FANTASTIC

Me and my sister just returned from a week staying in the sunrise island view suites (not to be confused with the garden resort).

HOTEL:

The hotel is beautiful, a great size vary clean and well kept. there are four pools, the main one which has a slide - this was very busy and their were alot of russians and egyptians so we usually went to the bottom pool where we found more younger english people. There is a quiet pool as well with no music - suitable for older people/reading. The hotel is all inclusive option only which makes things alot easier.

BEACH: Is fantastic, the snorkelling is out of this world, so many colourful fish! They put on entertainment in the afternoons and music on the beach, like dancing and volleyball. Great if you have kids or have a go yourself.

FOOD AND DRINK:

Alot of choice at the buffet, obviously the food will get the 'samey' after a couple of weeks but for a week it was perfect. The italien does great pizza and pasta. More or less from 7am - 10pm there is always food somewhere... Beach did burgers/chips, ice cream and cookies at the restaurant in the afternoon, brekkie, lunch, dinner ect. Drinks are never more than a few feet away!! alcohol seemed fine, very large measures. They did have cocktails but they all seemed to look the same and taste the same! Bar got quite busy sometimes.

ENTERTAINMENT:

ok, the singer round the pool sang the same songs every night, but there was a disco (drinks payable) and an ampitheatre with kids disco ect. There is a wonderful shisha lounge (the smoking pipes that the egyptians smoke) with sofas, very relaxed and everyone chats to everyone. Met some students and a few english people.

PEOPLE:

**BE WARNED** of the russians!!! Yes, they are extremely rude. its doesnt cause a problem, we as two girls on our own were quite nervous travelling to Naama Bay but as long as you keep your wits about you... Get blue and white taxis only, we got in a bus thing and the guy was very creepy and offered us drink and drugs. that was the only time we didnt feel safe. Egyptians are very friendly but just be firm and say no thank you if they are bugging you, they usually get the message. The english we found were alot of couples in the hotels, a few 'singles' around Naama Bay, not as much as we'd hoped. we were just looking to meet people for chats and a few drinks but didnt feel quite safe around any other than british!!!

MONEY:

They do like sterling (only £10 or more) and you can pay english and get egyptian change which we found really easy as 10 GBP is 100 Egyptian pound (more or less) dollars are welcome too.

Absolute dump

this place is definetly not five star it is 2 star if that it is a dump if you have booked to go here go and change your hotel because you will be devestated it is filthy the hygiene in this place was disgusting the food is inedible the staff are ignorant and arrogant very unhelpful and while we were there everybody had upset tummys the bathroom had not been cleaned ever it had black sludge all around the seals and the bath was filthy with brown water everybody i spoke to had the same opinion on this dump full of ignorant russians . please if you have booked this place dont go the only nice thing about this holiday were the beautiful fish in the sea and a nice geordie couple we met

Love it

We stayed for 2 weeks as this was my first trip abroad i didn't really know what to expect. The hotel and accommodation where fantastic the staff where really friendly and it is very clean, the food was good and always well prepared. Sharm is very hot so take plenty of sun cream with you.

There are four swimming pools which again are all kept to a very high standard of cleanness. There are two water slides and a swim up pool bar.

The beach is good and very good for snorkelling and diving although i didn't dive my husband did but take a snorkel. One thing I would say is PLEASE buy a pair of Coral shoes (approx. £2.00) as I stood on a Sea Eagle at the blue hole and was well still am in agony.

I have read of peoples reviews and like they say there is allot of Russians and they can be rude but to my option so can all nationalities.

The entertainment I cant really say allot about as we never seen any of the shows although allot of people said the kids team was good.

They have two singers at the pool side bar at night that sounded in pain but made people laugh.

Nama Bay isn't far and is a fantastic experience and also a great place to eat out in and shop.

Lastly I would say if you decide to go you have to take a blue and white taxi ride it is something else they put the white van drivers here in England to shame lol.

I hope you all have a great time if you decide to go.

We will return to Sharm and the sunrise Island View hotel soon..

I can be of any more help you can email me at paulinecuk31@aol.com

It met the expectations

I spent a week in this hotel with a friend of mine and although I would not say it is really a 5 star, it met all the expectations. The room we were given was not very large and it was at the ground-floor with no balcony, so with no space to hang our bathing things to dry, but still we did not bother to swap it. The cleaning service was very good, although it was annoying that the cleaning boy was literally waking us up every morning, knocking at the door and shouting. The pool area and the beach were nice and clean. The diving experience really worth it. The food was very good, a variety of choice for breakfast and dinner (we did not go for all inclusive). The restaurant was pretty crowded all the time, but it was the peak season. Sometimes we came upon a cup or a glass in a chipped condition, what however should by no means happen in a 5 star hotel. The staff was really helpful, kind and extremely hard-working, but often annoying and boring, but this does not apply only to the hotel staff, but generally to Egyptian people.

