Fort Arabesque Hotel, Hurghada, Egypt
Hotel Information
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
The Fort Arabesque hotel is in idyllic, peaceful surroundings and is ideal for those seeking a beach holiday away from the crowds. The hotel is set in landscaped gardens leading to the 500m stretch of sandy beach. The perfect place for soaking up the sun and enjoying the wonderful marine life which is right on your doorstep. loading...
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Fort Arabesque Hotel Reviews
" GREAT HOLIDAY "
Submitted By: malc2454
Stayed for 2 weeks with Saga.first class all round, dive centre at idive very professional.First time my wife has been to Egypt,and she enjoyed it,will go again, would have liked chips sometimes and not so much pasta.
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Superb Hotel with Excellent Service "
Submitted By: D. Felton
This was our first visit to Egypt and must say we thoroughly enjoyed our four week experience and would certainly consider returning again in the future. The Fort Arabesque Red Sea Resort is somewhat isolated and surrounded by numerous other hotels located in the concrete jungle of Makadi Bay. The resort is Italian owned and caters for Italians, British and German guests. During our visit it would appear that at least one third of guests were British. The hotel also offers a bus service into Hurghada twice daily for about £2.50.
All of the staff are extremely friendly, polite and very attentive at the resort. Nothing is too much trouble for them and fully professional. Abdul and other staff in the Poolside Bar have a brilliant sense of humour and loved to play small practical jokes on guests once they got to know them. The cleanliness throughout the hotel and bedrooms is of a very high standard and bed linen and towels are changed daily. The room boys do an excellent job and we were treated to various objects made from towels (crocodiles to flowers). All rooms are large and airy and have extremely good air-conditioning, multi-channel TV (at least 3 English speaking channels), free mini bar (re-stocked daily), safe, hair dryer along with tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel also provides a good laundry service (free to Saga guests). The swimming pools are cleaned daily by the pool staff, although some dead flies still remained floating on the surface on some occasions. The beach is cleaned regularly with numerous sun loungers and you only have to swim out a few yards to view various species of fish.
The food at the resort is of good quality and plentiful, with all tastes catered for.
Breakfast: These are superb with a vast choice of cereals, fresh fruit, fruit juice and eggs in whatever way you want them cooked (omelettes of all descriptions cooked to order in front of you). Different types of bread too numerous to mention along with croissants. Also grilled tomatoes each morning with a selection of other dishes including sausages and various cheeses.
Lunch and Dinner: Choice of two soups, which were delicious with a large selection of bread similar to breakfast. There was no shortage of salad with an enormous choice of dishes that were varied on a daily basis. For hot food there was usually at least two fish dishes along with options of beef, veal chicken, pizza and choice of pasta with ingredients that would be cooked to order. As other contributors have mentioned the main menu tends to repeat each week, but this did not prove a problem with the large choice of other available dishes. There was also a large range of sweets and plenty of fresh fruit to choose from for afters. All-inclusive guests are also entitled to afternoon tea (or coffee) with cake and biscuits.
Some form of entertainment is provided most evenings in the Arena, but this was Italian orientated. The Poolside Bar provided a local singer each evening singing most songs in English.
Main Bars: Open from 9:00am until 12:00pm daily and serving a selection of soft drinks (including bottles of water) and local alcoholic along with tea or coffee. In the Beach Bars and Poolside Bar you could also help yourself to cans of Beer, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Seven Up, Soda and Tonic Water along with numerous varieties of fruit juices. You could also obtain chocolate ice creams from either of the beach bars.
The hotel also has its runs a dive centre which provides snorkelling and free wind-surfing, kayaks and catamaran rides.
The only down side to our holiday was the higher than usual temperatures we encountered during the last two weeks, when temperatures reach 40C some days. I did encounter a small stomach upset for one day, but put this down to too much sun. A visit to the in-house pharmacy quickly provided me with a supply of pills for a couple of pounds and very quickly resolved the situation.
All of the staff are extremely friendly, polite and very attentive at the resort. Nothing is too much trouble for them and fully professional. Abdul and other staff in the Poolside Bar have a brilliant sense of humour and loved to play small practical jokes on guests once they got to know them. The cleanliness throughout the hotel and bedrooms is of a very high standard and bed linen and towels are changed daily. The room boys do an excellent job and we were treated to various objects made from towels (crocodiles to flowers). All rooms are large and airy and have extremely good air-conditioning, multi-channel TV (at least 3 English speaking channels), free mini bar (re-stocked daily), safe, hair dryer along with tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel also provides a good laundry service (free to Saga guests). The swimming pools are cleaned daily by the pool staff, although some dead flies still remained floating on the surface on some occasions. The beach is cleaned regularly with numerous sun loungers and you only have to swim out a few yards to view various species of fish.
The food at the resort is of good quality and plentiful, with all tastes catered for.
Breakfast: These are superb with a vast choice of cereals, fresh fruit, fruit juice and eggs in whatever way you want them cooked (omelettes of all descriptions cooked to order in front of you). Different types of bread too numerous to mention along with croissants. Also grilled tomatoes each morning with a selection of other dishes including sausages and various cheeses.
Lunch and Dinner: Choice of two soups, which were delicious with a large selection of bread similar to breakfast. There was no shortage of salad with an enormous choice of dishes that were varied on a daily basis. For hot food there was usually at least two fish dishes along with options of beef, veal chicken, pizza and choice of pasta with ingredients that would be cooked to order. As other contributors have mentioned the main menu tends to repeat each week, but this did not prove a problem with the large choice of other available dishes. There was also a large range of sweets and plenty of fresh fruit to choose from for afters. All-inclusive guests are also entitled to afternoon tea (or coffee) with cake and biscuits.
Some form of entertainment is provided most evenings in the Arena, but this was Italian orientated. The Poolside Bar provided a local singer each evening singing most songs in English.
Main Bars: Open from 9:00am until 12:00pm daily and serving a selection of soft drinks (including bottles of water) and local alcoholic along with tea or coffee. In the Beach Bars and Poolside Bar you could also help yourself to cans of Beer, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Seven Up, Soda and Tonic Water along with numerous varieties of fruit juices. You could also obtain chocolate ice creams from either of the beach bars.
The hotel also has its runs a dive centre which provides snorkelling and free wind-surfing, kayaks and catamaran rides.
The only down side to our holiday was the higher than usual temperatures we encountered during the last two weeks, when temperatures reach 40C some days. I did encounter a small stomach upset for one day, but put this down to too much sun. A visit to the in-house pharmacy quickly provided me with a supply of pills for a couple of pounds and very quickly resolved the situation.
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Saga
" Great Holiday/Hotel "
Submitted By: waspeater
All other reviews are pretty accurate. This is an great hotel - location, food, service, rooms, pools, snorkelling and beach are excellent. It has everything you need for a wonderful holiday and the all inclusive is very good.
Only downside for us was that we only went for a one week break in the sun and 3 out of our party of 4 all had upset stomachs, plus so did most people we spoke to. Also unless you speak Italian the evening entertainment in the arena and children's clubs are extremely limited. Though this said we would definately go back and I'd recommend it to everyone.
Only downside for us was that we only went for a one week break in the sun and 3 out of our party of 4 all had upset stomachs, plus so did most people we spoke to. Also unless you speak Italian the evening entertainment in the arena and children's clubs are extremely limited. Though this said we would definately go back and I'd recommend it to everyone.
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" Had a wonderful time. Went for... "
Submitted By: Mr S Patrick
Had a wonderful time. Went for relaxation. One of the best beaches i have ever been to.
Food was very good. As always something for everyone.
There are two beach bars, help yourself or waiter service, the choce is yours.
If you requiree food at any of the beach bars, it comes at an extra cost.
I could not get my head round the idea of having to pay for "COCKTAILS" This gave it the rating of 4 star.
All in all avery pleasant holiday.
Food was very good. As always something for everyone.
There are two beach bars, help yourself or waiter service, the choce is yours.
If you requiree food at any of the beach bars, it comes at an extra cost.
I could not get my head round the idea of having to pay for "COCKTAILS" This gave it the rating of 4 star.
All in all avery pleasant holiday.
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" We had read all the reviews and they... "
Submitted By: Mrs S Routledge
We had read all the reviews and they were all totally spot on. The hotel was exactly as described - total luxury. The room was exceptionally large with two king size beds, large screen TV with a variety of channels (mostly Italian and German but a couple in English). We managed to watch some films and programmes like Friends, Lost, Nanny 911 etc. but who wants to go to such a wonderful place to watch TV? The balcony faced west so we had a great view of the sunset and got the sun in the late afternoon. We could also see a bit of the sea but the view to the right was desert. The shower was great and big and the bathroom had a large sink, bidet and toilet and was spacious. The air conditioning was fine if not a little noisy but we turned it off and didn't really need it as the triple curtains kept the sun out and the room temperature was fine. The "maid"(all male) service was great - Joseph made interesting things out of the towels and the room was spotless. There was ample wardrobes and also a lovely settee and coffee table. The hairdryer was adequate for my hair which is short.
There was a great selection of food at all times and something for everyone - I had to eat healthily for medical reasons and managed to do this although the hot food was often in oil or batter apart from the fish but that was also in a juice which I wasn't sure was totally oil-free. Pasta dishes were always on the menu. The food was VERY SAFE. We didn't have any upset tums. The waiters were all very obliging and efficient as were all the hotel staff and they couldn't do enough for us. They often asked if everything was alright and if we were happy and enjoying our stay. There seemed to be a lot of people and children with various disabilities and they catered really well for them. My husband has Altzheimers and I know we will come back here as the lock on the bedroom door and balcony are secure and not able to be opened by a wandering adult or child. Also although the staff were not told they took it in thier stride and would just point him in my direction when he couldn't remember where I was sitting after going up for another course or to the loo. The grounds are stunning and enjoyable to stroll around. We went on the beach everyday and there were always plenty of sunbeds although to get a shaded place you need to get there before 10am. The beach is sandy and the sea was lovely and warm and there are some little coral reefs fairly near so snorkling in fairly shallow water is possible. The hotel was massive in fact it is like two hotels with two receptions. We walked from one side to the other and it took a good 15 minutes. The hotel doesn't have an ATM and our rep said it is dearer to change money there so he recommended walking along the beach to the right past the Sunrise hotel and into the Meridian which we did twice. There is an HSBC inside the Meridian and inside the shopping arcade. Then it is up a little spiral staircase in the middle of the shops. Watch out for the sellers who will try to get you into their shops. We avoided them by saying we didn't have time as we were on our way to eat.
The entertainment team were good and did their best to put on a variety of shows and the activities for children seemed good. They were multilingual. They have a big indoor arena with lots of tiered seating for the shows. There were singers in the two bars in the evening with what I would call easy listening music.
We went on the trip to Mamya Island and it didn't disappoint us. We did pay the higher price through The Holiday Place and I remembered the review about the person who got food poisoning but our rep said he has never had any complaints or heard of anyone becoming ill from the food at the restaurant that we would go to on the island so we just had some salad and pasta and didn't touch the meat just to be sure and we were fine. Maybe some of the cheaper trips take you to cheaper restaurants on the island. But that's just my guess.
What I liked most about this holiday was that it was so quiet, relaxing, stress and hassle-free. We have been on a Nile and Red Sea cruise and you do get fed up with people hassling you to buy but in this resort you are protected and have none of that. It is inside a walled resort so you feel totally safe. We spoke to people who had been to Hurghada and they got hassled all the time. Also it is so spacious with so many sunbeds that you know that at anytime of day you will be able to relax either on the beach or by one of the many pools.
One word of warning I would give is about the beauty salon. My husband needed a haircut which they said would be 140 Egyptian pounds so we went in. While he was having his hair cut I got hassled to have a facial, nails etc. I refused which caused the staff to whisper in Arabic. They then all left the shop and the barber asked if my husband wanted a shave and his ears doing. Remembering his haircut in Turkey where they burn the ear and nose hair all in with the cost, I agreed but then he started plucking his facial hair with a type of twisted dental floss and then put cream and steam on his face. That procedure cost 400 Egyptian pounds. We came out feeling ripped off as it was a very subtle sell which we thought was all in with the haircut.
By contrast the shop in the hotel is very good and they are pleasant, polite and helpful and don't try to talk you into anything. It is also well stocked with everything you need. I noticed that they were working on a new pharmacy for the future. The building work that went on was really cleverly done and you would hardly have known it was happening.
All in all I would recommend this hotel to anyone although I must be honest and say that my clubbing daughters would probably not have enjoyed it unless they found a club in one of the other hotels in the resort.
We will definitely be back to this hotel as we couldn't fault it. The Holiday Place also really looked after us and we had super service from the local travel agent Eastmar. They sent a minibus to pick us up from the airport and take us back and the rep waited until we had checked in before he left us.
A fantastic holiday.
