TUI Blue Makadi Gardens - Hurghada Egypt

TUI Blue Makadi Gardens - Hurghada Egypt

Author
Discussion

Tekno

Original Poster:

202 posts

107 months

Sunday 7th November 2021
quotequote all
Hi Team,

Leaving in a few weeks for Egypt. First time there (though guess I won’t see much of it) and second time at a all inclusive.

Anyone been to the Makadi Gardens or Hurghada that would like to share local intel?

Thanks..

Alxxx

142 posts

150 months

Monday 8th November 2021
quotequote all
Not particularly helpful but I am booked to go to Makadi Gardens in January, it was recommended by a friend who goes to Egypt at least once a year. Reviews look good and it has been recently renovated.

Radec

4,282 posts

53 months

Monday 8th November 2021
quotequote all
I stayed at the Grand Siva beach hotel last time I went which was pretty decent.
It's pretty much standard fare over there in terms of markets, restaurants etc.

What I will say is watch out for dishonest taxi drivers, had a few that tried to scam us when we were there.

Always pay in local currency and show them where you want to go on your phone and the correct address.

We had a couple of times where they took us to totally different locations miles out and then wanted payment in pounds/dollars and claim they didn't understand due to English.
They also fix meters or claim they are broken then charge you extra.
Pre-book through your hotel with a price.

Also as soon as you land there's a visa scam running where you will see booths set up in the airport to buy visas from and have official looking holiday operator names like TUI etc, don't buy it from them as it's marked up price.
There is an official kiosk for visas in the airport so buy from there and ignore all these little Visa booths.

Once in your resort you should be ok apart from the odd bloke selling extra activities around the pool however be very wary out and about as a lot of people try to scam you.

Basically don't trust anyone, apart from that enjoy your holiday smile

ScubaBiker

32 posts

102 months

Monday 8th November 2021
quotequote all
I normally go to Egypt a couple of times a year for diving, although haven’t actually stayed in Hurghada for a good few years. I flew back from Hurghada airport a couple of weeks ago.

All good advice from Radec. On landing at Hurghada you now need to go past a desk that checks your vaccine certificate, after that go to the bank kiosks to buy a visa. Visas are US$25, you can pay in GBP or Euro and you will get change in Egyptian Pounds. I normally take dollars to pay. There will be plenty of people trying to sell visas at inflated prices, just ignore them.

Lots of people recommend Uber for getting taxis around Hurghada. I haven’t used them myself, but I think the UK app works.

I have stayed in a couple of the Jaz hotels (who own the Blue hotels), a pretty good standard of food and drink. Local beer and spirits are normally okay, never had a decent glass of wine in an Egyptian all inclusive, but there is some reasonable Egyptian wine if you want to pay for it.

If you want to venture out of the hotel then I would say that Hurghada Marina is probably the best place to head. Quite a few nice restaurants, but I haven’t been there for a couple of years so can’t recommend any.

Be prepared for the airport on the way home, lots of security checks, including a special one just for the UK flights.


Timmos1974

251 posts

61 months

Saturday 12th March 2022
quotequote all
Been to Hurghada in 2018

Loved it to bits!!! never stayed in a hotel as lavish in the world and for a very very good price.

Setvice brilliant if you tip in dollars.

Going back again in July cant wait.


ps oh and get your self a driver we use

www.hurghadaluxortransfers.com tell Moh that Tim sent you