Reviews of Hilton Sharks Bay Resort Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Some of your correspondents...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2006

Tour Operator:

Panorama

Submitted By:

Mr N Blandford

Comments:

Some of your correspondents whose praise is slightly stinting must be used to staying at the Savoy or the Ritz! If the Hilton Shark’s Bay does not deserve its four stars, nowhere does.



We stayed for seven nights all-inclusive and found it virtually faultless. It’s immaculately clean, the food is wonderfully varied and the staff are friendly beyond belief.



Above all, the label ‘inclusive’ really does mean exactly that. While staying there, we encountered ‘refugees’ from a neighbouring hotel that was supposedly all-inclusive. “This is paradise by comparison,” they said. They were surprised that not only was all food and drink free 28 hours a day but that even ice cream and crisps were available on demand.



We’d agree with some of your correspondents that the white wine is less than wonderful. But the beer and spirits are palatable – and limitless.



Don’t expect major show time entertainment of an evening, but the animation team do their cheerful best and sometimes, such as with the regular visiting troupe of whirling dancers, the acts are excellent.



However, the ‘star of the show’ is the undersea wildlife which abounds just offshore.

There’s a beach beneath stepped terraces for sunbathing, with a floating jetty running from it to preserve the coral. From there, you flop into the water – and a fishy fantasy opens up. Elsewhere, you’d have to hire a dive boat to see such marine splendour.



Any advice to offer?



(1) Most Egyptians seem to be called Mohammed (of one spelling or another) but catch the eye of Mohamed Hussein, the head waiter who formerly ran Sharm’s best restaurant, and seek the advice of Mohamad Taba, who runs the hotel’s car service. Between them they’ll ensure you dine and sightsee to best effect.



(2) And at the other end of the scale of luxuries, arrive at the airport with some spare lavatory tissue, because you’re unlikely to find it in the toilets there!

Otherwise, ignore the grouchy comments from a small minority of the correspondents on this site and have a great holiday with some very friendly folk.

We went to the Hilton Sharks Bay...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs P M Manser

Comments:

We went to the Hilton Sharks Bay in October 2005 for the second time and had a great time.



The only thing that spoiled it was a bad case of Egypt tummy all four of us came down with it.



The staff are fantastic, the food good and the snorkelling is out of this world I am sure I saw a coelacanth (dodgy spelling) you know that extinct prehistoric fish.



As it was our second visit the staff picked up our name from the computer and upgraded our room every day we would have little gifts left i.e. wine, chocolates, fruit playing cards, pastries etc.



It was my friends birthday and they made her a lovely cake and delivered it to the room, not into big happy birthdays in the dining room.



We had a great time and are looking to go back this year.

The hotel was clean, well...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Ms Liudmila Sheremeteva

Comments:

The hotel was clean, well maintained and the staff all very friendly and helpful. The food was plentiful, but not outstanding.



The weather and sea were amazingly warm (22-28C) for the end of December and the snorkelling was better than anywhere else we have ever been.



We enjoyed the trip to see the pyramids and Egyptian Museum in Cairo, though we did have to be firm with everyone that tries to hustle something from us.



We were very pleasantly surprised to find the souvenir/gift shop in the hotel foyer such good value. Mina who runs it is very friendly and it is well worth a look around and having a go at bargaining.

The diving experience is the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2005

Tour Operator:

Cosmos

Submitted By:

Lucia

Comments:

The diving experience is the main reason I visited sharks bay. Sinai dive club is the resorts host dive operators and they were fantastic.



The food was varied and plentiful in the evenings and for those who are fussy eaters like children you could create your own pizza or pasta!



The staff were amazing, would bend over backwards to help you. The room boy used to leave towel made swans and crocodiles on my bed everyday.

A truly wonderful place to spend a week or two!



I would also recommend the quad bikes for those adventurers out there. Riding off into the desert at sunset really finished off my holiday with memories I won't forget!

Clean hotel in all areas and...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Olympic Holidays

Submitted By:

saramara

Comments:

Clean hotel in all areas and very helpful friendly staff. Our flight was delayed on the way home and whilst we could stay at the hotel longer, Odyssey would not provide an extension to our meal passes.



We had a word with reception who immediately gave permission for us to eat (and drink!) for as long as we were delayed at the hotel, at no cost to ourselves. Plenty of room around pool and relaxing atmosphere. Limited evening entertainment but just the same as most similar hotels we've been to. Good hotel run kids club open nearly all day. Very good value.



I wish those that moan would remember how much they've paid sometimes.

