Le Meridien Makadi Bay Hotel

The worst holiday I have ever had! This hotel is definitely NOT 5*.
The food was terrible and I was very ill, as was my husband. Indeed all of the English people we spoke to said that at least one of their party had been ill. It was also reported that some guests had been taken to hospital on drips! Choice was very limited, chicken, chicken or chicken (for both lunch and dinner). How many ways can you serve up chicken we wondered?
As well as suffering from a severe upset tummy and having to spend a day and a half in bed, I also developed a throat infection. All this in the space of just a week! I'm still ill now. So if you value your health DON'T GO.
Accommodation was also very poor. We were put in a Dunne Room which was so far away from the hotel we had to be transported to and from the hotel to our room. (This was really dreadful when I was feeling so ill.) Eventually, after suffering for more than two days, they agreed to move us to a room at the main complex, which was better but still not up to acceptable 5* standards.
The Hotel has simply outgrown its facilities. Everywhere there were queues - or people just pushing their way in (especially the Russians). You had to line up with your plate just like you were back having school dinners (except the food wasn't as good as school dinners). Bar staff tended to ignore you, giving priority to washing glasses or re-stocking shelves rather than getting on and serving you. The staff were generally overworked and appeared to be frightened of losing their jobs.
Drinks in the Mini bar were rationed to just I small bottle of Coke, Fizzy Orange and 7-Up every other day. We were also supplied with a litre bottle of water every other day where the seal was already broken, indicating that the water had been refilled from some unknown source. (Possibly the source of all the tummy upsets!)
This hotel defines a new meaning for AI. If you want a holiday were food, accommodation and service are Altogether Inferior then this is the place for you. I, most certainly, will NEVER return.

This hotel is only worth a 2* rating not 4* as stated food hygiene was very poor 80%
were Russian 20% English and most English were ill with sickness and diarrhea.
We are home now and still suffering we have been to Egypt 3 times never had a problem before. Rooms were ok we had a lagoon view large room but poorly maintained, staff were excellent beaches were good; we would never go back to that hotel if it was free.

We booked a last minute week 50% off and really enjoyed our holiday. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Hotel was clean and efficient. Food was plentiful, Our room was lovely, which was a bonus after reading other reviews (we were a bit apprehensive).
The restaurants on site which were not part of all inclusive but we decided to try just to be waited on for a change, were over priced so stick with the all inclusive and eat what you like.
Loads of people had jippy tummies and had the runs but that’s Egypt or just different food so take diacalm or get something there. If you see a good deal then book it you won't regret it. We would definitely go again if we saw another bargain.

The hotel is huge! We have no complaints about the size of the hotel or even the size of the room.
There is a range of things to do in the hotel such as swimming (pools inside and out), table tennis, a ride on the hotel tram or even just lie on the beach seeing as the beach is literally on the hotel.
The food was reasonable; we didn't get any stomach trouble in which Egypt is known for. There was always something to eat including a wide range of salads, breads and rolls.
Being Asian is a major problem, we found was one question they ask you anywhere and everywhere you go including in the hotel which is where are you from?
It gets on your nerves seeing as thousands of people are asking the same question over and over.
They have never seen any other race or religion, so I warn you to be prepared to ignore people, even though it may seem rude because manners and politeness outside the hotel do not exist.
Hurghada is a 30 minute drive away by the hotel shuttle. They charge you 40 Egyptian pounds but I advise that you take a taxi from the hotel if you are a family of 4.
Whilst going to the town centre there is not much around except lots of sand! It does seem like you are in the middle of no where. Instead of the hassle of going to Hurghada town centre, its better to go to Sinbad where there is a proper shopping mall with set prices.
In Sinbad people tend to leave you alone and let you do what you want. Also, there is a McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut.
Another thing is on the airport people ask you for 2 British Pounds for a trolley. But BEWARE, the real price is 2 Egyptian pounds which is the same a 20 British pence.
For your visa you must only pay 10 British pounds. Do not pay any more than that seeing as some people are asked for £12 or £13.
You do not need to give the people that put your luggage on the coach any money, neither do you need to give the driver any money, even if they ask for it but you can give them money out of your own goodwill.

