Albatros makadi resort — Hotel in Makadi Bay

After a transfer of approximately one hour from Hurghada Airport, we finally arrived at Albatros Makadi. The coach stopped in front of the hotel and we, five or six families, got off eagerly to start our vacation. However, from the very first minutes, our enthusiasm was tempered by a hard-to-forget scene.Check-in with “chicken”Before actually reaching the reception, a hotel employee, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed (probably an informal accommodation coordinator), stopped us at the door and began shouting repeatedly “chicken, chicken!” A moment of collective confusion: we thought it was a culinary offer, but in reality, it was a mispronunciation of the word “check-in.” Although there were five employees available at the reception, this gentleman insisted that only he had the right to do the check-ins, instantly forming a pointless queue.We chose to hand over our passports and head straight to the restaurant, as we had no intention of wasting an hour in the lobby waiting for just one person.Camp-like architecture, not resort styleThe complex is made up of several low-rise blocks, each with ten apartments, featuring an austere, almost Spartan architecture. The lack of decorative elements or any hint of refinement makes everything resemble more a refugee camp.. Not a drop of exoticism, not a detail that evokes “vacation.”Cold pools, playful lifeguards, and zero thermal comfortIn theory, the hotel has several pools. In practice, only one is heated (up to 27°C), and that one is constantly occupied by children. The other pools are cold, nearly unusable in spring months. At one of them, the lifeguard – instead of ensuring the safety of tourists – preferred to play ball with the children in the middle of the pool. Relaxation? Only if you leave the area.Beautiful beach, but off-limitsThe hotel beach is long and well-maintained, but access to the water is seriously limited. Half of the area is occupied by the kitesurfing zone, and the athletes speed dangerously close to the tourists. The lack of clear demarcation measures turns a walk along the shore into a tense experience: if you’re not careful, you could become the scene of an accident, and an inattentive kitesurfer’s board could end your vacation prematurely.Poorly trained and inhospitable staffAnother major downside: the staff. lots of staff, but very little training and almost zero friendliness.For example, at the beach bar, after waiting in line, I ordered an apple juice and drank it quickly because I was very thirsty. Remaining nearby, I naturally poured the rest of the juice from the carton into my glass. At that moment, Mr. Ibrahim reacted harshly, looking at me with hostility as if I had committed theft, and tried to start a scandal, inciting other customers in line against me.It was very close to becoming an actual lynching.This episode, although seemingly trivial, says a lot about the tense atmosphere and growing lack of empathy in crowded places. Every gesture is met with suspicion, and good faith seems, at times, to be a vanishing species. Perhaps it’s time we ask ourselves not just what we consume, but how we consume each other.Plenty of restaurants, but no culinary identityThe resort boasts five themed restaurants, but only two (seafood and steak) offer a distinct experience – and the steakhouse only by reservation. The others are basically variations of the same canteen, with generic food and fancy names: “Italian,” “Oriental,” “Asian.” None of them convey any real culinary identity, and the tastes are uniform and sometimes lacking freshness.Nonfunctional aquapark and Monte Carlo prices for shoppingThe aquapark, located at the resort entrance, looks more abandoned than functional. Closed slides, unarranged areas, and a few adjacent shops with prices easily competing with Monaco. The vendors – often aggressive – quote prices “from their gut,” with no tags, no receipts, in an improvised but humorless manner.Evenings end at 10, just like the energyEvening entertainment is weak to almost non-existent. Around 10:00 PM, the entire resort seems to...

At first glance, the hotel appears to have great potential. The layout, the impressive 16 pools, and the luxurious entrance hall create a promising first impression. However, I regret to say that this is not a 5-star resort by any standard.

We arrived at the hotel after 4 a.m.—well past our expected midnight arrival. There was no warm welcome; instead, we were immediately asked for our passports. When I politely requested some water or juice, the receptionist directed me to the bar downstairs. At that hour, after a long journey, it was incredibly disappointing not to be offered even a simple refreshment during check-in.

Staff shortages were evident throughout our stay. Whether at the reception, during breakfast, at the beach lunch area, or at the lounge bar, we constantly had to wait for service.

Our room was spacious, but comfort and amenities fell far short of expectations. The mattress and pillows were uncomfortably firm. The bathroom featured a plastic soap dispenser reminiscent of a budget hotel. The light above the makeup mirror didn’t work, toilet paper wasn’t refilled, and the tile work was subpar—with missing mortar in several areas. The toilet brush and bin were corroded and unhygienic. The tissue box was a basic supermarket pack instead of a more fitting design. Moreover, there were no toothbrush, cotton pads, or cotton buds, just soap and shampoos.

