Reviews of Le Meridien Makadi Bay Hotel, Makadi Bay

Just returned from what was supposed to be a lovely all inclusive week in a 5 Star setting. Went with friends who had been to the Hilton in Sharm - thought this would be the same. Its so not. Rooms are basic. Tired. Plumbing and air con leaked - called maintenance - they sorted it very quickly. Bathroom shabby but clean. (But when sitting on the toilet cast a glance at the black thick scum mark hidden by the work top - horrid). No safe, no trouser press. Hairdryer in bathroom was adequate. Tea and coffee facilities delivered the day after arrival. Mini bar is filled with soft drinks on your second day a bottle of lemonade, fanta and coke plus large bottles of water x 2) Never had any hot water for a bath - luckily was able to boil the kettle 6-8 times to help with this.
Gardens are watered twice a day with sewerage and the smell is disgusting.
The food in the all inclusive restaurants is nothing short of abysmal. Like 2* - which is fine if that is what you are paying for and expecting. We ended up paying the supplement to have better food in the additional restaurants not in the A I deal. The itialian was nice but is sited on a "lagoon" which smells of sewers so we were unable to finish our meal. The chinese and Prince Karim were more the standard we were looking for. Drinks - beer was fine apparently (husbands drank that) white wine is like sherry and served warm - tried it with lemonade in it - more palatable. But not what or how I normally drink it. Spirits did not even resemble what I asked for (vodka and coke tasted the same as rum and coke). We never came close to getting our moneys worth at this joke of a hotel. It was truly shocking.
On a good note the weather was superb and the reefs for diving or snorkelling are lovely with lots to see marine wise.
This hotel is NOT LE MERIDIEN. It has changed hands and they are living off the back of the Le Meridien chain. It is now called the TIA HEIGHTS. Do not go there expecting it to be like a five star or you will be disappointed. They sell most of the rooms to the Russians who are rude and greedy and treat the staff at the hotel very badly. This standard however did seem to suit the Russians and so perhaps it is a cheap holiday for them. We paid £614.86 per person for a very sub standard holiday and will never return.
Some of the staff are nice and they like the English. Others are obviously very unhappy there and overworked and underpaid it seems.
Spa was a great place for a massage but it needs much money spending on it to arrive at the right standard and it is sell sell sell to get people to go (same with the non included restaurants).The whole place is tired and lacking quality and the clientele shows this.

The whole place smells like a sewer and that just about sums up the place!!!

Go to this hotel with you eyes WIDE OPEN. (note the difference in the reviews before September 2008 and after October 2008. Seems it was good as Le meridien but appaling when it changed to Tia Heights.) We will NEVER return.

We returned from Tia Heights as it is now called yesterday. We were staying in the mani building with the seaview option. The view from our room took our breath away every day. The weather was lovely with about 3 hours of cloud in a fortnight. The sunbeds were tatty but they were collecting the torn or stained mattresses for renewing as we left. The food in the main restaurants was OK. You had to walk around a bit to find what was available. We ate in the Italian restaurant (just about to be renovated), the Chinese restaurant and the Seagull restaurant (new one opening this weekend) We had to pay half to eat in these restaurants but it was very cheap. We found the staff brilliant especially the waiters. Mohammed in the upstairs bar was lovely too, very helpful. I got ill while there and was looked after very well by the doctor on site. The grounds are well kept and everywhere is clean. Although it was Ramadam while we were there which meant a lot of the staff having nothing from sunrise to sunset, not even water, they were still courteous and polite. There were very few English there but this did not spoil anything for us. The Red Sea was lovely, crystal clear and I snorkelled for the first time. The fish are numerous and colourful. We had a lovely day trip to Mahmya Island - well worth the money and even saw a familly of dolphins on the way back. We would love to go back to this hotel.

Want to be positive about this hotel but sadly can't... definatley not 5 star not by Egyptian or anybody else's standards... the beach is good the sun benches are in urgent need of repair(nails sticking out) or better still replacement, the matresses are shoddy some covered in blood stains others just falling apart....Unless you pay there are only 2 free Restauraunts on this complex AND THE FOOD IS DEADFUL the food is better in the other Restauraunts and you will be mithered from breakfast till evening to book a table at one of these...tried the Indian very good but did not try the others on the recommendation of the few other brits l met there saw nobody use the Italian. The sevice also by Egyptian standards very poor....If you still decide to go to this hotel book a room in the main hotel please dont book a Dunne room depending on where you are allocated a Dunne room it can be a hike...also in the evenings l think they must use recycable sewage water to water the lawns the smell/stench is unbelievable......Take with you torches as there is a power cut everyday although l did meet people who had not experienced any cuts at all..... I did complain while l was there and for short time you are treated like royalty but everything falls back into it's old routine very quickly. Olympic Holidays Gold Collection brochure for 2009 features this hotel and honestly it's misleading it really is, the photos must be years old plus other issues like the all inclusive option is misleading... O'h l nearly forgot this hotel is now called the Tia Heights it was changing it's name and apparently has been for some time..... while l was there SO PLEASE BE WARNED...I will be complaining to Olympic Holidays...

I went in this vacation for a week with my husband and two sons. Generally, I can say it was good. The best thing about the hotel is its big pool especially because of the high temperature of Hurghada, in spite of the fact that the pool is covered with a plastic material not ciramic. 99% of the staff have a friendly attitude, but 1% has a negative attitude towards Egyptians and are not willing even to talk in arabic; example was the morning pool bar attendant "Ahmed".



The sun seats on the pool or the beach are less than what is needed. The pool towels are not in a good condition.



As for cleanliness, I give it 70% as the rooms are good and made daily, but bathrooms have black stains around the sink. The towls of the bath are apparantly washed with the resturants covers, as most of them have the smell of food while they look clean. If you looked inside any bar; that in the reception or in the pool you will notice that they are not clean.



The billows are not comfortable and if you asked for an additional bed you will get one that is less comfortable and has an old shape.



This is not my first vacation on all-inclusive basis, I used to go to Makady Bay Ibrotel Family Oasis which was really all-inclusive, but here it is not the same. Ice cream and water are execluded. They offer ice cream for free from 2:00pm to 4:00pm but it is very bad.





The food is not bad , but with very small options. It is the same around the week with a little variation. I think they don't have a good chief, just fine. Their pizza resturant has nothing to do with pizza. Being on all-inclusive basis you can eat from the other resturants in the hotel and get a 50% discount. What I can confirm that the owner of the hotel is trying to save money by offering this kind of food. Whenever I go to AlaaEldin resturant I can see too much recycling of food. One of the most annoying are those chiefs standing in the resturant, supposedly to help, but actually to try to make you feel "this is enough"





I were informed that the hotel will not be a MERIDEIN anymore as of October 2008 or Jan 2009. I don't know what will happen then. I don't think I will go there again.

July 2008. Le Meridien (Tia Heights) Makadi Bay. Egypt



What a fab place, if you want to relax this is it. Don't worry about the Russians

because they dont talk to you anyway. The hotel staff will do anything for you.

I used to tip EGY £ 20 - 50 per day to the bar waiters and they would bring us

another drink even before we finished. The rooms were spotlessly cleaned everyday

with new towels even if you didn't need them.

The beach is heaven and the sea was warmer than the swimming pool.

Now to the food. It was O.K but same everyday. Luckily they have 4 extra restuarants

Chinese . A La Carte , Fish & Italien.When all inclusive they gave you 50% off

which worked out really cheap. I took GBP 400.00 for 2 weeks and only spent

£ 200.00 and that was on tips. Once you tipped the staff they would bend over backwards to please.

The russians never tipped thats why the staff wouldnt care but a "please and a

thankyou " goes along way. I will be going back !!!!

We had a lovely time at the Meridien. If you search a pieceful family holiday, Meridien is the right place- ideal for families with little kids. If you´re single and want to meet new people, go somewhere else.

Don´t get influenced by these negative comments about Russians.

Honestly -this is a note for those xenophobic authors: if you´re a native english speaker, you´re not able to recognize whether a person comes from Russia/Czech Republic/Slovakia/ Poland or other slavic country. So it´s not fair - you might have met a rude Czech (I myself come from the Czech republic)-so don´t say that everybody ill-mannered is Russian. All these negative comments about Russians sounds so unfriendly and Im sure people who write them are a bit snobish and they don´t like Russians for some other reason-maybe because they are well-off???

I didn´t notice any rude Russians there, all Russians were very nice, polite and friendly.

Enjoy your holiday!

We have just returned and had fantastic time, hotel is beautiful, beach is lovely, it's worth having a look at the coral with a snorkel.



This is the ideal place to go if you just want to do nothing as we wanted to, if you are wanting to go out and about i wouldn't advise unless you do the organised trips.