I tried a massage at the beach and it was very good and professional.

There are things to do in the evening at the pool in the hotel but we preferred going to Nama Bay. We always used a taxi, which is pretty cheap, especially if you share it with some other guests from the hotel.

I would recommend this hotel.

Very ,very good hotel.

Firstly..there are two hotels...one is 'Sunrise gardens' and the other is 'Sunrise Island views' This review is for the Island Views hotel which is the larger of the two sister hotels and I fully recommend this hotel ..It is excellent.....

If you do not go on the long away trips you will not need a visa and you can save time and money by skipping this at the airport on arrival. If you change your mind the rep can get a visa for you..Also beware of all the people trying to stiff you for a tip at the airport for absolutely everything. The hotel transfer by taxi should only be between 4 and 6 pounds max.

I spent two weeks here June 2006. The Hotel is huge and very clean and the rooms (junior suite) were very smart and well equipped.

There are four or five swimming pools and some good slides. The main pool is very nice and has a swim up bar.

It is very well maintained and the staff work through the night watering the gardens and cleaning etc.. I am amazed they get anything to grow there at all.

I didnt take my children but the hotel was very safe and had loads of room for any bored kids to wander around with very nice family rooms near a large quieter pool and overlooking a play area.

The food is very nice and there is plenty of choice for all nationalites. There are two other restaurants where you can pre book a table for a romantic meal in the Iitalian or a sea view in the lebanese restaurant at the beach front. Now I have to say at this point that I had stomach troubles and many guests did but you simply could not say where it was from or if any specific food or restaurant was the cause. Everything was well cooked, well prepared and really was first class. This did not spoil my holiday at all and other guests who had similar problems said that they would still go back there...( warning...do not call the hotel doctor just go to the local pharmacy. I spoke with some peple and they paid a small fortune for about 50p worth of tablets)

The hotel is situated at the beach front in Sharks bay. Take a snorkel, mask and underwater camera with you before you go. The hotel has a small beach area where you can access the sea via a floating jetty and the quantity and vast array of fish are absolutely spectacular and right on your doorstep. I want to go back just to take my childen in the sea for this exerience. We also took a diving trip with the CAMEL dive school situated on the hotel beach. They were first class and very experienced instructors ( 1 to1 instruction!)..They were also good value for money and gave a 15% discount after some negotiating.

We went on strip to see the beduins and rode a camel and ate bread as the sun set. It was ok if you havent been on a camel before but a little bit staged. I would recommend it though because it was different and a reasonably priced trip.

The evening entertainment was ok but consisted of an hour or so of sketches or singing etc by the animation team at the stage area at the back of the hotel. They were actually quite good and at times very funny but thats about it for enterainment. Around the main pool area they have a man and woman singing and murdering all sorts of songs. They are so poor it was almost funny. For a good night out go to the Hard Rock Cafe in Naama Bay just £3 and 15mins in the hotel bus. Decent beer and good food. That said, I would not stay in Naama bay it just didnt appeal to me. There was loads of hard sell and people pestering you to go here and buy this etc..

There is a nice gym and a pool/snooker room and there are table tennis tables, beach volley ball and pool games duing the day. My girlfriend also had a 1.1/2hr massage and said it was excellent.

There is mention of lots of Russians. There were some there and they do try and push in front and dont undestand the concept of waiting their turn but I have to say that I found them no problem at all. There were some positives also as some of the Russian women were really good looking, tall blonde wonderbra model types...

In all I would certainly recommend this hotel. It of a good quality, the staff are friendly and it is well run. You can see that thy are really trying hard to get everything right. It is maintained to a high standard, is in a nice location and has good facilities. i would go back there and would love to take my kids there for the snorkling. If you decide to go, have a good trip.!!

Review for sunrise island view

This is a review for the sunrise island view (5 star)

Please read all the review - it contains some good tips!!

Ok, so here goes. To be honest, the score i have given the hotel does not really do it justice.... but i shall explain:

Although this is a '5 star hotel', this is not actually the case - more like a 3-4 star, but this was fine with us as it was better than expected. As the holidays are cheap, expect a lot of chavs!!! I mean A LOT!

The rooms are big and the cleaning service is good - although we did have a leak in the room half way through the holiday so we had to move rooms

The staff pretty much do everything for you - drinks, take your bags to and from your room etc etc

The hotel bus into namma bay is expensive and drops you off in a dark alley, which was ok for me (being male) but some of the other guests were afraid (singles mums, girls and kids)

The beach is nice beautiful (the boat trips from the beach are expensive!) and the food is also quiet good (better than expected)

The entertainment in the evenings is slightly lacking (the singers by the main restaurant are so bad it was actually quiet funny!)

