| | Skanes Monastir, Skanes, 5029, Tunisia
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Overall Community Rating: |   6.7 (based on 9 user reviews) |
 Iberostar Sahara Beach: reali reali fantastic by Lisa Gregory |
| Posted 15 June 2008 about a visit in February 2008 | Overall rating: 10.0 |
I went to Sahara beach in February it was amazing a really really good holiday!!!! I just cant believe some people would actually say that it was the worst ever! We met some fantastic people over there including the entertainment staff. Amen palao, sem, paula, these were fantastic. There isn’t enough that I can actually say about this hotel and Tunisia its self its just the best holiday ever I only stayed there for 1 week and it went so fast the rooms are amazing,
The food was different food everyday the hotel was clean and very helpful staff. The cleaning person who did our room everyday he said to me. Listen a lot of Tunisian people do want tips but if you want to tip them then leave it till the end of the week which was good advice. So the day we was leaving i went up to the cleaner and gave him £20 and he said no no too much I don’t want anything but i managed to persuade him otherwise. He was amazing.
The night club is open from 11pm until 2am which was great and the drinks are very cheap! At only about 1 dinar 4 a cocktail can’t really complain. The shops are so cheap as well we bought two pairs of trainers for as little as £10 each. It was that good I am going again this month 18th June 2008!!! Taking my mum this time. Been told the desert is 1 great place 2 go! The go karts are fantastic and the camel rides well was the best trip I have been on. The doom buggies over there are amazing and well worth the money i think it was about £4 for 2 good hours which you get to see the bad areas of Africa which look amazing also. All I can really say is don’t listen to these bad reviews because it is the best holiday ever.......
The beach is so clean and the water is so warm with a nice beer in one hand and a fag in the other where else would u want to be? At first I was very scared with it being a third world country but it is very clean loads cleaner than England and it doesn’t smell at all....
I had a lot of pictures taken when I was there and there and they was amazing they looked very good and for 5 dinars each which in England is £2 you cant complain.
the complex it self was very big and always things to do.... when we went over there i met a family who are very nice and live not to far away from me and still stay in contact until this day..... We went taking the kids to the zoo and it was really good and we all enjoyed it and the animals were so cute.
The weather isn’t all that good in February not really sunbathing weather but still nice enough to go sight seeing!
It’s a fantastic place to take the kids. And the horse riding is fantastic that’s all i can really say.
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 Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: Wow- this hotel is really cool! by Liam Clarke |
| Posted 10 March 2008 about a visit in March 2008 | Overall rating: 7.5 |
2nd march 2008- 9th march 2008
OK, when we arrived in the main reception area, the staff were quite friendly, we had to fill in about 3 forms with loads of personal details including occupation and passport number. We then had our bags taken up to the room by a welcoming porter. When we got to our room, it was a basic, 3 beds, balcony with a sea view, wardrobe, dressing table and quite a small space. After we settled in, the porter expected tips, and because TND (Tuninian Dinars) is a restricted/ closed currency, we only had English notes, so he got a bit moody. There is a Bureau De Change to the left of the reception, the man who works there is always huffy puffy and moody.
Overall, the service is very good, only a few people had a nasty attitude.
I have read loads of reviews before going and read some complaints about the food. Well, the food is fantastic, there are loads of choices for morning lunch and dinner! if you want a ham and onion omlette, just go to the creperie and ask for one, there is no frozen food here, the make it while you wait! Its the same with the pizzas, whatever topping you want, if they dont have it, they will go away and get some! The quality of the food is just awesome, but on the 2nd day, my mum found a hair in a sausage, that was sickening. Anyway, the waiters are nice and friendly, they will just get your card (All inclusive/ half board) and get your usual drink. They are actually really friendly and try their hardest to please.
Food, 9/10- because we found a hair in the sausages- ewwww!
The rooms are scrupliously clean, the floors are constantly being done, the seats in the foyer are clean and i had no problems with the cleanliness whatsoever. I was actually very pleased with it. if you think how many pairs of feet trample on that floor every day, it is still always clean.
Cleanliness- no problemo
The facilities. there is lots to do in the hotel, but it is open at different times. On the last day, we played crazy golf. the holes were a bit shabby because they were chipped and were in need of some TLC. the horse riding was fantastic, you go at your pace, either a slow walk of go haring down the beach... your choice. Th hotels have nothing to do with booking other things outside of it- we had a carriage ride into Sousse, that was really good fun! You can also book excursions with your travel agent, for example we booked a camel ride with our rep, the reps have their oun desk in the foyer. at the moment, there are only 3 desks: thomas cook, First choice and Neckermann travel.
