Disappointing Holiday

Ok, just to get this out of the way, we are not generally moaners, or complainers. We have been on many holidays and are very happy to let the small things slide – nowhere is perfect and all we ask is people try their best but this holiday was very disappointing for us.

Outbound Journey –
Thomson were fab, no delays, airline food and in-flight entertainment were is little ropey but this was no big deal as it was such a short flight. We could not believe that we were off the plane, collected our bags and at the hotel within an hour – very efficient!

Check-in –
This hotel gives an amazing first impression! Maybe this throws you a little (to expect too much) but it is beautiful! We located our room in the vast complex and finally got our bags after a bit of a wait but there were many arrivals so we didn’t grumble.

The Room –
It was ok, felt slightly grubby but was adequate, as was the bathroom. It had a lovely veranda and we had a part-sea view, which was nice. The minibar wasn’t included in the AI but wasn’t that expensive. The maid was very sweet and did a towel sculpture one day and did a good job cleaning the room. We did feel that he was a bit to ready to knock on the door for any reason at all (asking for cans from the minibar to stock another room, asking for laundry we did not ask to be done!) But he was very nice so we didn’t mind.

The Food/Service –
As said in other reviews the main restaurant staff were not very attentive, mostly you had to call them or go over to them, but when you did they were friendly. Beware if you are a female alone at anytime they will drip all over you – a bit cringey. The food was tasty and good variety but it gave us the runs from day one. In fact as I write this we are still suffering!!! Why should we avoid the salads I thought? Well I wish I had!
We stuck to the pool bars during the day but the meals here are very small and sometimes we had 3 to share. The staff here were as inattentive, one day because they were all crowding around a couple of girls who were getting drunk. I understand everyone wants to have fun but we just wanted a quick bite and a drink.
Probably the worst experience of the holiday was the Italian Restaurant, which through Thomson you could go free once (for food – pay for alcohol) Mohammed (they are all called Mohammed) from the pool bar by the long fountain encouraged us to book here as he worked there (we wanted to try the Lebanese at first but he persuaded us). So we booked in. As we arrived he seated us and gave us the menu and everything we ordered he tried to get us to upgrade to the main menu – he wouldn’t take no for answer! Then he tried and tried to get us to have a £50 bottle of wine – That’s the price for Champagne in restaurants over here!!! We were very embarrassed as he kept saying ‘this is normal, £50 is not expensive, it is normal? Yes? Yes?’ we stuck to our guns but he still maintained the cheapest bottle was not available (funny that) and we settled for a £25 bottle, it was cheap plonk. We looked over at the couple next to us and they had received the same treatment! The girl wanted one glass and he tried to flog the £50 bottle!! The funniest was to come when he brought over a compliments book for us to sign, we were just shaking our heads in disbelief at this point and left.
It is true what people say, the men stare and make silly comments to the women, most ladies we met found this very uncomfortable and I am not a prude but this just isn’t what you want on holiday. I compare them to Cubans, Mexicans etc who are so respectful and fun at the same time – this is possible!!!!

The Entertainment –
As everyone said, awful. The Animation staff do work hard I just think us Brits are a bit too difficult to cater for, and Bingo and learning silly dances just aren’t what we come away for.

The Alcohol –
Beer, is ok, wine is drinkable. Spirits, they don’t ‘fill the up’ like in other AI resorts – very weak. In fact the only time we felt a little drunk was in the disco, after 12:00 when we were paying for it!!!!

The Beach –
Very, very disappointing. Ok, IT IS NOT A SANDY BEACH. It is shingle and very painful to walk on. You have to walk 15 minutes out for it to be above your knees so not good to swim, which is a shame, as I love the sea. Really do not be conned by the brochure this beach is terrible!

The pools –
Very nice and lots of them.

Naam Bay and getting there –
You can get a taxi by the road but the will want it to be two way and again do not like taking no for an answer, in fact they will pretend you didn’t say no. Pay around £10 (100 Egyptian Pounds) one way. And the drive like maniacs, one clocked 110mph most were going 100 and weaving in and out of traffic whilst using their mobile phones.
The bay is a strip with all the charm of Blackpool ;-) people trying to get you into their restaurants ‘Hey English’. We ignored all this as we were going to The Tavern – very good food and they have the football on, it gets very packed so if you are going to watch your team get there early. We also went to Hardrock Café, which was good too.
I did buy some scarves for Bellydancing classes which were nice but you must haggle as they say go just below half and don’t let them use the guilt trip pay what it is worth!

In conclusion –
This hotel is a 5* complex with 3* rooms and restaurants and bars and 2* staff. They seem to forget how much we pay to get there in the first place and just try to eek money out of you. They go on and on about how they prefer the English to the Russians but that’s only because we are polite! And all you get in return for that politeness is being treated like a commodity.

