Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort — Hotel in Makadi Bay

There is a lot to like about this hotel but there are a few things that need improvement if it is truly going to be worthy of calling itself a 5 star hotel. I was intrigued before we arrived at seeing the 4.9 star google review because for a hotel to reach such a level, it must be near perfect. Having stayed here for 10 nights, I question the validity of some for these reviews. It’s a lovely hotel, it is nowhere near worthy of 4.9 stars out of 5 though.

First of all the the good points: The location is fantastic if a quiet family holiday is what you’re after. The hotel is essentially linked to around 10 other hotels in the area of makadi bay and forms quite a large resort essentially and they all share services. The beach is shared with each hotel being allocated its own little section. There is a market in the middle of the resort which has maybe 25/30 different shops including a supermarket for anything you need to pick up. There is a shared gym also which is handy. The hotel itself is probably the quietest hotel I have ever stayed in, in a good way. I have never been somewhere and been able to get a sun lounger at any time of day. Also, because of how relatively few people there are here, The restaurant isn’t crowded and you never have to wait to be seated. Never have to wait more than 30 seconds for a drink. This makes the whole experience very relaxing if that’s what you want. The drinks are good quality and they taste like how they should. Ie. The cocktails aren’t overwhelmed by too much alcohol, they actually taste nice. Which isn’t always the case in all inclusive hotels. The food however was nowhere near as nice as expected. Breakfast isn’t great but the evening meal is awful, virtually no variety and I spent the week living on a lot of very similar foods every night. The lunch is better than most all inclusives I’ve been too and it is the meal of the day with most choice I’d say. A lot of option - burgers, hot dogs, chips, chicken nuggets, chicken shawarma, pasta, pizza, waffles, crepes, ice cream. It’s really good.

The service from each member of staff here is impeccable, the barmen , the restaurant staff, the room cleaners, the receptionists …all amazing. And it makes a big difference in how luxurious the hotel feels.

Our biggest complaint about the hotel having said all this is the completely unnecessary over the top life guards who blow their whistle at any child who appears to be having fun in the pool. You will hear a whistle go off about once every 10 seconds from 10am Till 6pm. This actually spoils the fun of being in the pool and it makes it incredibly annoying for anyone trying to sunbathe and relax because they have to hear it too. it actually feels some days when the pool is quite empty, that you’re being over watched by prison guards, ready to pounce and tell you off for doing virtually anything. This needs to be sorted out because if you’re going to let kids stay at your hotel and not call it an adults only hotel, you are going to have to let kids splash around and have fun in the pool or you will annoy a lot of parents during their stays.

Overall though this a great hotel. Wouldn’t say 5 stars, more like 4 but it is very peaceful and quiet and I’d recommend here to friends...

We really enjoyed our trip, thanks to the food, entertainment, and the water park. That said, there are a few areas that could be improved.

Resort Grounds The gardens are beautifully designed, well-located, and very safe. Everything is easily accessible, making it ideal for families.

Entertainment The entertainment team was excellent and very welcoming. We looked forward to the daily shows and especially loved the street party.

Food The food in the restaurants was very nice and changed daily. Desserts were hit or miss. Both main restaurants get very busy at breakfast and dinner times, so expect a wait. The food at the pool was nice as well. We especially liked the freshly made crepes.

Water Park & Pools The shuttle to the water park runs every 30 minutes and takes around 10 minutes. It can get crowded, and standing is often required. The water park was the highlight of our stay—we went five times during our seven-day trip. Great slides and a heated pool. The pools also had bars and food stands, which were convenient.

Beach The beach is about a 10-minute walk away, with plenty of sunbeds, a bar, and food available.

Room & Facilities Rooms were cleaned daily. Please note: the minibar is not free.

WiFi was reliable across the resort, beach, and water park—strongest near the Aquaviva Hotel. There was a six-hour outage during our stay, but it was resolved.

Staff Shout-Outs Some staff members really stood out and deserve recognition: • Walid (kids’ pool water park) • Tayab (pool bar) • Nabil (water park security) • Ahmed (t-shirt shop near the shisha bar) • The main chef who made us omelettes every morning. Please see the photo. • Biz (entertainment team) • Ashraf (room cleaner) …and many others whose names I can’t recall.

Needs Improvement • Service near the shisha bar (during shows): This was a consistent issue. One night, it took over an hour to get water after asking twice. I also waited 45 minutes for tea, which I eventually had to collect myself. This happened almost daily—sometimes you get served, other times you wait endlessly. Drinks often arrived separately, or not at all. It's faster to go to the bar yourself.

• Shopkeepers: Some were overly persistent, especially since our room was near the shops. Most were friendly, but a few were best avoided. Prices were typical—on the expensive side.

• Review Requests: On our first day, Ninja from the entertainment team asked us to review the hotel and wanted to take a photo of the review. We declined as it was too early. He asked again a few days later, but we said we'd review after returning home.

• Room Condition: The room was dated—old tiles, a noisy fridge that we had to turn off very night, and curtains that didn’t close properly. We booked for three people but only had two beds and a couch. See photo. Reception quickly brought an extra bed when we asked.

• À la carte Booking: This process was frustrating. You get one free booking, but the system always showed restaurants as “closed.” Anytime you check, Reception did assist, but booked us into a seafood restaurant by mistake, which...

A Perfect Family Getaway at Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort

Our stay at the Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort has been nothing short of spectacular, and it’s the perfect destination for families looking to relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories.

From the moment we arrived, the resort's staff made us feel incredibly welcome. Their attention to detail and genuine warmth set the tone for our entire stay. The check-in process was smooth, and we were quickly escorted to our room, which was spacious, immaculately clean, and well-equipped with everything we could need. The balcony overlooking the gardens was a lovely touch.

Dining: The food at the Jaz Makadi Saraya is exceptional. Breakfast offers a fantastic range, from custom omelettes to fresh fruit and hearty fry-ups, catering to every taste. The Saraya food court by the pool serves delicious burgers, chips, and snacks all day, which the kids absolutely loved. For healthier options, there’s always fresh fruit and salads available. The variety and quality of food are truly impressive, and the staff’s service is impeccable, ensuring everyone is well looked after.

Facilities: The pool areas are stunning, with plenty of sun loungers and shaded spots, and the pools themselves are clean and inviting. The animation team does a phenomenal job keeping everyone entertained throughout the day, with activities for all ages. From pool games to evening shows, they go above and beyond to make sure guests have fun.

The resort’s private beach is another highlight. With designated areas for each hotel, it feels exclusive and never overcrowded. The snorkelling here is out of this world—our kids were amazed by the vibrant marine life on the reef just a short swim from the shore. For those who prefer to relax, the beach bar and snack bar offer everything from custom pizzas to refreshing drinks.

Staff: The staff truly make the Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort stand out. From the housekeeping team to the waiters and the entertainment staff, everyone is friendly, attentive, and eager to ensure guests have a fantastic experience. They were brilliant with the kids, which made our stay even more enjoyable.

Entertainment: Evenings at the resort are a delight, with live music and shows that appeal to all ages. One night, we enjoyed a live Cuban band in the lobby bar, which was the perfect way to wind down after a busy day.

Location: Situated in Makadi Bay, the resort offers easy access to a beautiful beach while being just a short taxi ride from Hurghada’s airport. The location is peaceful yet convenient, allowing guests to explore the surrounding area or simply relax within the resort.

Overall: Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort is a gem, offering the perfect balance of relaxation, fun, and adventure. It’s clear that the team here takes immense pride in providing a five-star experience, and they certainly succeeded. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends, or as a family, this resort has everything you could want and more.

We’ve loved every moment of our stay and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable...