Stella Gardens Resort Makadi Bay - 24 HRS All Inclusive

The one real downside was the poolside staff approaching us every day to sell spa treatments, activities, and salon services. I understand they have a job to do, but when we said no, they should have stopped. We felt hassled enough that we chose to sit by the waterpark just to avoid them. Apart from that, our family of five had a great time. We had two connecting rooms, spacious and with two bathrooms, and the grounds and pools were consistently clean. The waterpark was fantastic and spotless, and the lifeguards were very watchful. The staff were lovely, attentive, friendly, and respectful, and we all felt safe and comfortable. The all-inclusive food wasn’t the best we’ve had, but there was nothing wrong with it, there was plenty of choice, and none of us got ill. I’m not sure where the bad reviews come from. We’d just returned from this fantastic hotel, where our children were 16, 13, and 5.

The room was comfortable and clean, and the pool was spacious, tidy, and good for both relaxing and having fun. The food was delicious, with lots of variety and better quality than I expected. Every night, the bar entertainment and dancing made for a really enjoyable atmosphere. I had a fantastic stay from beginning to end and would gladly come back. I’d recommend this hotel for a great vacation.

I’d spend my money somewhere else and save a little more for a better hotel. The food was a 2/10 without hesitation. Meat was always dry, desserts tasted nearly the same regardless of type, and even the fries and basic potatoes were badly cooked. Drinks were just as disappointing. Soda arrived warm and flat, while bottled beer was the only consistently good option. Don’t ask for sparkling water, either: they served carbonated tap water, and I was in the bathroom for a few days afterward. Reception was extremely slow and gave little information. Nobody explained the hotel or its activities, or told us about the beach shuttle. Staff were usually nice, but awkward or unpleasant interactions were common. At dinner, I asked several employees for a drink, was ignored, then eventually got something completely different from what I’d ordered. I won’t return.

The only good thing about this terrible hotel is the aquapark. The food is awful, the staff are incredibly rude, and for what it offers, the price is far too high. 2000 Egyptian pounds per night would be fair. The place is so huge that walking from reception or the restaurant to your room can take half an hour, and you get stuck in traffic. The shuttle runs very infrequently and only at limited times. My key didn’t work. When I asked room service to unlock the door, they said they didn’t know whether I’d been there before and told me to go to reception. That meant a half-hour trip each way, and they were incredibly rude. Things I ordered never arrived, whether it was a fork and knife while eating or water for my room. After three hours, the water still hadn’t come. I kept calling, and the answer was always a calm, indifferent “Yes, sir.” At the bar I ordered two drinks for myself and a friend. I asked for more sauce, and the employee said, “I already have more, sir. Besides, you ordered two.” When I asked what he meant, he said he meant he’d ordered more than he was supposed to. After I explained, he didn’t apologize and said, “I’m supposed to smile at you here, and you can do whatever you want.” It seems clear to me that the way the hotel treats its workers is taking a psychological toll, based on what I saw. The atmosphere was awful. Don’t waste your money.