Serenity Alpha Beach (ex Serenity Makadi Beach)

"This was my fourth stay at this resort in Makadi Bay, and it keeps getting better every time. The facilities are great and always very well maintained - everything is spotless, and the gardens are beautifully cared for. Each morning you can see the staff making sure everything is neat and perfect. The buffet food is excellent, with plenty of variety and very good quality. The themed restaurants are also nice, but I personally prefer the buffet for its range and consistency. The staff are as friendly and helpful as always, showing genuine Egyptian hospitality at its best. The animation team, in particular, has really improved compared to previous years. They create a fun, positive atmosphere, engaging guests in a respectful and professional way. A special mention to Katlyn and Dahlia - only because I happen to talk with them more, but the entire team was truly impressive. Even the staff promoting the extra services, like spa or diving, are polite and never intrusive. Overall, this resort remains one of my top choices - always a pleasure to return!"

"Hotel is situated around half an hour from the airport (depending on driver). Nowhere to walk out to, but that suited us for what we wanted, relax! There are some shops on the complex. Some of the rooms/hotel decor are worn/dated BUT it is spotlessly clean. Food was really good in the buffet restaurants, always something you'd fancy. There are various restaurants apart from the usual buffet, but we only tried the Barroco restaurant, which is not part of the all inclusive. The food and staff were really lovely, but it was REALLY hot in there. We would have stayed longer if it were cooler and made an evening of it, but it got too much so we left. Bar and restaurant staff work so hard to make this resort special for each person. We were wondering if the size of it would detract from the 'personal touch', but once you find your place, the pool, bar & beach staff make it special for you. The animation staff work tirelessly for 13 hours a day. A special mention to Katalina (Katlyn). She was friendly, funny and very warm. A really lovely young lady. Wonderful snorkelling. I have been to Egypt over 30 times, and we would definitely come back."

"Just returned from 10 days at Serenity Alpha. Long post but full info Following reading some of the previous reviews before going was mixed at how our holiday would be, all I would say is go with an open mind and you will have a very nice holiday. Firstly, I'll talk about arriving at Hurghada airport - Absolute cattle market is the best way to describe. We got our visas in advance so didn't have to wait on these. Joined the queue for passport control and wow it took forever. Finally our turn and they didn't even ask for the visa?? We went with Easyjet holidays and booked private transfer to hotel. Finding this was not great and to be honest the price we paid, the transport wasn't fantastic - minibus with no air con on. But rather than book that way you can book directly. Anyway, on to hotel. We arrived late evening (just after 8pm local time). Check in was simple and all relevant information given. We were given a map of the grounds with a lot of printed information such as bar/snack bar/restaurant opening times etc and then taken to room with cases. On arrival to room the porter showed the room and opened patio doors to point out where main restaurant, pools and beach area were in relation to our room. Whilst there the 10 days we also noted others arriving and the main facilities being pointed out to each party which is a great asset rather than you trying to find your way or work from the map. We were in a Grand executive room and WOW. It was huge. The bed was larger than a superking, seating area with table, loads of storage - like a separate dressing area. Even an iron and ironing board (I didn't use but handy) The bathroom was large with a walk in shower. No issues with the heat of water although our shower head could have done with replacing as water was leaking from the hose at the shower head connection (identified this in our feedback form on leaving) and lovely patio to outside. Unfortunately you can't choose your neighbours who decided to walk along (we were ground floor) and present himself outside our patio to ask us to talk quieter at 5pm - so this made us feel uncomfortable as we like our patio/balcony to be a private space to relax, but that's not the hotels fault. And as for the neighbour, well....... we didn't fully quieten! So off to the buffet first night (and rest of 10 days) The food was varied with 3-4 main meat dishes and 1-2 seafood daily on lunch and dinner. There is also a separate pasta station and outside is a grill that has at least 1 seafood and 2-3 meats. They also do some sir fry veg/desserts. I ate the salad every day and no tummy issues (some have reported this) There was no day we didn't find something to enjoy. There are also 6 a la carte's you can chose from between Alpha and Alma. We used the Moroccan and Indian and both were lovely. Only slight irritant about the a la carte's were they were constantly asking all good etc, rather than just leaving us to enjoy. Evening time there is some entertainment at the bar outside the main buffet restaurant. Usually a singer or guitar and then the animation take over for an hour after the main showtime is finished. The showtime is in the ampitheatre (between Alpha and Alma) we didn't actually get there :) Entertainment was so-so. The animation team are good without being too pushy. The clientele of the hotel are very mixed but would say it is 50% at least of Deutsche and many of the songs from entertainment are obviously geared to that. Staff - ALL staff were absolutely great, polite and worked non stop. I did notice in the evening time a couple of gents that seemed to just bark orders at the bar and waiting staff but not actually help. One evening we had rain and one of the gents shouted at the waiter to bring parasols over to the front of the bar area, yet he had already taken a few drink orders from tables. Perhaps the gent/s could have then delivered the drink orders or assisted with parasols, or even the mopping of the rainfall rather than shout at their waiters or are they above that?? A special shout out to Mahmoud, who went above and beyond and made our stay amazing. Tipping - tip what you can if you choose. These guys work very hard and our view is tips give them a little luxury. Tip in EGP then they don't have to exchange etc - have the money in their pocket It's so easy to change currency in the machine in the hotel where they would have to save up and get time to go to a bank to exchange and please don't tip coins. Your 1 euro may seem nice, but they can't change coins. As a couple we had a lovely relaxing time. I wouldn't go here with my Grandkids as not much to keep them entertained from what we seen. I could go on, but seems that would be way too long. We would certainly go back and can't wait to return to Egypt. Last word - Airport on return - Passport out through first door. Luggage through scanner shoes off separate to women and men for through metal detectors. Check in to receive boarding pass. Passport and departure card for next set and then a random passport guy just after (who knows why??) The full security check of hand luggage and full pat down (again male/female different lines) Reading other pages etc I thought this was gong to be horrendous etc but was pretty fluid, just go with the flow."