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MAKING WAVES
I stayed at the Egypt resort with the country’s largest water park and massive hotel buffet
Egypt's largest water park has 50 thrilling rides
“SHARK!”, a young boy shrieks.
There is momentary panic until I realise the child has spotted the aquatic-themed play zone at Hurghada’s Makadi Water World.
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Kids are excitedly dodging downpours from the Shark House’s 1,000-litre tipping bucket and zooming down its colourful mini slides.
Next to the children’s area, four teenage girls squeal as their rubber raft is propelled from the open-air chute, landing with a splash.
Egypt’s largest water park has 50 thrilling rides, catering for all ages — and levels of bravery.
And it is located in the grounds of my hotel, the five-star all-inclusive Jaz Aquaviva, so guests have unlimited access.
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The travel industry has recently seen a trend for family-friendly experiential holidays — and this Red Sea destination is just the ticket.
Only 30 minutes’ drive from Hurghada International Airport, Jaz Aquaviva has a kids’ club, miniature arcade, tennis court, ping-pong table, gym, aqua aerobics and an animation team.
There is also a spa and four pools, including the adults-only rooftop for those of us who prefer to flop onto a sunlounger rather than plummet down the Turbo Tunnel before lunch.
You won’t go hungry here.
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The hotel’s buffet restaurant Amaraya is one of the largest I’ve been to, with freshly baked bread, salad, spice and grill stations, and local and international cuisine.
Plus there’s Felfela and Paprika, the rooftop a la carte Egyptian and Italian, which guests can dine in once a week for no extra charge.
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When it comes to exploring, the Eastern Desert is on your doorstep with ATV (quad biking) and camel riding among the tours you can book via the hotel or TripAdvisor, from £16 per person.
On a cloudless afternoon in November, with temperatures still hitting 27C, our guide demonstrates how to tie a shemagh, a head scarf to protect against the sun and sand, and operate the ATV.
After, narrowly, passing my test drive — I was too cautious, apparently — our group navigate the 25km ride across rocky plains to a deserted Bedouin village.
In the shadow of Shaiyb al-Banat peak, we sit in a palm-leaf hut and sip Egyptian tea.
Then, after straddling a bellowing camel for a swift circuit, we climb a dune for windswept views of the desert.
As we zip back to base at sunset, we take a pit-stop for a snap of the sky, which has turned a mishmash of bubble-gum pink and tangerine — the perfect end to our speedy adventure.
The 480-room Jaz Aquaviva is one of several hotels within the gated, security- patrolled Madinat Makadi, which features restaurants — shout out to the delicious Indian, Amaya — a souk selling spices, perfumes and souvenirs, and a private beach, all reachable by a free shuttle bus.
Another huge draw to the complex is its championship golf course (an 18-hole round costs from £70pp).
“It is the best in Egypt,” insists operations manager Samir Fekry, as I perch on a buggy for a whizz round the 18 holes.
Mountains and Red Sea
I don’t need to take his word for it; Madinat Makadi Golf Resort has been voted the country’s No1 course for six consecutive years by the World Golf Awards.
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Architect John Sanford tackled the issue of building smack bang in the desert by planting drought-resistance paspalum grass and a sustainable irrigation system.
It means its lush green fairways — with views of the mountains and Red Sea — can be played year round.
Twenty minutes north of Madinat Makadi is its more luxurious sister, Jaz Casa Del Mar Beach, which also offers desert tours and watersports.
For a winter holiday filled with adventure and all that Jaz, Hurghada has it all
We are greeted by the general manager, who tells us: “This hotel is special; I want it to feel like home.”
Khaled Abd El Latif, who aims to speak to every guest during their stay, is being modest.
If my home had four pools, a private beach, spa, Parisian-style bistro, a varied and immaculately presented buffet, a grill restaurant serving delicious seafood soup and lamb chops in jus, plus a jam-packed activity programme, I would never leave.
Alas, I make the most of my short stay — and the martinis at the 24-hour bar.
With its azure water and diverse marine life, Hurghada is a popular base for snorkelling (one-day tours cost from £40pp) and diving excursions — and conveniently, the hotel has its own dive centre.
We spend an afternoon floating on the choppy Red Sea with the crew from Egypt International, admiring emperor angelfish and clown fish weaving through the multi-coloured coral.
For adrenaline junkies, there is also a banana boat.
If you prefer to stay on dry land, Jaz Casa Del Mar Beach is a ten-minute taxi from Hurghada Marina, which comes alive at night with lively bars and restaurants.
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I visit in the quiet of morning to truly appreciate the jumble of yellow, terracotta and blue facades as you meander towards the mighty minarets of Al Mina Mosque.
For a winter holiday filled with adventure and all that Jaz, Hurghada has it all.
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GO: HURGHADA
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies from Gatwick to Hurghada from around £115 return in January.
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STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Jaz Casa Del Mar Beach is from £519pp, based on two sharing a superior room with a garden view.
Book now and save 20 per cent with code “FESTIVE”, bringing the price to £415pp.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Jaz Aquaviva is from £438pp based on two sharing a superior room with a garden view.
Book now and save 15 per cent with code “SAVER’, bringing price to £284.50pp including further discounts.
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MORE INFO: Madinat Makadi Golf Resort see . Egypt International dive centre, see egyptinternationalco.com/Hurghada/jaz-casa-del-mar-beach/dive-center.
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