From this i would have given the hotel a 7 or maybe an 8..... however a problem arose on the last day when checking out....

Firstly we were told that we would have to pay £15 for towel cards that were never given to us in the first place. They held our bags until we paid. We never received these cards and didn't know they existed as we were away most of the day diving so had no need for a card/towel.

The second problem was that we settled our bill (the manager took the money) for using the shuttle bus while trying to sort out problem 1. Later that day, when we paid for the towel cards, we were told we hadn't paid the bill for the bus and were basically called liars - until the manager appeared! After the problems we had with the room being flooded and us being so nice about it, i would have expected a better service. As with all places in Egypt, people are just out to make money - this applies both inside and outside the hotel!!!

Some tips:

We managed to get into namma bay by taxi for £2 from the hotel. They start really high so barter hard!! Its actually fun! The blue and white cabs are best - don't use the hotel taxis!

The cost of a taxi to the hotel is about £2-4 (this is about 20-40 Egyptian pounds)

Book diving before you go - its much cheaper

Watch out for fleas on cats and also in restaurants/cafes with sofas/cushions

Ok, but for only a week!

We have just returned from the Sunrise Island View in Sharm El Sheik.

Firstly I need to say we had a relaxing time for our 2 week stay but it could've been better for the cost of the holiday.

Please see below for notes on everything:

The Welcome - 8/10

You need to wait your turn then approach reception, they photocopy passports then hand you details of the hotel (map, times of everything, all inclusive cards, key & towel cards). You then put your room number tag on cases and they're taken to your room.

A porter then takes the group to their rooms. He lets you in and shows you about, shows you everything until you tip him - then he leaves!

The Room - 8/10

We had a Junior Suite (which is most of the complex) sort of like an apartment - 2 balconies, 2 single beds, lounge area with fridge and satellite TV, quite good clothes storage, plenty of mirrors and safe. The safe is in the wardrobe, however it does lift out - not very secure!!

The only faults with the room seem to be the bathroom seems a little old fashioned and grubby and the funiture is a little old. Otherwise very comfortable with 2 air conditioning units to keep it cool in the 40 degree heat.

The Grounds - 20/10!!

The Grounds are really amazing and fantastically kept all day long. The resort is like a mini village and has little bridges, water features, low cosy lighting at night and 4 good pools with attendants. Everytime you're out there's a member of the gardening team out and about weeding or watering.

The Staff:

Reception - 10/10 - Very Helpful and understanding

Bar - 8/10 - A bit slow but get the orders right

Restaurant - 2/10 - Showed no interest in us until last 2 days

Shops - 10/10 - Very Helpful

Pool Team - 10/10 - Always assisting you with towels, beds, umbrellas

Animation - 10/10 - Always smiling and saying Hi to everyone

Managers - 8/10 - Made their presence know to their team but didn't chat with guests

The Entertainment - 4/10

The Hotel doesnt really have much to offer here. Every night there are the same two singers singing the same songs at the main pool. They try hard but gets boring. The Animation Team put on little shows in the Ampitheatre but don't last long and not always appealing to everyone. The hotel does offer a shuttle bus to Naama Bay for only £1.50 return, worth a visit but very busy and you get harrassed by everyone to go in their shop and buy things or for a taxi.

The Food - 3/10

The food is ok at first but is almost the same thing lunch and dinner every day and not always hot. Do try to book for the Italian but be aware it will be a 3/4 day wait, you cant just book for that night on the same day. The main Club Restaurant is where most people eat Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Breakfast choice is terrible, Lunch and Dinner seem the same. They have Theme Nights but doesn't really account for much at all - if any actually.

The Beach Cafe has snack during the day which is good and ice cream available too (the only place for ice cream may I add). We never tried the Oriental Restaurant near the beach.

The Drink - 2/10

Please take the chance in the first 48 hours to go to Duty Free if you want REAL drink. All alcohol is local products and are not the nicest. Drinking by the pool bar day or night means plastic glasses for safety reasons however there is always a smell form them as though they are not washed correctly.

OVERALL - 6.5/10

The Hotel Grounds, overall views and most of the Team make it an enjoyable stay. However the Food and Drink are a disappointment. If you are looking to get away here I would suggest only a week as there is not enough to keep you occupied entertainment wise for 2 weeks.

We went All Inclusive but were never once asked for our cards (no wristbands here)! So don't know if there is an option to go room only??

