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

Have just returned from a lovely...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Miss S L Dunn

Comments:

Have just returned from a lovely week at the Hilton Sharks Bay.



Great hotel location, plenty of room at the pool and the beach-side and a very professional diving centre. Beautiful weather at 31/32 all week. If you get chance try the Egyptian massage, which is out of this world!



Food let the holiday down a little bit as very repetitive, and we only went for a week but great value all in all for only £400 AI.

Absolutely great value for...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2005

Tour Operator:

Longwood

Submitted By:

Mr JA Scott

Comments:

Absolutely great value for money.



Food, although it’s buffet, was well cooked and varied and there was always choices. Drank lots of red wine, the white and rose was awful. Staff extremely friendly without being pushy and the standards of cleanliness was in line with any other 5* hotel. The entertainment in the evening was OK but it must be difficult catering for the tastes of British, Italians, Germans and miscellaneous Eastern Europeans.

The snorkelling was very good with pontoons giving access to the reefs from the beach. The visibility was not as far as the Caribbean but fish plentiful and colourful.


We were there 1 week and if I could shorten the flight from 5.5/6 hours I’d certainly return to the Hilton Sharks Bay. One week is long enough if you remain on site but there are day excursions to Mt Sinai, Luxor, etc. if you have a two-week break.

We travelled by JMC Air. Seat spacing was disgraceful, I’m sure sheep have more space when travelling in lorries.



All in all, definitely recommended.

10/10 what a fantastic place! My...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2005

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

coraleepatel

Comments:

10/10 what a fantastic place! My Husband and I wanted a chill out week somewhere hot with not too long a flight. Sharm El Sheik is just great – 5.5 hours flight.



I was worried about the airport experience after reading some of the reviews but was no problem. Don’t join the Visa queue if you are not going on any long haul trips i.e. Cairo etc YOU DO NOT NEED A VISA if you are not going out of the Sinai area (which is massive) so save your selves £15 by writing “not going out of Sinai” on the back of the entry card, signing it and joining the customs queue.


The weather was perfect at 26 degrees along with a cool breeze. The Hotel was a fantastic place – a large and beautiful, well laid out complex filled with swaying palm trees and bougainvillea. The sun terraces had fantastic views and there was never a shortage of beds or shade even though the complex was full.

I’m giving it a rating of 10/10 because this hotel has a jewel in its crown! – the coral reef at the end of the jetty is alive with some of the most beautiful fish and coral I’ve ever seen – having paid to go on snorkelling trips in other countries it was fantastic to have this facility right on site.



The beach is private and you are never bothered by traders etc as they can’t access it. The “sand” is rather gritty and the reef starts about 3 foot from the edge (so it isn’t the best place for very young children – although there are plenty of pools in the complex and lots for them to do). When you climb down the ladder at the end of the jetty the floor is about 15 foot down so don’t expect to be able to stand up in the water. Snorkel equipment is free from the on-site dive shop (just a deposit).


We never left the hotel apart from a ½ day snorkelling trip to Tiran island, the boat and trip was lovely but there is more to see in terms of fish and coral at the end of the Hotels jetty!

Food was probably an 8/10 there’s lots of variety – the breads are fantastic and you will not go hungry as there is something for everyone. The drinks……..hmm my first cocktail was half full with rum but I didn’t feel a thing so if you are very much into alcohol buy some spirits on the way in so that it doesn’t spoil your perspective on this otherwise fantastic place. The red and white Egyptian wine is very quaffable, but again the alcohol content is very low. The local draught beer is very nice.


Actually, waking up without a hangover was quite good!

There is little in the way of night time entertainment at the hotel – the Italian entertainment team try very hard by putting on a show but it is very low budget!

We loved the Chill Out Bar – a disco/nightclub where the furnishings wouldn’t be out of place in an up market London club.


The staff here are very friendly and everything is conveniently located nothing is ever too far away.

Just one final point – I hate Charter flights, they are cramped and uncomfortable at the best of times but we flew with excel airways (Libra holidays) and I have to say, for charter – they were excellent – with leather seats and friendly hardworking staff – I didn’t see one grumpy face!

Can’t wait to go back!!

