We have previously stayed at Coraya Bay and Lamaya Hotel and 3 Corners. Overall, this was the best at Sol Y Mar Abu Dabbab.
The reef was great and lovely to see the turtles and Guitar sharks in the centre of the bay. Also lovely to have a proper beach as well as reef, so we could just swim if we wished.
Room was fine- they all seem to be similar and we were near all the facilities- just a short walk to the beach and restaurant.
Food- there was less variety than other hotels, but we thought the quality was better. There were freshly cooked omelettes and pancakes at breakfast and a grill in the evening and barbeque. Good coffee machines at beach and lounge bars.Beach restaurant great for lunch- salads, nice breads, freshly cooked pasta, grill and sometimes different types of chips.
Animation team were great- very enthusiastic and inclusive. All spoke fluent English even though they were all Italian or Polish..We entered into more sports/games and evening entertainment than we ever have on holiday.Pool looked lovely and would be great in summer. Childrens' pool was heated and good.
Staff were very helpful and worked very hard.
Very few English people at this hotel- clientele mostly Italian and Polish when we visited and we got to know other people despite the language barrier- they always have more English than we have other languages. We found people to be very friendly.
Useful to have an ATM at this hotel.
Some minor things that could be improved, we think- Mosquitoes around- the hotel did spray the vegetation and did what they could, but I would take a plug in room repellent and other repellent. We would have liked some muesli or granola at breakfast. not just children's cereals.More hotel information in the room would have been useful. We travelled as a couple with a single friend, who was accommodated in a connecting room. This was fine from a security and safety perspective, but the sound insulation was poor- fine for a family, but not in this situation. We did not request a move, however, as the safety aspect outweighed the inconvenience. I am sure they would have accommodated us if we had asked for a move.
Overall, a great holiday- we will definitely return to this hotel.

We travelled with Thomson, which was ok, but no films now on the plane or meals despite a six hour flight home and no flights from Manchester so we had to go to Gatwick from Liverpool.

the vacation was amazing the staff was helpful and cheerful all the time the service quality was amazing and the view and the spirit of the place was tremendous we sure recommend this hotel for everyone who wants to scape the daily life stress.

AWFUL drunk Russian & Polish clientele but good hotel. Thomson mislead us by saying 'Hurry only 4 rooms left'. They actually only have 4 rooms in this 500 bed hotel!

Do be warned you may well have the same thing happen. So far Thomson have only had this hotel on the books since the end of Nov. We were the only Brits there for a whole week! A few Germans and Dutch but all people were stunned by the appalling behaviour of the eastern Europeans. Unforgivable and deplorable behaviour. Really tainted the whole trip.

In my opinion as an international traveler the Thomson rep was only good at munching burgers and was utterly useless at handling our complaint, so she simply did not do a thing. We felt quite let down by Thomson who are usually brilliant.

I feel for the hotel staff as they are without a shadow of doubt 100% when it comes to customer service but in an All Inclusive hotel, how do you control 20 drunk Polishmen in Speedos and shaven heads at the beach bar demanding Ouzo and Vodka at 9am? Very difficult for the staff but they handle it well. You really are made to feel like a VIP by the staff.

At one point 4 drunken Czech men were beating a camel for fun and trying to make it race along the beach.

The food is to a good standard and no one was poorly at all! They even have a food hygiene chap which is very rare for Egypt hotels. The food really caters for cheap eastern European clientele but it was always edible and certainly wasn't the worst I have eaten in Egypt (where I have been 9 times) What this hotel lacks it makes up for with 100% customer service.

The main reason for staying here is the turtles (which I will upload some images). Stick your head in the water and there are 26 Sea Turtles just a few feet from the beach. At one point I attempted to drown a Russian women who was trying to pull the fin on an 80 year old turtle....yes you heard right!

There used to be a Dugong or Sea Cow here but it left and has not been seen since after a drunk Russian tried to ride it! You see a real pattern forming here? One man was so drunk he had to be escorted from the restaurant.

Would we stay here again....? If they removed the drunks yes, but until then, personally, I would say book somewhere like the Hilton Nadi which is in the same bay and has access to the beach. Being the only English was okay but Thomson should say that as you end up with no communication at all. In the end we were united with the Germans and the Dutch more for safety in numbers and to shake our heads at the drunken behaviour.

Manalive they are SO rude. they just walk up to the bar, push to the front and demand 'VODKA' 'TEN' and then waddle off. Awful just awful but such a promising hotel and wonderful staff.

As for the Diving Ocean dive lodge.....I am a PADI Rescue Diver and to be honest, they are just a little bit too cool for school. I went with 800 euro budget and dived twice in 2 weeks as they just couldnt be bother to dive unless they had 6 people.

Egypt is a beautiful country with wonderful people and since the Revolution there is a massive and hugely beneficial change in the people who can really talk about their lives and I would absolutely say to go to Marsa Alam. Thomson now only have 1 flight a week going in and it is still way better than Sharm, El Gouna, Hurgh or Dahab.

Brilliant holiday ruined by drunk Russians!

Nice hotel , Very nice sea and very big swimming pools