We stayed for a weeks bed and breakfast in the Palace with the intention of winding down and recharging the batteries and in that regard it was an ideal choice.

Whilst the busier Naama Bay is a 15 min taxi journey away (which the Palace concierge will hail for you to ensure that you won't be charged more that 30 Egytian pounds or £3) the area around the Palace is a good mix of restauarants and shops whilst also next to the beach and close to an excellent snorkelling spot. Elsewhere in 'downtown' Sharm it seemed that whilst the hotels were largely of a luxury standard most were just next to yet more hotels and nothing else.

To the front of the Palace is the modern Tiran Centre which is a mix of restaurants, shops and other essentials like cash point machines and pharmacies. Beyond that is another parade of shops and restaurants and behind this is the 'old' market which is a hive of activity of an evening. All of these areas are safe to walk around and whilst the taxis will consisently tout for business and the shopkeepers plead for your trade its harmless stuff and a cheery 'no thanks' was always an end to it. Indeed the friendliness of the Egyptians throughout our holiday was a pleasant surprise and generally the hassle factor less than the likes of Turkey.

Within the Tiran Centre we found the China House and Valantinos a good eating experience but for a meal amongst locals and tourists alike try the Red Sea Restauarant in the old market or Melodies (Italian) in the parade behind the Tiran Centre. The latter 2 don't serve alcohol but are happy for you to bring your own from the nearby Alex's off license. For a special last night meal in luxurious surroundings try La Feur on the sea front in Naama Bay. A word of warning for vegetarians is that beyond pizza and pasta you may struggle although the China House did some nice Tofu dishes. The Italian in the Palace we thought served a great meal althought the service was a little 'starched collar' for us and the atmosphere subdued.

Of the hotel itself we'd agree with the other comments about its friendly staff (always good for a £1 or £2 tip), levels of cleanliness and relaxed nature. Our bedroom (312) was a good size overlooking the pool and out toward the bay. I'd describe the whole hotel as being at the top end of 'tourist class' rather than 5 star European standards.

Generally the hotel seemed quiet although toward Easter week a larger number of Russians were arriving.

Another nice feature was the boat (max occupancy 8) to a nearby snorkelling area with excellent fish viewing although a large number of jellyfish were blighting the area this year. Consequently both myself and the wife were stung although it was just like a mild burn and nothing serious. This area could also be walked to in about 20 mins across the fronts of neighbouring hotels.

Beyond the floor cushioned areas in the old market, bars were few and far between due to tight licensing laws and this meant that we often ended up back at the seafront bar in the hotel which after a week was getting a little monotonous. Drinks were also served in the seating areas near receptiona although the Egyptian 'pub singer' employed was truly awful and quite honestly his music wasn't worthy of being played in the shopping aisles of Asda. Beware also the price of all drinks behind the old market next to the cliff face which is lit up at night.... very high prices.

We were on a bed and breakfast package and the self serve breakfast was a mix of full breakfast, cereals and continental options which remained the same and again became a bit boring after a week. The terrace area outside was for smokers whilst inside was a smoke free area.

Trips that we went on were Quad Bikes over the dunes which was great fun, the VIP Red Sea Cruise which just meant that fewer people were on the boat. This involved 3 stops for snorkelling which was a bit of a bunfight as loads of other boats were in the same areas although the buffet meal was excellent value. The Sharm city tour wasn't up to much as it involved Naama Bay, an average sunset view, the old market(!) and a mosque which we weren't allowed in to see. Beyond that there's nothing else to Sharm to be honest. Those who did the Cairo trip left in the early hours and returned deadbeat late in the evening and took a couple of days to recover from.

Hence our assessment of Sharm and the Palace is that if its a wind down week that you're looking for this is an ideal hotel. We really enjoyed our time there but felt that after a week we'd done everything that Sharm had to offer. Personally we wouldn't do Sharm and the Palace again for that reason, but the many repeat visitors at the Palace clearly disagree.

