Love at First Sight: Ian & Lynne’s Story Beneath and Beyond the Sea
“It was love at first sight.”
Ian and Lynne still remember the moment clearly. They had been exploring when they first came across Fort Arabesque, walking up the steps to what is now known as Club 159. And then, suddenly, everything opened up.
The view of Makadi Bay stretched endlessly before them — the sun shimmering across the Red Sea, gentle waves meeting the golden sand, lush green lawns framed by vibrant flowers, and palm trees moving softly in the warm breeze.
They had travelled extensively across Egypt, but this felt different.
They knew they had found something special.
From that first encounter, it wasn’t just the setting that stayed with them — it was the feeling. The warmth. The people.
“From the first hello to the often spoken ‘welcome back,’” they say, “you feel it comes from the heart.”
Over time, that feeling turned into something deeper.
“We now consider the Fort our second home — a place to return, unwind, and relax.”
Like many returning guests, their connection grew with each stay. They saw the consistency behind the experience — not just in the surroundings, but in the people who shape it.
“The number of returning guests is testimony to all the staff,” they explain, “from bell boys and gardeners to supervisors and managers — all contributing to the hotel’s success.”
Fort Arabesque became a place that fits them — not just as a couple, but individually too. While they often travel together, Lynne also returns solo, drawn by the same sense of comfort and familiarity.
Their days move easily between activity and stillness — sports, time by the sea, long afternoons, and evenings shaped by simple pleasures.
Romantic dinners at The Pavilion. Quiet moments by the bar. Time that doesn’t need to be planned.
But if there is one thing that truly calls them back, it lies beneath the surface.
Scuba diving is their passion — and the Red Sea is where that passion comes alive.
At iDive, they found more than just a dive center. They found a team that made them feel part of something.
“Carlo, Erica, and their experienced, friendly staff make us feel so welcome,” they say.
Below the surface, a different world unfolds.
The house reef is vibrant and alive. Coral gardens stretch in every direction, filled with color and movement. Turtles, eagle rays, and countless species of fish pass by effortlessly.
One moment, in particular, stayed with them.
“The first time we experienced an octopus changing color and mimicking its environment,” they recall, “we were hooked.”
It’s that combination — above and below the water — that defines their story with Fort Arabesque.
The calm of the gardens. The rhythm of the sea. The life beneath it.
And the certainty of return.
“Our future is here.”
Ian & Lynne