Category: Review

formerly: Annwell Inn & Restaurant

Annwell Lane Smisby Ashby-De-La-Zouch Leicestershire LE65 2TA Tel: 01530 413604

Contact: Mr P A Lathbury

Restaurant within a local pub located in the village of Smisby between Woodville (Swadlincote) and Ashby de la Zouch

Monday to Wednesday nights – Lite Bite menu

Thursday nights – curry night

Friday and Saturday nights – a la carte

Sunday lunch – 3 course meal £7.95

Review of Meal at Annwell Inn Smisby  17/9/2019

First let me say that you can’t fault it for value for money.  I’m a bit odd and I often like 2 starters instead of a main meal.

So our meal order consisted of a prawn platter on the menu with brown bread and butter garlic mushrooms with cream brandy garlic and coriander sauce and garlic toast and cod and chips along with 2 175ml glasses of red wine and a diet coke all for less than £19.

Now this is where I get frustrated.  No you can’t beat it for value for money I have to admit but the Annwell Inn Smisby is so close to being a really good restaurant yet the small things that I feel are important are missing.

The size of the prawn platter was huge about 3 or 4 times the amount in other restaurants/pubs and it was served with a decent amount of lettuce and 2 slices of cucumber.  It would have been far better to have served less prawns and dressed the salad up a little – it doesn’t take much a wedge of lemon a little tomato a sliver of carrot or onion or pepper etc..

Quantity isn’t everything.  It’s not that you could fault the quality of the food just that I would prefer to see those few extra touches even if it cost more.  Another real grouse of mine is when you see something on the menu and they serve something different without mentioning it.  The prawn platter should have been served with brown bread and butter but it came with white maybe no big deal but not all of us like to eat white bread.

The mushrooms were plentiful and very rich although the garlic was raw and the brandy harsh and the garlic toast which I was really looking forward too turned out to be toasted bread rolls unbuttered no garlic.  The pepper mill being empty and falling apart in my hands didn’t help much either.

The cod and chips came with 2 good pieces of fish with peas carrots and broccoli and frankly couldn’t be faulted.  I think the batter is the chefs own made with beer.

The service was friendly but certainly not ‘up-market’ with little gems  offered to the next table like “we ain’t gorr any of them no more” and with our bill “ignore the pencil bits rubbed out -they’re not yours”.  They were very pleasant and helpful though so no complaints there.

Would we go back again.  Yes we certainly would mainly because the Annwell offers excellent value for money.  What makes me sad is that it should do much better than 4 tables at peak time on a Saturday night.  It has the makings of a fine high standard restaurant but just doesn’t quite get there.

Smisby Manor Annwell Lane

More Holiday Reviews

Is it 5*?  Absolutely not.  Service can be really bad and how would you feel about being locked out of your room 3 times in one day?   !!!!!!

Read other holiday-makers Reviews Below

Worldwide Holiday Travel visited the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach Resort  18th September 2019 to 25th September.  Our review is detailed here. 

If you are the manager or owner of the Mirabel Beach Resort or are employed by the Sol y Mar group of Hotels we would be happy to include any reply in it’s entirety.  We will do our best to be fair to all parties with our reviews taking into account when resorts are new may have temporary teething problems etc.

Please read our review summary where you will find links to give further details of why we have made a particular statement.

Photographs from our visit to the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach

Surroundings:  Excellent very peaceful

Location: On the Beach.  As with most Sharm el Sheikh Hotels distant from the resort which is easily accessible by taxi or shuttle (courtesy of the hotel).

Food:  Good on the whole.  5* in places but a tendency to cheapskate at times with things like too many chicken wings meat balls sausages.  Little tricks like a glass full of lettuce with a big prawn as garnish simply emphasises attempts to economise. Does seem to cater more for continental tastes than British.  At times I would have given anything for cheese and biscuits or a decent fruit salad with cream or even ice cream for desert. Way too much gooey sugary stuff cheaply made.  Had a great Beef Wellington and Salmon en Croute though. More about snacks.

Service:  Not 5* at all.  In the restaurant drinks service was good although we found some waiters over familiar.  Drinks service in the bars varied from good to diabolically awful as was service at the snack bars and reception on arrival and after.  Little things irritate like having to carry the next days towels back to the room each day as they had no towel cards to hand back after 4pm.

Room:  As with most of this resort a mixture of very good and  very poor for a 5*.  The rooms were fairly clean although other areas eg dusty ledges at breakfast slipped through the net.  Silly things like no handles on the patio windows so you end up locking yourself out on the balcony.

Worldwide Travel Rep:  Waste of time attending the welcome meeting.  When will they wake up to the fact that we want information not a sales talk about over-priced trips.

All Inclusive:  Not all it should be.  See prices and service.

Here is a rundown of some of the points that we feel the management of the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach Resort should address.

In depth Review

Is it 5*?  Well this is a big question and perhaps the onus is on Worldwide Travel or whoever to make sure they fully address the difference between ‘well it is Egypt’ 5* and what the public universally expect from a 5* hotel.  The advent of all-inclusive seems to be changing things in this regard too.

