Hi,

I have been to Markadi Bay twice (Sunrise Royal Makadi Bay Hotel)

Makadi Bay itself if very secluded and consists of 5* hotels with nothing else around. However, access to Hurghada is easily accessable by taxi (about 20 mins from Makadi) and in some cases by mini bus which many hotels lay on a couple of times a day at a small charge.

Having been to Sharm 4 times and Makadi Bay twice, I personally prefer Makadi Bay, mainly due to the hotels being of a higher standard and the sea is easily accessible (gently shelving) unlike parts of Sharm that we have been to.

Regards,
Pat

Thanks for your reply Pat. I knew it was a fairly quiet area but I was wondering if there were shops and restaurants in the area? We are AI but like to get out and about a bit.

Hi minione,

There is no resort centre as such in Makadi Bay, everthing mainly centres around the hotels. However, there is a place called Makadi Centre which apparently has a few shops (haven't been there myself) but going by people that I have spoken too, said it was nothing to write home about.

If you do venture out into Hurghada, I can reccommend Hurghada Marina for eating out. The marina is only a few years old and there are plenty of restaurants and a couple of bars to visit along with a few shops. If Cantonese/Chinese appeals to you, I can reccommend the White Elephant ..... lovely meal and resasonable priced.

Regards,
Pat

Thank you once again for your reply. Sounds like a trip to Hurghada is on the cards then. We love cantonese food so that's definitely an option.

Hi minione

Makadi Bay sounds lovely, if you get time would you mind doing a review of your hotel when you get back please as I think we might like it there and it would be great to have some info from someone who has been recently.

Doe

Of course I will Chris. The hotel has good reviews and it wasn't a bad price,couldn't find out much about the resort as a whole though. From what Pat says it's mainly AI hotels but it looks like a nice stretch of beach.We have booked for a week of relaxation and are going to our usual destination of Turkey in September for a fortnight.

Sounds like you can't go wrong, a strip of upmarket hotels on a lovely beach, a week of rest and relaxation in guaranteed sunshine I'm glad some people are still going to Egypt the forum seems so quiet these days.

Another thing that appealed to me about Makadi Bay wss the fact that you could go on boats trips directly from the beach without the hassle of being transported by bus to Hurghada to go on the boat trips.

One boat trip we went on was to Giftun Island. The trip consisted of 3 snorkelling stops, lunch with soft drinks and approx 1.5 hours on the island itself. The boat anchors off shore and you are then transported by water taxi to the beach. Yes, it is very commercialised (full of boats) but nevertheless a very good day out. If booking this trip, book it with the boys on the beach ..... a lot cheaper than booking it through your tour operator.

Another trip we did was the dune buggys, albeit a bit expensive for what it was (£125 for 4 hours for 2 adults and 1 child) This trip was available for either morning or afternoon, in either a 2 seater buggy or family on (4 people) You are picked up from your hotel by mini bus and transported to just outside El Gouna. After been given a short safety speech, you then travel through the desert allowing for 2/3 stops to visit small Bedouin Camps before returning back to the hotel (soft drinks are included)

Regards,
Pat

Hi Pat
Those both sound good, would we be able to go on the boat trip to Giftun Island from El Gouna as well, as I have also got a good offer on the Movenpick there? Both Makadi Bay and El Gouna sound nice.

Hi doe,

I'm afraid I can't help you with that one as I've never been to El Gouna itself. All I can say is that apparently there is a lot or restaurants/bars around and about unlike Makadi Bay.

If you register onto Trip Advisor there is plenty of information on there regarding El Gouna, and no doubt your question can be answered there.

Regards,
Pat

Thanks Pat, I will have a read of posts on there.

Doe

Hi Doe,

I've just had a quick look on the El Gouna forum, and apparently they have their own Marina where you can go on various boat trips. I believe that a lot of the hotels are located around the lagoons, so wouldn't think it wouldn't be possible to go directly from hotel, however, I may be wrong??

Regards,
Pat

Thanks Pat, it was very good of you to go over there and look for me. I have gone a head & booked the Movenpick, El Gouna for a week as I found a good deal on it with Thomas Cook Style holidays, that included inflight meals, extra luggage & the credit card fee was a flat £5.95, by phone they wanted over £30 to pay by credit card. Might start a thread in case anyone on HT has been to Movenpick, think it is on a lagoon and a beach, don't understand that but we shall see when we get there.

Sorry i've taken your thread off topic minione, still really interested in Makadi Bay, there were some great deals on Direct Holidays & Thomas Cook for hotels there, so hopefully one for the future for us.

Doe

Hi Doe ..... your welcome.

As said before if you look on Trip Advisor there are many reviews and photos of the Movenpick ...... looks lovely!!

Hope you have a great holiday.

Regards,
Pat

Thanks Pat, it's not for a couple of months, I will do a review when I come back incase anyone is interested as those on HT are really old & the last ones not great, but no worries it seems to be a high standard resort like Makadi Bay, so am not concerned. Are you back to Egypt in the near future ?

Hi Doe,

Having been to Sharm and Makadi Bay 6 times now (last time Sharm Aug/Sept 11) we are looking to go elsewhere this year. We went to Aruba 2 years ago and are contemplating going back this year. To be quite honest, last years holiday was a total let down (apart from the accommodation) and it cost us a lot more than what we paid all inclusive to Aruba in July 11. However, the prices for Aruba have gone up quite substantially compared to what we paid the last time we went, so will keep checking the prices in the hope that they may come down ...... one can hope LOL!!

Regards,
Pat

I can understand that Pat. i think having been to Sharm 4 times I fancied a change so that is why I have gone for El Gouna.

I think I need to do some forum searchs as I beleive entry visas are needed for Hurgharda airport, but the 'sticky' at the top seems to be about Sharm where I have never bothered with one as have always stayed withint the Siniai. I am sure it is covered somewhere on here.

Doe

Hi Doe

'sticky' at the top seems to be about Sharm

There is a seperate sticky covering Hurghada and other non Sharm areas http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=32 but the quick answer is yes you will be required to buy a visa either before going or the easier way when you arrive at the airport

Thanks Graham I will read the thread properly.