pay the extra amount yourself. It is well worth it just to have a night out and see what another hotel is like.
My husband was ill for 24 hours in the middle of the holiday and I can't speak highly enough about the Dr and the medical treatment he was given. The Dr is on 24 hour call and the hotel has it's own 'clinic' for treatments. For two IVs, 5 injections and medication to take afterwards until he could see his own doctor at home the total cost was £45 stirling - very cheap.
All the hotel staff were very friendly and helpfull nothing as too much trouble and a few tips works wonders. The waiter Ibrahim was fanastic in always ensuring that we had a glass of wine at dinner without us having to ask.
The snorkelling is fantastic you just have to swim off the beach or piers to see all sorts of beautifully coloured fish and coral. The Sofitel has it's own pier and so does the Hyatt.
All in all an excellent place to 'chill' and yes we will be going again next year.
the 5 hour flight on EXL was very good with lots of leg room in all seats. The airport at Taba is very basic, the staff were very helpfull in making sure everyone knew what was expected and all travel documents were thoroughly checked.
It was a great pity that we arrived in the dark as the coach trip in convoy down through the mountains to Taba Heights would have been spectacular, however the return trip at dusk went some way to make up for this, the colours of the rocks etc was stunning.
Check in at the hotel was very easy and quick, we had a standard room that was on third floor in block 2. Huge super king size bed, massive balcony, lots of wardrobe and drawer space. We did have to call housekeeping for coat hangers and they were delivered to the room within 10 minutes. All rooms have sea view and we watched the twinkle of lights across the water from Jordan every evening.
Being all inclusive can sometimes be a worry, i.e. what if we didn't like the food!! We were very pleased to find a wide range of cuisine from tasty pasta cooked whilst you watched to spicy mexican and aromatic arabian dishes, there was something for everyone. The omlette chef surpassed himself every breakfast time keeping 6 pans on the go with all sorts of omlettes and easy over eggs.
The only down side was that the main restaurant for AI was not really big enough for the number of guests and became very busy with 300 people all trying to eat in the same two hour period. They are about to complete an extension to this which is hoped will alleviate the problem but they are opening a new wing of the hotel October so with the extra guests I don't think it will.
The 5 hotels in the area have a 'Dine Around' system where you can go eat in another hotel taking with you a credit voucher given by the hotel you are staying in and you pay the extra amount yourself. It is well worth it just to have a night out and see what another hotel is like.
My husband was ill for 24 hours in the middle of the holiday and I can't speak highly enough about the Dr and the medical treatment he was given. The Dr is on 24 hour call and the hotel has it's own 'clinic' for treatments. For two IVs, 5 injections and medication to take afterwards until he could see his own doctor at home the total cost was £45 stirling - very cheap.
All the hotel staff were very friendly and helpfull nothing as too much trouble and a few tips works wonders. The waiter Ibrahim was fanastic in always ensuring that we had a glass of wine at dinner without us having to ask.
The snorkelling is fantastic you just have to swim off the beach or piers to see all sorts of beautifully coloured fish and coral. The Sofitel has it's own pier and so does the Hyatt.
All in all an excellent place to 'chill' and yes we will be going again next year.
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Panorama
" Just returned from a fab weeks... "
Submitted By: Mrs S Symons
Just returned from a fab weeks holiday of total relaxation at the Sofitel in Taba Heights. From reading other reviews before leaving, we were a little worried about what to expect in terms of the food etc particularly when you pay the costs for an All Inclusive holiday. However we needn't have been concerned !
Taba Airport is very basic and remember to have a 50p or £1 for the baggage men who put your cases on the coach as otherwise you have to stand to the side and wait until they have sorted everyone else first. The convey through the mountains is fine and not half as bad as we had expected.
The hotel itself is really lovely and the rooms are nicely furnished. However be careful about what is left in your room at the time that the cleaners come in as they tend to throw items away that aren't rubbish such as our tablets for the bug plug-in even though these had been left on the side. Luckily we were not affected or bitten by any bugs anyway!
The food is very good and although the dining area can get packed at times, the staff are very prompt and clean the tables very quickly. There is always a choice of several main meals with potatoes, veg and rice twice a day. I can understand that if you were there for two weeks it would get repetitive but for a week it was fine and you do always have the option of paying extra to eat elsewhere on site or at the other hotels. They do a basic BBQ twice a week in addition to the evening meals with koftas and chicken for example but again very well cooked and no issues with the ice or the salads/fruit.