I think this hotel needs to decide whether it is aiming for a genuine classy 5* reputation or whether it simply wants to attract people that are happy with good food surroundings and plenty of free drink.  There are signs that it may be the latter as this Egyptian resort once complete will be huge and little things like rows and rows of beds and shades on the beach suggest a pack them in like sardines attitude carefully disguised.

On the coach journey in from Sharm El Sheikh Airport the rep jokingly asked us if we knew the difference between the 3* hotels on the left and the 5* hotels like the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach on the right.  The answer?  The resorts on the right were on the beach.

Let me say now and I think I speak for most of us beach front and pleasant surrounding DON’T MAKE 5*!!!!!!  It takes a lot more than that.

First impressions were good but oh boy did it go downhill quickly.  We were told to find the porter and make sure our cases were labelled properly then some-one would tell us how to find our room.  11pm at night we’ve asked several time for a welcome pack as we were told on the coach.  Reception told us some-one else would give us this.  There appeared to be about 20 of us arriving at this time so not exactly overload.  Eventually we made our way to our room ourselves (Sol y Mar management take note please – the lighting is very poor at night – pathways stairways and to the rooms.

We eventually found our room and like most of the Mirabel Beach Resort it was a mixture of very good and not so good.  The view from the balcony was stunning overlooking the pools and in the distance the sea.  The bathroom was gorgeous with a walk-in shower to die for.  We had booked a deluxe family room for 3 adults.  I had emailed the Mirabel Beach to ask exactly what that was but they couldn’t be bothered to reply.  We were pleasantly surprised to see plenty of space with dividing doors for privacy. 

Those were the goods points.  Now for the bad.  A TINY amount of hanging space.  7 coat hangers for 3 grown women or a family of 4???  Come on Sol y Mar – you have to be joking.  No point asking for extra hangers – no room anyway!  The bedside tables have no drawers and the lights have great dimmers but flicker on and offer with the poor electrical connections.

The beds turned out to be very creaky and the additional 2 beds were just mattresses on a concrete base.  My niece aged 18   suffered backache from day one and my sister and I eventually took turns to sleep on the concrete so she got a break.

On arrival the rooms was made up for 2 not 3.  2 lots of towels 2 glasses etc..  We rang reception who were very apologetic. 

We went down for a drink.  11.55pm.  Looking at the cocktails we were told very abruptly to hurry up and decide as we had only one minute then all-inclusive stopped and we would have to pay.  We ordered and while he was making them 4 minutes before midnight he refused to serve the person behind us unless he paid.

Excuse me while I digress a little since we are on the subject of all-inclusive.  We got sick of the trolley of liqueur coffees coming round for which you had to pay.  Many people accepted it when offered before they realised.  Another little gem was the fact that we arrived too late for anything other than one very quick drink on the Monday but when we ordered coffees at 5pm on the Monday we left we were told we had to pay for them.  We refused!

Back to the cocktails.  Disgusting.  If you go to the Mirabel Beach please make a point of letting them know that it is not acceptable to make all the cocktails with watered down cordial.  I accept the fact that the alcohol is local but that’s no excuse for making everything as cheap and nasty as possible.  Remember Sol y Mar – this is SUPPOSED to be 5*.

Day 2.  Down to reception to complain again that we only have 2 lots of towels etc. we have a light out and can’t see well enough to use the safe or wardrobe.  I’ll say no more on these subjects other than it took 3 attempts and 2 days to get the room made up for 3 and took even more time and effort to get the light fixed.  We were interrupted 4 times by maintenance coming to fix the air conditioning which wasn’t broken with promises of ‘back in 5 minutes’ to fix the light.  It got done finally on day 3.  We also got interrupted 3 times while they checked the mini-bar which was never stocked up in the first place but the English wasn’t good enough to communicate so we ended up getting dressed to let them in – it was quicker.

Back to reception.  Still asking for information about the welcome meeting.  They have no idea and tell us to come back at 10am when the rep will arrive.  The meeting was set for 10.45 so we wasted almost an hour before wasting more time in the meeting itself.

At breakfast earlier a couple on their second week told us of quite a few people being ill with food poisoning.  Let me say straight away that I didn’t have any real worries about this after seeing the standard of food served but I did see the chefs handling things like bread and pre-cooked pancakes with their fingers and the waiters using gloves to squeeze oranges in front of people but taking them off when they thought no-one was looking.

Having had food poisoning in Morocco earlier this year my pet hate is seeing poor hygiene standards.  It only takes one person not washing their hands after using the toilet and then handling food to cause problems.  I raised this at the welcome meeting and insisted on being heard even though the rep tried to shut me up.  I did elicit a promise to talk to the Mirabel’s Food and Beverages manager. (Note:  It didn’t do much good.  I still saw them doing it later in the week.  If they do it where it can be seen what does it say about standards in the kitchen?).  Oh and take note Worldwide Travel you can’t blame EVERY illness on sun and booze.  When people let themselves be given intravenous injections in the middle of the night by a strange doctor in a strange country the chances are they are really ill!