Lovely resort, please do not take any notice of negative reviews about this hotel.
Very clean and rooms were spacious, plenty of choice for food, couldn't fault it at all.
Lovely clean beach and plenty of loungers to lay on whatever time of day, staff were very helpful and friendly, one of our best holidays.
Booked for 2 weeks but was able to stay in Luxor for the last 4 days to see sights at just an extra £25.00 for the both of us (transfer charge) hotel was only half board as opposed to all inclusive, but it was well worth it.
If you travel with cosmos and are staying for 2 weeks ask Atef the cosmos rep and he will arrange for you.

Well firstly I would like to say this is the first and last visit we will be making to this hotel.
It is most definitely not a 5*. We are well travelled and stayed in many 4* AI hotels all over the world from Mexico to Lanzarote and I would not feed the food served in the "canteen" to my dog.
I have to agree with some comments the staff in the hotel were out of this world and deserve 5*'s but that is the only good comment I have to say.
Hurghada is an up and coming resort with a lot of building work going on so be careful on the hotel you choose. In my opinion it would be better to leave it to the Russian guests for at least 12 months. Let them do what they do best, drown themselves in Vodka day and night.
The only thing I am glad about, is that this is not the first AI hotel we have stayed in, as I would never do it again if it was.
In the 4* hotels we have stayed in you have a good selection of food both hot and cold and also the chance to dine in the Al a Carte restaurants once or twice for each week of your stay free of charge but not in this one. You have to pay for each visit.
If you have already booked this hotel and are travelling soon the only advice I can give you is to have a late lunch in the Italian restaurant as the food is not so bad in here and is cooked fresh when you order.
You do have to pay extra but is only about £3 for a lovely pizza or £2.50 for a pasta dish.
We are not fussy eaters and enjoy trying different things and sampling the local cuisine, but when it gives you the Egyptian Eruption - I am sorry it is not for me.

I should really have written this before now but you know how time goes by.
We stayed for 2 weeks all inclusive. We had a great time, of course we had a little bit of an upset tummy but that's ok.
The pool is amazing and we loved swimming up to the pool bar and sitting catching the rays whilst sipping on our drinks.
Our 9 year old daughter had a fantastic time made lots of friends and belly danced etc.
The staff work such long hours and get paid hardly anything. VERY pleasant and very humorous they could not have done more for us.

We were a little shocked that we had to pay for playing ping pong and for using the pool table. However this is a minor thing and something we would look out for when booking all inclusive again.
We would most definitely return if it was not for the fact that we are keen to take our daughter to as many different countries as possible.
Please go and do not worry...you make you’re holiday!!
Oh and please try the quad biking through the desert, AMAZING. Snorkelling ace too.

