Отдых на отлично! Rest is great!

I’ll make a reservation right away that this trip is the first, perhaps experienced travelers will call my review too enthusiastic, but I will try to be objective.
Traveled with my husband and 9 year old daughter. The hotel was chosen for a long time, the decisive factor was just the reviews from this site, and the choice turned out to be "bull's eye"! I was attracted by the fact that there were very few compatriots in Stella (friends rested at the Merlin Inn, according to their stories, there was a feeling of a massive collective farm drinking bout a week long), and really, in Stella, we didn’t even hear our native language for the first days after arrival, the atmosphere among vacationers she was very friendly, from the series “I stepped on my neighbor’s foot, and he apologized to me”... And compatriots arrived three days before our departure... It seems that even the atmosphere has changed: there is a family scandal by the pool in the morning; at the reception, disassembly in raised tones and all this on the great and mighty! And it was so emotional. . .
Now about the hotel itself. Before leaving, we tuned in to the general begging from the locals (again, according to the stories of friends) and were pleasantly disappointed, I think this is the merit of the exemplary staff of this hotel. At the reception, we were met by well-trained (I can’t pick up another word) young people, having learned that we were Russians, a Russian-speaking administrator took care of us. We didn't wait a minute, we didn't pay a penny, we got a key, etc. - and in the room. Thanks to the efficiency in this matter, on the very first day they caught fire and surfed.

The only thing that overshadowed the trip was the strange working methods of the guide from the Coral Travel tour operator, he said that all excursions must be booked on the first day, but we are people of mood, we thought that this was such a method to quickly sell us everything in advance, they say, then we’ll come and buy. But he didn’t sell us on other days, and the guides of other operators sent us back to him - they don’t take “strangers”. So we were left without Luxor (Makadi is just hotels, there is no settlement, so there is nowhere else to go for excursions). But a trip on ATVs and fishing took on the beach two times cheaper than the guide. However, I don’t advise you to take fishing - the catch was very modest, although the natives on the boat honestly traveled all over the neighborhood, stopped in several places, the fish - here it is, it can be seen through the transparent bottom, and does not bite, for the life of me! At the same time, we swam to the reef, but it did not impress, the reef at the hotel is much more picturesque, it was not worth wasting time and money.
This is the reef - the strongest impression! unrealistically bright fish, we saw stingrays and octopuses, but this is a matter of luck. And fish in huge numbers are always “on duty” near the pier - they are apparently being fed. it’s not at all difficult to pass, I’m surprised that this pier spoiled the rest for someone... At the end of the pier there is a platform with lockers, umbrellas and several sunbeds, the caretaker is always on duty, they left the camera for him, the key card was put right in the locker - everything is safe. In general, there is a feeling of complete security, things were left without fear on the beach and by the pool. The daughter walked around on her own, it did not occur to her to worry. Security monitors and does not let outsiders from neighboring beaches.
On the second day, we bought masks and a waterproof case for the camera and swam on the reef almost all the warm time of the day (unfortunately, in January it gets chilly even in the heated pool after 4 pm). By the way, for shopping - only to Misha in pavilion 29! Really cheaper, the owner willingly bargains. Do not confuse, otherwise they are all trying to pretend to be Mishami! For example, a cover for a fotik was bought from him for 7 dollars, in other markets they asked for up to 60 !! ! dollars.
The room is good, cleaning - everything is fine, tips were left, but more because of the daughter - she really liked the cleaner's facilities from towels, for this dollar he pleased with new creations every day. Somehow the bulb burned out - they flew in to change faster than the wind, everyone scattered in apologies. When my daughter got sick, they were also very attentive, quickly connected with the insurance company and organized a doctor. so in cases where we needed something from the staff - all requests were treated very carefully. And not the slightest hint of baksheesh! If you give it, they will thank you, but no extortion.

The food is also quite: meat, fish are a must, salads are really wild for our Russian taste. Strawberries, citrus. Every dinner is themed, Mexican, Japanese, etc. You can have fast food at the beach bar. Cocktails for children and alcoholic_ in the bars on the beach and in the pools throughout the day, ice cream in the afternoon.
I liked a very large green area, there is where to walk in the evening. I don’t write about animation_ after swims with masks, I was no longer in the mood for it, at dinner on the veranda of the restaurant we’ll watch a show - and fall to sleep. But I guess that fans around the clock "ignite" the rest in Stella may seem too solid, or something...
The general conclusion is that Stella is worth your attention!