A few people had heard that I was doing a review and made a point of voicing their dissatisfaction with the Mirabel frequently centred around the lack of service for 5* and poor quality snacks.

I will say that I think any hygiene problems will soon be dealt with by the Sol y Mar.  I would put a lot of the problems down to thee fact that the Mirabel Beach is fairly new and staff aren’t yet properly trained.  However people wrongly blame mild tummy upsets on ‘food poisoning’ all too often and common sense should tell the management not to give them any cause by poor hygiene standards. The waiter we had for most of our meals was a nice chap see picture but he like others was overly familiar often tormenting my niece by removing her food and constantly trying to joke with her and make conversation with my sister and I.  At age 13 or younger  it may have been funny but at 18 it starts to make you think twice about going to meals towards the end of the week.  You’d think getting no response other than a stony face would stop them but it doesn’t.

Talking about information given out at the reps meeting do tell people not to pick up coral from the beach PLEASE.  Being told on the way home at the airport and watching at least 12 people frantically unpacking their bags to remove it and avoid a £500 fine is no laughing matter.

We asked for a resort map at the meeting and were told to ask at reception.  Back to the Mirabel Beach Reception.  Can we have a map please?  No they haven’t got one only a scribbled one for staff.  We point out that we would like to go to the gym but there are no signs anywhere.  We are told to go and look for a member of the animation staff and ask them.  What???  Excuse me – isn’t this supposed to be a 5* resort?

Can’t find any animation staff but waiters and security guards between them manage to find enough English to direct us to the gym which incidentally is not sign posted in any way.  Great gym and friendly well informed un-intrusive help there.  Full marks apart from silly opening hours of 9am till 1pm 3pm till 6pm.  I like to go before breakfast but no chance here.

Snack Bars.  Food’s lousy and service poor.  4.45pm my niece asked for snack for the 3 of us.  She was told they only had chicken burgers left.  I felt they had just tried it on as she was young so I called a waiter over and asked exactly what they had and hadn’t got on the menu.  True there was stuff they hadn’t got any more but mainly they were just trying to avoid serving.  I couldn’t get a Caesar salad (had one later in the week – lettuce dressing and croutons) but we managed to get a hot dog (foul) a chicken-burger (spot the chicken) and some fries.  Later in the week we also tried a pizza (very dry) and more fries which had been cooked at least twice.  Over all pretty disgusting food and service.  See the tacky menu.  Doesn’t look 5* does it.  It looks like something I’d expect a tacky roadside cafe to produce and the food matches that image.  Once we saw the waiter top a diet coke up will ordinary coke when the dispenser ran out then realising it wasn’t full add water.

It’s a pity I didn’t get a picture of me having a tantrum at the bar one evening.  Unfortunately I was too busy voicing my displeasure loud enough to produce a result.  Watching the fairly tacky entertainment I had asked for a coffee and brandy plus a wine and beer for the others.  The wine and beer arrived but not the coffee and brandy.  10 minutes later I asked again and again a further 10 minutes later re-ordering for the others.  Once again I didn’t get the coffee and brandy.  By now I had had enough.  We had already been told that tonight we couldn’t order at the bar – it would be waiter service.  I went to the bar and said I wasn’t leaving till I got a coffee and Brandy.  I was asked who had taken the order and told to sit down and they would bring it.  Within 2 minutes it arrived followed 2 minutes later by another.  In both cases no milk which I politely asked for.  Now at this stage I will own up and say I should have known better.  Having heard tales from other holidays makers about rude waiters moaning that they should have asked for milk if they wanted it in tea or coffee and being reluctant to fetch it I admit it would have been prudent to ask for milk when I ordered.  However if you remember the Mirabel Beach Resort  is supposed to be a 5* hotel.  So now I have exactly the same sort of performance trying to get some milk.  When both coffees are finally too cold to drink I end up throwing a wobbly back at the bar. ‘Please Please Please can some-one get me a little milk before I come back there and get it myself’.

Click a picture to see the bar and prices of what you don’t get all-inclusive or may have to pay after midnight or on the day you leave..

Travel Articles Spanish Hotel Siesta  Timeshare Scams

We visited the Italian Restaurant one night where the service was good the menu very basic but overall a pleasant night.

The final indignity for us was the last day.  The day before we asked about keeping the room till 6pm.  We were told it was free until 2pm but 90 euros from 2pm until 6pm.  We decided to keep it until 2pm as we felt 90 euros was ridiculous as we lost the first day of our holiday by arriving at 11pm.  Having to pay 90 euros in order to have a full 7 days holiday  seemed steep.  The receptionist told us to come back at midday to get the cards recharged for the two free hours.  Very silly we thought but made a note to do so.

