Stella Makadi & Spa
Makadi Bay, Egypt

Mr L Sands, Ellesmere Port

My wife and I stayed at the hotel last year and decided to try it again as we were so impressed - this time for 3 weeks. Everything was as good as last time but the reservation system for the A La Carte restaurants had been replaced with 'first come first served'. We did use the Italian, Italian buffet and Lebanese but the method is frustrating. For example:- Queue at one restaurant, fail to get a table, go to another join queue and fail to get a table. This happened to us and an Italian couple one night and I arranged to see guest relations and we were informed the system was under review. It requires a central reservation system for all restaurants so that guests know where they are dining in the evening.
On this visit the occupancy was very high and it was not as relaxed in the main restaurant but the food was fine and varied. Dress code has been relaxed, so long trousers for men is no longer required in the buffet or A La Carte restaurants.
Rooms were large and comfortable with good air-conditioning. A litre and a half of water is placed in the room fridge every day.
The pools were good but loungers are claimed very early in the day - we used the beach from early in the day as this proved to be the best time to snorkel from the jetty.
The grounds and gardens are kept very tidy.
All the staff are friendly and helpful - a smile and hello goes a long way.
Entertainment is pretty basic but the animation team work hard. Sax players with backing tracks was normal in the air-conditioned main bar where queuing was never too bad but the constant flow of people including children raiding the self-serve soft drinks machine could send you dizzy as you relaxed.
Overall a good holiday.