Staff were fantastic, they could not do enough for you, hotel is well maintained.



The only one downfall is the mojority of Russians are rude and ill mannered, beware of queue jumpers and don't expect a smile or a Thank You.

The Hotel are very ok.

We went them last year in the summer. The only problem we have had was about the food. We are not really adapted to egyptian food, i think. But all other was vey ok. I surely want to go again there in the next years.

I also have a question to other visitiors from the hotel. Does sombody bought the animation music from the animators from the hotel. If somebody have a CD with the musik, specially form the summer 2007 i will be very thankful if you can send me a copy of this.



Thank you in advance.

An absolutely brilliant hotel, the staff were very kind and helpful so were the receptionists, the swimming pool is huge, the beach is clean, the food is fantastic but i did suffer from dihorrea for a couple of days, there is a fabulous italian restaurant near the beach offering some delicious pizzas, snorkelling is expensive but well worth it, but make sure the driver doesn't turn too sharply when on the inflateable boat or you might topple over in the deep red sea like i did luckily the life jacket saved me. The drinks and weather was fantastic. If you go to the hotel next door they have a really fancy, modern restaurant, its REALLY nice, the hotel offers a shuttle to the main city, you get a good few hours to shop around, eat do whatever then the coach takes you back to the hotel. The facilities in the hotel are outstanding the tennis courts, spas and views are brilliant, but make sure that you get a room inside the main building otherwise you will have to walk an awful lot just to get to the restaurants, swimming pool and beach. there are lots of shops and fancy places to explore on both the hotels next to this one, you can easily access the two hotels near this one.

I went with my husband for 2 weeks and we loved it. I agree with every thing Mrs Willouhby wrote in her review.Impossible to get a sun bed on the beach as the Russians must get up at sunrise to get them.My solution was to put an old sarong and book on ours the night before and this worked every time!The staff were fantastic.The first dune room that we were given had no balcony so i complaned and we were moved straight away to a lovely large room.As we never had a rep to arrange trips we found Adam where the shops are,he arranged us a trip to Luxor for £50 each including entrance fees,a boat across the nile,lunch in a 5 star hotel,and various other sights.We started the trip on a coach with Dutch tourist in the begining,then we were transfered to a coach with an English speaking guide. We were suprised to find ourselves to be the only people on the coach,Ahmed the guide was great he really knew his stuff.we felt like royalty,we even had the boat across the nile to ourselves, whilst the Dutch all squashed in together! My only complaint is that i enjoy wandering around the shops in the evening and there are very few.We did get the mini bus into the town once but it took an hour to get there and i hated the pressure we were put under when haggling.I had a secret weapon, my husband is Algerian so he speaks arabic.I am sure i would have to of paid much more without him.I would return to this hotel but only for a week,i would much rather see more of Egypt and try somewhere else.Enjoy your holiday.

This has to be the best holiday i have been on, all the staff are really friendly!! They care for you and after a small tip they will even reserve tables for you in the resturant!



The animation team made my holiday one to remember, they were all so nice and specially Momo (look out for him). The shows at night were good as well, they have put alot of effort into them for your entertainment.



The view is stunning, the best time to view the sunset is 6 o clock, if you walk along the beach from the left side. The swimming pool is huge, i spent everyday in the pool, when i wasn't doing excursions that is. If you swim in the sea the best bet is to swim further out as you can see the fish (not many but quite a few).



If you are planning to go on holiday this year then go to the Meridien. It has everything you need and wish to have in a hotel.



( Watch out for the Russians, Bad news )

Just returned from 2 weeks at Meridien. Went as 2 families, 4 adults and 4 children (10, 10, 8 and 7). After reading negative reviews we went with an open mind and were so pleased with our 14 nights.



We stayed in the Dune rooms which were spacious, the linen and towels changed every day, the room was really clean and comfortable. Mini bar in room which was filled twice during our stay with soft drinks. Tea & coffee making facilities also. The cleaner was excellent, friends air con didn't seem to be working properly and it was fixed same day. Children loved to come back with their towels made into swans, hearts and their pj's folded and made into a fan shape, just the little touches make a difference. The rooms were probably the furthest from the main hotel but this was not a problem, we would only do the walk twice a day and it was nice to walk through the gardens on way to breakfast or at the end of the evening. It was nice and quiet up there too. They have built some more rooms, the other side of the hotel to where we stayed and there is now a new pool which should open soon.