There was a great selection of food at all times and something for everyone - I had to eat healthily for medical reasons and managed to do this although the hot food was often in oil or batter apart from the fish but that was also in a juice which I wasn't sure was totally oil-free. Pasta dishes were always on the menu. The food was VERY SAFE. We didn't have any upset tums. The waiters were all very obliging and efficient as were all the hotel staff and they couldn't do enough for us. They often asked if everything was alright and if we were happy and enjoying our stay. There seemed to be a lot of people and children with various disabilities and they catered really well for them. My husband has Altzheimers and I know we will come back here as the lock on the bedroom door and balcony are secure and not able to be opened by a wandering adult or child. Also although the staff were not told they took it in thier stride and would just point him in my direction when he couldn't remember where I was sitting after going up for another course or to the loo. The grounds are stunning and enjoyable to stroll around. We went on the beach everyday and there were always plenty of sunbeds although to get a shaded place you need to get there before 10am. The beach is sandy and the sea was lovely and warm and there are some little coral reefs fairly near so snorkling in fairly shallow water is possible. The hotel was massive in fact it is like two hotels with two receptions. We walked from one side to the other and it took a good 15 minutes. The hotel doesn't have an ATM and our rep said it is dearer to change money there so he recommended walking along the beach to the right past the Sunrise hotel and into the Meridian which we did twice. There is an HSBC inside the Meridian and inside the shopping arcade. Then it is up a little spiral staircase in the middle of the shops. Watch out for the sellers who will try to get you into their shops. We avoided them by saying we didn't have time as we were on our way to eat.
The entertainment team were good and did their best to put on a variety of shows and the activities for children seemed good. They were multilingual. They have a big indoor arena with lots of tiered seating for the shows. There were singers in the two bars in the evening with what I would call easy listening music.
We went on the trip to Mamya Island and it didn't disappoint us. We did pay the higher price through The Holiday Place and I remembered the review about the person who got food poisoning but our rep said he has never had any complaints or heard of anyone becoming ill from the food at the restaurant that we would go to on the island so we just had some salad and pasta and didn't touch the meat just to be sure and we were fine. Maybe some of the cheaper trips take you to cheaper restaurants on the island. But that's just my guess.
What I liked most about this holiday was that it was so quiet, relaxing, stress and hassle-free. We have been on a Nile and Red Sea cruise and you do get fed up with people hassling you to buy but in this resort you are protected and have none of that. It is inside a walled resort so you feel totally safe. We spoke to people who had been to Hurghada and they got hassled all the time. Also it is so spacious with so many sunbeds that you know that at anytime of day you will be able to relax either on the beach or by one of the many pools.
One word of warning I would give is about the beauty salon. My husband needed a haircut which they said would be 140 Egyptian pounds so we went in. While he was having his hair cut I got hassled to have a facial, nails etc. I refused which caused the staff to whisper in Arabic. They then all left the shop and the barber asked if my husband wanted a shave and his ears doing. Remembering his haircut in Turkey where they burn the ear and nose hair all in with the cost, I agreed but then he started plucking his facial hair with a type of twisted dental floss and then put cream and steam on his face. That procedure cost 400 Egyptian pounds. We came out feeling ripped off as it was a very subtle sell which we thought was all in with the haircut.
By contrast the shop in the hotel is very good and they are pleasant, polite and helpful and don't try to talk you into anything. It is also well stocked with everything you need. I noticed that they were working on a new pharmacy for the future. The building work that went on was really cleverly done and you would hardly have known it was happening.
All in all I would recommend this hotel to anyone although I must be honest and say that my clubbing daughters would probably not have enjoyed it unless they found a club in one of the other hotels in the resort.
We will definitely be back to this hotel as we couldn't fault it. The Holiday Place also really looked after us and we had super service from the local travel agent Eastmar. They sent a minibus to pick us up from the airport and take us back and the rep waited until we had checked in before he left us.
A fantastic holiday.
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:The Holiday Place
" I cannot stress how good this hotel... "
Submitted By: audiotypist
I cannot stress how good this hotel is. Myself and my son (who was aged 8 at the time) visited this hotel on an excursion to Hurghada (we were based in Luxor) we stayed for 2 days on an all inclusive basis - we enjoyed it so much that we went back again the week after for another 2 days. The staff were very accommodating and not once was I pestered (being a single mother).
The reception staff were definitely the best receptionists I have ever met - we go on lots of holidays to lots of different locations, but this is definitely up there with the best of them.
The hotel is very spacious - with beautiful pools - my son really enjoyed swimming in all of them, (and so did I). The beach was gorgeous and swimming in the ocean was even better - we were feeding the fish - although we shouldn't have really.
The coral is very near to the shore as well. When we were there, I remember a man saying to my son and myself that he was swimming with Manta Rays.
Even the Italians made us feel very welcome (it was mainly Italians in the hotel and the animation team were Italian - but we didn't mind at all). There is an amphitheatre for entertainment in the evening - I think there was a nightclub but I’m not too sure about that. The live pianist was excellent. He sang us a few songs.
The room that we had was huge - we had two double beds in our room - the bathroom was lovely as well. We had a beautiful terrace (which was absolutely huge) which led out to the pools and beach. There is a children’s play area as well - which the children seemed to enjoy.
We really enjoyed the restaurant as well. The shops are good value as well in the hotel, I didn't think they were that expensive - but everybody is different.
I am thinking of going again in May/June next year - we went in May last time and the weather was gorgeous.
The reception staff were definitely the best receptionists I have ever met - we go on lots of holidays to lots of different locations, but this is definitely up there with the best of them.
The hotel is very spacious - with beautiful pools - my son really enjoyed swimming in all of them, (and so did I). The beach was gorgeous and swimming in the ocean was even better - we were feeding the fish - although we shouldn't have really.
The coral is very near to the shore as well. When we were there, I remember a man saying to my son and myself that he was swimming with Manta Rays.
Even the Italians made us feel very welcome (it was mainly Italians in the hotel and the animation team were Italian - but we didn't mind at all). There is an amphitheatre for entertainment in the evening - I think there was a nightclub but I’m not too sure about that. The live pianist was excellent. He sang us a few songs.
The room that we had was huge - we had two double beds in our room - the bathroom was lovely as well. We had a beautiful terrace (which was absolutely huge) which led out to the pools and beach. There is a children’s play area as well - which the children seemed to enjoy.
We really enjoyed the restaurant as well. The shops are good value as well in the hotel, I didn't think they were that expensive - but everybody is different.
I am thinking of going again in May/June next year - we went in May last time and the weather was gorgeous.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" OK so this review is a few months... "
Submitted By: Miss R Mcshane
OK so this review is a few months late.
This hotel is fab, having been to Egypt a few times before I would say that the Fort Arabesque is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in Egypt.
The pools are great and there’s so many. The rooms are very big and very nicely done
The ground are all green and well kept, they must have about 100 gardeners lol
The food is good to, not that much variety but there still something for everyone e.g. always a pasta bar and always a choice of meat of fish. The deserts are to die for. I went I size 8 and came back a 12, lol ,they have a big bowl of chocolate to poor over you're cakes.
Drinks are fab they, are all bottled and not out of the pump like nearly all of the A/I hotels I have stayed in, there are cans of coke Fanta ect and bottled water, the beer is Stella, not our Stella but it’s nice and that’s in bottles too, so you can take them you’re room if you just want to chill.
Oh you get a mini bar in the room that’s filled daily with coke pepi water.
You have to sign for all your drinks in the hotel (stock check purposes) it’s not that bad, just like signing when you pay on a credit card.
Right now the location....... well the hotel its self is a bit out the way but you can walk to Makadi bay along the beach which is nice and take about 15-20 mins. And there are a few shops there, personally I would recommend going to Hurghada for souvenirs ect, if you good at haggling its very cheap. There is a gym in Makadi bay.
The hotel runs a shuttle bus to Hurghada which takes about 20 mins and cost about £1 each, it’s well worth it.
Oh don’t buy anything from the hotel shop, such a rip off, just go Hurghada, there is a super market there witch if you’re like us and can’t do without home favourites, crisp, chocolate ect, its brill, some things are even cheaper than England.
There aren’t that many English people at this hotel, not that that’s a bad thing! But the entertainment is German or Russian or something like that, was still funny trying to watch it though.
They do play live music though which is nice when your having a bevy at night and they do requests... so at the end of the night you can cry along to a home favourite. lol
Well that’s about it... it is a lovely hotel under classed if you ask me. I would rate it at least a 4star, even better if you get a cheap deal we paid 800 for the 2 of us for 2 weeks in December, so that was fab, but yes a very nice hotel.
Oh, its 8 hours away from the pyramids by coach, so if you going 4 that purpose should stay closer to Cairo or Luxor
Have a fab hol.x
This hotel is fab, having been to Egypt a few times before I would say that the Fort Arabesque is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in Egypt.
The pools are great and there’s so many. The rooms are very big and very nicely done
The ground are all green and well kept, they must have about 100 gardeners lol
The food is good to, not that much variety but there still something for everyone e.g. always a pasta bar and always a choice of meat of fish. The deserts are to die for. I went I size 8 and came back a 12, lol ,they have a big bowl of chocolate to poor over you're cakes.
Drinks are fab they, are all bottled and not out of the pump like nearly all of the A/I hotels I have stayed in, there are cans of coke Fanta ect and bottled water, the beer is Stella, not our Stella but it’s nice and that’s in bottles too, so you can take them you’re room if you just want to chill.
Oh you get a mini bar in the room that’s filled daily with coke pepi water.
You have to sign for all your drinks in the hotel (stock check purposes) it’s not that bad, just like signing when you pay on a credit card.
Right now the location....... well the hotel its self is a bit out the way but you can walk to Makadi bay along the beach which is nice and take about 15-20 mins. And there are a few shops there, personally I would recommend going to Hurghada for souvenirs ect, if you good at haggling its very cheap. There is a gym in Makadi bay.
The hotel runs a shuttle bus to Hurghada which takes about 20 mins and cost about £1 each, it’s well worth it.
Oh don’t buy anything from the hotel shop, such a rip off, just go Hurghada, there is a super market there witch if you’re like us and can’t do without home favourites, crisp, chocolate ect, its brill, some things are even cheaper than England.
There aren’t that many English people at this hotel, not that that’s a bad thing! But the entertainment is German or Russian or something like that, was still funny trying to watch it though.
They do play live music though which is nice when your having a bevy at night and they do requests... so at the end of the night you can cry along to a home favourite. lol
Well that’s about it... it is a lovely hotel under classed if you ask me. I would rate it at least a 4star, even better if you get a cheap deal we paid 800 for the 2 of us for 2 weeks in December, so that was fab, but yes a very nice hotel.
Oh, its 8 hours away from the pyramids by coach, so if you going 4 that purpose should stay closer to Cairo or Luxor
Have a fab hol.x
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- Date of Holiday:Dec 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Well ... what can we say about this... "
Submitted By: Mr G Francis
Well ... what can we say about this wonderful hotel. Nothing discouraging, that’s for sure. We have just spent a wonderful week in 1 of the best hotels that we have been in.
The staff go out of their way to help if you have a problem no matter how small it is. The room cleaning was second to none, he came into our room 3 times a day just to make sure all was ok and even turned the sheet back ready for bedtime.
The food was very well presented and cooked, and even if east/south European orientated (not much British food) there was something that suited all tastes. My wife would like to say that, if you are on a diet then try and stay away from the desserts..... They are FAB. The drinking places are well run and the beers were of a quality brands, and we couldn’t get over that the soft drinks came out of cans and not cheap drinks off the pumps.
The hotel is not for people that like the glitz and glamour of marble and bright lights. It is a reminder of what a “fort " is made of, solid stone Egyptian style. Rooms are large (well we had a large room) and even if in need of refurbishment, were clean and spacious.
The grounds are a site for sore eyes, very green considering that you are in a dessert land. It is nice and peaceful to look out over the trees, green grass and shrubbery and flowers in the morning. The private beach a short walk through the many grassy paths from the hotel, and is kept clean. (Who cleans the beach at night??? lol)
The sea and coral are a must do thing to do while at this hotel (the crab diving school are very good at helping you get sorted out in snorkelling or diving activities). Even the wife ventured out into the deep for her first ever time out of her depths to see the wonders of the sea life.
Well there is nothing more that I can say now, except that we cannot wait to go back there next year. You can keep your Costa’s, Fort Arabesque is the place to be, and if you cannot get in there you are missing a wonderful holiday.
If the staff ever get to read this, we must say they made us have a great great holiday, and we’ll be back for more as soon as we can. Many Thanks.
The staff go out of their way to help if you have a problem no matter how small it is. The room cleaning was second to none, he came into our room 3 times a day just to make sure all was ok and even turned the sheet back ready for bedtime.
The food was very well presented and cooked, and even if east/south European orientated (not much British food) there was something that suited all tastes. My wife would like to say that, if you are on a diet then try and stay away from the desserts..... They are FAB. The drinking places are well run and the beers were of a quality brands, and we couldn’t get over that the soft drinks came out of cans and not cheap drinks off the pumps.
The hotel is not for people that like the glitz and glamour of marble and bright lights. It is a reminder of what a “fort " is made of, solid stone Egyptian style. Rooms are large (well we had a large room) and even if in need of refurbishment, were clean and spacious.
The grounds are a site for sore eyes, very green considering that you are in a dessert land. It is nice and peaceful to look out over the trees, green grass and shrubbery and flowers in the morning. The private beach a short walk through the many grassy paths from the hotel, and is kept clean. (Who cleans the beach at night??? lol)
The sea and coral are a must do thing to do while at this hotel (the crab diving school are very good at helping you get sorted out in snorkelling or diving activities). Even the wife ventured out into the deep for her first ever time out of her depths to see the wonders of the sea life.
Well there is nothing more that I can say now, except that we cannot wait to go back there next year. You can keep your Costa’s, Fort Arabesque is the place to be, and if you cannot get in there you are missing a wonderful holiday.
If the staff ever get to read this, we must say they made us have a great great holiday, and we’ll be back for more as soon as we can. Many Thanks.
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Seventh time in Egypt. This was the... "
Submitted By: Mr B Lambert
Seventh time in Egypt. This was the first with my partner other holidays have been diving holidays with friends. I can only agree with the previous review. Having stayed in a variety of hotels in Egypt including the 5 star Sheraton at Soma Bay & the Marriot at Hurghada overall this is the best hotel I have stayed at.
Having suffered food poisoning on 2 previous holidays due to poor food hygiene I can recommend the standard of food preparation at Fort Arabesque. This is the first hotel in Egypt where I have felt confident enough to eat the salads.
The staff are very friendly & make you feel very welcome. Service particularly in the restaurant was excellant which is not the case in many Egyptian hotels. We were half board & found all the drinks & eating at lunch time very inexpensive compared with other hotels I have stayed at in Egypt. For example a 1/2 Ltr of the good local beer Sakara was 11 egyptian pounds equivalent to £1 & the very quoffable Obelisk wine which was the dearest obtainable on the menu came in at only £8.50.
The grounds of the hotel are well laid out with palm trees & manicured lawns & the gently shelving beach has plenty of sun loungers. Although being February & experiencing some days with cold winds, beds with wind breaks were at a premuim because of the lay your towel on a bed at the crack of dawn saddos. One downside to the beach is, that unless you like ear shattering Euro trash pop Italian style do not park yourself on the beach in front of the Animation Centre, we wondered why this part of the beach was deserted & soon found out!
If you are a diver or want to try diving, don't believe the Thomson rep when he says that the on site diving centre The Crab is 'rubbish' and don't allow him to persuade you to arrange diving with Emporer Divers. He & Thompsons get a kick back from Emporer Divers, which is a mini bus ride away in Hurghada & more expensive & much less convenient than the on site diving centre! The Crab centre is Italian, but all of the very helpfull dive guides & instructors speak some english, & the manager's mother is English whch helps. I did 3 dives with them which were very good & on the first dive on the excellant house reef saw a turtle, shoals of small Barracuda, Stone & Lion fish!
So if you want a laid back, chilled holiday in great surroundings, in a hotel with a very friendly atmosphere, which won't cost you the earth if your not on an all inclusive basis. Fort Arabesque could be the right hotel for you. If you want to be surrounded by overweight, tatooed, white trainer wearing Brits & Germans(And thats only the women!) giving Egypt a try because they are getting bored with the Costa Del Sol, I would book one of the more 'entertainment' based hotels nearby.
Having suffered food poisoning on 2 previous holidays due to poor food hygiene I can recommend the standard of food preparation at Fort Arabesque. This is the first hotel in Egypt where I have felt confident enough to eat the salads.
The staff are very friendly & make you feel very welcome. Service particularly in the restaurant was excellant which is not the case in many Egyptian hotels. We were half board & found all the drinks & eating at lunch time very inexpensive compared with other hotels I have stayed at in Egypt. For example a 1/2 Ltr of the good local beer Sakara was 11 egyptian pounds equivalent to £1 & the very quoffable Obelisk wine which was the dearest obtainable on the menu came in at only £8.50.
The grounds of the hotel are well laid out with palm trees & manicured lawns & the gently shelving beach has plenty of sun loungers. Although being February & experiencing some days with cold winds, beds with wind breaks were at a premuim because of the lay your towel on a bed at the crack of dawn saddos. One downside to the beach is, that unless you like ear shattering Euro trash pop Italian style do not park yourself on the beach in front of the Animation Centre, we wondered why this part of the beach was deserted & soon found out!
If you are a diver or want to try diving, don't believe the Thomson rep when he says that the on site diving centre The Crab is 'rubbish' and don't allow him to persuade you to arrange diving with Emporer Divers. He & Thompsons get a kick back from Emporer Divers, which is a mini bus ride away in Hurghada & more expensive & much less convenient than the on site diving centre! The Crab centre is Italian, but all of the very helpfull dive guides & instructors speak some english, & the manager's mother is English whch helps. I did 3 dives with them which were very good & on the first dive on the excellant house reef saw a turtle, shoals of small Barracuda, Stone & Lion fish!
So if you want a laid back, chilled holiday in great surroundings, in a hotel with a very friendly atmosphere, which won't cost you the earth if your not on an all inclusive basis. Fort Arabesque could be the right hotel for you. If you want to be surrounded by overweight, tatooed, white trainer wearing Brits & Germans(And thats only the women!) giving Egypt a try because they are getting bored with the Costa Del Sol, I would book one of the more 'entertainment' based hotels nearby.
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- Date of Holiday:Feb 2006
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Have just returned from a very... "
Submitted By: Mrs J Lees
Have just returned from a very relaxing week in Fort Arabesque Hotel. WE WOULD GLADLY GO AGAIN!
Most of the guests are Italian, then German. There were just a couple of English & French. There are 160 bedrooms arranged as white-painted terraces up to 4 storeys high, all with nice bathrooms (shower cabinets) and private shady terraces. No lift!
The pool is large and heated to 28° and the private beach just beyond the pool is probably the best for snorkelling in the area. Corals near and swarming with large varieties of brightly coloured fish. Grounds are spacious, planted with palms, bougainvillea, hibiscus, etc., beautiful & very well maintained.
Service very friendly and helpful, amenities many & various. Restaurant offers huge salad & sweet buffets gorgeously presented and meat and fish of slightly less quality.
Hurghada is about 20kms (I wouldn’t bother) but the airport is nearer. Don’t go on the so-called glass-bottomed boat!
Study the excellent website : www.fortarabesque.com for more information.
Shop not brilliant but there is a hotel with more shops & ATM on each side (Meridian and Grand Makadi) 10 mins walk along the beach. I would not chose to stay in either.
Horse & camel riding available just before the Meridian, but no hard hats provided.
Only adverse comment : the public rooms seem to be echo chambers and we found the other guests and their children very noisy. Never mind - it’s worth it, especially if you can do the ‘all inclusive’ basis where even wine & beer are included.
Most of the guests are Italian, then German. There were just a couple of English & French. There are 160 bedrooms arranged as white-painted terraces up to 4 storeys high, all with nice bathrooms (shower cabinets) and private shady terraces. No lift!
The pool is large and heated to 28° and the private beach just beyond the pool is probably the best for snorkelling in the area. Corals near and swarming with large varieties of brightly coloured fish. Grounds are spacious, planted with palms, bougainvillea, hibiscus, etc., beautiful & very well maintained.
Service very friendly and helpful, amenities many & various. Restaurant offers huge salad & sweet buffets gorgeously presented and meat and fish of slightly less quality.
Hurghada is about 20kms (I wouldn’t bother) but the airport is nearer. Don’t go on the so-called glass-bottomed boat!
Study the excellent website : www.fortarabesque.com for more information.
Shop not brilliant but there is a hotel with more shops & ATM on each side (Meridian and Grand Makadi) 10 mins walk along the beach. I would not chose to stay in either.
Horse & camel riding available just before the Meridian, but no hard hats provided.
Only adverse comment : the public rooms seem to be echo chambers and we found the other guests and their children very noisy. Never mind - it’s worth it, especially if you can do the ‘all inclusive’ basis where even wine & beer are included.
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- Date of Holiday:Jan 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook France
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Advice: Only saw Hurghada from coach - impression was a very poor town with alot of unfinished building
Activities: Luxor