We will never return on this basis. Not when there are so many resorts around the world that gets this sort of thing right most of the time.

Any questions feel free to email me xxx

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.

We have been to the Mirabel Beach twice and we are hoping to go again in November, just wondering if anyone did a Nile Cruise and then stayed at the Mirabel as we are finding it difficult to find a travel agent that does this. We would be very grateful if anyone can help. Thanks.

Like most tripadvisor people, I read all the reviews before going and have to say on the whole most are accurate.
My husband and I travelled on April 17th with our 3 and a half year old son. We booked with Portland.

Outgoing flights were fine. We were dealyed by 2 hours on return.

Arrival in Sharm

Lots of Queues but all moved with speed. Please ensure your airline give you the visitor cards before you go through customes as the people on the Brum flight had not been given them and they held things up! You do not need to buy a visa unless you are going outside the resort. Grab a trolly and make your own way to the coach - its not far!

Arrival in the hotel

Welcome drink - speedy check in - bags followed by buggy. No issues. Reception area is nice and about the same as most other 5 star hotels. Elaborate, marble floor, cool and fresh.

Hotel complex is what I would expect, its not massive (for massive go to the RIU Garopa in Sal - that was tooo huge for words!!) Its a nice size, well laid out, immaculate gardens and all pristine. Several pools, couple of towel huts and most rooms facing inwards over the pool. All leading to the beachfront which looks stunniing with the glass like sea going out really far until you get to the waves and the shipwreck. Beach is full of parasols and wind breakers and almost empty even when it is clear there are a lot of people. but the beach is not sand and at best is grit. You need to take shoes out (flip flops are next to hopeless! Jelly shoes are £5 in the hotel shops - and a must if you want to walk out to sea.

Bars

DO NOT BOTHER TO TIP in the first few days as in our experience it made no difference!! Pool bar (guy was a letch and amusing day 1 but by day 5 I got my husband to go!) service was always fairly good and I can't complain. They did run out of ice crean 2 days and crisps were intermitant. (Annoying when you have a child!) Beer was all cans. My husband likes a draught so this he thought was bad - but a shandy is a shandy to me! Spirits are foul. The bottles of gin are labled Gordens, but OMG it is not. I am sure they buy it from NASA. (rocket fuel) The rum is bearable.

The blue bar - the guy that is always in it made it for us. He was just lovely and he worked so hard (not just to us, but to all guests) and service here was always good.

Lobby Bar - no complaints really, Did not use much as this is where the evening "entertainment" is so we avoided it!

Beach Bar - they opened the second (there are 3) when we were there - and again, no complaints

Best eating area is the snack bar by the beach / pools. Food is really hot, quick and excellent, its all quick waiter service and Gordon Ramsey would love it. Small menu of salads, burger, fish gougons, pasta, pizza, but always piping hot and quick and you can see the chefs cooking it. Spend pleant of time here in the shade of the mid day sun!!!

Main resturant. I thought it was about the same as every other 5star AI hotel i have been to. (We have done carribean, mexico, cuba, tunisia, cape verde, cyprus) it does have the same staples every day and just a few specialities, but generally its all edible and if you look for it there is variety. i think the problem is that you are never really hungry - and you end up having a little of this, a little of that so you do not feel like you have had a meal - but I cant compalin and there was always something my son would eat!

Waiter service is resturant was hit and miss. But OK. So many staff!

The Thai a la carte was nice, so was the italian, although the italian was really slow service. Also if you use your voucher you will be second class to people that are paying.

MINI DISCO - really good - we don't put our little one in the kids clubs because we like to be with him - but he loved the mini disco and the childrens staff seemed really good.

Beach Party - we had 2 in one week and really enjoyed them. Good holiday music and fun! Dont miss them because they are not that well advertised!!

Room - nice sized family room - we paid for a family room but lots of couples we met had the same large rooms with second room. Nice big shower. We saw no towel art in our stay, and the cleaner was not great - we did complain about this because our frige was not filled and soaps not topped up. Now we gave a £5 on day one but clearly that was why he did not bother!

We had a lovely holiday. Really relaxing, long days by the pool. We hired bikes £3.00 and went for half a days ride down the beach road. You can hire electric scooters for£10 an hour, but we preferred pedal power - really worth doing, or take off for a day - lots to see along that route! We walked out to the ship wreck - best time to go is v.low tide at mid day - which I know is not the best time sun wise - so wear a t shirt and high factor on your arms and legs and you will be OK. It takes about 45 mins to walk out and the same back, and allow 20 mins at the wreck. Some good snorkling here but do be careful - you are shallow and close to the coral which can hurt! Best snorkling is out of the hotel on the left - a ten min walk.

We will be returning hopefully later this year.