The facilities were good, but needed improving.
The location was perfecto. Only 3 minutes away from monastir international. But then the drawback to that is, a blummin loud takeoff noise, again, because monastir intl is not really busy, it is quite rare.
Loaction, great, near the beaches, near the airport, and the local cities
Value for money- i cant comment on this, because i didnt pay. but i can assure you that it is probably really good. with the all inclusivem all you have to do is order some drink, they swipe your card and voila, no payment!
The pools are good because they are really deep, the outside ones are freezing, because they pump cold water in, which is why they are always overflowing. The inside pool is good as well, it is not as deep but is still really good.
pools- good, but freezing.
the beach is great, it is actually owned by the hotel. Lovely white fine soft sand, pier bars, blue tranquil medeteraeanan sea, but the water is cold and there are nuggets of horse poo spread on the actual beach, but the sand nearer the top is actually really nice, you can buy lilo's, buckets and spades etc... its great fun for the kids.
beach- 9/10- really good
there are a lot of English speaking people, but there are also a lot of German, French, Spanish and Itlaians as well, so you might get a bit confused sometimes, but generally, they are like everyone else, friendly.
That conclused my review of Hotel Sahara Beach, i think it is a great hotel and is worth it to go.
Liam Clarke.
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: If you want to pay a fortune to stop in a prison cell go here!! by Chris Riley |
| Posted 25 September 2007 about a visit in September 2007 | Overall rating: 1.0 |
Hi just come back from a week of hell...what can I say we called this holiday in total CRAP!!!!.......from the min we walked into the reception my husband and I thought what the hell have we come too....the reception is smelly and looks like a throw back from the 60's, the reception staff are very rude no matter waht time of day you go to speak to them.....If you want to use a deposit box you have to pay 36Dinar you get 30 back when you give the key back.
Our room was cramped and very basic, no draws just one hanging space and a few shelfs....the beds are comfy but if your like me and like two pillows you will have to take your partners...you find the top shelf in your warddrobe is full of blankets I placed one each under each bed then you have an extra shelf....the bathrooms are not that bad...but please becareful with the hot and cold water it goes hot very quickly without not warning, so watch the kiddies....The room attendent was very helpful..he found out I am manger of a hotel in England so he wanted to show me the more plusher rooms on the 7th Floor in block 1....if he had showed me these room the first day I was there I would have made dam sure we were moved to one of these, they have TV, Fridge Jack and Jill basins, sitting area just so much nicer they are two bedrooms knocked into one....
The Resturant....Well we have been back for 3 days and can still feel the Tunisian Belly...so please if you can stomac Pizzas and Pancakes just eat these for your stay...Some one said the Chips are to die for...yes they are to die for in a heart attack kind of way they are dripping in fat.....I have nothing more to say on the resturant as it make me feel very ill....and would not like to see another pizza or pancake for the rest of my life. Enought said Ehhh...Ohh yes beware of the cats they piss and @!*$ everywhere....
The pool and beach are about the best thing..but then again there is cats all over these areas and you know why people had cats in the 60's (to catch mice and rats) Flys are a pain in the arse too in the out side bars.
The Enternainment is crap...the Mick Jackson night is on a Saturday and we just laughed all the way through...the italian bloke doing Mick Jackson has a very funny saying which he said all week..."I love you all....I love my Job" we couldn't stop saying it as he was a prat and all the animation team love them selfs or eachother and the women animation team couldn't crack a smile between them...they were getting out of the lift we where getting into and my 7 year old daughter smiled at them but they gave her such a look it would have turned anyone to stone....
Our hotel rep for thomson was a lady called Nicki at the Welcome Meeting she called the hotel Butlins in the sun...thats all she said regarding the hotel....All she could talk about was trips and herself...she was a crap rep and I will be telling thomson about her comments.
Please DO NOT GO TO THE HOTELS ZOO you have to pay 3 diner for adults 1.1/2 diner for children...The chap you pay gives you a ticket when you arrive, but when you leave you have to give it him back and god helps you if you loose it....I wish I had a pair of cutters so I could let these sad animals out for freedom...what a shame....I could let my daughter look at most of the animals as the Monkey was that frisky he was flashing his bits and didn't stop then the goats where are frisky and flashing you know what...PLEASE STAY OUT!!!!