We have just arrived back from...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2005

Tour Operator:

Longwood

Submitted By:

Mrs K Wiltshire

Comments:

We have just arrived back from the Hilton Sharks Bay this was our 2nd time in a year at this hotel and the holiday was even better this year than last year, all the staff remembered us I didn’t think they could be any nicer than they were but they were all so nice and pleased to see us.



The hotel now has 2 extra pools and while we were there opened the chill out lounge which is a inside bar/ disco which is lovely.



The entertainment staff were excellent this year and were so friendly and put on really good shows well done to all of them especially Jessica and Enzio.



We had another great time and will be booking again for next year.



There were 3 couples that went and the girls sunbathed while the boys went diving and the boys were so pleased this year to see a dolphin as Ras Mohammed and a turtle at Tiran.

I booked this holiday through...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2004

Tour Operator:

Longwood

Submitted By:

Mrs S Eaton

Comments:

I booked this holiday through the staff travel dept of Thomson having noted the previous reviews of this hotel on this website.

What can I say, we had an excellent flight out there and although the airport was fair to say 'manic' we made it through to be greeted by some of the most cheerful reps I’ve ever known!



We were taken to our hotel on a clean air-conditioned bus and after only a 5 minute drive found ourselves pulling into the Hilton Sharks Bay. From arriving we were greeted with smiles by porters who unloaded our bags while we checked in, we were then whisked off down to our room on a golf buggy by a great porter who pointed out all the hotels amenities on the way.



Our room was of excellent standard, two what I’d describe as queen size beds, bigger than singles for sure, that were the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. A lockable fridge (stocked up daily with bottled water), tea and coffee making facilities and a great sea view, we’d paid for it and we sure got it, we did not have a balcony but we were right next to sunset bar so did not need it. You also have a free safe in the room to keep valuables in, though I would trust the staff in that hotel as they were the nicest I’ve known. The room boy was excellent, kept our room spotless and again left us some very amusing towel sculpture’s and always made effort to say hello and ask us what we were doing with our day.



The beach area is excellent split into lots of little terraces, so you never feel too crowded, and the diving off the hotel pontoon is out of this world! The pool areas are excellent too, lots of shade and kept spotlessly clean. We tried the full body Egyptian massage too in the health club, done wonderfully and they have a table by the beach too if you don’t want to walk up to the health club.



Food, we both found was excellent, my travel companion is vegetarian and allergic to eggs and diary products, and he found something to eat at every mealtime no problem. Especially enjoyed were the waffles and omelettes made to order at breakfast and pizzas and pasta dishes made to order at the main meal! It did seem to be a little repetitive but I’ve found that in all hotels I’ve worked, and no problems with tummy bugs at all, spotted a few sparrows as reported in past but had no problems with flies on the food at all.

The all inclusive beverage option is well served, the sakara beer was very drinkable, and the wines were good too. The cocktail menu was also tested too and was popular with us.

The hotel entertainment was a bit hit and miss and would be repetitive if there for more than one week, but was made up by the enthusiasm and friendliness of the animation team, though the daytime activities were fun and well run.



During our week we went on two of the Thomson organised excursions, the first was a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park, you need a visa for this one but the snorkelling was amazing, little tip buy your own snorkelling gear if your hotel has a beach you’ll use it there and saves you hiring it on this trip. The Lunch was very nice too, with both of us have good plateful.

The second was a quad biking trip to a Bedouin camp in the desert, very bumpy but a lot of fun and the Bedouin tea was quite nice. On both of these trips the guides were very professional but very friendly too, really made the difference on both these days.



This was our first trip to Egypt but definitely wont be the last. We will definitely stay at the Hilton Sharks Bay again and bring friends with us, but go for two weeks and take enough money to do all the activities next time as there was so much more we wanted to do.

Excellent

The...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2004

Tour Operator:

Not Specified

Submitted By:

Mr D Ward

Comments:

Excellent



The hotel and the staff were first class, a good Xmas/New years break. New Years Eve in a Bedouin tent with Russian lap dancers, what a joy!

The diving facilities were excellent and the leisure facilities were second to none.