The sunbeds were basic, and many pools were too shallow or too cold for swimming. The quadricycles were a great idea in theory, but poorly executed—several were damaged, and we spent significant time trying to locate them due to staff misinformation.

The beach was another letdown. It was littered with jellyfish, debris, and rubbish. It is the hotel’s responsibility to keep the beach clean.

Regarding the food: I understand tastes vary, but the quality was simply not up to par. With the exception of croissants, pita bread, and some cheese, most options were disappointing.

The best dining experience was at the Asian restaurant, where the salmon with rice was excellent. However, choices were limited, vegetables were over-grilled, and the Thai/Indian chicken was deep-fried and overly salty. The desserts across the board were flavorless, and on multiple occasions, I noticed half-eaten pastries in the buffet—an alarming hygiene issue that should be monitored by the F&B manager.

The spa experience was another major disappointment. I booked a two-hour treatment, but no one informed me the spa was under construction. I was allowed only 10 minutes each in the sauna and hammam. While the soap massage was excellent, the overall environment was chaotic, with construction noise and workers milling about. This completely ruined the relaxing atmosphere one expects in a spa.

The shops inside the hotel were also problematic. No prices were displayed.

The most distressing part of our stay occurred on the first day. After returning from the pool, I found our room locked with a letter instructing me to report to reception immediately. Still wet and wearing a sarong, I tried calling reception, but no one answered. I had to walk across the resort with my child in swimwear—a deeply uncomfortable and humiliating situation.

The issue turned out to be an administrative discrepancy: the hotel considered my child an adult due to a one-month difference in age, while most hotels would have classified them as a child. As a result, the hotel demanded over 90% more than the amount I had paid for the week. The handling of this situation was completely unacceptable—lacking transparency, sensitivity, and flexibility. Discussing such a matter in front of a child was both unprofessional and distressing.

Despite losing two days due to flight schedules and using very few of the resort’s facilities, the hotel manager repeatedly pressured me for additional payment.

The lack of basic service, comfort, communication, and courtesy was shocking. I expected a 5-star resort experience and was instead met with disorganization, poor maintenance, and a lack of...

Reception & First Impressions

Upon arrival, the reception area immediately set the tone for a five-star stay. The space was exceptionally clean, tastefully decorated, and beautifully presented — exactly what one would expect from a resort of this standard. The reception staff were friendly, professional, and eager to help. Check-in was efficient, with paperwork processed quickly and without unnecessary delays.

Bars & Drinks

The resort’s bars and drinks were decent, offering an adequate selection. While not particularly outstanding, they were satisfactory for a casual holiday experience.

Food & Dining Experience

This was, unfortunately, one of the resort’s weaker points. While some dishes stood out, much of the food lacked flavor and variety. Many options were bland and repetitive, which diminished the dining experience.

A particular disappointment was the Steakhouse Restaurant. Given that it required a seven-night stay to book, we expected an exclusive, set-menu fine dining experience. Instead, it operated as an open buffet, which stripped away much of the anticipated luxury and exclusivity.

Desserts were another letdown. The selection was limited, repetitive, and often lacking in taste. The only memorable sweets came from the oriental section, where traditional desserts were more flavorful and satisfying.

Rooms & Amenities

The rooms were a highlight of our stay — modern, spotless, and well-maintained. We were pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful touches: festive balloon decorations, complimentary fresh fruit, and even a two-liter bottle of Coca-Cola provided free of charge. These details added a warm, welcoming atmosphere that made our stay more special.

Activities & Facilities

Snorkeling at the resort was simply incredible — a truly unforgettable experience with vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters.

The pools were excellent, offering both heated and cooled options, as well as jacuzzi areas. Multiple bars were conveniently located around the poolside, and lifeguards were always present. Their training and attentiveness ensured a safe environment, particularly for children, making the resort very family-friendly.

The aquapark was another standout feature. The water slides were thrilling, well-maintained, and added an exciting dimension to the stay, providing hours of entertainment for both adults and children.

Overall Impression

Pickalbatros Makadi in Hurghada delivers a largely excellent resort experience, with beautiful facilities, friendly service, and memorable activities — particularly snorkeling, pools, and the aquapark. The rooms are outstanding, with thoughtful hospitality touches.

However, the resort’s culinary offerings fall short of the five-star standard, with limited variety, bland flavors, and underwhelming desserts. The Steakhouse’s buffet format was a missed opportunity for a truly elevated dining experience.

Final Verdict: A wonderful holiday destination for families and leisure seekers, with the potential to be exceptional if the food quality and variety...