Jaz Makadi Saraya Splash Resort

Just returned from my 4th stay in around 2 years at this hotel. Everything about this hotel is amazing, hence the continual repeat visits. Everywhere is immaculate and maintained to a high standard. The thing I love the most about Saraya is the staff. They are the loveliest, hard working people, who are an absolute credit to this hotel. Nothing is any trouble and they all work so hard to ensure an enjoyable time. The rooms, pool areas, bars and restaurants are all great. Snorkelling is good off the jetty on the beach. Sun beds are plentiful around the pool areas. The animation team are new since the last time I visited in November last year. We got to know them all really well. They are a lively bunch and work hard to make sure you are having fun and get involved as much as you want to. Our main interaction was with Bubbles, Youssef, Boogie and DJ Ousho. So special thanks to them for all the fun we had and to the rest of the animation team also. A huge thank you to all the staff, just too many to name! You are such wonderful and special people. We just love this place and can’t wait to return to Saraya later this year!

We came here as a family of six for two weeks two adults and four children ages between 4-13. When we arrived you are taken to get a drink whilst filling in forms for everyone. When the staff realised we were a family and in not connected rooms we were offered a family suite and of course we jumped at the offer. Room 7202, the kids were amazed at the space. We used the main pools which all the kids enjoyed using. At the beginning we didn’t have a problem finding sun beds but noticed near the end of our holiday there wasn’t always spares. You do get people leaving towels on and folding top of sunbed and not see them the whole day only to come back to go completely. But can get this everywhere. We had lunch here most of the time if we weren’t at the beach or aqua park(didn’t use the restaurant lunch times) and all was nice and plenty to choose from snack wise. You get a bus to the aqua park and back which runs every 1/2 hr from 10am. You will get used to other countries not believing in queues and will push past you and your children to get on. Not all people but a good fair amount do unfortunately. The aqua park is brilliant, something for all ages. Plenty of sun beds around. We also had lunch here, again all good snacks and drinks. The beach setup is great, you can stay where your hotel names are. Then there is snack drinks hut that you can use for your hotel area. We quite liked the slushies here (black currant) The food at the hotel restaurants was ok, we came to them for breakfast and tea. Breakfast plenty of choice. Tea time was ok not the best we have had elsewhere with all inclusive it was just ok. There was always some sort of soup and bread if didn’t fancy what was on offer meat wise. I wish I loved fish and seafood as they looked amazing and like had a great choice every night, but I don’t. Puddings hit and miss, sometimes still frozen. So often we didn’t bother (our choice) The waiters in both restaurants are all very helpful and work very hard. Entertainment this is one thing that we thought did let the hotel down, I don’t know whether this changes for summer period? Only thing was the mini disco and not a lot on after if anything on even at all. Can understand kids running around all over the stage and around chairs as what little we stayed for we were bored so went back to the room to watch a movie as couldn’t always get a seat in the bar by reception in or out so left. One of the first nights was the street festival which was brilliant so thought it would be good after that, a let down really. Shame. There was a music event on just over the road one night that we didn’t know anything about but it was a paid ticket event, I could hear it from my room shame we weren’t aware beforehand to attend. Our cleaner came in everyday and works very hard, we also appreciated the towel artwork to come back to everyday. Your pool towels were changed everyday came around 6pm to your room. All the staff around the hotel work very hard and all friendly. Unfortunately five out of the six of us got ill. Either the runs or being sick. We could have gotten a bug from anywhere. I informed the hotel relations lady when she came around the pool checking on people staying with the hotel (sorry can’t remember her name) she did check up with me other the rest of our stay. Offering extra water or even if we needed food bringing to the room she was very helpful. It was just unlucky we got ill, never had this before whilst being away but maybe just luck then too. The TUI rep is lovely and there a lot of need to speak to him. The al a carte is hard work booking, you can get one per week. we were lucky to get one the last night of our holiday which is a shame as would to have liked to try another. All hotels on the site to book on same computer system for all restaurants. But the Indian we managed to get into was beautiful, absolutely beautiful food. One thing to note you have to wear trousers there too! We went on a glass bottomed boat trip with one of the companies that came around. They were slightly cheaper than TUI, still expensive really but we had a nice time. Wish we could snorkel properly like some can as it was beautiful underwater, we did try but not good enough 😬 We all would come back again, hoping entertainment had improved but I guess if not at least we know what to expect and get more movies downloaded from Netflix on iPad haha.

Overall, I liked this hotel and would definitely visit again. I was a solo traveler for this holiday. I have MS and was very aware of it’s ease of access for disabled travellers. Pros - 1. Not hotel specific, but weather was great the whole holiday 2. All staff were friendly, attentive and remembered your preferences (drinks, seating etc) 3. Both the larger and smaller quiet pools were very clean 4. Varied cocktail and drinks available 5. Rooms are cleaned daily and are maintained to a good standard. 6. I believe the main restaurant, main bar and pool bars are accessible for people with limited mobility. Cons - 1. Food in the main restaurant is limited, there is not a wide choice of dishes, as in other hotels where I have stayed. I believe a lot is catered to the Russian, German and Dutch clientele. I think the British clients are an afterthought. 2. There is no way room service, not company policy I was told. This is really necessary for disabled clientele, as we are not always able/well enough to visit restaurants and bars. 3. The mini bar and snacks in the rooms are very expensive. I believe is was £1.80 for a small packet of crisps, never mind the beer etc 4. The restaurant is quite small for a large hotel and thus can quickly fill up. It will obviously vary depending on occupancy, but was sometimes manic when I visited. 5. Back to food, but it is a big part of a holiday. As I said, main meals are limited in choice and are quite repetitive. Deserts are not great, there is a lot of mouse and little cakes, which taste very similar. There are cubes of Jelly, but no ice cream. Ice cream is a staple in other hotels, not just for kids, but most adults too. There is always a queue at the ice cream chiller in other hotels. As I say, I would go back, but if available, I would go to the Riu Palace in Sal, Cape Verde. Similar price and provides more for your all inclusive money.