Stella Gardens Resort & Spa, Makadi Bay

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Stella Gardens? It’s actually tucked away in this quieter stretch of Makadi Bay where you can still hear the waves without the constant buzz of jet skis that you get closer to the main Hurghada strip. I mean, it’s only about 25 minutes south of the airport, but it feels worlds away from the chaos.

The first thing you notice walking into the lobby is how they’ve managed to keep that Egyptian elegance without going overboard with the pharaoh kitsch – honestly, some places around here can be pretty heavy-handed with the theming. The gardens are legitimately impressive too, not just the usual palm trees scattered around a pool deck. There’s this whole network of pathways winding through actual landscaping, and I found myself taking the long way to dinner just because it was pleasant. The spa sits right in the middle of it all, and while I can’t speak to every treatment, the hammam was properly done – you can tell they didn’t just throw in a steam room and call it authentic.

What really works here is the beachfront situation. Makadi Bay has this natural curve that protects it from the rougher Red Sea swells, so the water stays pretty calm most of the year. The resort’s stretch of sand isn’t huge, but it’s well-maintained, and the coral reef starts just a short swim out – actually decent snorkeling if you’re into that. The dive center on-site knows the local spots well; they’ll take you to sites that aren’t completely picked over by tour groups. Fair warning though, if you’re here during German or Russian school holidays, the place fills up fast and the pool area gets pretty lively. Not necessarily bad, just something to know going in. The restaurants handle the crowds better than you’d expect – there’s the main buffet obviously, but the à la carte options are where they actually shine. That little Italian place by the beach does surprisingly good pasta, and the staff there remembers your name after a couple visits, which is a nice touch. Check-in was smooth enough, though like most places in Egypt, everything moves at a more relaxed pace than you might be used to. The rooms themselves are solid – mine had a partial sea view (which honestly was fine, the garden view might actually be prettier) and the AC worked properly, which isn’t always a given in this heat.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $107. Double Room with Garden View with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 double beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $117. Double Room with Pool View with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 double beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $163. Family Room with Garden View with 2 single beds and 1 double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Ahmed from Egypt – 14 June 2025 (9/10)

  “Wonderful Stay with Excellent Service!”
  The location is perfect — close to everything we needed. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, especially the reception team. Special thanks to Mr. Ahmed Khamis and Ms. Ledia for their warm hospitality. The Main restaurant service was also outstanding, with Mr. Ahmed Karam making every meal a pleasant experience. Last but not least, housekeeping staff like Mr. Ali kept everything spotless. Thank you all for making our stay so enjoyable!
  
  What could be improved: The beach in the stella beach is very shallow you have to go till the end of marina bridge so you can swim in deep water, it is perfect for snorkeling and diving, but it wasn’t children friendly.
  
  The kids areas need more focus and maintenance.

• Islam from Egypt – 9 June 2025 (9/10)

  The staff are so welcoming , especially F&B , and reception, with the exeptional help of Mr. ahmed kamis , reception manager, the food is great, as per quality and varieties, it was a nice vacation
  
  What could be improved: Things were all great actually, may be the beach is a bit away from the room, but accurate beach shuttle trips , made it easier

• Ihab from Egypt – 7 June 2025 (9/10)

  The hotel is nice, reception staff is perfect , the food was delicious, definitely i will come back
  
  What could be improved: Thank you

• Ihab from Egypt – 7 June 2025 (9/10)

  The hotel is nice, reception staff is perfect , the food was delicious, definitely i will come back
  
  What could be improved: It was fin

• Mohamed from Egypt – 3 April 2025 (8/10)

  I liked the resort so much, Facilities were amazing , most of the staff were very kind and helpful.
  I also liked the heated swimming pool and Aqua .
  Additionally, the food timing and quantity were very good, the food was almost available all the day.
  
  What could be improved: Pool cleanness need more focus.
  The distance between the heated pool and the main resturant was also so long, need to increase the golf car facility.
  Also the sand idea at the pool was good, but need to have some area without sand, since we need to clean our foots too much.
  Pool chaise lounges were not comfortable.

• Reham from Egypt – 2 April 2025 (9/10)

  The staff is very nice and friendly and the make you feel home
  Room is well furnished, good spacious bathroom , good space for the standard double room
  Access to wheal chair and elderly people with golf car and elevator
  Very easy access to the beach
  
  Food was good, different cuisines and breakfast had lots of choices
  
  Pools are clean and there are several pools to decrease crowds on the main pool
  
  Animation was ok
  
  What could be improved: The rate of the triple room is much higher than the double room
  
  Not sure if this is something that could be fixed but Stella garden access to beach through another hotel owned by same group. However the beach in that other hotel (stella beach) is rocky with lots of jellyfish. So it wasn’t children friendly.. so we ended up swimming in the pool
  
  The beach water is very shallow you have to go till the end of that marina bridge so you can swim in deep water but it might be good for snorkeling there are some coral reefs there

• Mina from Egypt – 21 September 2024 (8/10)

  – pool is very good and there are many pools
  – animation was good
  – the food is acceptable but needs some improvement for the taste
  – the room was clean enough
  
  What could be improved: – some delay of response from the reception because of the crowded guests but it’s acceptable

• Kameel from Egypt – 11 November 2023 (9/10)

  The people were exceptionally helpful, clean.
  Food was very good, the layout is good and the drinks were included.
  
  What could be improved: Not on the beach, bar in the pool is not good.

• Eduardo from Spain – 2 November 2023 (8/10)

  Facilities
  
  What could be improved: Reception

• Bolbol from Lebanon – 10 September 2023 (8/10)

  Very nice place to vacation
  
  What could be improved: Egyptian still lack professionalism in management, they use cheap plastic and cardboard cups or small glass cups in a five star hotel…!!!. In addition they serve artificial juice that tastes and looks like colored water…plenty of food some tastes good and others have no taste .i guess thus what happens when the staff is under paid.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities