I found this 5* rated hotel on the internet and me and my girlfriend went there from 28th November until 5th December.

Prior to leaving, I did a bit of research and took heart from the excellent rating this hotel has received on www.tripadvisor.com as well as other websites. However, though there are numerous plus points for this holiday, my girlfriend and I had serious misgivings which will stop us from ever returning to it. It's not the hotel's fault, it's just what we look for in a holiday is different.

Before I forget to mention, please note that Egyptian pounds are obviously acceptable, but if you have Euros, then there is no need to change currency : everywhere accepts - and appear to love - Euros. However, I didn't have small change in either currency for tipping, and judging from the reactions from bar staff, I don't think my £1 coins were that useful to them.

The hotel itself is beautifully kept and the gardens very well maintained. I also found the vast majority of the staff to be extremely helpful and kind.

However, unless you are someone who loves just lazing by the pool and soaking up the sun's rays, I would urge you to consider choosing another destination; either that, or go on a few excursions.

Sadly, we could only afford to go on the one excursion: Wadi Gamel ("Valley of the Camels"). Fortunately we choose well: I could not recommend this enough!!! The tribe you meet are incredibly friendly and it's fantastic being out in the desert conveyed by camel. At night, you have bread made for you outside and see our own galaxy - The Milky Way - stretching out above you. Shooting stars are also seen quite regularly (about 1 every 20 minutes). You then have another camel ride back to the tribes base where you have dinner and be entertained with a Warrior Dance before leaving.

I know the trip into Luxor to view the Pyramids was supposed to be good, but be prepared for a 6-and-a-half hour coach ride EACH WAY!!! The family we spoke to enjoyed it, but did say the coach wasn't too comfortable and the travelling time made it hard work as you're having to get up about half-3 in the morning.

The Red Sea is literally at the hotel and the water is crystal clear. I loved going snorkelling there and it was the one 'staple' pleasure I had for the duration of the holiday. You cannot help but see plenty of fish - small and large.

The weather during the holiday was fantastic. The first 2 days were warm and very still. The remaining days were also very sunny, but accompanied by windy conditions (though quite pleasant).

I was ill with sickness and diarrhoea on the 3rd day and my girlfriend had to go to a nearby Chemist who subsequently ripped her off for the medication as he knew she had little option available to her when I was dehydrating all the while so I would recommend going equipt with the relevant medication to prevent this. There is a Clinic in the hotel, so that could always be another option if you were unfortunate enough to fall ill.

However, in saying that, I have to point out that I am not blaming the holiday for the illness - it may or may not have been due to what I ate/drank, but I wasn't feeling good on the 1st full day there, so it may have been something I had back home?!

As stated above, the staff were exceptional. The employee who cleaned our room each morning was called Ali, and he was brilliant - leaving new towel origami every morning. Also, when Ali discovered that I was ill, he brought flowers up to the room and wished me well, which was a nice touch.

Another point I really wish to bring to any prospective visitor is to bring a couple of few pairs of trousers. As I knew it was going to be warm throughout the stay, I only brought 1 pair of jeans as I didn't imagine I'd be out of shorts even at nighttime. HOWEVER, when I went to dinner on the first night there, I was approached by a member of staff who informed me that I should not be having dinner in the restaurant dressed in shorts (males are to wear trousers). I was wearing knee-length dress-style shorts, but obviously this was not good enough. The member of staff was very pleasant about the situation, but it did leave me feeling somewhat embarassed and facing the prospect of wearing the same pair of jeans every night just so I could have dinner. If I had only known that this was the way of things, I could have brought another couple of pair of trousers in my suitcase.

On the topic of the restaurant, I must agree with a recently posted review which alluded to the quality of the food. I must say that, for a supposed 5* hotel, I was bitterly disappointed with the quality of the food. I know it's All-Inclusive and I am not expecting Raymond Blanc or Gary Rhodes to be working in the kitchen, but I can honestly say that there was nothing I thoroughly enjoyed - I was eating because I had to, not because I appreciated what was on offer. One of the things I expect to be special on holiday is the food and I found this to be a major weakness at this hotel.

