Taba Heights Marriott Beach Resort, South Sinai

...flew from Manchester direct to Taba International which is about 30-45mins away from the resort. The flight on the way out was at 1.55pm on a Monday, which is the only day and time you can fly out there. From Manchester there is only one tour operator who provide holidays to this particular part of Egypt called \'Peltours\', and the airline is \'Astreus\', a fairly new airline, and also a very small one.
This particular airline have very small ...
.../> When we arrived at Taba we were shown exactly where to go, the Egyptian tour operator was very helpful, but it was a mad rush at the airport, as it is very small, and the tour operators wanted you to buy a visa at the airport for those that wanted to go on trips to Cairo or to Israel. (They tell you that you have to buy these at the airport, it simply isnt true the Marriott can supply these if you need them, so need to queue for hours on end ... more

We went to the Marriott Beach Resort at the end of August, the last week of the peak holiday season. We flew from Manchester direct to Taba International which is about 30-45mins away from the resort. The flight on the way out was at 1.55pm on a Monday, which is the only day and time you can fly out there. From Manchester there is only one tour operator who provide holidays to this particular part of Egypt called \'Peltours\', and the airline is \'Astreus\', a fairly new airline, and also a very small one.
This particular airline have very small planes, seated 3 at each window with a small isle in between. If you are travelling as a couple, please request seats next to each other on the plane, as we made the mistake of not doing, and we were seperated on the way there by the aisle. There is absolutely no room on the plane whatsoever, and for a 6 hour plus flight, it can be very uncomfortable. There was no TV, therefore no entertainment on our flights either, so please take something with you to keep you occupied, you might find it difficult to sleep due to the lack of room. The airline does have a duty free catalogue, but the prices are a little hefty compared to the duty free shops in the airport, so dont expect to grab some bargains on the flight!
When we arrived at Taba we were shown exactly where to go, the Egyptian tour operator was very helpful, but it was a mad rush at the airport, as it is very small, and the tour operators wanted you to buy a visa at the airport for those that wanted to go on trips to Cairo or to Israel. (They tell you that you have to buy these at the airport, it simply isnt true the Marriott can supply these if you need them, so need to queue for hours on end on arrival).
When we arrived at the hotel the staff were pleasant, they offered us all a drink (which we needed badly). The bellboys whisked our suitcases off us before we could blink, but this is absolutely normal, this is how these hard working boys earn their living, and a couple of pound tip is always much appreciated, and they like being tipped in English money also.

The rooms in the hotel are very spacious, and beautifully presented. We had a double room, which included a double bed each for me and my husband, a spacious bathroom, with a bath and a power shower.You have a TV with around 30 channels, which included Sky News so you can keep up with all the news from back home. All rooms have a patio and porch with a table on chairs, sheltered, ideal for a little time away from the Egyptian sun. Without air conditioning, which every room has as standard, it would be unbearable!
We went half board, which included breakfast and evening meal. (When we were there, there were no English who were all inclusive so I dont think you can opt for all in). When we arrived were too late for an evening meal, but they let us eat the left overs from everybody else, which we were rather miffed about.
The food was the down side to our holiday. The choice is limited and very much repetitive. For breakfast its either fruit or toast, and evening meals are not much better. The best thing about the food in this particular hotel is the bread, without bread, I would have starved for a full week. My husband had a serious bout of food poisoning whilst here too, and when we returned home he was rushed to hospital, the doctors at the hospital weren't suprised by the fact he had just returned from Egypt, so please be warned.
You cannot drink the water out of the taps either, all water that you consume must be bought in bottle form, it is easily accessed from all over the hotel, and can be very refreshing, dehydration is a common ailment here, so please keep yourself hydrated.

The hotel pool is fantastic. Its huge, and the architecture is brilliant. Theres a shallow end for the children, and deeper end for swimmers, and the entertainment team offer a wide range of activities such as water aerobics, and volleyball etc... both for kids and adults alike. You can even swim to the bar under a waterfall cave and get yourself a refreshment in your swimming trunks without leaving the water! Its fantastic.
There are plenty of sun loungers around the pool, but as with all holidays, you have to get up very early to bag one. We got up around 7 and had a huge choice. If you prefer bathing by the ocean its a stone throw away from the hotel, there are lots of loungers, and the sea is crystal clear and shallow. Its beautiful. There is a hotel beach bar aswell should you need refreshments from there.
The hotel have their own shops, jewellers, currency exchange, and excursions. You can do a variety of things from a trip to Cairo to snorkelling with the coral. The resort is hugely popular for its water sports, and they are even sponsered by the National Geographic channel.
Just outside the hotel is a 18 hole golf course, its beautiful with its crisp green greens' and palm tree's, they are very proud of their grass as its a rareity in Egypt!
Overall the holiday was brilliant for soaking up the sun, with lazy days by the pool, and 24/7 room service. There was nothing to spend our money on apart from refreshments, as the Egyptian gifts are a little bit naff! (bless em!).
They try their best to provide nightly entertainment, but I didnt rate it much. I enjoyed one night sampling their cocktails, but because the temperature was so hot, it was risky business letting myslef go with alcohol, I was petrified of suffering from dehydration.
The downside was the flight, the food, and the badgering we got from the staff to attend all their special nights that they had on. The flight home was terrible too as we landed in the UK around 2am, after 6 hours on a plane it took us 2 days to recover. But the temperature was in the 50's and we got great tans.
Good holiday but I wouldnt go back!! 

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