The staff are so friendly and gave so much time to the children. They all work so hard and such long hours. The animation team are full of energy and not sure how they keep going. They are always doing some sort of activity around the pool, but you can get away from the noise by sitting somewhere else at the pool, it is definitely big enough.



Be polite and tip where you feel somebody deserves it, a smile goes a long way with the staff. They have to deal with the RUDE RUSSIANS. The way they behave is appalling. Be prepared for them pushing in, taking too much food and leaving on the table. They are animals. Do not let this ruin your holiday, just watch and laugh at them, can be quite entertaining.



We thought the food was very good, rice, potatoes, vegetables, chicken, beef, fish and freshly cooked pasta. It is all fresh and plenty of selection. Even with a fussy eater in the family wasn't a problem with the buffet food. There is free ice-cream upstairs for children 2pm-4pm, hot dogs and chips from 3pm. You will never go hungry.



We did not eat the salad, no major tummy problems, we drank the beer mainly and there is always plenty of bottles of water.



If you want to go on a boat trip, book through Tiger Marine on the beach, we hired a boat for a day; Adam from Tiger Marine was really helpful. We had our own skipper, chef, guide, and 2 or 3 other members of staff who made the trip so enjoyable. The extra money was well worth it to have exclusive use of the boat and the trip tailored for our needs/requirements. Quad biking worth a go, we did the 2 hour trip and took the children on the bikes with us going through the desert, they loved it.



Talk to the people that come round the pool, you don't need to book anything through them, just smile, say hello they will stop for a chat and they are nice people. Husain from the salon knew we would not book treatments but every day he would ask how we were, "high 5" with the children.



We hired a hotel mini bus one evening to go into Hurghada, we did not like walking around the Old Town, there is nothing much to see and not a nice experience for the children, felt a little unsafe. We ate out a few nights just for a change and it was so cheap.



The only negative comments I can make is shame about the Russians and I would not travel with Olympic again. We were not picked up until 4pm on day of departure, we had our lunch at the hotel but went to the bar before coach arrived to get bottles of water and were charged which was a shame.



We are already looking into returning next year, was a great relaxing holiday with the children.

Great hotel where the staff were all very friendly. Never had a problem getting a sunbed.



Only problem was the place was full of poorly mannered Russian whom I am certain never learnt basic manners.



Every day we watched them queue for the restuarants at breakfast, lunch & dinner and storm the place as soon as the doors were unlocked. To see the shear quantity of food they piled on their plates and then left was unbelievable.



After a couple of days we found that if you waited about an hour after the eating places opened you could enjoy fresh food in much quieter surrounding.



Slight downer on checking out we were charged for an orange juice that we know we had paid cash for at the time and the management wouldn't take our word for it which was a shame.

Too Big, to many Russians (Approx 2000 out of 2600), Music to loud from animation team who seem to have to scream and use a whistle continuouslly for the amusement of approx 30 Holiday Makers, ate in the all inclusive 1st night only and then used the Ala Carte for the other 13 nights! DO NOT GO HERE FOR A QUIET HOLIDAY.

This hotel is amazing. I have just got back from a weeks break with my girlfriend and neither of us can speak highly enough of the place, staff or activities. We stayed in one of the dune rooms which were little over a 5 minute walk to the reception. The people who moan about these rooms should check before they book. They are either lazy/Russian!



The food in general was good, however most of it was inclined toward the vast amounts of Eastern European/Germans staying in the Hotel. As was the entertainment before midnight! Some of the entertainers are very talented, but as they are entertaining a mainly Russian audience it is mainly geared toward pleasing them.



If you do as the rest of the English do and take time to talk to/tip the waiters and bar staff, it becomes clear that they are some of the friendliest people you are likely to meet. Keep an eye out for Ossama in the Reception Bar, he does a very good Del Boy impression! Dont drink the Egyptian lager in the hotel, drink the Vodka. The lager is not good for your health.



Went into Hurghada once and would recommend it, but only in the new town as the old part of town never looked or felt too safe! Also the snorkelling was great, to get to swim with Dolphins is one of the best things you can do! I would say go to Mahmya island and book through your rep. This way you go with other English people and can get a decent conversation and a laugh! The island itself looks as if it could be in the Maldives, absolutely stunning!



All in all a fantastic holiday in a fantastic Hotel. I will definitely be back there in a few years!