Safaga Road, Makadi Bay, Egypt | (618) 248-8274
Adults-only, beachfront resort with all-inclusive rates
Beautiful Moorish-influenced architecture and well-maintained grounds
Contempoary rooms have comfortable beds and serene decor
Balconies, lounge areas, minibars, and flat-screen TVs come standard
Suites with private pools or whirlpools and living areas available
Outdoor pools, sports facilities, and snorkeling opportunities
Multiple restaurants offer buffet spreads, and Spanish and Asian cuisines
Several bars, including poolside and lobby spots
Extensive spa menu with excellent treatments
Poolside service includes sunglass cleaning, face masks, and snacks
Guests can access facilities at other nearby properties but not vice-versa
Spa undergoing renovations as of summer 2019
Lots of additional food and drink charges despite all-inclusive policy
Tiles in pools are broken or missing
Vendors are allowed to sell goods around the pool area
Gym costs extra and some equipment is in need of repair
Free Wi-Fi is only available in some public areas
Extra charge for evening entertainment and access to some facilities
Arguably the jewel in the Makadi Bay crown, the 280-suite upscale and adults-only Makadi Spa Hotel is the most polished of the Red Sea properties grouped in this seaside complex. The suite-style rooms are all modern, serene, and spacious, featuring air-conditioning, furnished outdoor spaces – some with sea views – and big bathrooms with tubs and separate showers. Upgraded suites offer private pools. Extensive features include outdoor pools and a beach with loungers, a full-service spa, sports facilities, and snorkeling. However, the gym, evening entertainment, and tennis require an extra charge, as does in-room Wi-Fi. There are numerous restaurants and bars on-site, including a few buffet eateries, Asian and Italian a la carte spots, and a coffee and pastry cafe. Be aware that the spa undergoing renovations as of summer 2019. As this hotel is adults-only, families with kids in tow should consider the Sunwing Waterworld Makadi Hotel next door.
What Are the Design and Scene Like at The Makadi Spa Hotel?
Adults-only beachfront resort with a full-service spa, elegant Moorish design, and mediocre all-inclusive package.
Makadi Spa Hotel, like Makadi Bay’s other Red Sea properties, is designed with beautiful Moorish-inspired architecture, which is set off to its best advantage at night, when the lights illuminate the detailing and beautifully maintained gardens. Public areas have elegant, neutral-tone decor, and lots of carved accents. The property stretches out toward the sea, with multiple outdoor pools – including an infinity pool -- poolside dining, and palm trees and other tropical plants adding color to the resort landscape. Guests of Makadi Spa gain access to the complex’s other hotels and their facilities, but it’s not reciprocal. This creates a feeling of serenity that’s preserved even in the middle of the complex. Due to the adults-only policy, the hotel overwhelmingly attracts couples. It’s worth noting that while the hotel claims to be all-inclusive, there are many extra charges for both food, drinks, and access to facilities such as tennis courts and the gym.
Where Is The Makadi Spa Hotel Located?
Situated within Makadi Bay along the Red Sea
The Makadi Spa Hotel is located on Makadi Bay along the Red Sea, inside of a complex with other hotels that guests gain access to, including The Makadi Palace Hotel and The Grand Makadi Hotel. There’s a resort mall just a few minutes away on foot with a pharmacy, and while the shops tend to be a bit overpriced (and guests report pricing changing day to do), there are also more dining and drinking options (not included in the all-inclusive rate). Hurghada International Airport is about a 35-minute drive away, and the hotel offers a shuttle to the airport that guests find convenient, though it costs extra. Makadi Bay Aqua Park is a 12-minute drive.
What Are Rooms Like at The Makadi Spa Hotel?
Elegant, contemporary rooms have furnished balconies, separate tubs and showers, and flat-screen TVs, but no free Wi-Fi.
All of the rooms here are suites, with either adjacent lounge spaces or separate living rooms. They’re all elegant and contemporary, with distressed light-wood furniture, neutral tones, and marble floors. Moorish-inspired architecture is seen in carved-wood headboards and there’s pretty pottery. Excellent amenities include furnished balconies or terraces with either pool, sea, or garden views. Another highlight are the bathrooms, which all haveseparate bathtubs and showers, as well as hairdryers and toiletries. Also standard are comfy beds, safes, flat-screen TVs (although limited English channels), and minibars with water and soft drinks only (restocked daily). Unfortunately, in-room Wi-Fi requires a fee. Guests can also upgrade to suites with huge balconies, hot tubs, and private plunge pools.
What Restaurants and Bars Are at The Makadi Spa Hotel?
Tons of buffet and a la carte restaurants, including Italian and Asian, plus multiple bars, but not all are part of the all-inclusive package.
There’s a wide range of restaurants on-site for guests, with over a dozen places to eat and drink. However, keep in mind that not all of them are part of the all-inclusive plan. Food is overall well-regarded, with a few exceptional standouts. Dining options range from standard buffet-style restaurants to pan-Asian, Spanish,Italian, and seafood a la carte eateries – the Asian, seafood, and steakhouse restaurants are particular favorites. There’s also the option to dine at some of the other properties or head to the nearby Makadi Mall for further (though out-of-pocket) restaurant options. A few guests report that men don’t adhere to the long-pants dress code in the restaurants where one is enforced.
Despite the all-inclusive policy at the hotel, some bars and restaurants are not included in this package. For example, at the ice cream parlor, some flavors are free and others are not. At some purportedly all-inclusive restaurants, guests still find themselves paying for drinks. Spirits are local and the mixers are branded. As a result, the bars that do have drinks as part of the all-inclusive service tend to be far busier than the ones that do charge.
What Features are Available at The Makadi Spa Hotel?
Lovely outdoor pools, a small and rocky beach, and massage services, plus some facilities for a fee.
The Makadi Spa Hotel has a large main pool and a well-sized infinity pool overlooking the beach. While the pools are attractive and surrounded by ample umbrella-shaded loungers and greenery, several guests report broken or loose tiles. Also surprising is that vendors are allowed to sell goods around the pool, and they can be a bit pushy. On the upside, staff around the pool area are on hand to clean sunglasses, deliver drinks, and offer snacks, and even provide cucumber face masks.
The private beach belonging specifically to Makadi Spa is a bit small and very rocky, so beach shoes are suggested. Guests can also access the larger, sandier private beaches of the other Makadi properties and snorkel at the reef near The Grand Makadi Hotel, about a 10-minute walk away.
Rather surprisingly, the actual spa is under construction as of summer 2019. Treatments take place in beach huts, although past guests report that the massages are excellent. There are also a hot tub and hammam available for guests to use.
There’s little to do at the property itself in terms of entertainment or animation programming, as the focus here is on relaxing and having a restful holiday. However, guests are welcome to wander over to other properties to catch some music or a show. Snorkeling is free, but access to the tennis courts, fitness center, and business center require extra fees.
Wi-Fi is only free in some public areas, including the lobby and pool bar. Parking at the resort is free.