| | El Kantaoui Hammam Sousse, Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia
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Overall Community Rating: |   8.6 (based on 6 user reviews) |
 Golden Soviva: Golden Soviva was brilliant! by Stephanie Horwell |
| Posted 01 May 2008 about a visit in April 2008 | Overall rating: 10.0 |
We booked to go to the Golden Soviva in January as an "implulse buy" for my boyfriends Birthday, Me, him, my friend and her boyfriend. Only after paying our deposit did we read the reviews! We were worried but there wasnt much we could do about it! But from when we got on the plane in gatwick the holiday was Brilliant from beginning to end. My biggest complaint was that there wasnt any pens to fill in the form for passport control when you landed at Monastir! (So...take a pen with you, problem solved!)
When we got to the hotel we went into reception which was immaculate and the reception staff were brilliant. The first thing you see as you enter reception is the slide at the back of the hotel and the MASSIVE pool! We got taken straight to our rooms, which again were really big. The rooms were absolutely fine, adjoining which we had asked for and had a TV, fridge, hairdryer and a balcony with table and chairs! Yes they were basic but there was nothing wrong with them! The maids were really sweet and we sometimes found our clothes made into flowers or birds on our beds!
The hotel was really quiet when we were there, prob only about 30 people around the pool at one time at its busiest (Season officially started the day we left : 30/04). The pool really was the best part of the hotel, even though the slide only came on for about an hour a day. But to be fair there wasnt hardly anybody around to go on it! And when it was open, they would only close it after making sure everyone had had enough of it!
You did get the animation team coming round alot asking you if you wanted to play mini golf, ping pong, aerobics etc but if you just said no they would joke you were lazy and move on. If you actually take the time to talk with them you will realise thay are all very nice, most working 6 days a week, 14 hour days, whilst studying for their degrees!! Medhi, Nej and Sovien (?) were absolutely fantastic!! In the night the animation team always put on a show but to be honest we rarely caught it. We were constantly in the Baroca bar downing cocktails and beer, smoking hubbly bubblys (pipes with fruit flavoured tobacco, nothing else) or watching the football if it was on!
The meals were great, nothing to complain about at all. Something for everone! They people that complain that all they had to eat was chips or pancakes really only have themselves to blame because all the food was english stuff! Plenty of salad, spaghetti, chicken, beef, rice bread, soups, fresh vegetables etc etc.Again the restaurant was extremely quiet and they did well to note when our last dinner was and put rose petals on the table for it! Very nice touch!
You do get pestered to do things like camel rides, horse rides etc etc. The only thing we did was Quad biking and it was absolutely fantastic! I didnt last very long on my own quad bike but after 20 mins when i had to admit defeat the guide was brilliant, he took us somewhere i could leave the bike and let me get on the back of my boyfriends for the rest of the trip! It was 25 dinar (£10 each) for 2 hours and definately worth it!!!! But go through someone employed by the hotel when you book your trips! They walk roung with their little port folios!
I could keep going for ever about this holiday but ill stop now! Do not listen to the bad reviews! Go out there and enjoy! Its not 5 star gold plated luxury but it is one of the best holidays you will go on for the price you will pay!! Were booking to go back in Sept/Oct and we have only been back 1 day! Enough said!
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 Golden Soviva Reservations |
| Golden Soviva: Horrible holiday! by Sandy kent |
| Posted 27 July 2005 about a visit in May 2005 | Overall rating: 6.0 |
dont get me wrong the hotel was clean but the room was very basic. siad in brochure that we would have iron and tv, but when we got there , there wasnt even a socket in the room!!! The weather was horrendous, rain rain and more rain..the staff said it was the first time in 24 years that the weather was this bad, but from speaking to other guests we found out it was like this last year!!. There was nothing to do apart from keep going to the port every day and getting hounded by shop workers begging you to go into their shops, only to find football tops and shorts and trainers! each shop was taking us approx a hour as we couldnt get out (staff hassling you).
The hotel was ok, but as we were AI we got waterered down vodka and gin. we did have a baileys one night but that cost us £12.50 for a shot! the food was very greasy but it was ok. When we had to get out of our room at 8AM to leave at 6PM we had no where to go and wasnt allowed any food etc. I was so glad i didnt bring my children.
The slide was the main attraction but 2 children hurt themselves..one with a cut head the other with a broken nose (not good supervision). I went on there but grazed my back as at the end of the slide it is very sharp (watch out)!
Also the sunbeds!!........ when we first got there, there were towels on ALL the sunbeds but only half a dozen people around the pool. we complained and complained, but to no avail. we then started to leave our towels there at 5am only for one morning to find them all floating in the pool. we then watched what was happening, and found if you gave the staff £1 they would put your towels on the sunbeds and throw everyone elses in the water...so watch out.
The animation staff were all posers looking for love, well sex anyway. i wouldnt go back there if it was FREE...a horrible horrible holiday
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| Golden Soviva: Simply the Best by Jackie Sinclair |
| Posted 14 July 2005 about a visit in March 2005 | Overall rating: 9.5 |
Having just read the 'Golden Hell Hole' review I am surprised beyond belief that someone has had such a bad experience at the Golden Soviva. Having travelled to various places in Tunisia and North Africa in general, I found this hotel to be by far the best I've ever had the pleasure of staying in. My first trip to the Soviva was in April this year (2005) and my second is next week (July 2005) - as you can see, myself and my sister could hardly wait to re-book - for 2 weeks this time rather than 1 as there is so much to do in this wonderful country.
But back to the hotel.....our room was clean, bright and spacious with a fridge, TV, large wardrobes and multiple draws, balcony with washing line and powerful air con. When the coach pulled up outside the Golden Soviva, it looked very small and we were both thinking in the back of our minds 'good god what is this place'. But once inside our fears were easily dispelled as we were greeted with pleasant and helpful staff, along with an butler ready and waiting to take our cases to the room and show us how to work the TV, air con etc.