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't return to this hotel unless it was a really good deal - we paid £800 each for 2 weeks which now seems a little steep and not value for money.

OTHER INFO:

Money - Thet take almost everything, but I'd suggest Egyptian Pounds as everything is priced in this in shops, pubs, restaurants, etc plus its easy to work out into our money as you just divide by ten

Pyramids - I'd certainly recommend a trip to Cairo to the Pyramids, well worth it.

Weather - Very Hot 39/40 Degree with sometimes a little breeze.

Snorkelling - We never went but think I would if I went back to Egypt as what fish we could see from above the water seemed amazing.

Toilets - As most people get an upset stomach on holiday I'd certainly suggest you carry toilet roll if you venture out the hotel. No where has toilet roll anywhere unless you pay an attendant for a few bits...DO NOT BE CAUGHT OUT!!! The hygiene of most toilets are terrible so be aware if your wearing flip flops!

Loved Sunrise Island View

We chose Surnrise Island View (formerly Maxim Plaza) by chance. We travelled with Odyssey, staying 19-26 March 2006.

The hotel is situated on the sea shore, with lovely grounds which are full of beautiful flowers.

Rooms are large, well furnished, well maintained and very clean.

There are 4 restaurants (plus a snack bar on the beach) all serving excellent food and drinks (one tip - with Odyssey, go Ultra and pay extra to get imported spirits).

There are 4 pools of various sizes, which are clean well maintained and supervised.

All the staff were excellent, friendly, extremely hardworking and did everything they coud to make our stay as enjoyable as possible.

We recommend it it and we will definitely be going back.

Not what i expected!

we decided to go here as it was not to long a flight and we knew the weather would be good.

we thought booking a 5 star hotel would be extra special with it being new year.

the hotel is def not 5* the food was ok and the restaurant staff were very nice and went out of there way to help you.

the hotel was very nice appearance wise and very clean.

That was the good points!

The bad was that we were 1 of 4 british couples in that hotel that week and the rest were mostly russian.

They were so nasty to the staff and thought they could push in where ever they wanted.

The entertainment was terrible and no atmosphere at all on a night time.

we ended up going into nama bay quite a few nights.

we are a couple of 35 years of age and what would put me off most about this resort is that when my partner was not right next to me the men thought they could come onto me.this happened twice in the hotel,the 3rd and worst was in the supermarket over the road from the hotel and i felt very threatened.

That alone would never make me want to visit the place again.

Wasn't so special for the price we paid at christmas and new year

Just been to Sunrise Island View Suite 18.12.05 - 01.01.06. This is not a 5 star hotel but a 3+. Hotel is very clean. Reception staff need to be more upto date with the hotel info. There is no central point to find out about menu,activaties,hotel facility etc. We normally go away at christmas and this time for the money we paid it just didn't feel like christmas. On christmas eve they had a gala dinner in the tent but for Medhotel guests they wanted extra 45$ each even though we were fully inclusive. Please check this at time of booking if you are going for christmas. Generally over the christmas and new year period hotel make an effort with food. sorry not at this hotel you will get the standard as a normal day. Entertainment was a waste of time. Over the 2 weeks we stayed only they bought a outside team to do the entertaiment, but this act repeated on new years eve gala, so nothing was really spent for our new years eve gala. They did not make an effort for us at christmas at all. Typical on christmas eve they said santa will be on the beach at 3pm and also a barbecue. We arrived well before all the children were ready but santa didnot appear. They said 10 minutes later shout santa and he will come so the children did this still no santa. Then they got the children to dance whilst they found santa. Half an hour later santa comes with a sack. Instead of santa sitting down and the children line up santa thew the presents and the children so some got more than 1 and some children had none and upset. The present were what you would get in macdonals little furry toys that weren't even rapped. As to the barbecue this was cakes. If you are looking for a beach this is not for children there is no sand and you cannot walk into the water.Hotel Savoy and Concorde you can do this. Please bartar with the taxi drivers we only paid to Narma Bay 25ep and to old sharm 25-30 They will start at 45 just walk away or wait a few more minutes and you will get a taxi. the blue and white taxi are very safe they do drive fast.Do not exchange you money here you will get a better rate there as they want $ and £'s. Finally the airport. you only need visa's if you are going to travel out of sharmel sheikh. Go to the Banks as visa only cost 10 pounds your reps will take you to there counter but they will charge more. Trolly's they will ask for £1 give them 2 Eyguptian pounds as this is less they will get a lot more if you give them the pound. Hope this review is helpful as this is my first time to write but if you do want a nice christmas I really don't think this hotel is the one for you and not the charges made by medhotels.Please give your keys for 12 as they will charge like 25 pounds for extra half an hour.