After sunbathing we reluctantly returned to our room at 11.30 so we could go to reception and get the cards recharged before lunch.  We were locked out.  We had to traipse wet and uncomfortable to reception a fair walk and get the cards recharged.  They didn’t seem to care that they had cancelled them early.  After lunch my niece who by now was thoroughly fed up of being tormented by the waiters left us having a final glass of wine while she went to take a shower.  It was a little after one.  My sister and I returned at 1.30 to find her sitting in the heat outside the room waiting for us to deal with reception as once again we were locked out.  My sister had strong words with reception and we were given the room until 5pm by way of apology.  The cards were recharged and after a short rest we went out shopping for a couple of hours thinking we’d shower when we returned.  Guess what once again we were locked out – 3 times in one day!!!.

Finally a note about the tannoy system which threatens to completely ruin the one really good thing about the Mirabel Beach which is it’s spacious relaxing atmosphere.  Sol y Mar – PLEASE don’t let it turn the resort into a tacky version of a holiday camp.  Get your animation staff trained properly.  At one point I was trying to have a relaxing read by the pool with loud rap songs coming through one speaker to my left and equally loud Caribbean music to my right.  I complained to three different people as did other people   but nothing was done.  Most people just gave up and went indoors or to the beach.

Comment from Nicola from Chesterfield:

No way is this a 5 star resort.  Friends had paid £2 000 for their holiday for the two for a fortnight and were very disappointed as well. Little things like bad tempered waiters being rude because milk in tea wasn’t asked for and they had to go back for it and also being told at 2 minutes to 11am to go away and come back in 5 minutes when they are open.

There were many other comments in this vein but I think I have probably said more than enough to give you a good feel for what this holiday was like.  There were few children at this time but again no-one seemed happy with the facilities for the children.

Would I go back to the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach Resort?

Strangely enough yes I probably would.  I’d like to think that much of what I’ve mentioned is because of the newness of the resort and staff and that Sol y Mar will get it sorted out.  I didn’t pay 5* prices for the holiday as it was booked within a week of flying so I will take that into account too.

Next week I am off to the Coral Sea Resort which is also in Sharm El Sheikh but I may visit the Mirabel Beach again as I love Egypt so watch this space!

LocationThe resort is approximately 11km. distance from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. Sol Y Mar Mirabel Beach Resort   Their websiteIberotel Head Office44 Mohamed Mazhar St. Zamalek Cairo – EgyptTel.: + 20 – 2 – 737 8737Fax: + 20 – 2 – 736 5305

Visit  more review sites for Sol Y Mar Mirabel Beach.

Review about Sol Y Mar Mirabel Beach   August 2019

Just back on Thursday 31st August Although reports are true that this hotel is not fully finished the only things not available still from brochure advertisement were 2 speciality restaurants and the disco. There is 2 buffet and one a la carte Italian open which is also free to all AI guests 1 Buffet only open at breakfast time as it was fairly quiet when we were there .

Some service of staff fairly slow but they are improving plus you have to realise these guys are doing 14 hour shifts for a month solid in that heat 36-40 degrees every day there are 3 lovely pools(2 have water polo goals in them) 3 beach bars and 3 pool bars one serving snacks all day (free AI) Own make cocktails and spirits and beer all included pool and beach bars close at 1800 hrs two bars in main building open all night 1 sells shisha pipes at 25 le 600 parasols on beach but hardly anyone used but we felt the breeze was easier on the skin in the blistering heat than at pool there is a football pitch and two volley ball courts on beach. beware of sleazy beach boys and tattoo guy is very much a predator to all girls when on there own and gets personal when you refuse tattoo seen a whole Italian family set on him one day which was quite amusing he may actually have been sacked by now which won’t be a bad thing. snorkelling is very poor at beach as still no jetty but you can use the royal albatross hotels jetty to the left of you and there is a bit 2 hotels along right in front of yellow sunbeds small but loads of over friendly fish to get good close up photos.

Overall we had a great holiday Food was good and very fresh we did go to naama bay 3 times in 14 days just to break it up a bit 25kms away cost £18 return by limo(well Daewoo really) Tarak at desk at front door will look after you to book this. shuttle bus was booked up for the whole of our holiday but they charged 5 euros too. and this only run 3 times a week. rooms are large enough to sleep 4 large walk in shower with good pressure shower for you girls and your hair! (not many coat hangers though) small tipping will get you towel designs everyday from room guy and we tipped our waiter £10 at start of holiday then sat in his area all holiday this ensured you got plenty of wine and beer at meal times as you could wait all night on a drink being offered. had a bit of tummy upsets but I put it down to change of diet (oil used in cooking) and hot sun that us brits not used too certainly wouldn’t point the finger at this hotel the night entertainment is a female singer which becomes boring but as we got up early every morning we were in bed for midnight every night went to hard rock cafe and Mexican in naama bay for dinner Mexican lovely and good price as was hard rock where the waiters give you a laugh at their singing and dancing. don’t worry about going to this hotel I did cause of what I’d read on these forums but there must have been a vast improvement or some people don’t realise that they are living in Egypt not Britain so have to adjust to their ways slightly

