Fort Arabesque Hotel

Just returned from a weeks break. Travelled with my sister and daughter. Have been to Egypt many times and stayed at many different resorts and I can honestly say that this is the best one we have visited. Staff are very friendly, courteous and helpful. Our rooms were excellent, two double beds in each, fridge, hairdryer etc:. Fresh towels and linen provided each day. This is the second time I have travelled on an all inclusive basis and I found the food of a high standard. There was a good variety of food on offer each breakfast and dinner. I can't comment on the lunches as we ate every day at the beach bar as soon as we saw they served fresh calamares and shrimps! Although this had to be paid for, it was excellent value! Plenty of activities on offer should you wish to join in (aerobics, salsa dancing, sports etc) although we prefered to laze on the sandy beach!. Weather was not fantastics (but we were expecting this ay this time of year). By 3.00/3.30 the sun had lost its strength but you are still able to stay on the beach. Have still managed to come back with a good tan. Beach itself is one of the best I have seen in egypt. Large with plenty of sunloungers. If you want a good spot, ask the beach guys to reserve you one. Went down at 7.15 one morning and most of the loungers had already got towels on them! Would recommend the massage, good value for money compared to UK prices. Went horseriding in the desert for a couple of hours one morning, Thoroughly enjoyable but would say that, perhaps, one hour is enough. All in all, if you are looking for a relaxing holiday and a good hotel, I would thoroughly recommend it, I enjoyed it so much that I have just tried to book for another week (with my husband) mid march but its full! Will definately return in the near future.

I had a wonderful relaxing time at the Fort Arabesque. The staff were helpful and friendly and nothing was too much trouble. THere are 2 blocks - the old and new each block has a bar, restaurant and reception and regardless of which you stay in you can use either. In the new block where i stayed all rooms have a wonderful seaview. All inclusive was good. Breakfast til 10 - if you miss it then croissant and pastries are served in the pool bar from 10.30. All meals were buffet with drink served. In most of the bars you just help yourself to drinks in the fridges - ie water, juices etc. Lunch and dinner had a large selection of salads. 2 kinds of soup and plenty of hot meat and fish dishes to choose from plus fresh pasta station. Also plenty of cakes, sweet desserts and there were fresh strawberries daily and other fruit... etc etc. MId afternoon snacks served at the pool bar from 3.30pm chips/pizza/sausages.. The complex has 4 or 5 heated pools - one of which is protected from the elements with glass panelling. Also plenty of sunbeds on the private section of the beach. (Pool/beach towels provided)Catamaran ride and windsurfing also free of charge. There is a nice walk or cycle route which leads around the bay and a shuttle bus which goes into Hurghada twice a day for a small charge. All in all I would find it hard to fault the hotel on anything I only .wish I could have stayed longer!

just got back from a wonderful week at this hotel, and as stated by others they have the best and biggest site in the bay and by far the most room between sun beds (some hotels they are so close you can't walk between them). our trip was all inclusive with Thompson and we,re already making plans for return trip next year. first impressions of the food when we arrived was a bit disappointing but because it was quite late when we got to eat (about 2100 by the time we'd checked in and went to eat) i think it was more a case of what was left. certainly the following day there was a lot more choice and was of a very high standard. Tip on evening meals the Italian's and Germans while be waiting for the restaurant to open at 1900. don't bother trying to beat them take the 5min stroll up to the new wing and eat there in my opinion its the better restaurant anyway. and i didn't hear of one case of upset tum all week (except for me but i had that before i left uk) drink i.e beer is all in bottles and not bad soft drinks also in bottles and cans and in many places you can just go help yourself straight from the fridge's ICE LOLLIES TOO but don't tell the kids lol the beach is man made but not bad and the snorkeling is first class with big clumps of reef only a few meters out in waist deep water the room was huge with two king sized beds and spotlessly clean would i go there again YES ps for all you hay fever sufferers don't forget your pill's etc because the grounds are huge and very green with flowers everywhere :)

