First time in Egypt for my husand and myself and this hotel was a change to the one I had originally booked but it was very nice indeed. Clean rooms, friendly staff for which nothing was too much trouble.
We were there for a week and ate in 3 restaurants, all of which were lovely and no tummy upsets whatsoever.
A little dissapoointed with the lack of entertainment however the complex is big, the beach is close and at the end of the complex lies the promenade to take you into Naama Bay which is a 15 minute stroll.
Directly opposite the hotel is a McDonalds (cheaper than home) and a shop called 24/7 which was so so cheap for souverniers knick knacks etc.
The main road is a bit if a nightmare at times but have patience. Went on a trip to St Katherine's Monastry & Dahab..highly recommended and some fab scenery of the Sinai Desert.
I would recommend this hotel to young and old alike.

Just returned from 2 weeks at Sonesta Beach. Was a bit wary cos of previous reviews but they were all rubbish!!
Loved it.
Great time had by myself and my friend. Staff really helpfull, very hardworking and friendly. They hate the rude Russians, who have no manners at all!! Sometimes I wondered how they put up with them at all. Wonder how I did too! Who do they think they are?? Some Italians quite rude too.
Beach is small and a bit sardinish until lunch time when people tended to wonder back for lunch. But wow... the fish just swimming around - Amazing.
The food was OK if your not too fussy, quite varied and some restuarants you can pay in too.
Everyone I spoke to got Egypt tummy, but people are too quick to blame food, water etc. Personally I think its the heat. Too hot to handle for me.
Plenty of exercise walking around the complex......Its sooooo big. Various different pool areas to choose from.
Only complaint - rooms quite dark, difficult to put warpaint on at night!! The complex is also quite dark at night with soft lighting while youre trying to walk around. Security wise I suppose it could be better.

I have just returned from the Sonesta Beach resort!!! LOVED IT!!We booked the holiday through teletext for 9 nights the flights were with Excel and teletext booked the hotel through bookahotel.com (i think) it was only until i checked the paperwork a few days before tracel that i noticed that the transfers werent included - to be honest that suited me fine because the last thing i want to do is get a coach and drop loads of people off!!!

We landed @ sharm airport about 9pm and were unsure where to get a visa from (so we didnt get one!!) we were later told by people we met that they got a visa from one of the desks as you walk inside the airport and the guy behind the desk was so chilled he asked them how much they wanted to pay!!!! its roughly about £15 each!!

We got a taxi to the hotel (always ask price before you get in!!) this cost us £15 (or 150 Egyptian) it took about 10-15mins

We got to the hotel about 10ish and the porters came and took our bags on a trolley while we checked in. they then took us to our room (get small denomations for tips - US$ prob better as the Euro rate so bad!!!)

Our room was lovely - bathroom,seperate loo and massive bed, 2 singles pushed together!! Massive balcony!! the pillows are really hard but i wouldnt complain about a pillow!!! although im sure some would!!!

it is hard to understand what you actually get under the All Inc and what bars,restaurants are included - i have the info that reception gave me so if you want to have a look let me know and i can scan it for you!

FOOD
The food is ok ish!! our room was opposite the Casablanca restaurant which for lunch and dinner its open (for dinner its not a buffet so you have to pre book a table at reception - but is included under All Inc)
We went to Casablanca for lunch everyday - salads,hot food,puds!!

The evening meal was a bit interesting!!! the main restauant where the entertainment is held is called Citedel, the evening buffet is from 6.30-10.00 - well i like to go for dinner about 8-8.30ish - DREAM ON!!! we ate there once!!! got in there about 8.30 and there was no seats, inside or outside due to the Russians who like to get there @ 6.30, eat then save the table for the RUSSIAN ENTERTAINMENT!!!!! yeah cheers guys!!!

There is another buffet restaurant which serves same food - this is in The Dome!! went there and got a seat straight away, so chilled out - Loved it!!
We only ate at the hotel for 3 nights, not because of the food but because it was only about £20-£30 for 2 to go out for dinner and the food and people are so nice!!

When you walk along the beach to the restaurants you do get hassled.. but n9ot in a horrible way, if you are English they will say things like "lovely Jubley" or "diamond geeza" not that we actually say that!!!
all you need to do is say a polite no thanks!

We did 2 trips when we were away!!! Dont book tours or trip through the Tour Operator!!! they charge about £10 per person more!!!

We booked our trips along the beach front - go out towards beach and walk for about 5 mins - on right hand side is a hexagon shaped hut - there are 2 guys - one called Fathy (summit like that)
we booked Quad bikes - 2 hours for £15 each - they were fantastic, did ours about 5pm, got picked up by minibus and dropped back, took about 3 mins to get there. i have pics if you want to have a look.

Also booked the trip to Tiran Island which is a full day boat trip - visa isnt required for this!!
got a water taxt to the boat about 9.30 then boared boat and set off!! stopped a few times for a snorkell - saw Nemo!!!
Drinks and lunch were included - soft drinks only, lunch was gorgeous!!got back about 4.30pm and got water taxi back - cost? £15 each - BARGIN!! Went past the Russian Shipwreck!!

I loved this hotel - it is big but you get used to it and a map is provided!!! the staff are perfect - would do anything for anyone!!
the locals are also so friendly...

Dont drink the water over there, and they say to be careful of anything that could have been washed in their water - well how limited does that leave you?? salads, veg, fruit!!! i ate the salads. If you go to Egypt it is pretty much guarenteed that someone will have the Delhi belly - myself and boyfriend got it once while away, pack some imodium, it didnt ruin our holiday, few hours sleep and i was back in the sun by midday!!

We are looking to go back again in October it was that good!!

after reading some reviews i was very apprehensive prior to our trip to sonesta beach however upon arrival was very pleased on first impressions. the hotel is wonderful and located within beautiful kept gardens. the staff are very friendly and always polite especially to brits. the staff are constantly working on keeping the hotel and grounds very clean and work from 6.30am right up to 11.30 in the night. we mainly ate in the resaurant closest to the reception and there was always a good selection of foods and although both myself and partner did experience upset stomachs i am not 100% sure if it was down to any food we ate or just the extreme change in climate possible dehydration or sun stroke. each night came a different theme of food selection and i never was short of food to choose from. i would recommend to people visiting sharm el sheikh for the first time to only use their holiday rep to book all their excursions through just for peace of mind. we went on the VIP snorkling cruise boat which was fantastic and did quad biking across the desert which was very exhusting as temperatures hit 45+ even in early May. the down sides to the holiday were simple. the lighting in the rooms is not great very dim and at night we had massive ants come out in the bathroom so we kept the lights on all night which seemed to keep them away. also the hotel and location is simply over run with russians who are extremly rude and arrogant and wear the smallest of speedo's which quite frankly was enough to put you off your food. the local people are very friendly however they will trick you into their shops and try the hardest to sell you the same products which normally involved perfume. they do not take no very easily. do not be tricked into signing any books for good luck as this is just a ploy to get you into their shop then the door is shut behind you!!! be firm but polite. other than that sharm is paradise. would return again.