One good thing about the hotel was the photographer as you get to the restaurant he was fantastic and we got lovey family photos and of my daughter they are 5 din's each £2.00 English.....
So When our last day finaly came our flight was not till 00.10 we had to check out of the hotrl room at 12pm and guess what...we had to pay 40 din's to be moved to another hotel block so that meant we had to pack then move...what a lode of crap and the receptionist was the rudest man of all....he said you english a strange people....Yehh Right...
So all in all please stay the hell away from this hotel at all cost....I would rather got to a caravan in wet wales for a week than stop at this hotel again....I do hope this reveiw will help and if you have booked this hotel and you are reading this before you go GOOD LUCK and may GOD BE WITH YOU!!!!
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: GREAT!! by Ryan Hoskins |
| Posted 02 July 2007 about a visit in August 2005 | Overall rating: 9.0 |
We travelled to tunisia in august 05, we did not really expect the hotel to be that good after reading a lot of negative reviews. We arrived at the hotel in the night and our first impressions were reasonable. We were taken to our room by a member of staff, he was really friendly and didnt want us to do anything. The room was clean and satisfactory, it done the job. The walls where quite thin but this did not bother us.
We went to breakfast and were allocated a table in the restaurant. Once again our waiter was great, we got to know him over the period of time we were there. The food was quite good. Throughout the day there are lots of activities for the whole family to get involved with. Dancing, games, pool games, sports, kids clubs, aerobics etc. there is also a small zoo. I was quite disappointed with this.
The food through the day is good also, snack bars are dotted throughout the complex and the food is cooked infront of you. We ate most of our meals at the beach bar, there is a barbecue and pizzas etc.
Throughout the day there is a very relaxed atmosphere, you can relax by the pool, know that the children are safe and make friends with families. If you are the sort who likes water sports, the beach caters for this, you can hire canoes, go pedal boting, go on banana boats etc, it is realy cheap and the water is really warm.
Overall, the holiday was great and we will definately be going back.
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: good 3 star hotel by Geoffrey Tucker |
| Posted 27 June 2007 about a visit in June 2007 | Overall rating: 7.7 |
While bad reviews can be fun to read, take them with a pinch of salt, The Iberostar Sahara Beach is a good three star hotel that lives up to its consumer four star rating..
The airport was very busy on arrival but the queues were swiftly dealt with, and transfer to the hotel took about ten minutes. At the hotel we had to fill in forms and have our photo taken to get a credit card size pass, necessary for all inclusive, this was quick as few arrived with us.
The guests were a mixture of all inclusive and half board. To get drinks at the bar or food at the beach bar it was necessary to present the card to be scanned and in some cases be given a ticket to get the drinks at the other end of the bar. A little strange but it worked well. The hotel was not full and there were few queues at the bars but additional areas of the dining room and an extra reception area were being opened up in preparation for peak season, so things may change.
Some practical information the hotels voltage is 220 V ac and cigarettes are about 14 pounds a carton in the shop. News papers are two days old and there are few English magazines on sale. The very few English paperbacks on sale were second hand but cost about 2 pounds. Bring your reading material with you.
The hotel and the grounds are kept very clean and tidy with teams constantly at work.
The food is good. Soups, omelettes, pancakes, pizzas and sweets are excellent and a good range of other food available.
One oddity is that you will be allocated a table on arrival and may have to share it with others. Attempting to make polite conversation at breakfast after a good night on the beer may be a strain how ever nice they are.
Space and the availability of sun beds round the pools or on the beach is no problem even at peak times, a member of staff will bring cushions for the beds but the hotel does not provide beach towels.
The staff were cheerful and attentive but waiters, cleaners and porters were clearly angling for tips at the end of our stay.
The room was a reasonable size for two but no television or hair dryer the bathroom had a bracket for the shower head but it was still to easy to flood the bathroom. There are five televisions in the piano bar each showing a different program and two large screens in other bars.
The evening entertainment is mostly poor. The Italian entertainment troop waste the excellent theatre facilities with slapstick and dubious games. On some nights a large proportion of the audience voted with their feet. The Michel Jackson night was quite good.
