Welcome to our in-depth review of Jaz Makadi Star & Spa, a top-rated 5-star resort in Hurghada’s Makadi Bay. Is this all-inclusive hotel truly worth the hype? We will uncover everything from its luxurious rooms and amenities to potential downsides, giving you the inside scoop to plan your perfect Red Sea getaway.
Introduction to Jaz Makadi Star & Spa
Ranked as the 1st hotel by TripAdvisor in Makadi Bay, Hurghada, at the time of writing, Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is a gem waiting to be discovered . This resort is a haven of relaxation, offering a unique blend of Egyptian hospitality and world-class facilities. From its private beach to its excellent dining options, every aspect of this hotel is designed to provide guests with an unparalleled holiday experience. However, no place is perfect and there are a few areas where the Jaz Makadi Star & Spa could do better.
Price Range: $$ – $$$
TIP: If you are like us and love a good deal, you have got to check out Expedia. We have found some of the best prices on there. And do not even get us started on HotelsCombined – it is our go-to hotel search engine. Interestingly, we have noticed that these two sites often have better deals than what you can find on Jaz’s own app or website, even though they claim to have the best rates. So, before you book your next adventure, make sure to give these sites a look.
Location and Accessibility
Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is strategically located in Madinat Makadi, a short walk from its private beach and 30 Km from Hurghada Airport. Its prime location offers guests easy access to a plethora of attractions, including Makadi Water World. For exploring farther afield, it makes a great base to visit the Hurghada Marina, Mina Mosque, Giftun Island, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings on day trips.
The resort also offers an airport shuttle service for guests, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience.
TIP: We chose to use Uber which took around 25 minutes and 300 LE (~US$10). Please note that the main entrance is shared by a few hotels owned by the Jaz Group and you will be asked for your passport so that they can confirm your reservation before allowing you into the gated community. This will only take a minute or two and adds to the element of feeling very safe within this gated community.
TIP: The hotel is located within a gated community called Madinat Makadi. All the hotels are owned by the same company, the Jaz Group, and share restaurants and the beach. Other nearby hotels are all 4-stars and 5-stars and include the likes of Iberotel Makadi Beach, Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort, Jaz Makadi Oasis Resort, TUI Blue Makadi, Jaz Saraya Palms Makadi, Jaz Makadina and Steigenberger Makadi.
Accommodation and Room Features
Check-in was a breeze and front desk staff was very welcoming and efficient.
Jaz Makadi Star & Spa offers a variety of room types, each boasting a private balcony with views of the garden or pool – from 32-square-metre Superior Rooms to 165-square-metre Royal Suites. Overall, the rooms are spacious and equipped with modern amenities such as a minibar, air conditioning and a flat-screen satellite TV. The resort also offers rooms with a private pool for guests (adults only) seeking an extra touch of privacy and luxury.
For our stay, we selected a charming 32-square-metre Superior Room with a relaxing garden view. Opting for the all-inclusive package at £80 per night (US$103) booked via Expedia, it suited our desire for a hassle-free experience.
HEADS-UP: You may see some insects inside your room, especially if your balcony doors were left open.
HEADS-UP: Bathroom amenities are of poor quality. We also faced a blocked sink during your stay.
HEADS-UP: The safe inside the room is small and will not fit a 15.1 inch laptop.
HEADS-UP: The mini-bar is well stocked and there is free tea and coffee. Bottles of water are free of charge and you can order additional bottles by dialling 0. Other items are chargeable.
HEADS-UP: Laundry is available at a charge.
HEADS-UP: The bed and pillows are comfy.
HEADS-UP: The aircon is powerful, which is a relief especially when temperatures are in the high thirties.
HEADS-UP: The TV is flat screen but not a smart TV.
HEADS-UP: Housekeeping was a big letdown. Towels were not changed and the same dirty face towels were left for us to use again, the room was not cleaned to a reasonable standard and bottles of water were not provided. The hotel management should actively work to improve these aspects of their service.
Culinary Experiences from Around the Globe
Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is an all-inclusive resort and offers a very good array of dining options. With access to over ten different restaurants and bars, guests can indulge in a wide range of cuisines (as part of their ‘Dine-Around’ scheme), from traditional Italian to Asian Fusion and Middle Eastern cuisine.
HEADS-UP: The resort offers a ‘Dine-Around’ programme, allowing guests to sample a variety of dishes from different restaurants, which are not all on-site. These restaurants are shared with other nearby sister hotels. However, they also have on-site restaurants including the Al Warda restaurant.
