Stella Gardens Resort & Spa Makadi Bay

This hotel is highly regarded for its exceptionally friendly and welcoming staff, creating a warm atmosphere that makes guests feel at home. Its signature feature is the extensive and beautifully maintained gardens, providing a serene backdrop for a relaxing stay. The vibrant animation team is consistently praised for keeping both children and adults entertained with a wide array of activities. This makes the hotel an excellent fit for families seeking engaging entertainment and couples looking for a lively yet comfortable retreat. Groups will also find the diverse facilities and attentive service conducive to a memorable vacation. To enhance your experience, consider booking specialty restaurants early as they are very popular, and be aware that while the beach is accessible via a convenient shuttle, the main hotel internet connection may be limited to reception areas.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts a wide array of pools, including a heated pool with a swim-up bar, a wave pool, and a slide pool, ensuring options for both active fun and quiet relaxation. Guests appreciate the cleanliness of these areas, with ample sun loungers always available. While a large aqua park is currently under construction, the existing slides provide entertainment. A well-equipped gym is available for those wishing to maintain their fitness routine. The hotel's spa offers various treatments, though some guests noted the staff can be persistent in offering services. Free Wi-Fi is available in the reception areas, but in-room internet is often paid and unstable, leading many to recommend local SIM cards for better connectivity.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently describe the rooms as clean, spacious, and well-maintained, contributing to a comfortable stay. Many reviews highlight the comfortable beds and the overall good condition of the accommodations. The bathrooms are noted for being a decent size, often featuring both a shower and a separate bath. In-room amenities such as a safe, fridge, and kettle are appreciated. Housekeeping receives frequent praise for their thoroughness and for delightful touches like towel art. While some older rooms might show minor signs of wear, the general consensus is that the rooms provide a pleasant and restful environment, with air conditioning functioning effectively.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience is largely positive, with guests frequently commending the food quality and variety available. The main restaurant offers a diverse buffet, though some guests found the options could become repetitive over longer stays. However, the specialty restaurants, including Chinese, Lebanese, and Italian options, receive high praise for their distinct flavors and provide a welcome change from the buffet. Guests particularly enjoyed the fresh ingredients and attentive service in these venues. Snack bars are available by the pool and at the beach, offering convenient options throughout the day. The hotel serves local brand beverages, and the bar staff are noted for preparing good cocktails.

Location & Accessibility
Situated on the second coastline, the hotel shares its beach with a sister property, Stella Beach. A convenient and frequent shuttle bus service transports guests to the beach in approximately five minutes, though it is also a pleasant 10-15 minute walk. The beach features a long jetty for direct access to deeper water, as the entry from the shore is very shallow and contains some dead coral, making special water shoes advisable. There are also smaller lagoons with sandy bottoms suitable for children or non-swimmers. A snack bar and beach bar are available on site. While the hotel offers a large parking area, guests note the lack of shaded spots.

Staff & Service
The staff at this hotel consistently receive glowing reviews for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. From the moment of arrival, guests experience a warm welcome and efficient check-in processes. The animation team is particularly highlighted for their engaging activities and ability to create a lively atmosphere for all ages. Housekeeping is praised for maintaining clean rooms and providing thoughtful touches. Restaurant and bar staff are noted for their polite and accommodating service, often going out of their way to assist guests. Overall, the dedication of the staff significantly contributes to a positive and memorable guest experience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that while Wi-Fi is available for free in the main reception areas, in-room internet access is typically a paid service and can be unreliable. The hotel's spa staff are known for being quite persistent in offering their services, which some guests found intrusive. Additionally, some visitors reported issues with external taxi services attempting to overcharge or divert them to shops, suggesting caution when arranging transportation outside the hotel's direct services. The hotel's extensive and well-maintained gardens are a significant highlight, providing a beautiful and tranquil environment for guests to enjoy.