Jaz Makadi Saraya Splash Resort

We travelled from Bristol with Thompson/TUI (a great option if you've never tried Bristol Airport, it is very easy to transit with good facilities) and stayed for 2 weeks over the Easter holidays. 2 adults and 2 young kids (5 & 7). Paid a little more for a "suite" which gave us a separate bedroom (which we used for the kids, to give us space to ourselves in the evening). We also took a private transfer (a small minibus) as it gets you to the hotel before the TUI coach so you get checked in first. To be fair there were only another 8-9 British families and the hotel manages most of the check-in process for you (and keeps your passports until the next day) so slightly questionable value. The transfer from the airport was about 25 minutes, easy enough and a drink was provided on arrival, in the bar area. The Saraya is part of a "resort" complex with many other hotels and sits about 30km down the coast from the main city of Hurghada. It is surrounded by desert and so if you're looking for local "culture" you'd probably be better staying elsewhere. If however, like us, you want to get away from things it is a safe and fairly "up-market feeling" place, if a bit removed from "real Egypt". The beach is only 5-10 minutes walk but you can't see the sea from the hotel. There are a few "tourist" shops selling nick nacks, a small supermarket selling mostly packaged items (crisps, water, juice, some sanitary items etc.), very little fresh food but there is milk and cheese. Given "all-inclusive" nature of the resort I guess this makes sense. It doesn't sell alcohol but you can buy beer bottles/cans for takeaway at the restaurants/bars (about 45 Egyptian pounds for a 500ml can of Egyptian Stella (not the "Belgian" stuff you get in the UK!), this is about £1.80 GBP). Craft brewing hasn't hit the resort yet so you'll find there is very little choice of beer and that which is available isn't great. Basically fizzy and not that flavoursome. Much more choice of cocktails and spirits although you need to pay for imported spirits. Wine quality also "passable" at best. We even stumped up £20 GBP for a bottle of French white which was better than the Egyptian, but only just. You will get the shopkeepers trying their "tricks/stories" to get you into their shops but a firm "no thanks" and you won't get hassled. So, back to the hotel. There are several large pools, some heated (about 27C) and a few not. Depth-wise they are 1.45m and 1.55m so if you have little ones they won't be able to touch. Conversely the "children's pool" is very shallow I'm not sure how full the hotel was but the pool rarely felt crowded and we could always get a sun lounger, despite the usual "tricks" of trying to reserve sunbeds with towels and leaving them there nearly all day unused. There are clear messages that indicate towels will be removed after 1 hour, if not used. The staff will help find you a lounger if required and even get you fresh towels and drinks. As long as you're not looking for the "real Egypt" then this place was great. Safe, great food, good facilities and splendid staff. Hey, maybe that is the real Egypt! :-)

Had a fab time with my husband and 4 young children. The place is very clean Food is great with plenty of choice. The staff are very friendly and provided excellent service. Wonderful holiday. Would go back.