There's not much more that can be said other than our stay was excellent. Pretty much every aspect of the hotel was well above average, the grounds were incredibly well kept and the pools were very clean and quiet! The staff were very helpful and couldn't do enough for you. The food however, was as most Egypt hotels are, was repetative, but it was good quality and seemed well cooked. The beach bar was handy and did some half decent english type food at lunch times, for an extra cost. The room we were allocated was on the first floor looking out to the beach. An incredible view, not noisy and kept very clean indeed. The beach? Well fantastic would be the best word to describe it! There were plenty of sun beds, but like most places you had to get there early to get a good location. The snorkelling was brilliant, plenty of marine life to see... to be honest I had to be dragged out of the water by my better half! Water was very clear and there were plenty of places to swim normally, quite shallow in places too, ideal for young ones. Whilst we were there we booked a single trip with the tour provider, Thompsons. It was a snorkelling trip to an island in the red sea. Don't get me wrong it was ok, not as much to see as i would have liked and the sun was so intense i didn't dare leave the shade. We were catered for on the island and we took advantage and had a plate full. However, the next day I was suffering. I had incredible stomach cramps and constant trips to the toilet. That lasted for the rest of the holiday and spoiled it for me. The food poisoning or whatever i was lucky enough to get remained with me and ended up having to visit the emergency doctor on my return to the UK! But don't let that put you off. Our week at the Fort Arabesque was brilliant. We're a young couple and the week was ideal for a quiet getaway with plenty of sun. We were unlucky getting poorly but I would definately recommend this hotel for anyone wanting to visit Egypt. We'll probably return after exploring what else Egypt has to offer. (Much much better than Sharm el Sheikh!) P.S avoid the snorkelling trip, or at least take a packed lunch!

Stayed 11/1 - 18/1/08, booked with Thomsons, flew with First Choice. Flight on time from LGW. 4 1/2 hour flight Flight crew left alot to be desired. Outbound one stewardess very rude to passengers, at best disorganised, at worst downright dangerous - the crew member in charge even said out loud the access code into the flight deck in front of passengers queuing for the toilet next to it! Hurghada airport disorganised. Luggage took long time to arrive & ours was last off The tour rep had to be tracked down as he had not waited in or even near the terminal for us. full coach load just to this hotel. 30 min transfer to hotel. Check-in chaotic. At hotel entrance was told one check in card per room but at desk was told by the desk clerk that must be one card per person. Reception staff surly. Hotel reception area undergoing cosmetic refurb - very strong smell of varnish which was used on floor tiles lasted duration of 7 day stay - not pleasant as this is where the bar it located. However this was masked at night by the very smoky atmosphere. High percentage of Italian, German and Russian guests. Majority of UK guests appear to be with Saga on long stay. Bar staff very efficient and attentive, a please and Thank you is gratefully received as some behaviour from certain nationalities is downright ignorant and rude. Hotel is clean but some areas are in need of attention. Our rooms were 350 & 351. Located on third floor opposite the "Quiet beach". Bathroom sinks cracked, tiles in shower missing and broken, shower doors that had a mind of their own. One shower tray leaked water that ran out into the main bedroom area on each use. Bedrooms are very large. One king size bed and one double in each of our rooms (one was reserved for a single person). Food in the restaurant was Ok. Dishes were not kept hot, which was disappointing as some dishes would have been good. Vegetarian selection poor, even many of the salad dishes contained meat or seafood. Only main meals were "labelled". Appeared to be some "recycling" of some meals from lunch to dinner. No dodgy stomachs though. Breakfast is 7-10, Lunch 12.30 -14.30, Evening meal starts at 19.00 - 22.00, with snacks available in between. Alot of people being turned away at 19.15 as restaurant full & asked to return later in the evening. We ate at 21.30 on evening of arrival and food selection was dire - little choice left and wasnt being replenished. Service a little slow at beginning of week but gets better when they get to know you. The beach is very clean, active areas & a quiet zone. Massive amount of sun loungers on beach. Witnessed little regard by some for the coral reefs just off shore but a surprising amount of marine life seen snorkelling only a stones throw from the beach. Gardens are well maintained and large open areas as the hotel site is very spread out as the hotel is split into 2 "wings" - the "old" (where we were) & the "new" (where saga guests stay). Weather was very windy for whole week, blue sky in day but chilly in evenings. Flight back was better service, crew friendly but condition on plane left alot to be desired. My tray table was broken & dirty, 2 of our 3 seats were badly torn, an arm rest broken and quite dangerous as sharp metal edge protruding. Legroom was non existant on return flight - my 6 foot husband had to sit sideways as gap to seat in front too small to sit facing forward! To sum it up - it was a week away for £320 each all inclusive. Please it wasnt our main holiday but to be fair a holiday is what you make of it and my observations didnt spoil our holiday. Would I return to this hotel? Sorry but No. Why? as I have stayed in far better hotels in Egypt (Hilton Nuweiba, Hilton Sharks Bay, Kahramana & Coraya in Marsa Alam)

Have just returned from a week at this resort. Read several reviews before we went and have to agree with most of them. Resort - beautiful gardens with colourful flowers and greenery. The rooms were spacious with large twin beds, a tv, hairdryer, air con, mini bar and cleaned twice daily, with fresh towels each day. The staff were helpful and friendly - only slight problem was the service provided in the restaurant, not really sure if they know what service means.... but it didnt spoil the holiday. No problem at the bars though. Food - a good selection provided, pasta, bread, meats, veg and salads each day, wide range for breakfast. For the 3t rating it was given, it was MUCH better than a 5* hotel I went to in Sharm the previous year ( LTI Grand Azure) Entertainment - was reasonable, there was things happening most of the day and evening. But they didnt seem to translate into English much, mainly Itailian. Diving Centre - fairly good, well run by an Itailian company The Crab, they did speak English. Overall - had a lovely week, weather 28/29c most days, will definately go back and would recommend to others....Enjoy Remember this is a 3* hotel not 5*

Staff very friendly -if you are, don't be a grump they like a joke, the hotel is splendid and trust me the most spacious one around that area, it has one of the largest beaches compared to the surrounding hotels which are cramped with small beaches. If you love snorkelling we definitely recommend this hotel with its reefs, this is our 2nd trip to Egypt we love it, we've been to Makadi Bay Reef Resort, Marsa Alam also recommended (but you are surronded by nothing not another hotel in sight would not recommend this one for more than 7days) however Fort Arabesque is surrounded and isn't to far from Hurgarda so a 2week stay would be fine. This is also the perfect location if wanting to do the trip to Luxor (a good once off, very hot trip but recommended but wear comfi shoes) as you are the last pickup and first drop off on this journey, we recommend the 4x4 Quad biking -its wicked definitely worth it, this is my 2nd deep sea snorkelling trip - which in my opinion we wouldn't recommend very touristy and not much better than what you see at the hotel. Now the food is definitely worth the 98% rating it is honestly fab. Don't forget to take some stomach run tablets (in the two trips to Egypt i've had no problems - but then i have a hardy stomach coming from South Africa) we have found that majority if not all Brits suffer with the stomach run but don't let this put you off just go prepared with tablets. Have fun you'll enjoy this hotel. ps water in August alot hotter than May although it wasn't too bad there are spells of hot and cold water mixed but we really enjoyed it. JJ

OK so this review is a few months late opppps lol 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 ive stayed in egypt. The pools are great and theres so many The rooms are very big and very nicely done The ground are all green and well kept, thay must have about 100 gardeners lol The food is good to, not that much varity but there still sometin 4 everyone eg. all ways a pasta bar and always a chose of meat of fish. RRRRR the deserts are to die 4 i went i size 8 and cum back a 12 lol thay have a big bowl of choclot to poor over ur cakes MMMMMMM ONE MORE THING ABOUT THE FOOD, i dont eat meat so i thourght i would struggel, but i ask them for a tin of tuna as i didint eat meat and evey day thay made me tuna, so i was very pleases with that .xxx The drinks are fab they are all botteld 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 botteld water, the beer is steller, not r steller but its nice and thats in bottels 2 so you can take them ur room if you just wanner chill. Oh you get a mini bar in the room thats filled daliy with coke pepis water. You have to sign for all ur drinks in the hotel ( 4 there stock chek purpoes) its not that bad, just like signin wen you pay on a creidit card. Rite now the location....... well the hotel its self is a bit out the way but you can walk to makiki bay along the beach witch is nice and take about 15-20 mins an there are a few shops there, peronaly i would recommend going to hurgarder 4 sovernears ect if you good at hagglin its very cheap. there is a gym in makiki bay. The hotel runs a shuttel bus to hugarder witch take a bot 20 mins and cost about £1 each its well worth it, oh dont buy anythin from the hotel shop sutch a ripp off, just go hugarder, there is a supper market there witch if your like us and cant do with out home favertis, crisp, choclot ect its brill sum things are even cheper than england. There arnt that many english ppl at this hotel, not that thats a bad thing!!! but the entertaiment is is german or russin or sumtin lik that, was still funny tryin to watch it tho...... thay do play live musiv tho witch is nice wen ur avin a bevie at nite an they do request... so at the end of the nit you can cry along to a home favorit lol well thats a bot it... it is a lovely hotel under clased is u 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 4 2 weks in december so that was fab, but ye very nice hotel. Oh its 8 hours away from the piramids by coach so if you goin 4 that purpos sud stay closer to ciro or luxall have a fab hol.xxxxxx

We returned from a SAGA holiday at the fort arabesque hotel in may. The hotel had just been reorganised following the completion of a new wing, hence this report relates to the hotel following these changes. The hotel stands on an idelic beach with excellent facilities for water sports and snorkiling. The hotel grounds are spacious and very well maintained by a mountain of local staff. The accomodation is of a good 4 star standard for this part of the world. So whats the problem? Besides the few SAGA guests the hotel is 95% Italian. They as you know tent to have large famileys and are increditably noisy The new dining room has a solid concrete floor and celing with glass and cement rendered walls. The noise at meal times is indiscribable. All the animation is in Italian and is set at no 5 from 09:30 till12:30 and 16:00 till 19:30 Unless you are prepared to take on Italian children, the pool is impossible for use except from 13:00 to 1500 sieasta time The restaurant has a good food rating by SAGA. Sadley the food during our stay was a total disaster, cold and of a very poor standard. I have fed back this information to SAGA as i know similar reports from fellow guests staying at the same time period will be compiled. In summery equating the good with the bad i don't think this hotel is at all suitable for the British SAGA age group, there being so many excellent hotels now in the Red sea area offering equally good facilities without the drawback encountered at the Arabesque

We had a memorable stay at Fort Arabesque last November.The Hotel is about 4 years old and as it was the first to be built at Makadi Bay it got the best location by far. The Hotel is on its own private beach which is swept every morning and was always clean.There were plenty of sunbeds available throuhout and there were windbreaks which were needed to keep out of a cool north east wind that blew most days we were there. There was a large coral reef offshore and within the lagoon there were several areas of live coral where you could snokel.You did not have to be a swimmer to enjoy the pretty coloured fish that were everywhere. You only had to wade in to the sea up to your waist and stand by some coral and the fish would swarm around you-they were very tame. At that time of the year the days are short you needed to get out early to catch the best of the day as by 4.30 pm it starts to cool down as the sun dips. The weather while we were there was continuos sunshine during the day-according to the staff it last rained there in January 2005. The most striking feature of the hotel is the grounds-they were amazing.The gardeners tended them every day watering and mowing the lawns,trimming and shaping the shrubs and privit hedges and the flowers were something else.The gardens were full of birds-mostly Palm Doves and Wagtails but I also saw Ravens and Kestrels in the grounds. We were on all inclusive -the food was good with plenty of choice-no problems with upset stomachs etc. The drinks on AI were a bit limited and the local wine was just about acceptable. The rooms were large,well equiped and comfortable and well looked after by the room boy-the staff in general were all very nice and friendly. We booked with SAGA and were impressed by their service.We had a welcome cocktail party the first night and a farewell gala dinner on the last night. The SAGA rep was excellent -if you had a problem she got it sorted.If you are too young to go with SAGA then Thompsons go there as well. SAGA guests had there own exclusive bar and dining room.This helped everyone to get to know one another. Most of the guests in the hotel were Italian as was the animation team.The entertainment was run by them but you could go if you wanted to. Excursions were run by a local tour company who provided a guide.We went on two a [long] day trip to Luxor and a boat trip to snorkel around the coral reefs off Hurghada. Before we went we had some reservations about security especially after the bombs at Sharm.We found the security to be very tight-after leaving the Airport we passed through an armed checkpoint to get on to the main road and two more to get in to the hotel.