The Makadi Spa Hotel

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.