Anyone been to Kahramana Resort in Marsa Alam?

[Darren A]

Hi

Am thinking of going to the Kahramana Resort in Marsa Alam in December, with my buddy and his wife, and my wife and 2 kids (1yr and 3yr). Few questions.

1) Is there anything like a kids club/play area for the kids, cos as we all know (those with kids anyway) happy kids = happy parents!

2) I saw on a site that one of the features of the resort was a baby sitting service. Has anyone used this service? If so were you happy with it?

3) Whats the viz likely to be like?

4) Any other general comments if you have been there.

Cheers

Daza

PS Mods - If you feel I have posted this in the wrong place, please feel free to move!

[John Gulliver]

I haven't stayed at the Kahramana, so can't answer your specific questions, but we spent a very pleasant last day there, waiting for our evening flight to Gatwick, at the end of a trip on the Excel last summer. The hotel and grounds are very nice and the restaurants serve good food. The four of us shared a room, which was spacious and attractively furnished and had a nice view over the gardens and beach. If you want to stay ashore, I can't think of a nicer place to stay. You'll find a few pictures of the hotel and gardens in my Red Sea album at http://johngulliver.smugmug.com

[PaulC]

I stayed there for 4 days last year and echo John's comments. I've no kids so can't comment on the child care. But lots of Italians use it and they're usually pretty concerned to make sure their kids are happy! (Mind the synchronised disco dancing of an evening though!)

Viz would be usual Red Sea fare I guess. I had one murky (by their standards) shore dive with an onshore wind (about 6-10m) but 15+m is more usual and may be better than that offshore.

Do *not* miss Elphinstone if you haven't dived it before. In fact, dive Elphinstone as much as you can.

[steve2056]

I was at the Kahramana last April and although I can't remember if the hotel had a specific play area, it was suitable for children. And as mentioned above, the place was crawling with Italians and their kids.

The viz varied, the house reef was not too good, maybe 15m or so. Whilst taking of the house reef, just before the descent at the entry point there are loads of arabian surgeon fish. They come and try to bite at your fins and play around you, very friendly and a great opportunity to get some good pictures - all in around 1 metre of water.

Other sites the viz was 20-30 metres plus.

But you MUST NOT miss diving the west reef at Dolphin house - the caves. Absolutely superb, just 3 - 4 metres deep it is an overhead environment. It had a blue spotted ray and a Moray in there when I went. Takes 15 mins or so to get through (I did it twice). Don't miss!

Go for it, the food is first class with loads of choice. The rooms are superb.

Take a look at some pics I took there

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/worldphotos/ not yet finished but one page around the hotel and one page of underwater pics.

Have a great trip if you go.

Steve.

[Darren A]

Thanks alot Steve.

Those photos are stunning, and will be a valuable weapon against the Mrs when trying encourage her that she really does want to go!!

Thanks again.

Daza

[steve2056]

Might be a bit Pearl Harbour (a nip in the air) in December, so don't forget your fleece. You might need a dry-suit and thermals for the pool as it was a wee bit on the chilly side last April.

Seriously though, you will need at least a 5mm semi-dry for that time of year, preferably 7mm.

Have a great time.

Steve.