Advantages: Beautiful Beaches Disadvantages: Mainly For Couples, Hassle From Local Shopkeekers
Port El Kantaoui is a purpose built Holiday Resort on the Northern Coast of Tunisia in North Africa. It is situated just a few kilometres North of Sousse, Tunisia's second largest City after the Capital Tunis. It was built in 1979 with a modern 300 Yacht capacity Marina as its focal point. In recent years this Marina has become a popular mooring location for the rich and famous undertaking their Mediterranean Cruises and the Marina here is said to ... ...Resort.
I stayed in Port El Kantaoui between the 2nd and 9th July 2006 and found the experience to be a rather interesting one. Since it was my first visit to Tunisia I was a little unsure of what to expect and as my Holiday approached I began to hear mixed reports of not only the Country as a whole but also of Port El Kantaoui and so I arrived with trepidation. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
We arrived around Midday on a Sunday afternoon after a flight of ...
micksheff 22.07.2006
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Advantages: Wonderful, once in a life time experiences Disadvantages: Can be a culture shock
...Africa in a town called Port el Kantoui. It cost £290 per person to stay half board in a 4* hotel called Houria palace. He booked through lastminute.com and the tour operator was panama. We travelled from Gatwick at arriving Monastir. We had to go by coach to Kantoui which is about a 40 minute transfer from Monastir airport through what looked like a war zone. My immediate reaction was 'oh my god I want to go home' It wasn't at all what I expected, ... ...take a walk to the port for a drink and I am so glad I did…We stopped at the first food bar we came to where we were greeted by a local man who spoke in a mock cockney accent saying things like 'it's the dogs bollocks mate' 'cheap as chips' and 'lovely jubbly'. Ignoring the reps advice we sat and chatted to the bar owner for hours, He was funny, friendly and very helpful, he told us anecdotes and jokes and recommended excursions etc, we went back ...
unquietmind 30.09.2005 (01.10.2005)
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Advantages: you get to experiance more of our world Disadvantages: you have to come back home
...Marhaba Palace Hotel, at Port El Kantaoui, Tunisa.
with my son and his girl friend, this sept.
what an amazing time we had. at this 4 star hotel.
First off, I would like to advise people that the flight time is just over 2 and a half hours and not 4 hours like suggested in several Holiday brochures.
When you change from the plane to the coach for transfer, you will drive through several other places including Souse. Whilst doing so, you may have ... ...heart of the resort of Port El Kantaoui, directly on a sandy beach, a few minutes walk from the Marina and from a 36 hole golf course.
Inside the hotel is very grand, everything is made of marble and they have a very nice water feature and a huge light hanging from the ceiling, it is very impressive. Another thing I did notice about the hotel was that it had very good wheel chair accessibility, with ramps placed in many places around the hotel.
...
micheledog 28.10.2005 (30.10.2005)
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Advantages: Clean and laid back Disadvantages: Leery foreigners in the medina
...exceptional comfort so we chose Port El Kantaoui.
Kantoui is about a 40 minute transfer from Monastir airpot which is no major trauma after such a short flight. The first thing i noticed about the resort is that it was especially clean and green for such a warm and somewhat arid country. This always makes a good impression on me.
The beaches in Kantaoui were fabulous and the weather at this time of year was fantastic. In regard to beach activities ... ...bartering session. The medina in Port El Kantaoui has plenty of shops and the prices are better than you will start with in the bigger cities so if you hate to haggle maybe better to stay there. One interesting thing we found was that the best place to get almost everything you wanted hassle free was from the supermarkets' shops. The prices were better than the Soulla centre and government appointed shops. You can pick up some bargains in the souks ...
Elem3ntal 10.08.2004
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Advantages: Good weather Disadvantages: Night Life
...coach park. The journey to Port El Kantaoui takes about 1 hour taking into account the stops at various Hotels along the way. We stayed at the Vincci Hotel. On Arrival we were shown straight to our apartment and asked to register first thing in the morning as it was gone 1am.
The Vincci is located on the main road from Sousse and is about 10 minutes walk to the Marina. We were on a self catering basis and found the apartment quite pleasant. The ... ...the beach then you'll enjoy Port El Kantaoui. For me I found it a little boring so booked up for an overnight trip to see some sites in Tunisia. There are several trips you can go on, and we chose the Desert adventure which was fantastic! The coach will collect you quite early from your Hotel (for us it was 630) and you will visit many sites including the ampitheatre where they shot scenes for "Gladiator", then onto the original "Star Wars" set, ...
rossko1 07.08.2006
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Advantages: great hotels, perfect sandy beaches, no need to haggle, continental feel Disadvantages: none
...North Africa, you should try PORT EL KANTAOUI
Visitors to either Tunisia or Morocco who are not used to the ancient custom of haggling for ‘bargains’ when shopping find it exciting at first. But, after a while it becomes tiresome – well it did for me. Then I stumbled across a relaxing resort which had fixed prices in the shops and did not try to rip the tourist off at all points.
Port el Kantaoui was built around 20 years ago ... ...few lively resorts, fringed with beautiful sandy beaches. If you have been disappointed before by Tunisia, give it another chance by staying in Port el Kantaoui – it is a much more continental style resort, but far from commercialised, very classy, clean and comfortable. I highly recommend it to you ...
flashpointz 13.07.2001
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Advantages: Plenty of shops Disadvantages: Dangerous public transport
...a nice size, over looking Port El Kantaoui, but also the busy main road.
The hotel was in a nice location. It was easy to find. being on a main road, was very close to the beach, had a private section on the beach, was close to other attractions and the marina.
It had 2 swimming pools - one indoor and one outdoor, a bar, large lobby with an absolutely gorgeous ceiling. It was a puddle shaped, with what looked like a hand panted picture of a clear ... ...along by a speedboat.
Port El Kantaoui is mainly a marina, offering a variety of shops and restaurants. The shops sell you're usual souvenirs with Tunisia written all over them, and the shop owners are too bad when it comes to hassle. You get the odd ones who try and get you to look at their things, but try not to catch their eyes and you'll be ok.
I went to a few restaurants, including one on a boat in the marina, and a relatively posh one. All ...
flutterby13 24.01.2007
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Advantages: Brilliant Weather, people Disadvantages: Not much to do
...stay and Marhaba Palace in Port El Kantaoui. The resort itself is beautiful, scenic and clean. It is a purpose built resort mainly for tourists. When we were there we seemed to find mainly older people who had gone for 6-8 weeks. They were either going around the country or relaxing. The hotel is wonderful as were all the other hotels in Port El Kantoui. I think all the standards are good. Marhaba Palace was excellent. The service, waiters and general ... ...not much to do in Port El Kantoui. You have the Cafes and shopping area. This area is like the whole of Tunisia's shopping area. They all seem to sell the same kind of goods, leathers, trainers (fake), toy camels etc. Traders are very pushy, they will use any tactic to get you to come in the shop to have a look and then they will sell you something. Very pushy salespeople. This did get annoying so all we did was not acknowledge them and it tuned ...
G210 07.01.2005
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Advantages: Culturally diverse to anything i've previously experienced Disadvantages: Drinks prices!!!
...those who haven't been to Port El Kantaoui, its a 45min transfer from Monastir to the resort which wasn't too bad. You had to watch the airport porters as they whip your bags off you fairly sharpishly and then expext a tip, cheeky buggers!
This was the first time i'd stepped off our continent and was apprehensive to say the least visiting a Muslim country particularly at this moment in time! I didn't have a clue what to expect and to be honest i ... ...loveliest, warmest people i have possibly ever met. You only have to walk down the street and local inhabitants will stop you and just randomly chat to you about anything and everything and how once upon a time they once went to Sheffield!
Our goal was to have a relaxing week sunbathing and maybe go on a visit or two having worked all summer and were due to return to Uni a week later. We did exactly that. It was 38 degrees every day and saw two ...
DirtyBerty01 26.09.2004
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Advantages: Short Airport ride, quite cheap, friendly people, lots of golf Disadvantages: Not to many clubs / pubs
...is not for you.
Port El Kantaoui is right on the sea and basically forms a long stretch of sandy beach lined with well spaced quality hotels.
Overall the beaches are clean and rubbish free except from the odd jelly fish (Stinging) type. You get a good impression from the beaches, not to full of people. You will sometimes see the odd policeman (armed) but they seem to like to look for the fruit salesman you se now and again selling.
As you walk ... ...around 1.5 miles from the Port itself. Transport to and from the hotels is very easy. There are the obvious Taxi drivers who to be honest, drive like idiots. Never tell a Tunisian taxi driver to go faster in Arabic, he will find it very funny and do as you ask.....