You will enjoy this if you want a holiday with loads of sun relaxation and food and drink by the bucket load there is an amphitheatre but only noticed kids discos being held in it and there is a lovely spa with steam room whirlpool baths gym and massage areas two tennis courts also. Nabq Bay is going to be the new naama bay in a year or so I reckon hotels being built all around you so don’t be put off by the views heading to Mirabel as this is a lovely hotel with spotless decor. you wont need beach towels either as you get towel cards for through the day and room towels changed everyday. We never done any trips as we had been last year and stayed in Naama Bay I would consider returning to this hotel next year but I feel the price will have rose by then. The kids club is very German orientated and the German Worldwide Travel reps quite ignorant they lie about like holiday makers most of the day and as if the rule the place.

Have Fun

Cairns is the Beginning

Cairns, Queensland, Australia is a popular holiday destination for international travellers as well as people from all over Australia. It is the gateway the Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics rainforest and hundreds of other natural and cultural wonders, and is the preferred stopping place for cruise ships. The best way to enjoy as much as possible is to find a car hire and drive around. Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is definitely the number one site for visitors to Cairns. The underwater world is simply spectacular with the colours of the coral, reef fish as well as the hundreds of species of marine life to see. Visitors can snorkel or dive to see the underwater sights, or for those who would rather not get wet, there are glass bottom boats that give a glimpse of the wonders. Skyrail. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns gives visitors a chance to travel over the Tropical Rainforest canopy and go deep into the forest. Considered the most beautiful rainforest experience in the world, it is a two and a half hour return journey above the rainforest with stops at Red Peak Station where there is a 175 metre boardwalk at ground level. Visitors fly above the Barron Falls before descending to the next station. Finally, visitors travel over the mountains to the Kuranda Terminal.

Waterfall Circuit

Just two hours from Cairns, which is an easy trip with a car hire, are some spectacular waterfalls. The circuit begins in Milaa Milaa on Theresa Creek Road and goes past three waterfalls. Milaa Milaa is considered the best with one sheet of water falling in a single drop into a clear, shallow pool with tropical rainforest on either side. Chillagoe Caves Visitors can find a car hire and see the Chillagoe Caves. Once a mining town, there is the Chillagoe-Mungana Karst Caves National Park with somewhere between 600 and 1,000 fantastic limestone caves. Along with the caves, the area has abundant wildlife including lots of birds. Visitors walk one kilometre from Chillagoe to the caves to see the stalactites and stalagmites. There is also ancient Aboriginal rock art nearby that is about 3,500 years old at Balancing Rock. Giant kangaroo and wombat fossils as well as the bones of crocodiles have been found in the caves. The Archways is 14 kilometres away and another amazing site.

Entertainment

Cairns also has excellent evening entertainment in bars and restaurants with live music and DJs. Visitors can take sunset cruises on Trinity Inlet and a party cruise to Fitzroy Island. Adventure Australia is famous for adventure tourism and Cairns is no exception. White water rafting down the Barron River for experts and beginners, horseback riding and bumper tube riding for the whole family are just the beginning of the adventures available. The best place for bungy jumping in Australia, Cairns has great facilities. From the first tower built just for bungy jumping to 16 different bungy styles including riding off a roof on a BMX bike. Visitors can go skydiving with beach landings, kayaking, zip lining, parasailing, Jet Skiing and much more.

Cultural Attractions

There is a new Cultural Place in Cairns where visitors can learn the lifestyle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Basket weaving, cooking or painting and much more are just a few of the activities that show the natural and organic way the ancients lived. It is a great learning experience and a lot of fun for the whole family. Visitors can stay for lunch and try Crocodile sausages among other things. The experience is authentic and will never be forgotten. This has been a guest post from the guys at Skedaddle, if you’d like to know more about a Cairns with a car hire, then check out their site, it’s jam packed with destination guides for all over the land down under.

More Holiday Reviews

Dr. H. Saleem Javed B.A.M.S.

Contact Dr Javed at Niramaya Ayurveda Centre

Our holiday pictures and review from our time at the Niramaya Ayurveda Centre are on this page. Follow this link for information about the Niramaya Ayurveda Health Resort

This is where the Ayurveda treatments and massages took place.  We did have some massages at the hotel, a short walk await but found the centre more relaxing and had a more traditional feel to it.  Read the Niramaya sign for treatments.  For the real Indian Ayurveda experience, this centre in Goa is about as good as it gets.

A full medical history is taken by a qualified doctor and massages and treatments are then tailored to individual needs.  A diet sheet is prepared using traditional Ayurvedic methods.  Seemingly small things like whether to give head massages with conditions like asthma are all taken into consideration and an individual treatment plan drawn up.

Dave discusses his progress and ongoing treatment with Dr. Javed while waiting for his next treatment.

