Hotel is designed in the shape of a cruise ship with about 65 rooms which was interesting. No elevator (except at the entrance to go up to the hotel, broken many times during our stay), lots of broad stairs to climb but I guess that's part of the charm. They were doing major constructions for the stairs leading to the hotel for Christmas so it was noisy during our stay.
So we came to Sharm on Dec 20 for my wife's birthday and Christmas after three very packed days in Cairo. Upon arrival we were greeted by three staffs at the check-in desk who were rather friendly and were surprised to see American tourists (apparently that's a rarity in Sharm). They asked for our passport and kept them for hours, apparently needed to make copies. We booked a room with sea view (supposedly all rooms have ocean view, not so) but were given a room with a dive center view. Ok -- we're here to scuba dive but a dive center view (room 105), come on now. The next day I asked to switch room and they obliged, although weren't very happy.
After we settled down and I came out to get water a staff name Kamel (like Camel) greeted me and offered to take me down the elevator and show me where to get water. Then he walked me to a corner convenience store and quoted me 20 LE ($4) for 2 bottles of water, never been in Sharm/Naama bay before, I thought that was normal only to find out you could have gotten water at other stores down Naama bay for 3.5 LE/bottle. I didn't fuzz about it but don't make the same mistake I did.
We went half board which including breakfast. A good selection of pastries and fruits and a dedicated omelet station. Nothing too fancy but not too shabby either. Coffee/tea are served or you can choose from 5 different types of juices. I didn't risk drinking it.
We also paid for dinner for 3 nights ($20/ppl). They have these theme nights, some with performances, we had Egyptian, French and Seafood. The selections weren't too bad but nothing to rave about. The seafood night though, wow...some of the best grilled fish/crab I ever had. The restaurant is clean and all the dining ware were nicely presented, including fine china for all serving plates. There were easily 10 staffs on any given nights and were attentive.
The hotel room -- We stayed at 121 right next to the stairs going down to the restaurant. It was extremely noisy with all the live music but we had expected it so didn't mind at all. Room was decent size with a balcony to dry your swimsuits. Bathroom was tiny with just a shower, toilet and a sink, all tile floor through out, nothing spectacular but it was charming the way they designed it. The bathroom was so small if you have more than 1 guest, you have to fight for space. Fresh linens were given daily and at the end of the stay, they folded one towel on the bed in the shape of a heart which was a nice touch.
TV was a standard 32" CRT, nothing special. Wireless internet can be purchased at the front desk, something like $16/day. No free internet anywhere in the hotel, although I thought otherwise.
Location is at the end of the Naama bay strip, away from the crowd and hustles which was nice. You do have to walk a little to get anywhere though.
Hotel does provide private shuttle to and from the airport at $19 or you can walk out of Naama bay and get your own taxi for fraction of the price, not worth the trouble IMO.
If you are looking to splurge a little in Sharm, Lido might not be the place, rather you would want to stay at one of the many resorts but if you are looking for a decent clean room with sufficient amenities and a hub to do your excursions, dive trips, what have you, you will not be disappointed with Lido at that price range.
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