My fiancée and myself have...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2005

Tour Operator:

Portland Direct

Submitted By:

Miss K Sutton

Comments:

My fiancée and myself have recently visited Egypt for the first time and had a wonderful, relaxing, hot holiday. Just want to highlight a few points:



The hotel: - Beautiful grounds and rooms. Immaculate rooms. 3 pools, 1 heated. Daily entertainment around the pool, but you don’t feel pressured into taking part and if you want complete peace keep away from the main pool. Bar great especially because you can swim up to it aswell, could do with a few more manpower though as nothing is a rush. The all inclusive is good There a three choices every night...Italian, hot/cold buffet and a set meal. The only complaint is that if you stay for 2 weeks it can all be abit repetitive. The staff are all really friendly and helpful. The only real complaint we had was the nighttime entertainment, or lack of it! The animation team (as they call it) comprised of 4 people and I have to say they did great considering they worked day and night, but it was poor.



Tour operator: -Fantastic, no problems at all. Very attentive. Rep there virtually every day, twice a day. English very good. Would advise booking Cairo and Luxor through them. And talking of Cairo...awful place. Third world and a real eye opener. I was glad that my partner was with me because I felt quite threatened and scared...especially around the pyramids (which have been spoilt by tourism and the city!) if we had know we would have not gone to see them but would have opted for the valley of the kings instead, where you don’t get harassed.



The resort itself is very new, and Sharm el sheikh is only actually 20 years old. Very touristy and tacky apparently. (Authentic bits of the pyramid...made in china printed on the bottom!) Give it 5 years and the development will be massive.



Great for the airport though, literally 5 minutes but you hear hardly anything. Felt very safe, security everywhere. Diving and snorkelling amazing!!!



To conclude had a brilliant, very peaceful, relaxing holiday. Very good value for money. Lovely and warm, 26-32C every day. But if you are looking for exciting nightlife, its not here!

We travelled to the Hilton...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2005

Tour Operator:

Olympic Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs L Ford

Comments:

We travelled to the Hilton Sharks Bay on 12 November 2005. The weather was excellent however it was best to get up and be out sunbathing by 7.30am to make the most of the day. By 3.30pm/4pm the main pool was in the shade so best to retreat to the smaller with the bridge over it. By 5pm it was nearly dark and a cardigan was needed.



The room was lovely, bottled water was supplied daily and there was numerous fridges around the complex from which you could help yourself from. Tea and coffee facilities and hair dryer also in room.



The hotel food was ok, but my husband is a chef so we have high expectations. Breakfast was the best meal of the day with lots to choose from. We normally had a sandwich lunch from the sunset bar and then dinner in the evening in the Rustico. The best option is to have the fresh cooked pizza or pasta, avoid the set meal; we were disappointed both times we tried it.



Entertainment was ok, nothing special. Entertainment normally took place in the Chill out Bar, however one night it happened in the sunset bar and we missed it as it was not very well advertised. Wednesday night’s entertainment was the best. It is advertised that the Wednesday night dinner is served by the pool, it isn't it is the restaurant upstairs and it is no different from any other night. In the summer months the will serve it outside.



The staff were really friendly and couldn't do enough to help you.



We didn't venture in to Naama Bay as we went purposely to chill out. There is a chemist opposite the hotel, so should you get struck down with the Egyptian tummy go over and see the pharmacist. Imodium plus won't shift it but the Egyptian tablets will within 2 hours. Further down the road on the right hand side is a big supermarket. Everything is priced up so you don't have to haggle and it’s cheaper than the town. They have got all the souvenirs that you need!!!



The beach at the HSB is lovely, although it is small, the fish are amazing. Best time to snorkel was 7.30am when there are very few people in the water. We bought a cheap mask and snorkel from the supermarket outside the hotel.



We really enjoyed this holiday, it was very relaxing.

We have just returned home from...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs B C Howe

Comments:

We have just returned home from the most wonderful holiday on the banks of the Red Sea.



The Hilton Sharks Bay Resort provided a marvellous environment to relax, de-stress and totally unwind.



The food was consistently good although could have been a little more varied (especially the bbq area).



All of the staff were attentive and very caring. Whilst we were there we celebrated our wedding anniversary which was noted by the gentleman who cleaned our room and who provided small treats in the form of heart shaped towels, chocolates and local delicacies. All of these little touches made our stay special.



We went on the 'Lazy Day' cruise which gave us an opportunity to snorkel in and out of the amazing corals, the whole day was supervised by experienced guides. (very comforting for an inexperienced snorkeller). ONE TIP THOUGH, even if you are a competent swimmer, take up the offer of a life jacket. The long swim is very tiring.



Libra Holidays were fantastic and so were the staff at IceLolly.com who arranged this last minute break.

We booked this holiday a couple...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Olympic Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs K McEntee

Comments:

We booked this holiday a couple of weeks before we went & I had appreciated the honest review comments when making my choice of hotel so vowed to do the same upon our return.

And here we are!