What can I say about this...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2004

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

holleron

Comments:

What can I say about this hotel... well we just love it. We are due to go in September 2005 for the 3rd time.



The hotel is a lovely spacious hotel. The rooms are quite large and always kept extremely clean. First time we went we had a lovely sea view, which was wonderful!



Although I am 40 I still tend to be a picky fussy eater but not here, put on 5lb last time I went. The Italian restaurant is really lovely.



The pool is large and in the summer months is lovely but November was so cold it took your breath away! Be prepared in November for the temperature to drop drastically at night and it can get very windy.



The only negative point and a very small one at that, was the nightly entertainment provided by an animation team - not good! But then you can always go into Naama Bay which has bars, shops and restaurants make sure you go to hard rock cafe, lovely food and very lively.



The beach at the Hilton is over crowded it is a lovely clean, tranquil beach, with spectacular views, the sea is amazingly warm and clear and the fish well...it’s a real experience.



Trips are quite popular and St Catherine’s monastery was truly wonderful especially getting there as you pass right through the desert, be prepared once you get there to be a little squashed as there are many people packed into the monastery and occasionally it can be a little daunting.



The hotel provides a free shuttle bus into Naama bay several times a day and through the evening I think the last bus coming back was about 11.00.p.m although a word of advice please remember your bus i.e. the name on the side of the bus or the registration plate as when you go to the bus stop about 30 come along virtually all looking the same and sometimes it doesn’t have your hotel name on the front! We let our bus go right past one night and had to get a taxi which I may add was no problem and of little expense.



My last point is please remember to apply your insect repellent at the airport before you go out to catch your coach to the hotel as even in this short period of time without your repellent you will be bitten as I found out when I arrived at the hotel and I had been bitten several times! Even through jeans might I add! Always use your insect repellent every night before you leave your room even if you forget please go back and put some on believe me it will save you a lot of misery in the morning.



Lastly I will mention the staff nothing is too much trouble and we know most of them on a first name basis. They really are wonderful kind considerate people. If you tip them early enough in the holiday you are treated like royalty. No need for me to say enjoy yourself you truly will.



HAPPY HOLIDAYS

This is the friendliest hotel we...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2004

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr a Jobes

Comments:

This is the friendliest hotel we have stayed at. The staff are very polite and cannot do enough for you. It is kept exceptionally clean both in and around the hotel and the rooms. The snorkelling is fantastic and the private beach is small but not overcrowded. I was very impressed with the quality of the food and it was only on one day of my holiday that I could not find anything I really liked as there is so much selection. Quite a lot of the food is cooked in front of you so you get to see how it’s cooked. The Egyptian people are great with kids and really go out of their way to keep them amused. There is not much to do in the evenings in the way of entertainment but the two bars are very relaxed and its nice to just chill out looking out onto the sea after soaking up the sun and swimming all day. Highly recommended.

We have just returned from our...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2004

Tour Operator:

Lastminute

Submitted By:

Mr D M Pickett

Comments:

We have just returned from our holiday in Sharm el Sheikh and can honestly say it was wonderful. Our hotel was beautiful and clean and the staff were extremely hard working and helpful. Our days started early as you had to catch the sun from about 8am until 4pm when it started getting dark but it was really hot between these times and we got a great tan even though we were only there a week! We spent our time on the beach but there were three other swimming pools to choose from. The sea is lovely and warm and the fish are incredible.



The food in the hotel was lovely and there was plenty to choose from. We only ventured away from the hotel once during our stay for a visit to Naama Bay but I wish we hadn’t bothered. The traders constantly harassed everyone and made my wife feel very intimidated, however we tried it but would not go again.



As for the hotel though we are planning a return visit with a group of family for two weeks next year.



A little tip: Take plenty of warm clothes for the evening as in contrast to the day time it becomes very cold.

Fantastic holiday with good...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Key2Holidays

Submitted By:

darrenjulie2

Comments:

Fantastic holiday with good food, lots of drink, good pool, fantastic dive centre and excellent staff.



Beware of brushing your teeth with the tap water and don’t have too much ice in your drink if you want to avoid ‘traveller’s tummy’ as the doctor called it.


We liked it so much that we will hopefully be returning next July.