It was only when we went to take a tour of the hotel that we discovered that what we thought was a rather small hotel was actually part of a huge complex. We spent most of our days sunning ourselves around the huge Club Soviva pool with it's massive water slide (which, by the way, was manned by at least one of the entertainment staff every time it was switched on). The Entertainment Team provided sports and games all day, ranging from light aerobics and bowls to volleyball and water polo. Not being a sports fanatic myself, I found myself eager to join in with the fun atmosphere. There is also a childrens club, where kids have the opportunity to play on the mini crazy golf pitch and draw, play games etc. In the Club Soviva there is a massage parlour where there are a number of massages available - including the famous 'Turkish Bath', although these are much cheaper than in England, you may find youself dipping into your spending money. In the evening, the seemingly never-tiring team put on some kind of show (but be warned to steer clear of the shows involving the audience unless you delight in model posing, belly dancing and just embarrassing yourself hideously in the name of 'fun'). There is a kiddy disco before the show, and after the show - for the young at heart - there is a club/disco in a separate building next to the Club Soviva.
As for the food, although we encountered some families complaining of the lack of choice for children, we enjoyed the selection, although there was very little fruit as it was not yet in season. However, I understand that in peak season (May-October) there is a barbeque area, pizzeria and various pool-side bars during the day. The hotel is a very short walk from the beautiful sandy beach and if as you walk onto the beach you turn left you will come across a lovely German cafe called 'Gaby's'. The food is a bargain for the amount of it that you get and Gaby is a lovely lady, serving you herself and if you find yourself short of change she is willing to let you pay the next time you visit.
Finally, with regards to men selling things on poolside, we only encountered camel rides and henna for sale but there was a table set up and we were only asked once. Although many tourists - including myself - find this slightly irritating, I have come to realise on my travels of North Africa that there are very few places you can avoid it.
To conclude, the Golden Soviva is one of those rare hotels where the majority will come away feeling satisfied as there is something for everybody there. Directly opposite to amenities and souvenirs, and only a short Noddy ride away from a fantastic port with superb restaurants, it couldn't be better situated. As for other hints about Tunisia and the various outings - it is illegal to bring in or take out Tunisian currency from the country, it is best to draw out enough cash to exchange once in Tunisia. The trips organised by your rep. can be paid by visa/american express so you only need spending money/money for tips. Tips for waiter/butler we were told are usually 1/2 dinar. The Safari trip was absolutely fantastic, and although the coach journey is long altogether, the most you will spend on it at one time is at the very end when everyone is returning to their hotels. I think it's about 1 3/4 hrs. The trip however is not very suitable for young children purely because of the travelling. If you don't like being hassled, I don't recommend the Medina in Sousse, although just outside the walls is a Centre which sells all the things that are sold within the Medina.
Hope this review has been helpful, and if you're thinking about heading off to the Golden Soviva or Tunisia, have a great time.
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| Golden Soviva Reservations |
| Golden Soviva: Don't Panic if you have read the bad reviews!! by Alex Webb |
| Posted 19 October 2004 about a visit in August 2003 | Overall rating: 7.0 |
We went to the Golden Soviva in September 2004 and I have really worried beforehand having read the reviews AFTER booking! Things must have changed since the bad reviews were written as we had a great time. Rooms clean, staff friendly enough without being overbearing. Entertainment OK and all was in the Soviva hotel, not the Golden so not too noisy. The only down point to the Golden Soviva is that the pool loses the sun after midday as the sun moves behind the building. However if you go to the Soviva pool, which is massive, you will be OK.
Food was canteen style but aren't they all in these type of places! If you fancy a change try the resturants opposite where a chicken baguette and chips is £1 or a pizza is a couple of pounds only.
The Port is great, a long walk but just get the noddy train and it is no trouble at all.
Best pizzas ever in the Port, the restaurant on the left with the blue and white canopies as you go into the marina.
Next time would go to a hotel nearer the port purely as I am lazy, nothing wrong with the Golden Soviva!
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| Golden Soviva Reservations |
| Golden Soviva: golden soviva by Alan Arkless |
| Posted 10 July 2003 | Overall rating: 10.0 |
Myself and my wife have just returned from
Port El Kantaoui (29 june 03) after staying at the Golden Soviva, how anyone can say that hotel was terrible I don't know, it must have improved enormously, the people there were very friendly and enjoyed a joke. The Soviva restaurant where we had our meals was excellent with a good variety of choice, the staff there were also very friendly. We got on well with a waiter called Ben The only down side to the holiday was the bartering which got on my nerves a bit, but I knew that before we went there.Word of warning,if you go on the safari trip it is very tiring 350miles round trip,but worth it, (the warning) the hotel you stay at isn't as good as your own hotel. T he first thing I saw was a very large cockroach in the bathroom also a very large spider. WE SLEPT WITH THE LIGHT ON. ok if you don't mind creepys.
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| Golden Soviva Reservations |
| Golden Soviva: 'Golden' high by Jstret |
| Posted 07 July 2003 | Overall rating: 9.0 |
After several visits to the Club Soviva I stayed at the 'Golden' for the first time last Jun (02). I found the hotel to be of high quality, the staff to be as crazy (& as friendly) as in previous years and the food to be of a similar good quality as it has been for the previous two years. Following such a good holiday, my friend and I decided to go back again for a short break in Nov (02). This time we found improvements had been made to the main toilets in the reception area of the Club Soviva as well as a brand new restaurant for the exclusive use of 'Golden' guests. Again a good time was had. So much so, we are planning to go back again in Jun (03) (me for the fifth time!!).
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Golden Soviva: beach towels