"We booked as a family of four, staying in two garden bungalows. Sadly one of our children wasn't able enough to come. We chose this hotel specifically for the indoor pool, gym, archery, basketball and football and generally for the activities it offered, which would appeal to our older children.
We had an early flight, arriving at the hotel at 10am, with a check in of 3pm. We were able to use the facilities until check in but couldn't get into the rooms until 2:30pm, despite reception saying we could from 12:30pm. This meant wasted time hanging around reception, where we were told to wait, when we could have been enjoying the facilities. We'd rather they just told us to come back at check in time.
Our garden bungalow didn't have a garden, or a hammock, or a patio. It had a balcony which looked out onto the roofs of the sea view bungalows. Having been up since 1am we really didn't have the energy to ask for a room change. We did have a sea view from there, once you looked past the roof tops. The issue we had with this was a few kids running along the roof tops and looking into our room, shouting abuse and then running back into their own rooms. Management came out and dealt with this.
The rooms and the hotel itself are a little tired but they are clean and the view makes up for it. The staff are wonderful, friendly and helpful. I was unwell with a bad cold during my stay and the staff made me freshly squeezed orange, brought me hot lemon and ginger tea bags for the room, checked in with me regularly. They were so kind and caring.
The down side:
The indoor pool was closed, without notices or advanced warning. This was a massive disappointment. The gym is pay as you go at £10 per day. I didn't see this mentioned on any of the websites. Our son uses the gym daily and point blank refused to pay. To go for a swim in the sea water pool was £15 pp. Towel pools are payable by deposit at £8 for 2. They are the same material as a table cloth, these are not towels. Do yourself a favour and either take your own or go across the street and buy yourself one for £3.
The bar is understaffed. Head down to the lounge bar in the evening and you'll get served quicker.
The wine at dinner tastes watered down, get it from the bar/lounge bar and it is much better.
There wasn't any archery and the basketball is a very bent looking basketball net in the corner of a tennis court. The activities were minimal.
There are many, many flies around the pool. Cover yourself in insect repellent and it helps, or head to the beach and it's not an issue.
The hotel allows the Quad Biking Experience guy to wander round and get business, he can get really rude and moody.
Foodwise the breakfast was absolutely delicious but lunch and dinner got repetitive very quickly. They very much cater for the French & Eastern Europeans.
You can't fault the location, there are two beaches to choose from, the sea is beautiful and clear and we only saw one jellyfish.
If you're after snacks or souveniers, head opposite the hotel to the 'Supermarket' instead of the shops further down the road. He's got everything priced up and it's much cheaper.
After all of this, I absolutely have to add that we went for my husbands 50th birthday. I emailed the hotel in advance to ask if they could arrange anything special. They did a surprise birthday cake for him. Brought it out at dinner, with candles, singing and clapping. Everyone joined in and it was very memorable. I couldn't have wished for anything more.
The week we spent in Tunisia was truly relaxing. This hotel is a little tired, and does have a few tweaks needed, but the staff are lovely, the beach is amazing, and the weather is stunning. It's a really lovely place to go and properly relax."
