Well, as did as everyone one else states I checked the reviews religiously prior to coming to the Jaz Mirabel. I was very worried at first but plesently surprised overall.
Airport:
When you arrive you will be bused to the terminal which is a military airport and not very big. You wil be asked to stand in queue whilst they check you into the airport and ask you if you need a visa. This is only required if you are going to Cairo etc. You will go though immigration but remember to fill in your landing card. The journey to the complex is about 15-20 mins.
Arrival:
On arrival there are a few pieces of paper you need to fill in and they put your all inclusive braclet on, then you tell the bell boy your room number and they take to bags to your room. The catch is you must first find the room. The complex is huge and the room number are not in order. We took a lucky guess and ended up at the right place.
Food:
With Thomson you get a free A La Carte meal free but be warned alcohol and drinks are not included. We got a bottle of wine which cost £25 and that was the cheapest. They have three themed restaurant whic are not included in the all inclusive... very strange. We you arrive they give you some details explaining which restaurants are included and which aren't. They have two buffet restaurant which are virtually the same just open slightly earlier or later than the other. They also have snack bars. Food is ok not like Mexico 5* hotel but that is to be expected, staff are fast and zoom around the tables trying to please everyone. Be aware all inclusive ends at midnight and starts at 9am.
Beach:
As previous reviews not pristine little rough on the feet. You are able to walk for 40 mins out to the main see in 2 ft of water before you meet the real ocean. You can see some fantasic fish, eels, crabs and sea snake... yes sea snake very rare to see but sont worry they aren't interested in you. Tip... if you go outside the hotel compound towards the road there is a small shopping area (not the one in the hotel they charge extorionate uk prices) out the main hotel gates and to the left. You can get food and anything else for half the price. Get you jelly shoes for £2.50 from here. Be aware a guy sits on the beach with camel and annoys everyone who walks past to have a camel ride. Even if you touch or take a picture of the camel he will charge you.
Facilities:
Not bad they have a decent gym, you can use the sauna and jaccuzi in the Spa for free, 2-3 large pool although people get quite territorial about getting the best spots first.
Money:
This I must stress for this particular hotel. The staff DO NOT want english pounds or Dollars. There is a money exchange in the hotel shopping area and the staff get an especially hard time from the guy here when he has to change the money .Please just give Egyptian pounds as tip. Make sure you bring small denominations such as £20E. about £2.00. Do not give pound coin as money exchange will not change coins only notes.
Illness:
I did get quite poorly whilst I was here, you will realise when its not just from the 'rich food', you can call the docotr who is on site and he will come to your room. He will treat you and advise you of the medication to get from the hotel pharmacy. Cost of £50.00 which will be charged to your room. Please do not ignore it if you are ill. Try to the local remedy Antinal first if not get the doctor. I was one of 6 people out of about 3500 people who stayed not dont worry its not everyone.
Trip:
We only did one which was the VIP Cairo trip. Bascially you get your own personal drive and guide and they take you around the city. Absolutly fantastic you aren't stuck with the rest of the lemmings and can spend as little or much as you want on particular sights. We visited the Al Sunnah Mosque fabulous. Women due to the muslim nature please bring some sort of top which covers you chest area and upper arms. Also your legs should be covered same for men. We then travelled to the Pyramid breath taking but be aware you will be annoyed constantly by people wanting to sell you things. Do not let them hand you anything to look at as when you try yo hand it back they will move their hands and then claim you have damaged it. A sharp no, do not get eye contact and keep walking should suffice.
Finally the Cairo Egyptian museum fantastic really interesting and the guide will walk around with you and give you the personal tour. The guides are highly qualified and some have masters in Egyptian studies very knowledgable. We went by air with only takes 40 mins safer aswell. But be prepared Cairo airport is horrendous, busy disorganised and stressful but it you can brave just that small part of the trip you will be fine. Its only really the journey back that is a pain.
Staff at hotel:
They are lovely very helpful and are fantastic with names. They will take the time to talk to you and dont expect a tip but its nice to give them one. They do work very hard 12 hours a day everyday and get £300e per month which is about £30.00. But they do have an eye for the ladies I never felt worried but they were very very flirty whether you partner/boyfriend was there or not.
Girls if you venture out of the hotel complex make sure you go in two or more just to be safe. They are friendly but its a foreign country at the end of the day, keep safe.
Negative:
The hotels main tourist are unfortunetly Russian and in my opinion and most of the egyptian staff too, they are disrespectful, arrogant, ignorant and full of self importantance. Do not hold any door open for any male or female as they do not have any manners and will not thank you or gain eye contact. They will push to the front of the queue when you are at the buffet. They are extremly loud and do not treat the staff with respect at all.
There are italians and eglish which make up the rest of the guests.
Finally
Naama bay
My first visit I will admit was a scary one as I did not know what to expect. Until you get on the main street you will be hounded by men trying to get you to stop and talk by saying ' can you write this in english, why are english people so rude, please talk to me' etc. Do not speak to them just keep moving. They rely on the british being polite and talking to them.
I decided to brave naama bay as second time this time I went during the afternoon and not at night. This was sooo much better. I was able to walk around without being bothered as we just did not answer anyone and they can tell when its your first time there. If you walk to the bottom of the main street there is a hardrock cafe, tfi firday, brill british bar called Camel bar. walk round to the right and there is starbuck which I loved and fantastic shops where people dont bother you so much. I loved it the second time would definelty go back again.
Overall - I did enjoy my first visit but will explore another destination before I go back but the weather was fab and once you get the hang or haggling and saying no its great.




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