Naama Bay Hotel, Sharm El Sheikh

...we have stayed in the Naama Bay Hotel. We have stayed there in March, November and July, all have been excellent although July tends to be busier.

This hotel was very close to one of the bombs that went off but suffered only some broken glass in the front which was repaired quickly, I have to say that despite being caught up in the bombings we will have no qualms about going back and will be staying at the Naama bay on our next visit. ...
...with a spectacular view over Naama bay, the other is more a function rectangle with a row of dive boards at one end for those who wish to use thier swimming expertise. Towels are provided at each pool and down at the beach you have a ticket to get them which you get back when you hand them in (to stop theft).

It has its own private beach in front of the hotel across a small road and carpark, you enter the beach by going underneath ... more

First please understand this is a review of the hotel not the resort of Sharm el Sheikh. I will add detail where appropriate but for a full review of the resort I will write one during one of my next reviews.

We have stayed in Sharm 11 times so far and our last 4 holidays we have stayed in the Naama Bay Hotel. We have stayed there in March, November and July, all have been excellent although July tends to be busier.

This hotel was very close to one of the bombs that went off but suffered only some broken glass in the front which was repaired quickly, I have to say that despite being caught up in the bombings we will have no qualms about going back and will be staying at the Naama bay on our next visit.

First I should let you know where our requirements lay so you can judge our viewpoint. We are divers and go to Sharm at least once a year to sample the finest diving you can get, this hotel is perfect for divers who enjoy day boat diving and great evening entertainment. You should understand this means we leave the hotel in the morning and do not return till evening every day except the last one.

You can get B&B including flights in this best hotel for between £199 and £499. Yes you did read correctly starting from £199! (late deal price)
Transfer time from the airport takes about 15 - 20 minutes.

The hotel is situated at one end of the main resort of Namma bay and 2 to 3 miles from the old Town of Sharm El Sheikh.
It is directly opposite the large shopping mall and all the main shops, restaurants and bars. These include many lebanese, egyptian, italian, chinese and seafood restaurants. There is the obligitory Macdonalds! KFC! and Piza hut!, there is also a Hard Rock Cafe. Personally I do not use any of these prefering to sample the many other restaurants and bars, our fav''s (the camel Indian, the Peking, Danneer (seafood), Mashy (lebanese), tam tams(egyptian), the camel bar and the Tavern bar) I will detail these in my review of Namma bay itself.

This hotel really is in a prime location, with the local night life of Namma Bay.

Now you must understand one thing and be happy to accept it
'Inshallah' this translates roughly as... 'If Allah wills it'
As you will discover all good things come to those who wait paiently!

This will stand you in good sted all over the middle east but your requirement to understand will start in the hotel will check in. This hotel is actually quite quick in relation to other hotels, but this is still not fast. You will eventually be shown to your room where you can wait up to an hour for your bags to arrive. However I do not recommend you try to take your own luggage as the staff do want to help and do not understand the english requirement to do things quickly. Just chill out and enjoy being waited on. Please don't forget the tip for the baggage men 5 - 10 Le is fine (approx 50p-£1) they do earn it.

Now the hotel is very grand from outside with a huge glass front which displays the marble reception housed with comfy conservatory wicker sofas and chairs. There is a very impresive marble sweeping double staircase with brass fitings that takes you up to the restaurant level. This is where you will be served breakfast, which if you want will keep you going till the evening. This is probably the best breakfast spread in Sharm, even better than the one served at the Hilton. I cannot comment on evening meals as we always eat out in the many restaurants. The hotel is as you would expect a bit pricey with water costing 8 Le (~75p) and a snack 45 Le (~£4.00). You will pay around a half of this price if you eat outside the hotel. Alcohol is on a par with local UK city prices, imported stuff is very expensive ~ £2.5 for a bottle of local lager £20 bottle of wine.

The hotel has two sections the main hotel block 4 storys high with 200 rooms and 2 restaurants the main building runs from the bottom of the cliff to the top. There are then 2 story villa style accomodations which are up quite steep steps on the top of a the cliff. Be aware there is no lift to this section and in the mid dayheat this could be a problem for some. However when you get to the top there are some very obliging egyptian hotel staff who wait with golf buggies to further transport you around the villa and pool complex on the cliff top. And belive you me sometimes you will be very glad of this :-).

The rooms are really very good and the same wether you say in the villa style accomodation or the main hotel. They are large and come with queen or king beds and a sitting area with sofa. As is normal in hot countries the floor is stone tiled, with rugs. The bathroom continues the marble theme with bath and shower. They are kept spotlessly clean and the finishing is also of a high standard for egyptian hotels (some have very dogy electrical connections and gaps around doors etc. The rooms have good thick curtains to black out light and nets under them. There is good airconditioning, a safe, sky tv, a fridge to keep things cool rather than cold and good size wardrobes. All rooms have either a balcony (which is solid and therefore safer) or a patio, both have tables and chairs so you can sit out and enjoy the wonderful warm air blue sky and evening glows. Not all rooms have a sea view, it is worth paying extra for a sea view as some look out onto the cliff wall,.

There are several landscaped gardens dotted all over the hotel, on the ground floor there is a waterfall with streams and a heated pool. This pool has a little bridge and a in water bar. On the cliff top there ares two other pools, one is large and freeform with a spectacular view over Naama bay, the other is more a function rectangle with a row of dive boards at one end for those who wish to use thier swimming expertise. Towels are provided at each pool and down at the beach you have a ticket to get them which you get back when you hand them in (to stop theft).

It has its own private beach in front of the hotel across a small road and carpark, you enter the beach by going underneath a giant wooden boat which has been being built for years! The beach can get a little crowded and due to the Italian contingent you get free beach entertainment. Hotel staff holding exercise classes, dancing classes, vollyball, bingo, tabletennis etc. There is also a pontoon where you can enjoy all manner of watersports (glass bottom boats, winsurfing, paragliding etc) for extra cost of course.

There is a fitness centre with Jacuzzi, Whirlpool and Sauna all of which can be used free of charge by the guests but I have never used it or ventured into it, so cannot comment on it.

SUMMARY

I have stayed in the best rated Hilton in Sharm and would still recommend the Naama bay as a better hotel.

This really is a jewel in Sharms crown, it is a great value high standard hotel, with friendly staff who cannot do enough for you. I rate it 4/5 stars. It has a central location to the restaurants and bars and is a couple of minutes walk from the dive boat jetty and private beach. Pure bliss.

If you want to go to sharm you cannot do much better than this hotel.

 

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