Marina Lodge At Port Ghalib Hotel

“ This was and always should be a divers hotel either as an overnight stop from a Port Ghalib based liveaboard or as a shore based dive hotel. The management have lost the plot and are trying to cater for the all-inclusive clientele. The food and service fall well short of what one would expect from an all inclusive hotel and is not a patch on the nearby Intercontinentale which is a class act.

Return it to what it should be which is a cheap divers hotel and please get rid of the hopelessly poor "Animation Team" which is embarrassingly bad and not required.

As a dive base it is cheap and adequate. As a all-inclusive resort hotel it scores no more than 2 out of 10.

“ Top Tip: Fusion Restaurant and TGIF, accessable by water taxi on the other side of Port Ghalib are fine if you want a break from the usual "banmarie" slop served at the Marina Lodge. Costa Coffee is a welcome addition although beware of the Muffins which stay on sale for at least 3 days!

“ I have visited marina lodge 4 times in the last year, overall it is excellent value for money, but i would recommend all inclusive as drinks in hotel ande at Port Ghalib are very expensive. The hotel doesnt cope well with busy spells after Ramadam or egyption holidays. ideally situated for divers as Emperor dive centre boats leave from the hotel makes it perfect. Rooms for very clean and with lovely decor and spacious. The food is good value for the all inclusive visitors, typically lots of veggie dishes with the odd chicken, fish and beef dish, fairly good choice for all mealtimes. I like the relaxed easy atmosphere at marina lodge.

“ Top Tip: The port has a japanese rest which is lovely, free water taxi from marina lodge to the port. Meal approx 25 pounds (english) pp without drinks.

“ This is our 2nd stay at Marina Lodge - so we knew what to expect - the only change was that it was much busier than last year with Russian and European people staying - not many Brits. Also it now has its own private beach which is a bonus. We go because of the diving - and Emperor Dive School is within the hotel and is excellent. We like the 'Egyptian' style rooms at Marina, the friendly staff, the informal atmosphere, the size and location opposite Port Ghalib where you can reach easily in the water taxi which runs all day until midnight and within 10 minutes from airport you are at the hotel. We realise this is a newish development which is still relatively unknown mainstream - so go soon before it becomes another Sharm!

“ This charming hotel far exceeded our expectations, with comfortable, even luxurious rooms and immaginative architecture. The Food, somewhere better than public school and comperable with a good sargeants mess gave a huge selection every day so that almost anyone could find somthing that they liked. This is a very remote site with utter peace and beauty to have the facilities that they do is quite remarkable. The chief irritation of outragous charge for internet access is molified by having a free water taxi to the nearby port development where it is free and beer is half the price.

“ Top Tip: The basic diving available is a bit limited but the set up is terrific. The special trips are too expensive to be worth while. Divers who want more varied experience would be better to spend a few days further south.