There is a Noddy train which runs into Monastir is worth a try but expect the usual hassle in the medina. We also went to Sousse on the local bus, about 40 p each way, again a large Medina with lots of hassle but worth a visit. Be aware that the bus will pick you up outside the hotel but returns a different route and will drop you off at the go kart track. The only organised trip we did was the Bedouin Feast, this was a good night with food, drink, belly dancers, jugglers, horsemen and camels. The only down side was the one and a half hour transfer each way. There are no bars, restaurants or shops worth visiting outside the hotel within walking distance
We expected temperatures in the mid thirties but by the end of the week it had risen to the mid forties. The hotel’s air conditioning system struggled to cope. The transfer from the hotel to the duty free shop in the airport took about forty minutes. The departure lounge was crowded and very hot. Everything is priced in Euros, and as I had some left from previous holidays used these and found prices reasonable. People who paid in Sterling said it was expensive, must be inflated exchange rates.
Would I visit this hotel again? No, it is too isolated and during peak season, when the third hotel block is opened, I would imagine the hotel could get extremely busy, but we will visit Tunisia again.
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: our sahara beach experience by Lynne Davidson |
| Posted 22 August 2006 about a visit in July 2004 | Overall rating: 7.0 |
We went to this hotel with my mother and three children 14,12 and 10. When we arrived we were dealt with quickly and we were taken to our rooms which were interconnecting. I was dissapointed when I saw the size of the rooms as they had put three beds in each room and if I stretched my arm over I had my hand on my sons face. The walls are paper thin so we could hear everyones conversations and I felt we had no privacy. we had paid 5 full prices of £825 each so I felt we should really have had another room.
We met a lot of nice people there and the children had a bit of freedom as there was a lot for them to do but they were all in the one complex. There were karaoke and films and games like you bet for everyone to join in with. There was also a nightclub so the older tennagers had their own chillout space.
The swimming pools were amazing and the bars served pizza,chips,burgers and pancakes which were all freshly made to order so you never had to be hungry and everyone did not have to be together to eat. In the restaurant our waiter was lovely and as you get the same table all the time he used to put flowers on the table for my mum and when he seen us coming he would have our drinks ready for us and if someone had eaten earlier he would let us know they had been in.
We were never bored but we preffered to stay in the complex rather than go out to be hassled. We were all inclusive so there was no need to spend a lot of money unless you wanted to eat in the pizzeria for a change or if you wanted to buy gifts at the bazzar. There is even a stand where you can book your trips and they pick you up from the door. There was a photographer who was right outside the dining room and his photos were beautiful. Every day my daughter had a different picture or two on the board as he thought she was beautiful (she is blond and tanned) I BOUGHT ALL HER PICTURES AND THEY WERE NOT EXPENSIVE.THE CLEANERS NEVER SEEMED TO STOP FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT.
If you order a taxi from the hotel the driver asks when you will be back and he comes back for you then you pay just one fare.I was dissapointed to read that others thought the hotel was not very good as I loved it.
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: Nightmare! by Amelia Lee |
| Posted 14 February 2006 about a visit in January 2006 | Overall rating: 5.7 |
I went on this holiday with mixed feelings. I had read reviews some saying it was the best holiday ever, others saying the worst. I would have to agree with the latter.
When we arrived at Monastir we got throught the airport very quickly which was good. However when we were being taken to our taxi, men were making sexual comments towards me, which i found very intimidating and i was covered up in a jumper and jeans. We arrived at the hotel and on first impressions all seemed clean and well except that everyone was after a tip for doing nothing!
Myself and my boyfirend are not fussy eaters but we ended up eating pasta for 2 weeks. The beef was non-exsitent as it was all fat. You couldn't cut the turkey. However the chicken wasn't too bad. Vegatables were served on 2 occasions. Then it was only Brussles sprouts, fired onions or deep fried cauliflower. The desserts were all illuminous! Crammed with E numbers. When we got home we felt very ill! Also you have to walk past a lot off stalls run by locals to get to the Dining Room, they bug every day 3 times a day.
Sleeping was also a BIG problem. The walls are paper thin, you can here everything. We were also woken at 5 A.M EVERY morning as there is a nearby Mosque which played prayer music. Also our room stank of smoke which made us feel ill. I think it came through the air conditioner.
On one day we decided to venture out of the hotel and into Monastir. BIG MISTAKE! We were abused and grabbed at from the moment we arrived until we left. One man came up to me and was my boyfirend if he could buy me for an hour! We had to hide in the fixed price shop for an hour. I have never been so scared in all of my life!
On a positive note the staff were nice and the place was clean, but thats about it.
I would never return or recommend it to anybody. I heard lots of other people complaining about the same things as myself whilst i was there.
My tip would be to stick to Europe or if you are looking to go some where diffrent i would highly recommend Goa, India.
