We have just returned from a week's holiday at the Coraya Beach Hotel. This was our second visit to Marsa Alam, in October 2007 we stayed at the Lamaya Hotel, part of the same group of hotels, Iberotel. The Coraya Beach is within the same complex, and is just a 10 minute drive from the airport; a definite bonus after a long flight from Gatwick.
We booked the holiday on-line through Thompson's; the process was user friendly and the documentation sent to us was easy to follow and full of useful tips on how to enjoy our holiday. On landing at Marsa Alam we were met by representatives of the travel company and taken by coach to the Hotel. Check -In was quick and efficient; we left our cases by the Hotel entrance and they were taken to our room by the hotel staff. Accommodation is in blocks built in traditional Nubian style; ours was on the third floor which meant climbing 40 steps. It was worth it however if only for the view which took in the three scenic swimming pools, the hotel buildings, the sea and the desert. The room had a double bed, a dressing table and a large wardrobe which also contained a small safe to store valuables. We made a request for extra pillows and was pleasantly surprised at being offered a choice of hard soft or medium! we asked for two soft pillows; they were delivered within minutes. The air conditioning was efficient and not too noisy. There's a mini- bar (all chargeable if you're half board), a kettle and all that's needed for your early morning cuppa and a television though visitors from the UK be warned, the only English speaking channel we could access was the BBC world service. (but who comes to Egypt to watch the telly?) The bathroom contained a toilet and a shower and a hair drier. Ali, our room boy, was very friendly and extremely hard working. He visited daily to clean and keep us supplied with fresh linen and towels. Electricity is 220 volts and two pin plugs; don't forget your adapter.
The main restaurant is a large airy room staffed by a very efficient and friendly team of chefs and waiters. We were very impressed with the choice and variety of food available and had no complaints about the cleanliness or service from the waiters who were always on hand to supply drinks on request. There is also an a la carte restaurant, a snack bar and a beach bar where sandwiches are available but the food was so good and plentiful in the main restaurant that we only visited the snack bar once.
In the evening we would visit the Night and Day bar to enjoy a cocktail and listen to the 'easy' music. There is a wide choice of other bars each with their own attractions. Bar and table staff were friendly attentive and polite and have the ability to greet and speak to guests in a number of languages.
If like myself you like scuba diving, there is an excellent dive centre which is situated across the bay. For those who just like to snorkel, there is a terrific variety of marine life and beautiful corals to view in crystal clear waters just yards off the hotel beach. There's no shortage of things to do and we were amazed at the energy of the young animation team led by Max who worked hard to entertain guests throughout the day and well into the night.
We found little to complain about, but I must make comment on the Thompson Rep Mark. He invited us to a welcome meeting on our first day and after telling his audience that the presentation would only take about twenty minutes, went on to bore us for almost an hour in a stuffy room without air conditioning. He explained in detail the facilities available to guests who'd booked on an all inclusive basis but gave very little info to those of us who had booked in half board, it was as if we didn't exist. I found this 'welcome' meeting to be of little use to me. Mark did however give info on how to avoid stomach upsets- a common illness with visitors to Egypt, and advised us to 'go see him if you were suffering. The following day I was, and I did. Mark advised a visit to a pharmacy, telling me how to get there on foot, however he failed to tell me it was literally miles from the Hotel. Also, a trip we took into the desert by camel which we booked through the rep was somewhat disappointing as our 'guide' spoke little English and was as much use as a chocolate teapot when it came to answering questions.
All in all, a good holiday though next time I'd check out the difference in price between half board and all inclusive. Due to my dodgy stomach I avoided alcohol all week; the cocktails my wife had cost us 65 Egyptian pounds each (they were supposed to be made from named brand spirits but I very much doubt that they were) and water cost us 15 EP per bottle so it would be easy to run up a big bill.
Would I go back? I liked the Hotel and the scuba diving is amongst the best in the world, but I suffered with a bad stomach through the week. My wife suffered as well though not for so long and not so bad; other people I spoke to (including those who had stayed at other hotels) had been affected with diarrhoea at some time during their stay. It seems almost un-avoidable. If there's anyone out there with any advice that will prevent stomach upsets on future trips to Egypt, I'd be most grateful.