We found that the hotel staff were perhaps a little pushy at meal times about people attending the Bedouin night which is held on a Thursday at a cost of $36 per adult and half price for children on the beach in front of the hotel. We did sign up and whilst the food was good, the service was slow and for the money it would probably have been better to join the groups of people who had come down from the hotel to sit on the grass and watch the dancing for free.
The staff at the hotel work really hard to keep everything clean as well as working very long hours but certain staff always had a smile and not necessarily in the hope of getting tips ! Mohammed who looks after the towels and sunbeds is happy to put out towels for you in a certain spot for the length of your stay either around the pool or by the beach.
The kids club was handy but we had concerns that although we signed to say that our 7yr old daughter was not allowed to leave the club on her own, the lady who runs the kids club didn't seem to have much control over what the children were doing and where they were. We also found it strange that when the children were brought round to the main swimming pools to play as part of the clubs daily activities that she would disappear to get towels and to get changed whilst leaving the kids in the water. Also leaving a child queuing for an ice-cream whilst taking the others back to the club on the other side of the main hotel buildings.
Longwood Holidays were very good and whilst we didn't go on any additional trips only being there for a week, we would certainly book through them again. We arranged with the hotel for a late check-out on the day that we flew back although this can only be arranged the day before as they need to check availability and the cost was $25.
A really nice and very relaxing time - Would certainly go back there again.
Taba Airport is very basic and remember to have a 50p or £1 for the baggage men who put your cases on the coach as otherwise you have to stand to the side and wait until they have sorted everyone else first. The convey through the mountains is fine and not half as bad as we had expected.
The hotel itself is really lovely and the rooms are nicely furnished. However be careful about what is left in your room at the time that the cleaners come in as they tend to throw items away that aren't rubbish such as our tablets for the bug plug-in even though these had been left on the side. Luckily we were not affected or bitten by any bugs anyway!
The food is very good and although the dining area can get packed at times, the staff are very prompt and clean the tables very quickly. There is always a choice of several main meals with potatoes, veg and rice twice a day. I can understand that if you were there for two weeks it would get repetitive but for a week it was fine and you do always have the option of paying extra to eat elsewhere on site or at the other hotels. They do a basic BBQ twice a week in addition to the evening meals with koftas and chicken for example but again very well cooked and no issues with the ice or the salads/fruit.
We found that the hotel staff were perhaps a little pushy at meal times about people attending the Bedouin night which is held on a Thursday at a cost of $36 per adult and half price for children on the beach in front of the hotel. We did sign up and whilst the food was good, the service was slow and for the money it would probably have been better to join the groups of people who had come down from the hotel to sit on the grass and watch the dancing for free.
The staff at the hotel work really hard to keep everything clean as well as working very long hours but certain staff always had a smile and not necessarily in the hope of getting tips ! Mohammed who looks after the towels and sunbeds is happy to put out towels for you in a certain spot for the length of your stay either around the pool or by the beach.
The kids club was handy but we had concerns that although we signed to say that our 7yr old daughter was not allowed to leave the club on her own, the lady who runs the kids club didn't seem to have much control over what the children were doing and where they were. We also found it strange that when the children were brought round to the main swimming pools to play as part of the clubs daily activities that she would disappear to get towels and to get changed whilst leaving the kids in the water. Also leaving a child queuing for an ice-cream whilst taking the others back to the club on the other side of the main hotel buildings.
Longwood Holidays were very good and whilst we didn't go on any additional trips only being there for a week, we would certainly book through them again. We arranged with the hotel for a late check-out on the day that we flew back although this can only be arranged the day before as they need to check availability and the cost was $25.
A really nice and very relaxing time - Would certainly go back there again.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Longwood
" Just returned from a fabulous... "
Submitted By: Mrs M Coupe
Just returned from a fabulous relaxing weeks holiday.
please ignore comments from Mr Malone - totally ridiculous - if you do your research before you go you should know what to expect!
5 hour flight therefore worth considering if you generally go to the Canaries for a winter break.
Taba Airport - very new and very basic - passports are checked thoroughly and stamped so there can be a delay passing through passport control - no conveyor belt on the other side.
Coaches then proceed in convoy to the resort - 40 min journey. Take travel sickness pills if you are a delicate passenger as the road is very windy through the mountains.