This is Radhamani, female Ayurveda therapist.  In Goa you should expect a same-sex therapist as it is illegal for men to massage women and vice versa.  An Ayurveda massage/treatment is extremely thorough.  I like a firm massage and believe men are generally better for this.  However this time I found Radhamani beat all the men without a shadow of a doubt while being tremendously reassuring during medical treatments, much as you would expect a nurse to be.  I had Nasyam treatments which helped enormously with a dreadful cough I have partly from asthma but also from sinus post nasal drip.

And here is Sobin Thomas, my husbands Ayurvedic Therapist.  Dave was very impressed with the treatment he received as he suffer badly with arthritis.  Special attention was paid to this and Dave would very much recommend this to anyone in pain with arthritis.  We will both be going back shortly for more treatment.

Cottages at the Niramaya

Fully equipped with bathroom and air-conditioning.

Path to Bogmalo Beach, literally seconds to the sea.

Niramaya Restaurant

Holiday Resort Reviews

Now  The Taphouse Bar and Restaurant

Annwell Lane
Smisby
Ashby-De-La-Zouch
Leicestershire
LE65 2TA
Tel: 01530 413604

Contact: Mr P A Lathbury

Restaurant within a local pub located in the village of Smisby between Woodville (Swadlincote) and Ashby de la Zouch

Monday to Wednesday nights – Lite Bite menu

Thursday nights – curry night

Friday and Saturday nights – a la carte

Sunday lunch – 3 course meal £7.95

Review of Meal at Annwell Inn Smisby  17/9/2019

First let me say that you can’t fault it for value for money.  I’m a bit odd and I often like 2 starters instead of a main meal.

So our meal order consisted of a prawn platter on the menu with brown bread and butter garlic mushrooms with cream brandy garlic and coriander sauce and garlic toast and cod and chips along with 2 175ml glasses of red wine and a diet coke all for less than £19.

Now this is where I get frustrated.  No you can’t beat it for value for money I have to admit but the Annwell Inn Smisby is so close to being a really good restaurant yet the small things that I feel are important are missing.

The size of the prawn platter was huge about 3 or 4 times the amount in other restaurants/pubs and it was served with a decent amount of lettuce and 2 slices of cucumber.  It would have been far better to have served less prawns and dressed the salad up a little – it doesn’t take much a wedge of lemon a little tomato a sliver of carrot or onion or pepper etc..

Quantity isn’t everything.  It’s not that you could fault the quality of the food just that I would prefer to see those few extra touches even if it cost more.  Another real grouse of mine is when you see something on the menu and they serve something different without mentioning it.  The prawn platter should have been served with brown bread and butter but it came with white maybe no big deal but not all of us like to eat white bread.

The mushrooms were plentiful and very rich although the garlic was raw and the brandy harsh and the garlic toast which I was really looking forward too turned out to be toasted bread rolls unbuttered no garlic.  The pepper mill being empty and falling apart in my hands didn’t help much either.

The cod and chips came with 2 good pieces of fish with peas carrots and broccoli and frankly couldn’t be faulted.  I think the batter is the chefs own made with beer.

The service was friendly but certainly not ‘up-market’ with little gems  offered to the next table like “we ain’t gorr any of them no more” and with our bill “ignore the pencil bits rubbed out -they’re not yours”.  They were very pleasant and helpful though so no complaints there.

Would we go back again.  Yes we certainly would mainly because the Annwell offers excellent value for money.  What makes me sad is that it should do much better than 4 tables at peak time on a Saturday night.  It has the makings of a fine high standard restaurant but just doesn’t quite get there.

Smisby Manor Annwell Lane

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Read more Coral Sea Resort Reviews Below

Worldwide Holiday Travel visited the Coral Sea Resort  28th September 2019 to 12th October.  Our review is detailed here. 

If you are the manager or owner of the Coral Sea Resort or are employed by the Coral Sea we would be happy to include any reply in it’s entirety. 

Review of the 4* Coral Sea Resort Sharm El Sheikh Egypt by Worldwide Holiday Travel  October 2019

Photographs from our visit to the Coral Sea Resort

Surroundings:  Excellent well maintained family oriented hotel running all-inclusive.

Location: On the Beach.  As with most Sharm el Sheikh Hotels distant from the resort which is easily accessible by taxi or shuttle (courtesy of the hotel).

Food:  Good on the whole.  5* in places with plenty of variety.  Don’t expect bacon – this is Egypt – but you will never be short of something to enjoy.  For those who say the food is repetitive I would comment that if you load your plate with every dish available ie chicken beef pasta etc. then yes you might find it a struggle to have something different by the end of the week.  The only criticism is the Italian where the service quick the food boring and we had a very surly waiter.  Considering you pay for drinks here and have to book in advance in my opinion it’s not worth the effort.

Service:  Not 5* certainly but you can tip the waiter a small amount and to serve you if you don’t want to queue for drinks.  Having said that there is never a long wait..  In the restaurant drinks service was acceptable although the waiters here were a little less friendly than in other areas.  Fantastic service from the pool boys especially ‘Bob’ on the beach.  The restaurant service was a little variable this time.  It was excellent last time we stayed.  It was early in Ramadan when we arrived and perhaps staff changeovers affected it.  The second week the service was back to it’s normal pace.  We tipped the towel boy £2 on our first day and he actually offered it back saying he went home in 3 days so he couldn’t look after us all week.

