👳🏾♂️ Salem’s Take: A Botanical Maze
If you love plants more than you love people, you will adore Makadi Palace. The grounds are insane—it's like staying inside a botanical garden that just happens to have a hotel in it.
It is grand, Moorish, and visually stunning. The architecture makes you feel like you are in an Aladdin movie. However, it is not brand new. It has that "classic luxury" feel, which means some corners are a bit tired, but the charm makes up for it.
Why It’s A Photographer's Dream
The Gardens
They are lush, manicured, and endless. You can get lost walking from the lobby to the beach, but it's a beautiful way to get lost.
Moorish Rooms
The rooms feature domed ceilings and dark wood furniture. It feels very authentic Egyptian, not like a generic IKEA showroom.
Coral Reef
Makadi Bay is famous for its corals, and the house reef here is accessible via a jetty. It's teeming with fish.
Detailed Assessment
✅ The Good Stuff
- Architecture: It is genuinely beautiful. The domes, the arches, the lighting at night—it's magical.
- Pools: The pool landscape is huge and winds through the gardens. Plenty of quiet corners.
- Access: You often get access to the Grand Makadi next door, doubling your restaurant options.
❌ The Reality Check
- WiFi: Historically weak. Do not expect to stream Netflix in your room easily. It's a place to disconnect.
- Steps: The resort is huge and not very flat. Lots of walking and some stairs. Not ideal if you have bad knees.
35km from Hurghada Airport
Makadi Bay is a bit of a drive. A standard taxi might overcharge you significantly for this distance.
Pre-book a transfer to avoid the "Airport Haggling Olympics".
Common Questions (FAQ)
Is the beach sandy?
The beach area is sandy for sunbathing, but the water entry has coral rocks. You really need water shoes, or use the jetty to jump past the reef.
Is it good for kids?
Yes, they have a kids' club and pools, but the vibe is slightly more relaxed/couples-oriented than the loud water park hotels nearby.
What is the "Joker" bar?
Ah, the famous Joker bar. It's the outdoor sports bar located between the hotels. Great for a beer and football matches.
Experience the Palace
Sometimes they offer "Junior Suite" upgrades for very little extra. It is worth checking.
Check Rates & availability 🕌(Direct Affiliate Link)