Steigenberger Makadi

A small hotel in the middle of a big golf course

The Steigenberger Makadi is the smallest of the four Steigenberger hotels in our Hurghada selection: 83 rooms and 10 suites, on the Safaga road, 30 km from Hurghada airport, within the Madinat Makadi development. Children under 16 are not admitted.

The hotel is surrounded by the Madinat Makadi championship course, an 18-hole layout designed by the American golf architect John Sanford, 7,500 yards (about 6,900 m) long from the back tees. Six tees per hole let every level play. The front nine is laid out on the flatter part of the site, around three lakes linked by rock-lined creeks and two waterfalls; the back nine is hillier, with four holes in ancient wadis, the dry riverbeds of the desert. A practice area of about 8 hectares includes a 9-hole short course and three practice holes. A golf academy completes the set-up.

That is what sets the hotel apart from the region's other houses: people come here to play, in peace, among adults, rather than for the beach.

Which room to choose

The Superior Rooms all measure 58 m², with a terrace or balcony and a queen-size bed or two singles, and the view is what sets them apart. The garden or pool side is enough for those who spend their days on the course; our pick for a golf stay is the golf or Makadi bay view, with a sitting area: in the morning you see the course from the terrace. The ten Executive Suites, with jacuzzi and private pool, suit a honeymoon or two couples of friends sharing twin beds.

The sea, by shuttle

The hotel sits in the middle of the golf course. A daily shuttle runs to the sandy beach; diving, snorkelling and sailing are arranged from the bay. At the hotel, the pool under its pergola is heated in winter. The spa is simple: sauna, jacuzzi, massage and gym.

Few tables, and the town around

The hotel has few venues, by design. Eagle serves breakfast and an international buffet in the evening; smart casual dress is required at dinner (no swimwear, and no sleeveless shirts or shorts for men). Nineteen, by the pool, serves from 10 am to sunset (local time) a late breakfast, an à la carte lunch and afternoon tea; this is where the hotel sets up, once per stay and on request, an included romantic dinner. The Bogey Bar, named after the golf term, is open around the clock.

For variety, Madinat Makadi has several restaurants: Oriental (Sofra), grill (Le Grill), Asian (Makadi Tukai), Italian (nino's), Mediterranean (The Beach) and Indian (Amaya). On full board, one dinner a week in one of them is included; on half board, one à la carte visit per stay, drinks extra.

Sabaro's view

For whom: golfing couples and friends; adults who want a small hotel without children.

Strengths: a championship course and an academy around the hotel; 58 m² rooms; only 93 rooms; a 9.2/10 rating on Booking.com.

Good to know: the beach means a shuttle; the hotel has only two restaurants; Hurghada is half an hour away by road.