We had a lovely week at the Hilton. On arrival at the airport we were told the hotel was overbooked & we were being transferred to The Sierra ( a nearby 5* Savoy Hotel) for the first night but would be collected after breakfast - and we were. To compensate for this slight disruption the Front House Manager was more than generous and had upgraded us to a sea view room with wine, drinks & fruit basket in our room as well as arranging for us to have a complimentary meal in the Hilton Farouz Fish Restaurant one night during our stay.



Our rooms ( we had 2 teenagers with us) were lovely: clean and cool, and the house keeping staff excellent.



We didn't see one cloud in the sky all week with 80 degree sunshine from 8am - 4pm.There were always sunloungers available around the pool and the snorkelling off the jetty of the beach meant it was like swimming in a fish tank!



I would recommend this resort to anyone and the only let down was the food: it was repetitive and rarely hot. The latter probably accounted for the dodgy tummies which all 4 of us experienced whilst there and brought home with us!

The Olympic rep was fab and informative.



Excel Airways were though far from "excellent! The flight going out was 4 hours late and an hour late returning. The onboard public address system was really poor though just about loud enough for us to hear the cabin staff get their schpeel completely wrong - at least that gave everyone a momentary distraction from the dreadfully minimal leg room (and I am only 5ft 4).

Could not possible find fault...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Ms C Smart

Comments:

Could not possible find fault



The staff are brilliant and couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. The grounds and rooms were immaculate and Hasan the wee sweeper was out at four in the morning ensuring that it stayed that way!!!



The food is great, a wide choice of restaurants and bars and the Dive centre is brilliant and they were so patient in helping me get over my phobia of the sea (I'm now fully PADI qualified) Thanks Niel :-)



Didn't stray to Naama bay too much on an evening as being a blonde female got a lot of attention but it was all harmless and came away with gifts of shells, bottles and perfume as well as having endless cups of lovely tea with the locals.



Definitely my best holiday yet and will be going back.

Everything was absolutely...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

Longwood

Submitted By:

dergul

Comments:

Everything was absolutely perfect.



There was not even one thing we were not happy about.



As well as the hotel staff Longwood Rep.s were great.



We will definetely go there again.



Eventhough it was all inclusive we never queued up for anything. It is such a big place. You never know how full it is.



Endless selection of food.



If you go there I recommend you take your own snorkelling gear. Especially mask.

I cannot recommend this resort...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2005

Tour Operator:

Olympic Holidays

Submitted By:

Miss G Bradshaw

Comments:

I cannot recommend this resort enough. It really is fantastic! The weather is perfect (37-40 all week while we were there) and Naama Bay isn't as yet too commercialised. The hotel’s private beach is brilliant for snorkelling and there are so many dive centres to choose from. The staff at the hotel can’t do enough for you, the rooms & grounds are kept immaculate and their attention to detail is second to none. The food is gorgeous and with so much choice be careful as the pounds soon pile on!


This was my second visit to the Hilton Sharks Bay, I went in 2004 and loved it, I shall no doubt be returning in 2006.

We have just returned from the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs L elder

Comments:

We have just returned from the Hilton Sharks Bay Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt. We found that the hotel was far superior than the rated 4*.



The accommodation and the grounds was beautiful and clean, every attention to detail was adhered to. The food can always be such a tricky subject, but at the Sharks Bay Hotel they catered for all taste internationally and it was spotlessly clean. The selection of food was fantastic! We did not have any ice-cubes or the salad, even though it looked fine. We never had any tummy bugs or sickness.



The staff where genuinely friendly and very helpful. We never return to the same place two years in a row, but we have already re-booked to return with the same holiday provider to the same hotel in the same place. Can't wait for next year so we can return!!

We stayed here for our...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

loobie

Comments:

We stayed here for our Honeymoon, & it was absolutely fantastic, we arrived at the Hilton to find we had been upgraded to a deluxe room, complimentary of the hotel.


The room was fantastic we had our own private pool, Mini Bar which was stocked up everyday.



Had lovely flights going with excel and return with Atlanta Europe 747 which was fantastic.



The hotel and resort area was very clean ,food was good, staff were terrific.



The only thing I think needs improving is the evening entertainment a little repetitive.



We will definitely be returning next year.



Have a great time!

Just got back this week from a...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2005

Tour Operator:

Portland Direct

Submitted By:

Mrs J Cunningham

Comments:

Just got back this week from a fantastic 2 week holiday at The Hilton Sharks Bay resort in Sharm. Weather was fantastic, everyday the same with not a cloud in sight - bliss!! I would definitely recommend this resort, it was so clean and there were no creepies in sight (which I was worried about since it was Egypt). The animation team were great, always trying to get you involved and trying to make your holiday special (special thank you to Dieter and Nils who kept my husband occupied everyday with the Water Polo)!! Would definitely return next year and would definitely recommend this resort to anyone thinking of heading to Egypt!!