tt is one of the best holdays i have ever had he hotel and animatoin team were brilliant the staff were really friendy and nothing was too much for them the food was also brillaint and plenty of choise from the menu the room were very clean i would like to thank all the staff for a memoble holiday i will return to resta again

We were 6 uk divers and had a week in the resta reef hotel. Between us we have stayed in many Egyptian hotels and overall this was one of the better ones. We only spent a limited time in the place as we were diving during the day, however we would "debrief" every evening before having dinner, and were there for most mornings for breakfast.
They have an Emperor dive centre on site, which was pretty seamless, which I reviewed separately, but is an important plus if you are diving.

The positives for the Resta reef are as follows;

reception and room transfer was very good. Considering there was a lot of new people we were in our room within 25 minutes of arrival. And reception was good the whole week. The staff were polite, friendly and efficient.

The rooms were pretty good, being large & spacious with a decent balcony and bathroom. Water was left each day, very important in a such a hot country, even in winter.

Food was plentiful and all the guys enjoyed the food standard and the choices. The waiters for the most part, happy to help. Breakfast was pretty good, with plenty on offer, and you could order a lunch/breakfast pack if you had an early start.

The animation team and entertainment was excellent, probably the best I've seen in Egypt, so applausee! to all of them, they certainly made a difference to so many peoples holiday. Well done Charlotte (thompson rep), keep up the fire dancing (singy m**$*y!)

Check out was as smooth as check-in and the thompson reps were excellent.

The only negative was the bar service, now I understand that Egypt is a relatively poor country and I'm quite happy to tip staff, particularly those that are giving me beer. However I think that tipping should be after decent service has been given, not before a drink has been served. it may of been that because we were 6 mates together some of the bar staff took a dislike to us I dont know, but some of these guys could not even look you in the eye when you asked for a drink. They would be awkward in their approach to the rules on one drink being finished before ordering another, then a different barman would not bother as we were in a group. Some of the bar guys were perfectly charming, others were ignorant and seemed happy to try to intimidate, I cant give the names because they change their name tags, I wonder why!
I think they need to go to the same people that taught the animation staff how to deal with people, the hotel would get an extra star.
Just a last point, if you go to the disco, its not worth asking for a request as the DJ will ask you to pay him, apparantly he worked in London and felt that he was undervalued at the Resta reef.

Overall, the hotel was very good value and I would recommend it for a winter break, certainly families would enjoy it, and it is a good choice for divers..

We have been to Egypt 10 times also a lot of other places around the world but now choose Egypt for distance and weather so we have a broad experience.
I can honestly say the Resta Reef has the friendliest most hard working staff we have met anywhere always smiling and cheerful and willing to have a chat and a laugh.
When we arrived we were welcomed with a cold drink check in was very fast and we were shown to our room cases arrived fairly quick considering there was a full coach load of new arrivals.
The room was clean and comfortable good aircon, a fridge which is a bonus you dont usually get, safe in room no extra charge, big walk in shower with hot water when ever we used it toiletries that were very good unless your fussy dont bother to take them other than conditioner, a really good hair dryer probably the best I've had anywhere on holiday, clean sheets and towels every day our room was cleaned daily to high standard by the lovely Mohammed who also split the beds for us with a smile and left flowers in the room several times.
If like us you like an early morning cup of tea or coffee you can get a tray in the room with kettle, cups an extra bottle of water tea bags, coffee sachets, and creamer sachets its an extra charge but not expensive and saves taking your own we took extra teabags and went to supermarket across road for milk.
The buffet restaurant was very good food always fresh and hot its the only place I've seen a chef go round with food thermometer checking, I have a very delicate stomach and I had no problems I did use the gel at the door and washed my hands frequently didnt drink alcohol during the day but did drink plenty of fluids all comon sense really.
We celebrated our aniversary while there and had the romantic meal pool side I must thank Mohammed (a different one to the room boy) for all his hard work making it so special with candles all round and his attentive but not intrusive service the meal was delishious, he was also in the buffet and made a point of speaking to us every day asking if everything was ok, thanks again Mohammed
The cliff top sun bathing area for adults only is great so quiet and usually a lovely breeze just remember to slap on a high factor sunscreen as you dont realise how hot it is.
Fabio and Charlotte from the entertainments team are lovely ( as are all the team but I cant remember all the names sorry x) they spoke to us every day and had a laugh with us even though we didnt join in their games
The terrace bar is a lovely place to relax after a hard day sun bathing a few beers served in a GLASS not a plastic beaker thanks Ahmed and all the boys lovely music from the DJ (sorry another name we cant remember) dont miss Sundays and Wednesdays with the brilliant Hayley a really good vocalist.
There are a few shops in the reception area,a few next door in the Grand and a few across the road but more will be opening soon along the front of the Grand the buildings were there but not quite finished.
And last but not least a big THANK YOU to Sherif (manager) and Rammy (assistant manager) for making this hotel so good all being well we will be back in march see you then
Pam & Joe
A quick footnote
Yes the buildings are showing their age but hey thats life when you think of the amount of people who have stayed here over the years there's going to be bumps n chips but it didnt spoil it, they dont claim to be 5* but the service certainly is, they were about to start refurbishing the rooms when we left so watch this space I'm sure someone will say they've done it soon

In short, the hotel and the territory is great. Regarding the number of stars given for the level of the hotel and the prices - great deal. Loved the territory and the idea of staying in mini house-rooms instead of infinity - stores building. The main building of the complex is relatively not too big, which makes it really Egyptian-arabian cozy - like home!

Yet the most precious part of Resta Reef is the staff! Service in English and really western service approach. Amazing people, that would help in every step, would have more patience than anyone could imagine, very ethic and moral based, really polite and giving already family-like feeling over the first days of stay! Great hotel to dedicate your selves to snorkeling (the private beach coast of the hotels has beautiful coral reef), relaxation, leaving all possible civilization behind and enjoying sun to the fullest. And don't forget the food - the chefs and canteen staff are amazing, have international work experience, prepares wide variety of foods each time and the best part is that the food varies from japanese raw, very authentic african to complete american! Yet my personal favorite was SWEETS!!!! A must have at Resta Reef!
Last but not least, exclusive thanx to Mahmoud, Ahmed and Abdo!