We decided to get away for the week and leave this weather behind, so having browsed around various sites, and talking to a travel agent, came across this hotel and decided that it seemed a good deal.
It's years since I set foot in Tunisia, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but after a pleasant flight (only delayed 2 hours!) and a very short taxi ride of about 10 minutes from the airport, we finally arrived at the hotel.
LOCATION
The hotel is situated in Skanes, which is a suburb of Monastir and is close to the Roman town of Ruspina.
Although it is advertised as being an area of endless sandy beaches, the beach is worth avoiding, having endless supplies of sea weed washed up on the shore line and plenty of tractors trying to get rid of it. It is also very smelly although the actual sand is lovely- white and fine.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
We didn't arrive till about 5a.m, and with a tired child, it's quite difficult to take in very much.
The gates to the hotel were locked, but the security man opened them and let the taxi in, so I initially thought that this was going
to be a place beset with trouble!
The hotel itself is a modern white building set in its own large grounds and is 150m from the beach, literally across the road.
The entrance area is large with marble floors and a large reception desk spanning the side of one wall. There are comfortable chairs and sofas dotted around the place- perfect for lying down a sleeping child.
Although it was late (or early) there were plenty of staff at hand and the check in was completely effortless, then they took us to our room, after giving us a bottle of water.
THE ROOMS
We had booked a room for 3 people and I always worry that when we arrive it's actually going to be a room for 2 maximum with a pull out bed which then makes the room tiny with no room to move. Not so here. Having walked through seemingly endless corridors, when we finally got to the room, it had a double bed and at one side of the room, a "proper" single bed, all made up and ready for it's very sleepy occupant.
The room was large with a desk and plenty of cupboard space, and lead to a large balcony with table and chairs.
All of the bedlinen was clean as were the towels, and the whole room including the balcony, looked well looked after and not at all dirty.
The bathroom led off a corridor from the main room area and was complete with the normal bath, toilet, large sink and overhead shower. Again, no complaints as there were plenty of towels and all looked clean- the only grumble I could have is that there were very few toiletries- just one measly bar of soap. This was a big disappointment to me as I do enjoy collecting any toiletries on offer.
However, a big bonus was that the rooms were fully air conditioned so no fear of coming in after a day in the sun and being unable to cool down.
AMENITIES
There are three pools, with bridges going over the differebt pools and a completely separate shallow pool which makes it ideal for children. Close to the pools is a small park with slides and swings and plenty of shade, so excellent for children to play after lunch. For children there is also an indoor mini club where they can draw and play games with the staff. The Animation team are excellent and on hand permanently should children want to join in with the discos, ice cream parties, water polo and if parents don't want to stand in the park area they will do it for you!
There are several all inclusive sports and entertainment activities available including archery, boules, table tennis, tennis, pedalos and wind surfing (unfortunately these involve going to the beach and into the sea!).
In the hotel there is also a pharmacy with a doctor on hand until about 8pm, as well as a hairdressing salon and gym complete with masseur. It sounded quite good but after going to the beach we managed to avoid the sea weed wrap.
Also inside the hotel is a disco, a bridge room, Turkish bath, cinema and indoor pool.
THE FOODThere is a pizzeria on site where food can be purchased and although this was not included in the all inclusive price we did partake of it on a few occasions in the week. The reason? I think the thing which lets this hotel down is the food on offer.
It is buffet style and there is a wide selection of salads but after that, the chips, the rice and the pasta, most of the food was unrecognisable. Not a good idea in a hotel where there are lots of children. if they can't recognise it, they won't eat it! So, Little Miss existed on pasta without sauce (apparantly the sauce was too spicy), cous coous, bread (lovely, especially the Tunisian bread), rice and the odd bit of chicken when it was recognisable as chicken. However, for people willing to eat anything (like myself and himself) there was food a plenty. No need to go hungry.
The breakfasts consisted of the usual bread, cereal, croissants and cakes but mid day and evening meals were usually the same.
DRINKS
Drinks were available from 10am- 10pm, and on the all inclusive deal, on offer was bottled water (still and fizzy), soft drink, coffee, tea, lager, and cocktails. however, for the spirit drinkers amongst us, a spirit plus mixer was not an option. For anything like this, we had to go to the American bar and pay.
PRICE
We paid only £735 for the 3 of us, all inclusive, so no grumbles there. i wouldn't like to actually quote a price as they change and deals can be found on the internet.
WHAT I THOUGHT
For a week of sunshine and good entertainment at an excellent price, it was certainly a great option.
Although the food wasn't fantastic, none of us were ill, so they were doing something right.
The rooms were clean and spacious and the staff, especially the animation team were excellent. they quickly learnt everyone's names and whilst encouraging if you wanted to be involved in the activities, they were never anything other than polite and were not intrusive at all.
There were plenty of activities throughout the day and a brilliant mini disco after dinner every evening where the children let their hair down and learnt the latest grooves!
Nothing was expensive, for example, hiring a safe for the week was the equivelant of £6, and even in the shop, we had to try to spend our money.
For an easy holiday with no need to seek anything out, it's an ideal place. Of course, we had to do things like the obligatory camel ride, and even this was brought to us in the form of Ali Baba selling us a camel ride.
Great relaxing holiday, fabulous for children, although I think I would have been very disappointed had I gone for a romantic break or a week on the razzle dazzle. A definite family hotel.
Thanks for reading
Daniela xx
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Jun 4th, 2006
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