WOW those pics are just fantastic. See what you mean about the bus LOL. They also like to decorate their taxis I've noticed with all sorts of rubbish!!

I would definately recommend a visit to El Gouna next time you are in hurghada area. what i like about gouna is that because its controlled by one man (who is not really in it for the money anymore as he has enough already) you have the feeling there is a coordinated overall masterplan for the place and a Chairman who is chief quality control officer as he is there a lot with his friends who he wants to be happy and many of whom have houses there. when ive been down to sahl or sharm there are lots of plots being developoed by different groups, some of which are very good and some of which arnt- and you therefore get the impression that its not very well planned overall and buyers can be dissapointed as new developments come on stream that are either not very pretty or overlook or block their views. Im sure the Damac scheme will be well masterplanned but that will probably be 7-10 years living in a building site at best and at least with Gouna all the major risks are over in terms of infrastructure.

One thing I was very impressed with when i bought my villa 2 years ago was that at the time there was no plan to extend the lagoon up to my house and instead it was more like a stream. In the end the Chairman himself intervened and at huge expense to Orascom (and no cost to us owners in phase 5) he widened the lagoon greatly which cost a lot and was not an obligation of theirs at all. Now I have put in a boat Jetty ! I think he felt he didnt want people complaining or seeing villas that were below the usual high standards for Gouna even though this portion of lagoon only served about 15 villas.

I think an owners involvement is a really good thing with a place like Gouna. I know all the leading resorts like Sotogrande and Val de Lobo had v strong individuals who were the backbone of the whole thing and really got involved. I also heard a funny story the other day about an incident at Gouna where someone very senior was cut up on the road by a rogue local tuk tuk driver and he was dismissed on the spot. I like the fact that its not a democracy - provided the owner has the right instincts ! Although Im sure many PC people would disagree with me !

Yours

jeremy

Thanks Queenie

El Gouna is very photogenic so its easy to take nice pics (believe me I have hundreds )and the good thing is that the resort is as good (if not better) in real life !

David

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El Gouna - Life as it Should be

http://www.villa-vacation.com/home-rental-12686.htm

Hi maybe next time we are in Sharm we will fly over and spend a couple of days in El Gouna. If anyone has an apartment available to let or can recommend a reasonably priced hotel please let me know.

Try the Captains Inn in the Abu Tig Marina (no pool and try to get a room overlooking the Marina about 45 euros) or Ocean View also in the Marina (pool ? havent been inside myself but heard its ok- price ?)

Thanx for that Jeremy

Hi Queenie,

We stayed at the Dawar El Omda last year and loved it so much we are going back this year. Fairly small, very friendly, pool, use of Zeytuna Beach...

I got a price of €33/pers/night all inclusive, but that may be because we are returning guests - worth asking though. Ask for a room overlooking the lagoon.

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Roger
There are only three types of people in the world - those who can count and those who cannot.
Pandora's Box

Thanks Roger - I will take a look at that one as well.

El Gouna is amazing, well controled, safe, clean natural, all outlets you need, just the sea and sun, and calm so amazing to spend vacation

Its hard to find fault in Gouna really. Clearly a lot more expensive than most places in Hurghada and parts of Sahl but for good reason. We stayed in the Movenpick the last time I was there and had a great holiday, the kids loved it and were always safe in or out of the hotel, and there is loads to do.
To change subject slightly I did come across the most amazing brochure of Serrania in a real estate office in Hurghada and if that comes to life it will be fantastic for Sahl, my concern being the website was taken down and its getting harder to find out whats going on. As I said in another post Sahl excites and scares me!