Where can I start? This was a truly fantastic hotel and we can’t wait to go back!
When we were doing our research before we travelled we were very worried by some of the comments posted on review sites like this one, however we decided that as we had booked it already it was best not to worry as after all, a holiday is what you make of it.
HOTEL APPEARANCE/ROOMS: When we arrived at the hotel our jaws fell to the ground - the hotel is amazing. When you walk in the first thing you see is the fantastic spiral staircase sweeping its way through the foyer.
The hotel is decorated to the finest quality and the staff were eager to help us find our way to the rooms once we had checked in. They carry the luggage for you whilst showing you a few general places of interest such as the restaurant and small shopping mall.
We travelled as a party of 8 with ages ranging from 23 to 79, and all 8 of us were highly impressed by our rooms which were situated in the main building. It has to be said that a couple of our 4 rooms did have some noise from the Dockers bar, however none of us had a problem sleeping.
RESTAURANTS/FOOD: The restaurant was very comfortable and offered a wide range of food. There were 4 vegetarians in our party who all managed to stuff their faces full every night without fail.
Even me, a very fussy eater managed to eat things everyday - especially the little doughnuts with chocolate sauce that can be found at breakfast time! (That my top tip!) None of the family had food/drink related stomach/sickness problems and the general consensus was that the food was very good.
On several occasions we saw the staff placing thermometers in the food to ensure that it remained hot. With the restaurant it is important to tip the waiters on your first couple of visits - this ensures that as soon as you enter the restaurant, they find you a table and immediately bring drinks to you! Tipping goes a long way in Egypt :o)
POOL: This pool is absolutely huge! It is amazing. Due to its large expanse it was a little cold when we visited (in Dec) but I’m sure in the summer months it would be lovely. There are a large number of sun beds available so you never have to fight for them. Pool towels are also easily obtainable from little towel huts scattered on the resort.
BEACH/SNORKELLING: The beach at the Meridien is a fair size and has two parts an 'active' beach and a 'quiet' beach. The only difference we noticed was that on the active beach, the entertainment team occasionally ask you if you want to play volleyball etc.
This is did not bother us in the slightest as once you said no thanks, they would leave you in peace. The house reef of the Meridien is quite fragmented, but has some wonderful fish to look at.
We saw different fish every time we swam there including clown fish, emperor fish, parrot fish etc. It is definitely worth a good few swims around! Alternatively you can go on boat tours from the little dock on the beach.
They offer full day and half day tours. The half day tour went down very well with my family who said the reef just outside the grand makadi bay was fantastic. We saw some great species on these tours including napoleon wrasse and even a ray!
OVERALL: We can’t wait to go back! The hotel was great, the staff were so obliging, and as always in Egypt the weather, beach and rooms were brilliant.
Le Meridien is a fantastic hotel which deserves its 4/5* status.

I found the hotel, pool areas and Dune rooms very spacious and clean. The staff were attentive at all times even without tips, obviously with a tip or two you got exceptional service.
I don't understand everyone's complaints regarding their inability to obtain drinks, I had no such problems (perhaps because I wasn't trying to get bladdered by downing drinks before I'd even returned to my table).
The food in the restaurant was superb, with a wide variety from simple to spicy, always hot and always replenished. There was so much variety so do not be put off by the fish and chicken comments.
My friend and I ate in the Alladin Restaurant every day and every day the menus changed. I can recall seeing (but not always eating as unfortunately I suffered from the tummy upset for a few days) the likes of Turkey, Beef, Chicken, Fish and Pork, full array of Salads, cooked Vegetables, fresh breads of every variety and many choices of deserts.
The gym needs some upgrading and the Russians need a lesson in how to turn the machines off so they are not death traps to other guests. The massages were well worth every penny and definitely worth one or two visits.
Hurghada is a 30 minute taxi ride away if you want a change of scene, with shops (of course bartering is essential) and restaurants / bars / night clubs.
I would definitely visit the hotel again.

After reading various comments I decided to go with an open mind. I was well aware that this was a very good price for all inclusive.
The room was excellent but the bathroom grout was full of mould and the bath was stained a nasty yellow. This would have been fine in a 3 star but it is advertised 5 stars.
Evenings can be boring due to the rubbish singer who is on every night. My best evening was spent snuggled up with a drink and my man watching a good film on the TV. Not too bad a thing to do.
Weather was good and I needed factor 15 to stay out in the sun. It gets cold in the evenings though. Staff were very friendly.
Food started off good but soon became boring when you realised that the fish and chicken was coming out every day. Sometimes the fresh orange/pineapple juice is watered down. I got severe stomach cramps and stomach upset. This apparently happens to some people when they visit Egypt. I guess the common denominator is the food. Russians think there is a food shortage and its embarrassing watching them make pigs of themselves.
I would go back to Egypt, just not to this hotel. I don’t trust the tour operators star ratings in their brochure.