Hotel - check in is very quick and you are taken to your room - your luggage is delivered about 10 mins later. We had a standard room - all are sea facing, huge bed, TV , mini bar [ empty due to all inc apart from 2 bottles of water left daily], good size wardrobe [ take extra hangers], bathroom with large shower - no bath.
room cleaned daily
facilities - lovely pools, towels provided - beds will be reserved by staff for you, icecreams , drinks, pizzas and pasta on tap!
very enthusiastic animators - aqua aerobics, volleyball, basket ball etc
food - always found something to eat - cakes fantastic!
the gym isn't huge and the air conditioning is a bit poor - if you like to jog they have laid a jogging path along the sea shore - its worth a go
snorkelling fantastic - walk to the Hyatt and use the jetty its well worth it -
the sea is very safe for children and non- swimmers as it is shallow for a good way and the fish can still be seen
had a round of golf - breathtaking scenery - the staff are very helpful and drove around offering us drinks and provided ice cold flannels when we finished. if you are a non golfer try booking a lesson or going to the free trials on sundays at 4 - its a great opportunity in magnificent surroundings.
the staff can't do enough to help and never ask for tips but you should tip the ones who have been particularly helpful - nothing much - take dollar bills its really appreciated and they work very long days and leave their families for a month at a time before they have time off yet they always smile and their english is great!
all in all if you are looking for a total chillout its the place for you - the sea, sun, views and a couple of vodkas are all you need to feel totally refreshed!
please ignore comments from Mr Malone - totally ridiculous - if you do your research before you go you should know what to expect!
5 hour flight therefore worth considering if you generally go to the Canaries for a winter break.
Taba Airport - very new and very basic - passports are checked thoroughly and stamped so there can be a delay passing through passport control - no conveyor belt on the other side.
Coaches then proceed in convoy to the resort - 40 min journey. Take travel sickness pills if you are a delicate passenger as the road is very windy through the mountains.
Hotel - check in is very quick and you are taken to your room - your luggage is delivered about 10 mins later. We had a standard room - all are sea facing, huge bed, TV , mini bar [ empty due to all inc apart from 2 bottles of water left daily], good size wardrobe [ take extra hangers], bathroom with large shower - no bath.
room cleaned daily
facilities - lovely pools, towels provided - beds will be reserved by staff for you, icecreams , drinks, pizzas and pasta on tap!
very enthusiastic animators - aqua aerobics, volleyball, basket ball etc
food - always found something to eat - cakes fantastic!
the gym isn't huge and the air conditioning is a bit poor - if you like to jog they have laid a jogging path along the sea shore - its worth a go
snorkelling fantastic - walk to the Hyatt and use the jetty its well worth it -
the sea is very safe for children and non- swimmers as it is shallow for a good way and the fish can still be seen
had a round of golf - breathtaking scenery - the staff are very helpful and drove around offering us drinks and provided ice cold flannels when we finished. if you are a non golfer try booking a lesson or going to the free trials on sundays at 4 - its a great opportunity in magnificent surroundings.
the staff can't do enough to help and never ask for tips but you should tip the ones who have been particularly helpful - nothing much - take dollar bills its really appreciated and they work very long days and leave their families for a month at a time before they have time off yet they always smile and their english is great!
all in all if you are looking for a total chillout its the place for you - the sea, sun, views and a couple of vodkas are all you need to feel totally refreshed!
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Peltours
" just got back from taba feeling... "
Submitted By: Mrs Jl Murton
just got back from taba feeling totally relaxed the hotel is spotlessly clean the staff carnt do enough for you the beach and snorkelling fantastic food good you can always find something you like had a massage that was very good shuttle bus takes you to the three corners were you can do some shopping or have a meal we even got to watch a football match at the tandori weather brilliant
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" A wonderful, quiet holiday. The hotel... "
Submitted By: Mr S Barber
A wonderful, quiet holiday. The hotel was delightful, staff very professional and friendly, obviously very well trained. The food was always buffet-style but to a high standard. Weather was a bit variable but generally good - would have been even better with less wind. Sofitel has the best arrangement for snorkeling and the fish (and octopus) were fabulous - never saw less than 200+ and saw more than 20 types each dive, always something new. Day trip to Petra in Jordan was expensive but fascinating. Very high levels of security around the hotels. Don't go unless you can make your own entertainment.
Make sure you book your transfers to the hotel before leaving the UK!
Make sure you book your transfers to the hotel before leaving the UK!
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- Date of Holiday:Feb 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Freedom Direct - hotel Hotels4U, flight Thompson
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Advice: dont expect lots of shops, as taba is very quiet.not for party animals.
Activities: glass bottom boat and the pyramids.
Good for: Beach