We spent two weeks here in mid March 2008.
This hotel is idyllic, staff are very attentive, food is so good and the variety so huge you could dine all night. Spotless rooms. Weather cannot be faulted - only irritant was jellyfish on a few days until the wind changed - otherwise clear sea, blue sky and lovely sunshine. Beach bar has great fish and chips and staff are great entertainment.
Watch out for Pharoah's revenge! The money is to blame so take some sanitiser handgel. A visit to the local pharmacist soon put us right and it was worth going for the entertainment value whilst my blood pressure was checked.
This is the place to go for a winter sunshine holiday and rest. Massages at the Wellness centre are recommended.

We have just holidayed at this hotel, and we could not have been happier. The service is first class, from Hany, Hamed, Mohammed etc at the Bars to all in the restuarants and Mohammed at the Beach towel section, you cannot find fault with these super people. Room was well equipped, very clean and comfortable.Food was always good and plenty of choice.
We have stayed in many Platinum and Gold hotels and rate this one right up there.
The Market opposite is not as daunting as portrayed just say La Shukran if you are not interested in their wares, they have to make a living. The taxis will just take a no thanks. In fact if you want you can banter with most of the locals, they love the British.
Trips tend to be a little far away so I wouldnt use this as a base for Cairo when you can holiday a lot closer.However dinner under the stars with the Bedouins is a must and some fun - go on the quad bikes.
You can relax by the pool all day in super weather and just wind down. Nightlife is limited except in Nama Bay. This hotel has a lounge singer at night, he is okay and has a relaxing sound.
One gripe, it didnt affect us but might affect you, unless you are young and on the pull the Animacion team are not very attentative and I think are the laziest I have come across.Because we wanted a complete relax it didnt bother us.
The Eastern Europeans tend to flaunt it about and some even try to go topless - please be aware you need to respect this is a Muslim country and they wont tolerate topless bathing and can frown upon showing to much flesh outside the Hotel Complex.

Overall a fabulous holiday and will be going again, that does not happen often.
Ray and Lyn
Mildenhall
Suffolk

Stayed at the Iberotel Palace from the 9th March until the 20th March.

Weather was in the 30's everyday and sometimes too hot!

Well what can i say, hotel fabulous, people at the hotel fabulous
especially the waiters Hany and Mohammed. Reception staff very helpful. As in previous reviews if you dont like your room then just ask and they will change you. I thought my "superior" room was a bit shabby and they did offer me an alternative but i didnt like the bathroom as much on the alternative room so decided to stay put.

We were in room 4220 and it overlooked the gardens at the side but also was very close to the bar and loud music coming from accross the road. Didnt bother us too much but BEWARE every morning at 4.30 the praying starts and goes on for a good 5 minutes and woke us every day!!

Food excellent, you have to remember you are in egypt and if you want chips everyday then stay at home. Breakfast selection excellent, plenty of pastries, fruit, yoghurt infact everything you could think of. If you are all inclusive then there are certain times when you can eat at the Beach Bar for your lunch and the menu is limited and of a poorer quality to those who ate off the paid menu!! However this wasnt a problem as you could just go and eat in the main restuarants. You could get chips from the beach bar only. I struggled with what to drink alcohol wise as the all inc wine was awful and i dont really drink local spirits, so i had to make do with the cocktails and after a couple of those i was ready for bed!!!

You never struggled for a sunbed and it was a pleasure not to have to get up early to find one. The Hotels private Beach was excellent. Beware of being conned into a massage, they try and make you have more than you really need! Enjoyed the Beauty centre and didnt find it expensive at all.

Also you were not hassled for tips and we found we wanted to give just for the excellent service and not because we felt we had to.

Hated going out of the hotel, you couldnt even cross the road without being stopped by at least 10 taxis asking if you wanted one. Hassled constantly by shop keepers which was the only thing that put me off.

Entertainment in the Hotel dreadfull, infact non-existent, They really do need to do something about it.

To sum it up if you want to go for a peaceful relaxing holiday with nothing much to do and the most obliging helpful staff then this is the hotel for you.