This was our first family holiday to Egypt, and we were abit wary. Some people that we have spoke to hated the place, but we loved it.
The complex is huge, but you are given a map which is very helpful. The rooms are huge, lighting in the dressing room and bathroom very dim and they have very dodgy bulbs, kept going off. We had a family room, lovely bathroom, seperate dressing room, queen size bed (very hard pillows!!!), living area with Sky Tv for the kids, bunk beds for the boys and a lovely terrace. The staff are very friendly, always saying hello. Our cleaner was great, if you tip them well they certainly look after you. We tipped our cleaner 100 egyptian pounds (£10) when we first got there, and every day he brought us fresh fluffy towels and bottles of water.He even dressed up the bed!!!!
We tried to eat at the Citadel but there were never any tables, russians eat very early then save the tables for the show later. Our room was next door to The Dome so we ate there every day. The food is ok, but if all else fails, Mc Donalds is just across the road, and the guards on the door don't mind if you take in food.
If you do get a dodgy tummy, which my husband and eldest son did, then there is a chemist across the road, who speaks very good english, straight away he knows why you have come to see you. He gave us some tablets and a liquid drink to take cost approx £15, but did the trick within 48hours.
The children's club was great. My boys loved it so much they asked every day to go back.
Location wise, excellant. 15 minutes stroll into naama bay which is like another world.
I expected it to be hot when we went but the heat was unbeliveable. 45oc during the day and it was 35o at midnight.
Will hopefully be going back same time next year, as long as it doesn't go up too much in price.

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!!