Enjoy Makadi Heights Red Sea

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest with you – when I first pulled up to Enjoy Makadi Heights, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place along that stretch of the Hurghada-Safaga road. You know that area, right? It’s sort of between the main Hurghada hustle and the quieter Safaga vibe, which actually turned out to be perfect. The thing is, this place punches way above its weight class, and I mean that in the best possible way.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to create this little oasis feeling without all the pretentious stuff you get at some of the flashier resorts up north. The staff – and I’m talking about everyone from the guy who helped with my bags to the woman at the front desk who remembered my name after day one – they just get it. There’s this genuine warmth that you can’t fake, you know? The rooms are clean and comfortable (honestly, the AC works better than some 5-star places I’ve stayed at), and while the décor isn’t going to win any design awards, everything feels well-maintained and thoughtful. I actually loved that my balcony faced inland rather than the sea – sounds crazy, but you get these incredible desert sunset views that most Red Sea hotels completely ignore.

The location thing is interesting because you’re not right in the thick of Hurghada’s tourist madness, but you’re also not stuck in the middle of nowhere. There’s a local taxi guy – Ahmed, I think – who basically camps out near the hotel and knows every decent restaurant and dive shop within a 20-minute drive. The beach access is what really sold me though. It’s this relatively quiet stretch where you can actually hear yourself think, and the snorkeling is surprisingly good. I saw more fish in one afternoon than I did during three days at a much pricier resort further north. The water gets deep pretty quickly, which keeps the crowds thinner but makes it perfect if you’re comfortable swimming. Oh, and here’s something nobody tells you – the breakfast spread is actually fantastic. Not just continental-plus-some-local-stuff, but properly good Egyptian dishes that change daily. I still think about their ful medames.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $32. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed for Max persons: 4

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities