Hotel reviews: Al Diwan

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• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The Al Diwan Resort opened in 2000 and was renovated in 2004. Although the rooms need a spruce up, the hotel is still in relatively good shape. The guests consist of a mix between mainly British, Russian and German holiday-makers, as in most Sharm resorts. Smoking is allowed in most indoor areas apart from the restaurant. There are two outdoor swimming pools - one with music and the other in the hotel's quiet area. The hotel also has a kids' club as well other free activities such as table tennis, darts, backgammon, snooker and giant chess. As with all hotels in Sharm el Sheikh, there is a diving club but the activities are not included in the all-inclusive package. Bed and Breakfast, half-board and full-board packages are also available depending on the travel agent.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The brightly-coloured Egyptian style lobby is attractive but a little small and could do with more seats for guests; between guests waiting to check in, check out, and those waiting for the beach shuttle bus, it can get a little crowded. The resort's architecture reflects Egyptian style with its charming two-floor white buildings consisting of open-air galleries leading to the rooms. There are three pools in total - the main pool and the kids' pool as well as a quiet pool (no music is played here). The resort also has a great outdoor terrace on the first floor where the entertainment team put on a different show every night; a very pleasant area, it has a great view of the main pool. As with most resorts in Sharm, the entertainment shows are usually outdoors, either on a terrace or amphitheatre, and are therefore relatively loud, so be ready to attend as quiet nights are rare. The resort has relatively well-maintained gardens, although more attention to keeping them cleaner is needed. The resort also has a health club with a beauty salon, sauna, steam bath and massage facilities, all at an extra cost. It is small and not particularly clean, although the staff is very willing.

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• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The resort has a total of 100 double rooms, 37 studios (accommodates 4 ), and 14 suites (for 6 people). The rooms are arranged along open-air corridors which create intimacy due to all the nooks and crannies they lead to. The rooms are functional and need renovating. A small detail, the 'mashrabia' over the window reminds the guest they are in North Africa; this is a grid over the windows which are usually used by ladies of aristocratic families - the mashrabia allows the lady to see outside while remaining unseen. Otherwise the rooms all have televisions (old generation) with a number of channels in a variety of languages. The bathrooms have big showers but no toiletries and the shower curtains need changing. The guests will find a safe at reception for a 5 EGP (Egyptian Pound) charge. The rooms are in need of a renovation. The rugs and soft furnishings are slightly worn. There is individual A/C control in all rooms. All rooms have either a terrace (ground floor) or balcony (first floor), and most have a pool view. For guests wishing for a little peace and quiet, it is best to specify at the time of booking that a room towards the quiet pool area is preferred.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel has two restaurants. The main restaurant has a capacity of 50 and is accessible from the hotel lobby. The staff is very friendly and helpful, but the food is nothing to write home about. If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid uncooked fruit and vegetables as these are washed with local water (which is not fit to drink in Sharm). The lobby bar is open 24 hours, although all-inclusive runs from 10am-10pm. The beach bar is not included in the all-inclusive deal. The pool bar serves drinks (10am-sunset) and snacks (10am-4pm).

• Z Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel's beach, despite not being within walking distance, is a lively area shared with Sharks Bay Hotel. There is a free shuttle bus operating every two hours to and fro the hotel. The journey takes 5 minutes. The hotel has its own jetty which is handy when it comes to snorkelling.