“We treat Fort Arabesque as our second home.”
That feeling began long before their first overnight stay. In 2005, Michelle, Paul, Lorraine, and Gary visited Fort Arabesque for the day and were immediately struck by what they saw.
The coral reefs, the grounds, and the sense of space stayed with them long after they returned to England. The decision came quickly: they booked a holiday — and brought their parents along.
That visit marked the beginning of what has since become a tradition spanning nearly two decades.
Over the years, Fort Arabesque has changed, and they have watched it evolve firsthand. New dining experiences, a wider variety of restaurants, the Jungle Pool, children’s pools, and redesigned sunbeds have added new layers to a place they already knew well. For them, these changes didn’t alter the spirit of the resort — they strengthened it.
Since that first stay, Fort Arabesque has become the place where their family comes together. What started with parents grew to include children, partners, grandchildren, sisters, and close friends. Every March, they return as a group, sharing the same rituals, spaces, and familiar faces.
Even the hardest moments are woven gently into that story. Their parents, who are no longer with them, also experienced Fort Arabesque — a fact they hold onto with quiet gratitude.
When asked what makes the experience so memorable, they don’t single out one feature or one moment. Instead, they point to the people behind the scenes — every member of staff, visible or not, whose work ensures that each stay feels effortless and well cared for.
Among countless memories, one stands out. In November, their son proposed to his girlfriend on the beach — a moment that captured what Fort Arabesque has become for their family: not just a destination, but a setting for life’s milestones.
Leaving never feels final.
“We are never sad to leave, as we know we will be back soon.”
They return home carrying the feeling of time well spent — with people they now consider close friends, some of whom they have watched grow up, marry, and start families of their own.
“We’re just counting the days from when we’re back home to when we will be back in our second home.”