A 35 year gift from my company, I took my husband, brother and his fiance to the Baron Palms Resort for 13 nights from 17 April. Having never been to Sharm we started with a list of about 20 hotels but Baron Palms met our criteria perfectly. It is a beautiful hotel - but what made it for us was the people that work there. They were so helpful and courteous - we came away having made many new friends. Our rooms at the side of the hotel overlooked the sea - it was always very peaceful. We ate in all the restaurants - our favourite being the Paradise bar (thank you Solymann/Mata/Mahmoud/Samy - all of you) - we also took advantage of the Indian and Italian discounted meals. All were wonderful. The pool staff worked tirelessly and were very entertaining into the bargain (thanks guys). I only have one negative comment and that is you do need to rise early if you want a sunbed with shade poolside. A special mention to Mamdouh on concierge - it was wonderful to meet you. I promise we will be back and hopefully this will be in 2009.

This is a fantastic hotel. We found the staff very friendly and they couldn't do enough for you. Everywhere was immaculate both inside the hotel, around the pool, all of the gardens and the beach, the rooms were spacious and comfortable. The food catered for all tastes and with the option to choose other restaurants you were almost spoilt for choice. This was a truly relaxing experience and we enjoyed this so much will definitely be going back again. Talking to other guests who have stayed elsewhere in Sharm they too would come back to the Baron Palms. Would i recommend this Hotel............Yes without any hesitation...............Book it!! You will not be disappointed

me and my wife we have been at baron for 10 days,the hotel its rated as 5 star(no way),food not a big choice,similar menu every night,staff not really helpfull and somethimes rude.thomas cook rep a big let down(i wont recomand thomas cook to book your holiday).if you look for a clean and nice hotel that is the place,but staff and food wise look somewhere else

We chose the hotel very carefully having read many reviews. We are a couple in their 50's and were looking forward to the 5star treatment which we have enjoyed in hotels around the World. This was our first and might I say last visit to Egypt. I am aware of different standards from country to country with regards to 5star status, but this definately isn't 5 star. It didnt even have a lift and there were 3 floors. The access from reception to the restaurant (or canteen as my husband re-named it) was down a long flight of stairs.

The hotel rooms, pool area, restaurant, and other public areas were spotless and could not be faulted. I have to take my hat off to the management and staff for their hard work. But for us, that is where the praise stops. It could be that we chose the wrong type of holiday, in which case I have no cause for complaint, but the hype from the website and other reviewers paint a different picture to what we experienced.

Like most people, we enjoy a drink in the evening, but although the info says that the alcohol is local, it dosn't mention that it is unpalatable. We mentioned this to the rep and he said that they call it paint stripper and he couldn't drink it either. Apparently the best things are the beer and red wine, but unfortunately, we don't enjoy either, so we ended up going to the Conrad and the Baron Resort and paying for what was included in our package! If you enjoy premium brands then buy a couple of bottle on the plane on the way over, otherwise it will cost you a fortune! (12 pounds for two gin and tonics)

The restaurant, like I said was spotless but the food very boring. You could see that the staff had taken great care in presentation but unless you like lots of salad stuff and copious amounts of cake, you were pretty much stumped.

Then there were the Russians. Although not strictly the Hotel's problem, but nevertheless are in need of a mention. They seem to arrive and take over. The men in their loud shirts with voices to match, sporting twin mobile phones which the speak into relentlessly and at the same time! Takes some doing.

Then there is the poblem of the allocation of beach beds and I assume pool beds. It would seem that unless you set the alarm for 7am and are down the beach waiting, then you can kiss goodbye to making sand castles! My husband did this one morning and someone remarked " Lazy bones, splept in did we?" It was 7.15am. Not the relaxation that we has imagined.

Then there was the dreaded Egyptian belly, which I am, as I am writing this, still suffering and waiting to go to the doctors (almost
two weeks now). I can only think it was the ice in the soft drinks on the beach, so avoid the ice. They do usually ask if you want it anyway.

The weather was perfect but if you are like us and enjoy outdoor wining (Or should I say WHINING) and dining and watching the world go by, then this hotel and resort are not for you. If you enjoy drinking diesel , eating rabbit food, early morning bun fights for sunbeds and the company of half the Kremlin, then you should have a great time!

Sorry...Hated it !!!!