"Checked into Cleopatra (family) resort on Fri 21st to be told we could have a free upgrade to “adults only” sister hotel across the road. Although we did our own research we were somewhat persuaded to accept with reception saying “much better, quieter, jacuzzi by pool, mini bar in room” and regular shuttles to / from both, and worth £x dollars more but were getting it FREE…and we even had to write a note to say we were getting this free upgrade which we thought very strange.
Anyway, after a buggy shuttle to the Adults only complex we checked in again and assigned a room in block 8 very near the main reception. The room was lovely, very modern and spacious overlooking the pool area which all rooms in this complex have too. After unpacking we went to the main buffet restaurant and had a bite to eat and felt it was half decent but after a few days we realised pretty repetitive and not overly exciting considering this was a 5 star resort.
We booked into the Asian restaurant for the Saturday as it was my wife’s birthday. The meal was ok though plenty of veggie stuff like Tofu which was not to our liking. What we noticed from this day forward was how quiet and soleless the 2 restaurants on our complex were. We only had the choice of “The English Pub” (defo wasn’t anything like a pub) and the Blue Bar above the main buffet restaurant which we went to once and was freezing cold with no other tourists in so we soon left. There was a bar of sorts in the reception area but it wasn’t exactly welcoming (and again freezing with AC on full blast). Daytime did have a pool bar and lunchtime menu; burgers, pizzas, chips but pretty basic and not 5 star dining.
We used the shuttle most days and realised then we had made a big mistake accepting the upgrade. We could use the beach bar and grill in the family resort during the day under our All Incl but nowhere else. Surely if All Inclusive we should be able to use all areas, food and drinks etc otherwise it’s not a genuine upgrade, hence us having to sign an “acceptance” I reckon to get the reception off the hook. Anyway the food was exactly the same at the beach bar as our own pool bar, it was ok but no real variety. We did eat at the Italian one evening as part of our 2 free visits to the specialist restaurants and had a really nice meal. The family resort was huge in comparison to our Adults only complex but was far busier and lively and we may have enjoyed our week more if we had not upgraded.
Positives: Buggy shuttle efficient and quick but could walk it in similar time tbh. Pool bar was decent service and ok for a lunchtime snack. The waiters did remember our drinks so that was a nice touch. Our room was spotless and our housekeeper (Mahmoud) was exceptional and the towel art he did in our room was fantastic. The resort was spotlessly clean and the climate was the biggest plus for us and an ideal getaway for some winter sun.
Negatives: inside areas AC simply too cold to eat or drink indoors. The complex was too quiet and almost soleless (reckon everyone went to family hotel instead). Daytime entertainment was ok and we joined in a few times but the evening entertainment poor and started / finished quite late. The noise reverberated around the small complex and couldn’t go to bed before 11pm even if you wanted too due to the noise. Food not really to our liking, breakfast poor unless you liked pastries, cake and salads (for breakfast?) and as for beef bacon that was horrible. We ate eggs most days which got us through to lunch. The lack of bars and atmosphere was what we missed, the English Pub was our only choice in the evening. The beach was rocky underfoot and sea life quite poor for snorkelling. When venturing out of the hotel you really have to have your wits about you and try not to literally get dragged into a shop, quite unnerving if you haven’t been before.
We have been to Egypt a few times now and can’t compare Sharm el Sheikh to Hurghada as the latter is much much better, so I’m afraid we’ve been put off Sharm and have no desire to return given this visit unfortunately."