TIP: You can make a reservation for one of the a la carte restaurants by using the self-serving kiosk in the lobby, next to the reception area. It is recommended to book in advance as these restaurants can get fully booked as we found out when trying to book the Indian Restaurant.
HEADS-UP: Lunch and Dinner at the main restaurant were buffet style and varied. They included items such as grilled chicken, chicken teriyaki, roast duck, beef meat balls, beef kofta, veal blanquette, Turkish meat pide, prawn curry, dauphinoise potatoes, a salad bar, a selection of bread and cakes and rice. Breakfast was repetitive (we did not mind) and had things such as beef and chicken sausages, a crepe and waffle station, a good selection of cheese, made to order omelettes, freshly squeezed orange juice, bread and cakes.
Hitting the Beach and Pool
Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is a paradise for those seeking relaxation and recreation. The resort features a heated swimming pool, a spa facility, an extensive water sports and dive centre and a fitness centre.
No matter your pace, you’ll find ways to unwind at this hotel.
HEADS-UP: Their private beach is around 1,000 steps away (6-8 minutes walk). The thing to bear in mind is that the beach is “shared” amongst the nearby hotels. You are only allowed to use the allocated beach area for your hotel. The part of the beach you can use does not stretch for “miles” as the hotel claims on its website. It is also hard to walk during summer for instance. If you really want a beachfront hotel, then we would recommend to look for other places. We consider this as the main drawback for choosing this hotel. However, the pools at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa are very good and they also have suites with their own small pool if you value privacy.
Other Facilities and Amenities
Hotel Wifi/Internet services were as follows:
In-room: Download speed was 3-4 Mbps, upload speed was less than 1 Mbps, good for videos with up to 720p resolution on your mobile phone.
In-lobby: Download speed was 3-4 Mbps, upload speed was less than 1 Mbps, good for videos with up to 720p resolution on your mobile phone.
In-main restaurant: No hotel wifi available
TIP: We used our own device (TP link Portable Wifi Router) with a local sim data sim card (Etisalat) with the following results:
In-room: Download speed was 5-10 Mbps, upload speed was 5 Mbps, good for QHD videos with up to 1440p resolution on your mobile phone.
In-lobby & In-restaurant: Download speed was 29 Mbps, upload speed was 22 Mbps, good for 4K videos with up to 2160p resolution.
Shops & Surroundings: There is a supermarket at the nearby Souk Makadi (2 minutes walk opposite the hotel) with a good selection of day to day items (water, milk, tea, coffee, bread) but surprisingly, all price tags have been removed. This was disconcerting to say the least.
ATM (cash withdrawal): There is a Bank Misr ATM at the Souk Makadi (opposite the hotel) and two more ATMs (Bank Misr & CIB) ATMs further down the road towards the beach (approximately 5 minutes’ walk).
See our cost comparisons here and the best ATMs to use in Egypt
Conference room: Available at a charge.
Spa Facility: Choose from a menu of massages, facials, body treatments and more. The spa has a serene, upscale ambiance with skilled therapists. Treatments left us feeling completely refreshed and renewed.
Tennis: Rackets and balls are available free of charge for all guests.
Billiards & Table Tennis: Free of charge for all guests.
Golf: Vast golf course nearby, access is chargeable.
Sustainable Travel
The Jaz Hotel Group is not just a provider of exclusive hotel experiences and unique gastronomic delights, but it’s also a socially responsible organisation that is deeply committed to the environment and the communities it operates in. This commitment is embodied in its programme, “Jaz Gives Back”, which is a testament to the company’s dedication to sustainability and community development. This programme is not just a part of the company’s narrative, but it is ingrained in every aspect of its operations, reflecting the company’s culture of environmental preservation and community support.
The Jaz Gives Back programme is built on three pillars, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the company’s commitment to sustainability. The first pillar is the implementation of eco-friendly practices across all areas of operations, with the aim of preserving the planet for future generations. This includes initiatives like sustainable accommodations and animal welfare programmes, all designed to minimize the company’s environmental footprint and adhere to the highest ecological performance principles and requirements.
The second pillar of the programme is Jaz Go Green, an initiative that encompasses all the environmental initiatives and sustainability practices of the group. This initiative has led to all Jaz hotels being Green Star certified, a recognition by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The company also organizes awareness campaigns, plantation drives and participates in many green initiatives throughout the year to support its mission.