Entertainment:  I would say this was average compared to most similar holidays but it is perhaps the one thing that lets the hotel down.  It’s a shame really as it could be really good. 

First the outside acts a little boring and at least one the Tito Show was repeated both weeks we were there there is only so much male shimmying I can take.

The kiddie’s disco is what you’d expect and the First Choice reps were better than any I’ve seen at keeping the kids entertained and under control when necessary. 

One game of cash bingo each night before the main entertainment with prizes up to £140. 

HOWEVER – they had the most appalling spot between the kids disco and the bingo EVERY NIGHT called ‘Challenge the Entertainer’. Admittedly the kids won more often than not but can you imagine what happens to a 7 year old on the stage sometimes on their own or with a sibling?  Bad enough to lose but to have the entertainers and audience pointing and singing ‘You’re thick you’re thick you are you’re thick’!!!  Really First Choice is that supposed to be entertaining humiliating small children?  We saw at least two in tears when they left the stage.

On a better note the 3 shows we saw over the 2 weeks performed by the First Choice Team were the best we’ve ever seen.  This was largely due to Jamie and Leslie who are very talented and some brilliant choreography.  Erin who I think runs the team actually comes alive when she performs.  I suspect she has been doing it for a while and she seems a bit jaded otherwise.

Room:  As with most of this resort the room was excellent value for money very spacious clean and well equipped with hairdryer toiletries and free safe.  The mini bar is chargeable – a few complaints there from people with kids. We had a sea view and loved being right on the beach.

First Choice:  Waste of time attending the welcome meeting.  When will they wake up to the fact that we want information not a sales talk about over-priced trips.  The first time we went to this resort First Choice sold it as a best for adults.  If you want child free avoid the Coral Sea at all costs.  We complained bitterly to First Choice and got a paltry £50 refund.  Having said that we returned outside the kids holidays and put up with a few kids in return for being at this very well run hotel.

All Inclusive:  Much on a par with other all inclusive facilities although the food is better than most.  The cocktails were infinitely better than the Sol y Mar Mirabel Beach which is supposed to be 5*!

Is it 4*?  Yes it is.  But for the tendency to catering for families it wouldn’t take much for this hotel to be 5*.

Finally:

One of the things I like is that this hotel is exactly what it aims to be – a good 4* all-inclusive family holiday.

It is extremely well managed.  Any minor problems are attended to instantly.  Our air conditioning normally very efficient seemed a bit warm one day.  It was dealt with instantly.

Around reception you will be asked for your comments and these will be taken on board.

Wardrobe space was more than adequate.  Another pet hate of mine is not having enough space but no problems here.

The beds are comfortable and the maid service excellent.

The pools are great and heated when required.  The beach is to die for and compared to the 5* Sol y Mar a few minutes away it doesn’t feel too crowded.  Do take water shoes as the sea if full of coral great for snorkelling not so good on the feet!

Diving:

We can wholeheartedly recommend the diving centre at the Coral Sea.  Try a discover Scuba course or maybe even something a bit more adventurous.  Best to contact them direct though and save yourself 10%.

Red Sea Diving at the Coral Sea Resort.

Would I go back to the Coral Sea Resort?

Absolutely – again and again.

Coral Sea Resort   Their website Coral Sea Resort

Nabq Bay

Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt

Tel: 0020 693 710500

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Location

The resort is approximately 10km. distance from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport taking about 20 minutes to transfer

369 rooms; 3 floors

All Inclusive What’s Included:

• Buffet breakfast lunch and dinner
• All domestic brand alcoholic drinks by the glass including beer wine and spirits and soft drinks between 11am – midnight
• Afternoon tea
• 1 visit to the á la carte restaurant per stay – drinks are payable locally
• Snacks between 11am – noon
• Ice cream for kids between 11am – 3pm

Rooms at the Coral Sea Resort:

• Standard rooms sleep up to 4. Twin beds (extra beds are a sofa bed and fold up bed) bathroom with shower air-conditioning mini-bar* safe satellite TV telephone and hairdryer with garden views.
• Standard rooms with 1 king-size or twin beds bath and balcony or terrace are available at a supplement.
• Standard rooms with 1 king-size or twin beds bath balcony or terrace with sea views are available at a supplement.
• Select rooms with 1 king-size bed facilities as Standard rooms with bath tea & coffee making facilities DVD player bathrobes and balcony or terrace with sea views.
• Select Jacuzzi rooms. Facilities as Select rooms with the added luxury of a Jacuzzi bath.
• Select Jacuzzi Junior Suite. Facilities as Select Jacuzzi rooms with a lounge area.