Basically, neither my girlfriend or I will return to the Iberotel Lamaya as I prefer to see more culture when I travel abroad. The fact is that you're miles from anywhere and there's nothing at the hotel to make you feel you're in Egypt. If you do want to go on holiday and just lie around in sunshine all day and have as much food and drink as you want in pleasant surroundings, then please go here. It's a beautiful place for such a holiday-maker. However, if you are going to come here but don't want to be stuck by the pool all day, every day, then please go on a few excursions and/or go snorkelling/scuba diving.

I hope I don't put too many people off. Obviously this is just my opinion on the holiday and, judging from previous reviews, I am in a minority. I had, perhaps, an unfair expectation for this holiday after all the glowing reviews I read prior to my leaving for Marsa Alam. I am not a born moaner and I hate reviewers who just love to moan about holidays regardless. I have honestly tried to provide a balanced report on my week at Iberotel Lamaya.

If you're going, I hope you enjoy your time there (and I'm sure you will!). I did not dislike my time there - it was good. I just felt that, for all the hype, it failed to make the mark - good is not good enough for a 5* rating!!!

My partner and I stayed at this hotel November 18-25 and had a blast. The buildings and grounds are immaculate and there are plenty of sunbeds around the pool for everything. The food was a bit bland - typical of what you would expect at most Egyptian all-inclusives, but we always were able to find something we liked. The staff is so kind and hard-working and did not deserve the abuse they received from the ignorant Russian guests. My partner and I are stationed in Moscow and the last thing we wanted was to be around Russians on our holiday. We were told that the Lamaya catered mostly to Brits and Germans, but that was not the case, at least 75% of the guests were chain-smoking, binge-drinking Russians. We actually heard one of them say to a waiter in Russian "Hey idiot, get over here." I am just glad the waiter didn't understand Russian. This was not the only incident of uncivilized behavior from the Russians. After our numerous conversations with the staff, it became clear that they also despised the Russians, in fact, they said that the Russians only started coming to Marsa Alam recently. Even though I loved this hotel, I am not sure I could put up with the Russians again.

We have just returned from two weeks at the Iberotel hotel Lamaya, Marsa Alam.going on the 7 and returning on the 21 november 2007. What can you say about this hotel, its clean, the decor very relaxing, and the staff from management down to the cleaners, very friendly and genuine. The rooms are spacious, ours was a family room, but only the two of us in it.
Meals were good but not brilliant, for a five star hotel, they could have a better choice, but you could always get something. The pool and beach bar staff were very good, they had to withstand some very bad mannered and rude Russians, if they are treated in this way the hotel will soon loose its staff. In the two weeks we were there, the most british people there at any one time was about twenty. We were greatly out numbered, that is about the only downside point for the holiday. We have stayed in better five star hotels in egypt, but this hotel was by far the warmist towards us. Idoubt if we will return, along with a few others who were with us because of the russian fraternity.

If anyone is looking for total peace and quiet and relaxation then this is the place to go. The staff are so friendly they cannot do enough for you. I went with a female friend and two girls together in Egypt was a bit risky from previous tales of egyptian men, however they cannot afford to lose their jobs and are quite the opposite and make sure that you are happy and everything is okay. We received a lovely welcome card and incence stick in our room and a farewell present of egyptian tea and a painting. The manager likes to show you around when you attend the welcome meeting and invites you to attend a farewell cocktail party in the beach bar the night before you leave. I loved this Hotel it was very luxurious inside and out and although the evening entertainment was not professional in any shape or form it was abosultely hilarious to watch. The only bad thing I have to say about this holiday was that it was a little too relaxed for my liking in the evenings the show only lasts 30 minutes and there is nothing else left to do... a bit boring when you have done nothing all day. However if you like this type of holiday you will love it. Got a great tan as very windy on beach and around pool and does not feel too hot. Also the shower was huge, could get a rugby team in it (in my dreams)!!!. Go, you will not regret it.