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: Happy Tunisia by Chris Paice |
| Posted 03 December 2004 about a visit in October 2004 | Overall rating: 5.5 |
There is so much to write about the Sahara Beach. Not all good not all bad.
The hotel is very big with three huge blocks. There are a few shops snd stalls selling typical Tunisian gifts and there is also a small supermarket with a small range of western items.There is also a small Zoo on site but don't expect too much.
Upon arrival checking in is quite quick. The porters insist on taking your case to your room only because they would like a tip. A few dinars is enough.
The rooms are clean but quite small. The bathrooms are ok but there was no shower attachment to hang it on the wall so you had to hold it then keep putting it down.There is no TV which is a minus point but as your on holiday in Tunisia there wouldn't be any English channels anyway.
There are a selection of restaurants there. There is a main restaurant for half board and all inclusive. It is a large restaurant which serves a few different choices of food but not many are local. The standard of food is ok but is no means a la carte. There is a pizzeria on site which serves a range of pizzas, pastas and steaks etc which is fairly cheap and the food is better than the main restaurant but this is not all inclusive. There are a few snack bars outside around the pool areas and on the beach which serves your average fast food.
There are seven or eight bars, five of which stay open late night, including a night club. The Asfar Bar is the only one which is open 24hrs but no all inclusive after midnight. The Salambo bar is a quiet bar which shows English films. The Skanes bar is where the live entertaintment is held, although the entertainment is good some night and bad on others. The Piano bar is like a relaxing wine bar with live music most nights. The nightclub is quite big but as we went off peak season it was empty. The pool bars serve alchohol during the day but shut around 6 in the winter months.
There was also a traditonal Moorish cafe
serving mint tea or coffee and you can also have a go on a traditional Hubbly Bubbly pipe (unfortunately tabacco only!)
There are 2 largefree form outdoor pools which are clean and of a high standard with ample sunbathing space. The area around the pools are quite nicely maintained with grass and flowers. There is also a large jacuzzi open in the summer months. There is a large indoor pool where you can also get a massage at a small price.
The beach has nice white sand and is quite clean but beware of the locals trying to sell you gifts, don't pay them too much. There are also people selling camels rides on the beach which we tried and really enjoyed but again don't over pay them.
The staff are varied and some of them seem very moody, but there are others which are really nice especially the man who owns the shoe shop.
We travelled by Thomson and we found the reps to be the worst we have come across but if you get the chance we really recomend the "Taste of Tunisa" trip because there is a visit to a wine making factory and and chance to try a large amount of the local wines which we found to be a very light headed and enjoyable day out.
One more thing to think about is that if you don't like being hassled on holiday then Tunisia is not for you because you are always being asked to buy things off the locals or the stall holders in the hotel and going to the local Medina's (local markets)can be a bit traumatic becuase some of the stall holders can be aggressive in making you buy something.
All in all this hotel is ok and we enjoyed ourselves but it does need a lick of paint here and there and some investment is needed as it looks slightly run down in places but all the time we were in Tunisia we didn't see any top class hotels.
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: Good by Andrea Maclaren |
| Posted 24 July 2003 | |
The hotel was good, and i used to love buying those pankakes i dont know if the still have them. The pool was very cold threwout the 2 weeks and didnt get in it once.
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach Reservations |
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Iberostar Sahara Beach Questions | Have you got a question about Iberostar Sahara Beach that you want answered before you book online? If our reviews do not contain the information that you need, ask a question and let other visitors tell you the real story!
 Iberostar Sahara Beach: childrens musical entertainment |
| 09 Aug 2008 by Sheila Sanderson |
Hi
My name is Sheila Sanderson and I along with my family were guests at your resort three years ago. The time we spent there was great and very relaxing. One of the best aspects of the holiday was the childrens entertainment provided. What i would like to ask is if you could possibly provide a list of the songs that were song at the resort as our kids would like to get copies of the songs.
>> Answer this question | |
| Iberostar Sahara Beach: jue |
| 16 Mar 2008 by Judith Howe |
we are going to sahara beach in july 2008 does any 1 out there know if same animation team r there lilo rico mike etc
>> Answer this question | | | | >> | Answer 1 by Nicole Bischler (09 Jul)
Hello,
lilo and mike are leaving last year, but rico majdi and mehdi are still there.
enjoy your holiday.
bye nicole
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach: night club |
| 12 Jul 2007 by Gemma Martin |
were going to this hotel in november i wanted to know if it will be open then?
>> Answer this question | | | | >> | