From the moment I arrived at Fort Arabesque Resort, Spa & Villas, I felt that rare sense of having landed somewhere truly special. Not simply a hotel, but a place with its own rhythm, atmosphere and quiet confidence. Set along one of the most beautiful stretches of Makadi Bay, Fort Arabesque feels timeless, calm and deeply connected to its surroundings.
The first thing that strikes you is the setting. The Red Sea stretches endlessly ahead, impossibly clear and shifting in colour from pale turquoise to deep sapphire. Palm trees line winding pathways, gardens are immaculately kept, and there is a feeling of space and ease that immediately slows you down. It is the kind of place where your shoulders drop without you realising.
Rooms that feel like a retreat
My room was spacious, light-filled and thoughtfully designed, with direct access to the nearest heated pool! Soft, neutral tones echoed the landscape outside, and the private balcony quickly became my favourite place to sit, whether with a coffee in the morning or watching the sky soften into gold at sunset. The room was immaculately clean, well maintained and wonderfully quiet at night, which made it easy to fully switch off.
For those looking to elevate the experience even further, the villas and swim-up rooms are exceptional. Stepping directly from your room into warm, glistening water feels indulgent in the best possible way. Details like a well stocked minibar, coffee facilities and generous bathrooms made everything feel effortless and considered.
Dining that becomes part of the memory
Food at Fort Arabesque is not an afterthought, it is part of the experience. The main buffet restaurants offer impressive variety, with themed evenings and beautifully presented dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes. Breakfasts were particularly memorable, with fresh fruit, pastries, cooked options and excellent coffee enjoyed in the gentle morning light.
La Piazza, the Italian restaurant by the pool, quickly became a favourite. It is relaxed and charming, serving comforting pasta dishes and freshly made pizza that feel perfect for long, sun-soaked afternoons.
For something more special, the adults-only dining options such as Club 159 and The Pavilion offer a quieter, more refined atmosphere. Evenings here felt intimate and unhurried, with carefully prepared dishes, attentive service and the soft sound of the sea nearby.
Dining by the beach, particularly at the seafood and Mediterranean venues, was unforgettable. Eating fresh fish while the tide quietly rolls in, the horizon glowing as the sun sets, is one of those moments that stays with you long after you leave.
Bars are scattered thoughtfully throughout the resort, from swim-up pool bars for midday refreshment to sunset lounges that come alive in the evenings. Every drink felt like it belonged exactly where it was served.
Service that defines the experience
What truly sets Fort Arabesque apart is its people. Beyond the beautiful setting and thoughtful design, it is the human moments that stay with you, often in the most unexpected ways.
One afternoon, I found myself chatting with Isaac Samir, one of the waiters at the resort. It started casually, but quickly became one of the most memorable moments of my stay. When I asked him how long he had worked there, he smiled proudly and told me it had been just over a year. When I asked what he enjoyed most about his job, his answer was immediate and sincere.
He told me that what makes him happiest is making guests happy. That he loves improving himself through small conversations, learning how to connect with people from all over the world, and creating moments that guests remember. There was no script, no rehearsed answer, just genuine pride in his work and care for the people he serves.
He explained that through his role, he has begun learning multiple languages. English, Russian and German so far, with plans to improve them all, and then move on to Italian next. Not because he has to, but because he wants to. Because it helps him connect. Because it makes guests feel seen.
When I asked him what he loved most about the hotel, he looked around almost thoughtfully before saying that the whole place was beautiful. That everything felt right. That the beach, in particular, was something special. The sea, the soft sand, the fact that it is easy to swim without too many stones. These were the things he would tell someone to see first.
He laughed when I asked if he had ever been snorkelling in the Red Sea. Not yet, he said, but he hoped one day he would.
That short conversation captured the spirit of Fort Arabesque better than any brochure ever could. A place where people care, where pride runs quietly beneath the surface, and where hospitality is rooted in warmth rather than performance.
It is this kind of service, personal, unforced and deeply human, that transforms a beautiful resort into an unforgettable experience.
Later in my stay, I met Junior Abaza, a 27 year old DJ whose presence defines the energy of the resort’s evenings. Junior first worked at Fort Arabesque from 2017 through to 2021 before travelling the world. After exploring other places, he returned again recently, drawn back by something he found difficult to put into words.
When I asked what made him come back, he said simply that this is where he belongs. That it is the people, the food, the atmosphere, the feeling. Everything. For him, Fort Arabesque is not just a place to work, but a place that feels like home.
When I pressed him to choose the one thing that defines the hotel for guests, he pointed to the arena where the evening entertainment takes place. He described it as the space where you feel everything and forget everything you need to forget. Where the energy lifts you out of yourself. Where the night becomes its own experience.
Junior performs regularly, hosting shows and shaping the soundtrack of the evenings. When asked which show was his favourite, he smiled and said that any show where he is on stage is the one he loves most.
Together, these conversations captured the essence of Fort Arabesque more clearly than any description could. A place built not just on beautiful surroundings, but on people who care deeply about what they do. A resort where warmth is genuine, passion is visible, and hospitality is lived rather than performed.
The beach and the sea
The beach at Fort Arabesque is not only beautiful, it is alive. Just a few steps from the shoreline lies a thriving coral reef, easily accessible directly from the beach. The water is calm and exceptionally clear, making it ideal for snorkelling even for beginners. Within minutes of entering the sea, you find yourself floating above coral formations and schools of brightly coloured fish, all moving quietly beneath the surface. There is something deeply grounding about knowing that such natural richness exists right there, not as an excursion, but as part of everyday life at the resort. It transforms the beach from a place to sunbathe into a place to explore, reflect and connect with the Red Sea in its purest form.
Multiple pools across the resort offer different moods. Some are lively and social, others quiet and shaded, perfect for reading or drifting through the afternoon. There is always somewhere that suits how you feel that day.
Wellness, calm and quiet moments
The spa is a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Treatments are deeply relaxing, the therapists skilled and intuitive, and the setting encourages you to slow down completely. It felt less like a scheduled activity and more like an essential part of the experience.
Beyond the spa, there is as much or as little to do as you choose. Gentle activities, water sports, walks through the gardens, or simply doing nothing at all. Evenings unfold softly, with entertainment that never overwhelms the atmosphere but adds to it.
Would I come back?
Five Words. Already booked my next trip
Fort Arabesque is not loud or showy. It does not need to be. Its beauty lies in balance, in the way luxury, nature and hospitality come together effortlessly. It is a place for long swims, slow meals, quiet mornings and unforgettable sunsets.
I left feeling rested, inspired and already nostalgic. Some destinations are enjoyable. Others stay with you. Fort Arabesque is firmly the latter.