The third pillar, Jaz Helping Hands, leads the company’s community outreach and volunteerism efforts. The group actively collaborates with neighbouring communities, organising various activities such as blood donation drives, refurbishing local schools and orphanages, donating clothes and supporting local art and culture. These initiatives are all part of the company’s mission to support community development.
In addition to these, Jaz Into The Wild is an initiative aimed at protecting and caring for local wildlife. This includes Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) campaigns, vaccination campaigns, endangered species awareness programmes, migratory bird projects and many other measures. In partnership with other organisations, Jaz Hotel Group also organises regular underwater clean-ups for its house reefs and marine life, provides shelters and conducts sessions to educate its teams and guests on how to care for the local biome.
In conclusion, Jaz Hotel Group’s commitment to sustainability and community development is deeply ingrained in its operations and culture. Through its Jaz Gives Back programme, the company is making a significant contribution to environmental preservation and community development, ensuring a better future for generations to come.
Service That Goes Above and Beyond
They say service sets 5-star hotels apart and the staff here deliver to a large extent. From the friendly receptionists to the waiters learning our name and preferences, every employee went above and beyond. Surprisingly though, as mentioned above, housekeeping was a total nightmare.
The Verdict: A good choice for Hurghada
Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is a premier resort that offers a distinctive mix of opulence, tranquillity and excitement. Its varied culinary choices and an array of facilities make it an excellent choice for your next vacation. Regardless of whether you are travelling alone, as a couple or with your family, Jaz Makadi Star & Spa guarantees an unforgettable holiday experience. However, while the resort is exceptional in many ways, there are still areas where improvements could be made to enhance the overall guest experience.
Cleanliness
Location
Staff
Food
Comfort
Amenities*
Atmosphere
Wifi/Internet
Accessibility
Value for money
OVERALL
* (pools, fitness centres, spas, restaurants, bars, business centres)
Exploring this Stunning Region
Jaz Makadi Star & Spa makes a fantastic home base to explore the Red Sea region even though it is around 30-45 minutes by car to Hurghada’s city centre. Here are some of my favourite things to do:
– Wander around Hurghada Marina with its cafes, shops and yacht charters
– Visit the historic Mina Mosque, renowned for architecture
– Swim or snorkel at Giftun Island’s pristine beaches
– Take a day trip to see the Valley of the Kings and other ancient sites near Luxor
– Go submarine diving or on a glass boat tour to view the area’s coral reefs
– Haggle in the Old Souk for local handicrafts and souvenirs
– Join a desert safari by quad bike or jeep into the Eastern Desert
– Dine along the promenade at the Memsha, Hurghada’s best restaurants and nightlife
So don’t miss out on this incredible region. Jaz Makadi Star & Spa is a very good base to see it all!
Have you stayed at this resort before? Share your experiences in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Have you stayed at this resort before? Share your experiences in the comments! we would love to hear your thoughts.
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You may also want to read our blogs about other hotels and resorts in Egypt:
Solymar Soma Beach | Soma Bay | Hurghada
Jaz Makadina Resort | Makadi Bay | Hurghada
Steigenberger Coraya Beach | Coraya Bay | Marsa Alam
Steigenberger Cecil Hotel | Alexandria
Holiday Inn Citystars | Nasr City | Cairo
Staybridge Suites Citystars | Nasr City | Cairo
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FAQs
Q: What is the Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel?
A: The Jaz Maadi Star & Spa Hotel is a luxurious resort located in Makadi Bay, Hurghada, Egypt.
Q: What are some things to do in Hurghada?
A: Hurghada offers a variety of activities such as diving, windsurfing, horse riding and exploring the coral reefs of the Red Sea.
Q: Is Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel a beach resort?
A: This property is not a beachfront hotel. The beach is 6-8 minuites’ walk away.
Q: Is Sahl Hasheesh near Hurghada?
A: Yes, Sahl Hasheesh is a resort town located near Hurghada, just a short drive away.
Q: How is the hotel staff at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel?
A: The hotel staff at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel is friendly, professional, and always ready to assist with any request.
Q: Was the room at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel clean?
A: Whilst the rooms at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel are generally well-maintained, housekeeping was way below par for a 5 star hotel.
Q: Where is Hurghada located in Egypt?
A: Hurghada is a city located on the Red Sea coast of Egypt.
Q: Is the stay at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel all-inclusive?
A: Yes, the stay at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel is all-inclusive, meaning that meals, drinks and some activities are included in the price.
Q: Is it worth staying at Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel?
A: Yes, Jaz Makadi Star & Spa Hotel offers excellent service, beautiful accommodations and a range of amenities, making it a good choice for a stay in Hurghada.
