Fort Arabesque Resort and Spa

This was our 4th holiday at this hotel and one which once again successfully delivered on many fronts despite some niggling issues. Weather: Despite 2 days of irritatingly strong wind and a sandstorm which blotted out the sun on one day, we were blessed with cloudless days on most days but somewhat chilly evenings. Several regulars told us that the weather had been a bit up and down but that it had picked up a few days prior to our arrival on March 20th so we were lucky. The temperatures were, however a little down on previous years and it was extremely chilly on the day of the nearby sandstorm. Rooms: We encountered a slight conundrum over this. Having not been offered the option of booking a superior room at the time of booking with Red Sea Holidays, we had prearranged with the hotel to upgrade when we arrived and had also asked for a ground floor West Bay room. We arrived to find that we had indeed been allocated a ground floor room in the West Bay but not a superior and when we took this up with reception were immediately offered a superior ground floor room in the East Bay (a non-starter for us, being too far from our preferred facilities of the West Bay), a superior but noisy room directly next to the bar into which we could move after a 3 day wait or a superior room on the West Bay top floor (hubbo has mobility problems and given that lifts are out of operation in a fire – well, enough said). The man on reception who kept on telling us how helpful he was being told us to come back the next day and he would see what he could do. We could not therefore unpack that night and when we went back the next morning it was a different man on reception who knew nothing about the issue! Over the fortnight we heard other disgruntled guests being told by the same evening receptionist to return the next day and we marveled at this handy and masterful way of getting out of dealing with complaints! Anyway as our room was in a perfect position for us we decided to stay put but asked them to fix the leak in the bathroom which was causing a puddle. We were most impressed to find that this appeared to be done immediately ... until it reappeared the next day. We thereafter entertained a stream of plumbers every 2 or 3 days who muttered, shrugged and told us all was good whilst it became more and more obvious that things were getting worse and that the problem was from a pipe buried in the wall. We eventually surrendered and decided to live with mopping up the daily puddle ... until 9 days later when the loo stopped flushing. We immediately reported it, went out for the day and returned to the news that there was apparently a serious leak in a pipe buried in the wall and that we had to change rooms immediately! We had no choice but to pack up and move, which with only 5 days left did not go down too well, given that we had first reported the problem on arrival. One point worth noting is that all the bathrooms appear to have been tidied up with much-needed new silicone sealant around showers and basins and new taps and wastes. Food: Excellent. Having read that this had improved, we agreed. There was a good variety of dishes, lovely salads, fries, freshly-made pastas and pizzas plus a roast available each night. There seemed to be more fresh fruit at breakfast, wonderful eggs still done any way you like, fresh rustic breads and lots more (but still no orange marmalade). We had another lovely meal at the Pavilion restaurant and also enjoyed the beach restaurant evening BBQ. Service and facilities: Apart from the hit and miss experiences at reception the service was as good as ever. Our room boy Abdel kept our room immaculately clean (and tirelessly mopped up the puddle!) and seemed unusually eager to keep checking we were happy with him. We assured him we were, thanked him often and tipped him well but his anxiety worried us a little. Hubbo used the very pleasant and perfectly adequately-equipped gym daily and was pleased to find it is now open from 8am, 2 hours earlier than last year. The west pool was as warm as toast and clean as a whistle, the lifeguards helpful with sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas, and the restaurant and bar staff friendly, helpful and quick to serve. It’s also gratifying to see so many female members of staff. The grounds were simply stunning – the best we have ever seen them - and the gardening team never stop working. They are so genuinely pleased to receive tips it would suggest that they don't get many and yet the gardens are the best feature of the hotel.. One reservation: The constant replaying of the same music at the Sunset bar became, as it had done last year somewhat irksome and the best part of the day is first thing in the morning at the pool before the music starts up. The peace is heavenly. Once it starts, it is then impossible to escape loud music there at any time of the day or to chat to people after dinner. A very pleasing addition to the hotel would be a comfortable, quiet, music-free bar area for people to sit and chat and a few days before we came home we discovered a small courtyard area opposite the Saga lounge set up with tables and chairs. It would make the perfect quiet after dinner spot but there is no bar nearby other than the one exclusively for Saga guests.

Very friendly Personal And a beautiful Hotel. You get there a good Service. I would recommend it. you have a nice view and good resteraunts, the money is worth it. I would come back next time. Good job