Hotel Eden Rock

Located in the Hadaba region, the Eden Rock is closer to the centre than to the airport. If you have to take a taxi or a taf-taf to get there, be firm about the price of your journey: the trip shouldn't cost more than 40 Egyptian pounds (about £4.50).

Opened in 1999, the hotel was refurbished in 2008 and renovation on the pool was carried out in 2009. Of half-Egyptian, half-Italian ownership, the Eden Hotel appears in the 105 Travel catalogues under the Ventaglio brand.

This hotel stands out for its particular style in terms of space and structures. Unfortunately the decoration lacks finesse, especially at the entrance which opens directly into the dark reception counter and a bar-disco style staircase leading to the first floor. From looking at the photos, you can make out that the floor at the reception was recently redone, but the choice of colours (much darker than the original floor) does not help the lighting in the entrance, which itself is rather small. The entrance is also equipped with a metal detector which filters the access of guests. Don't be alarmed by the level of strictness: following the recent attacks in Sharm and Cairo, security measures are equally strict in all of the other hotels in the area. It's just that here these measures seem a little disproportionate to the hotel's standing.

The Eden does not offer any sort of entertainment, which makes the atmosphere particularly relaxing and ideal for families looking for some peace and quiet. On the whole, the hotel would benefit from a few touch ups, such as a more subtle decor. When we were there, renovation work on the floors in the guest rooms and the construction of a new restaurant were scheduled for June 2009. Currently, there are no plans to provide special access for guests with reduced mobility. Internet access is free in the entrance hall but in the rooms this comes at an extra cost.

The rooms are fairly neutral, without any particular touch of colour, but they are functional all the same: among other things, 2 beds can be added in the bigger rooms for large families. Every room has a view of the sea and a small terrace, allowing you take in a fresh breath of air.

The rooms themselves are not exactly big, but the bathroom is clean and packed with all types of products. Room service is available 24/7 and there is also a mini-bar available to guests. Renovation of the floors in all of the guest rooms was due to be carried out in June 2009.

It was planned for a restaurant with a seating capacity of 120 guests to be built in June 2009, with the idea of offering a type of buffet service with international and oriental cuisine. Up until now, lunch and dinner have been a self-service option, following the usual culinary tradition (buffet, international cuisine and theme evenings). You can tell that not much thought was put into the decoration and the tables are laid out in a way that makes maximum use of the available space. Two bars are open 24/7: The first one is by the pool and the second one is found inside.

The beach is just a few minutes away from the hotel on foot and there is definitely no lack of space. The simple layout of the deck chairs and the necessary services create a pleasant environment for those who love to relax in the sun. A small diving centre tops off the services on offer at the hotel.