There is also the local noddy train, which can give quite a relaxing ride to and from the port and beyond to the medina. There are also horse and carts available. All are quite cheap ...
skrg28 05.10.2004 (29.10.2005)
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Advantages: sun, sea, sand! Disadvantages: resort built solely for tourists
...in the Tunisian resort of Port el Kantaoui, Hotel Marharba Palace for 2 weeks during August 2004, with my boyfriend. We had a fantastic holiday as a one off, but would not consider revisiting Tunisia. The hotel itself definitely lived up to its 4 stars with beautiful sea views, decent sized clean swimming pool (although you do have to reserve sun beds at the crack of dawn!), and excellent maid and waiter service. The food was the low point of the ... ...if you like haggling. Port el Kantaoui was a resort built for toursim therefore market sellers are less pushy here. If it is night life you are after, then Tunisia is not the right choice for you. Although hotels have evening entertainment, the shows are generally over by 11pm and entertainment from neighbouring hotels appear to compete for level of noise!
In conclusion, a fantastic relaxing, one off holiday, packed full of exciting things! ...
Lara-Kate 12.09.2004
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PORT EL KANTAOUI
This is a lovely port, when we went to TUNISIA we stayed right in the centre of Port El Kantaoui and Sousse. I recommend the Tuk-Tuks there great.
The port itself is based on an old fishing village, which has been extended – from what I have been told. There are many shops and restaurants, but, beware of the toilets. They are not very clean – for example we went for a meal in the port and the toilet were right next door to where ... ...On a evening a Port El Kantaoui it all wakes up and is quite lively, you can get your portraits done and it isn’t expensive at all, I got my daughters done, it takes about 1 hour or so but it is well worth the wait, it is only done in pencil though not colours, but it is still recommend it.
Also on a evening in the very centre of the town there is a water fall, and on a evening about 9 p.m some music starts playing and the water starts dancing and ...
KIWIMULLAN03 10.07.2007 (11.07.2007)
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Advantages: Cheap,clean, warm Disadvantages: Not authentic, walk to the port
We went here from September to October 2002, the weather is nice this time of year (about 35), and there are not too many kids around. We stayed in the Golden Soviva which was fine, although the sister hotel the Soviva did not look great. Th eport is about a 50 minute walk away, or £1.50 in a taxi (which are plentiful) but is quite small and to be honest bland. There is a cafe with tiled seats which plays Tunisian music and sells great fresh juices ... ...did not find La Mediterrane that great a place to eat, in fact the fish were friendlier than the watiing staff. The little zoo is pretty (camels and goats, birds etc) but if the old man who runs it asks if you want hime to take your picture he then asks for money ! The cafes across from the Soviva were cheap and fine but we had food poisining for the whole two weeks on and off. The sahara trip is a total high point - go if you can it is amazing. ...
julie1973 10.12.2002
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Advantages: Beautiful countryside and beaches Disadvantages: No entertainment- off season
...after we arrived.
Even though Port El Kantaoui is purely for tourism (no residential properties) everything was closed off season and as the weather was pretty poor there was nothing to do. My husband and I are only 25 but spent everynight going to bed early as the hotel entertainment was repetative and aimed below or well above our age group (yes I know honeymooners are supposed to spend most of their time in the bedroom but ...)
The days we spent ... ...was risking your life. The port is lovely full of shops and little cafes and was easy to walk to from our hotel via the beach. Although one time we lost our hotel on the way back!
I would say that the biggest downfall of Tunisia is the people. No one says hello or is friendly in any way unless they want money. We had a man stop us on the beach and talk about the weather- he wanted to sell us peanuts. A fellow traveller on one of our day trips took ...
zisu21 12.08.2004 (22.09.2005)
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Advantages: The weather Disadvantages: Hotel location
5 of us stayed at this hotel last year[2003].The price was our deciding factor,£402 for 2 weeks half board.We have been to Africa before,and love the culture,food etc.The location of the hotel was a bit of a dissappointment as it was set a good way back from the main road and the driveway was being completly redone when we were there which made going in and on foot a bit of an adventure.We had booked superior rooms,but on arrival 2 qf us were put ... ...put into the annexe.I didnt like our room,the bed wasnt made up and the mattress was dirty and torn,and there was only one power point which was inside the wardrobe;;;,We went to find our chums and found their room was lovely,so went to reception brandishing our documentation[always take this away with you] and after a short struggle with staff,who couldnt grasp we had all booked at the same time,and paid the same price,we were moved to the annexe.The ...
rameses 10.07.2004
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