We went swimming with dolphins and diving with the very friendly and experienced on-site dive centre. The house reefs are full of colour and so enjoyable to just coast along watching for spotted rays, turtles, barracuda and lion fish.


There is very little night life though but you can visit the bars in the next hotel although you will have to pay for your drinks in that case.


LOVED IT what more can I say.

Just returned from a two week...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Cresta

Submitted By:

Mr K Meldrum

Comments:

Just returned from a two week stay at the Hilton. The Hotel in general is very clean with the bed linen and towels changed every day. The hotel grounds were well kept. With regards to the food this is what lets the Hotel down.



At breakfast there was very little choice and if you fancied an omelette you would have to queue because of the lack of cooking facilities (3 small pans/rings) also the crockery was chipped and the cutlery was often dirty. We like a coffee in the morning, however this was only ever served warm and quite often we would have to wait at the different stations for crockery. Lunch was O.K however the evening meal again was disappointing with food only ever being served warm. We found the Italian restaurant to be the best.




The pool although quite warm the first week was cold for the second I can only think that the pool heating was turned off.




The pool bar service could have been better with only ever two staff being present and again the plastic classes had seen there day. In our brochure it stated there was a choice of cocktails, however when I asked for a Pina colada I was told by the bar staff that there was only one choice of cocktail per day.




Evening entertainment was virtually non existent. Overall this Hotel is overrated with more negative reports than good ones and for the people who have enjoyed there stay at the hotel they really are easily pleased.




Try a Riu Hotel next time and you’ll realise what an All-inclusive Hotel should be.

We had the most wonderful...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Libra Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs S Hamilton

Comments:

We had the most wonderful holiday, the staff were great, very good with my two children. The rooms were a good size since we had four of us in there! The pools were great for the kids, the beach was not so good for them but wonderful fish to see just sitting on the jetty which kept them happy. The night time entertainment wasn’t the greatest but no one seemed to mind. The most relaxing holiday we have ever had.

We are thinking of returning in Feb. it was so good.



Must see the pyramids on a day trip to Cairo.

I stayed at this hotel with 10...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Excel

Submitted By:

Miss Emma Duy

Comments:

I stayed at this hotel with 10 of my friends, and I can honestly say this was the best holiday we have ever had!



The food and the staff were amazing and the hotel itself was brilliant. The rooms had amazing views and were freshened everyday.



Reception were very helpful in organising our trip to visit the pyramids, which is a must see.

Entertainment in the hotel in the evening is small not much to do but you cope. The only thing I would advise you on is to take plenty of Imodium because, it is inevitable that you will get a dodgy stomach.



This hotel is worth a visit and we are even returning next year it is that good.

Very good holiday, maid service...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2004

Tour Operator:

Key 2 Egypt

Submitted By:

Mrs S Davies

Comments:

Very good holiday, maid service excellent and very friendly staff in restaurants and bars, however the stomach bug and colds struck us down. The food was generally good especially the Italian restaurant, however some of the food was often cold.



Be prepared for an experience at the airport and if you have not got your visas, they prefer sterling to their local currency. They did give us food vouchers for the hotel as we were slightly delayed.



There is a small beach at the hotel with a jetty that leads to excellent snorkelling. Dolphins visited the area regularly.<

br />
I would highly recommend the quad biking. It was alot of fun.



We also went to Naama Bay for a meal, which we found very good quality and value and good for souvenir shopping.

The hotel staff were excellent....

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Key2holidays

Submitted By:

Tess

Comments:

The hotel staff were excellent.



The food in the buffet restaurant could have been better but the food in the downstairs Italian restaurant was very good. There was also a choice of an Indian restaurant.



The rooms are very good and linen and towels changed every day.



The beach is small, and you cannot walk out to the sea as there is coral, but the sea is reached by a jetty from which you can dive or snorkel. An amazing array of fish and coral to see.



We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday at this hotel. You can go on many good trips, one not to be missed is the visit to the Beduin Village, where you go on a camel to see the sunset and then go on further on your camel to a Beduin village for a barbeque meal and local tea - very nice, then you lay and look at all the stars.



We thoroughly enjoyed this hotel and can recommend it.