Sports at the Coral Sea Resort:

• Scuba diving (payable locally)
• Snorkelling (payable locally)
• Tennis court (floodlit payable locally)
• Multi-sports court (payable locally)
• Table tennis (payable locally)
• Beach volleyball

Amenities at the Coral Sea Resort:

• 2 outdoor swimming pools
• 2 children’s pools
• Sun terrace
• Sunbeds & umbrellas – free pool towels
•  2 restaurants (including buffet restaurant and Italian a la carte restaurant reservations required for Italian restaurant)
• Poolside bar
• Beach bar
• Irish style pub
• Shopping arcade (payable locally)
• Internet facilities (payable locally)
• Laundry service (payable locally)
• Amphitheatre
• Kids club
• Fitness centre
• Gym
• Sauna
• Indoor Jacuzzi
• Steam bath (payable locally)
• Spa (payable locally)
• Beauty salon (payable locally)
• Hairdressing salon (payable locally)
• Massage (payable locally)

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Review about Coral Sea Resort

Submitted By: Mr M Sweeney

Overall Rating: 10/10

Comments: Been back in the UK for just over a week and have been sick and had an infection. NOTHING while I was at the Coral Sea Resort tells you something about this country that could be learned from the staff at the resort.

This year was our second time in a row at the Coral Sea and we found it even better than last year we were there when the resort had only recently been finished and a couple of weeks after the bombs in 2018.

This year we brought our two teenage sons with us and we hardly saw them they made friends with others of their age and off they went the staff and shop keepers saw them more often than we did my 15 year old has vowed he will come back to the Coral Sea some day himself.

This was our last holiday away together as a family as he joins the army next year and our youngest is away at army cadet camp next year. My wife and myself had booked to go to Cuba next year but because of the time we had this year we have changed our plans and are returning to the Coral Sea again next year (3 times in a row) we’re not boring we just know quality when we see it taste it and feel it.

From the moment we walked off the bus to the moment we left to come home we were looked after and pampered by a team of staff that aren’t paid enough for what they do.

We have travelled to lots of other places around the world even some 5*s and they don’t compare how a hotel can get a 5* rating in Egypt must be something else.

I have read the other comments about the resort and would respond to the complaints that you were looking for an 18 30 club holiday in the wrong place and that a holiday is what you make it we didn’t go far from the resort last year went to Luxor – long day fantastic guide history and culture blast but 61.5 degrees centigrade was a tad hot for this Englishman even the dogs weren’t that mad.

Dolphinella was the most foul display of animal cruelty I have ever seen. So this year we said chill by the pool and a little snorkelling – the Coral Sea gave us a complementary sunset cruise (no need of tip) was the most beautiful thing we have seen taken to a large dive boat taken to a bay off Ras Mohammed and watched the sunset behind the Sinai Mountains then a lovely 3 course meal after having seen dolphins swimming around us (wild ones) brought back to the Resort – from 4:30 to 10:30 it was fantastic.

We spent every night in the lounge chatting with other guests met Lynn and Billy the Bournville Brummies and their son Nicholas we sat drinking and talking till after midnight and they are going back too can’t be to bad- one minor point the resort doesn’t serve cider in fact nowhere in Egypt apparently but Billy found a stop gap – apple juice and lots of vodka APPLE PICKERS. HOLIDAY IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!!!!

So to Ahmed Walid and Shady in the Bar Miriam and Company in the Dine Around and especially Mohammed in Booking – thanks for a great time and see you next year

More Coral Sea Resort Reviews:

We heartily recommend you try the Coral Sea Resort and do email us if you want to ask about anything but if these reviews of the Coral Sea Resort have changed your mind about booking this resort for your holiday you make like to think about alternatives by visiting our Egypt page.

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Read more Cynthiana Beach Paphos Reviews Below

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Review about Cynthiana Beach Paphos

Paphos: Cynthiana Beach Hotel: “Cynthiana Delight!”

Jul 14, 2019: A TripAdvisor Member, Tonteg, Pontypridd

If you like a quiet base from which to explore the island, or are content with stunning views and tranquitliy but not too far away from the “life” then the Cynthiana is in a perfect setting.

The situation of the hotel is superb. Just a short walk from the main road, but once you get there you could think you are miles from traffic etc. To the right of thhe main road you can travel into Paphos for life and action, and to the left drive to the mountains and villages which are very under developed and beautiful.

The 2 pool areas are great with the main pool overlooking the private lagoon, beach bar and the sea. The grounds are green and lush for those that dont want chlorine or sand – there really is something for everyone. Plenty of sunbeds, so no need to get up early to save one!

The whole of the hotel is immaculatley clean, and room service daily giving fresh towels.

The staff are all friendly and you get a warm welcome when you arrive.

Some brochures rate the hotel as 4 star, but even though it is a fab place it is not luxurious so I would give it an excellent 3 star.

I cant speak highly enough about the location or cleanliness of this place – Ideal!

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If these reviews of the Cynthiana Beach Paphos have changed your mind about booking this resort for your holiday, you make like to think about alternatives by visiting our Cyprus page.

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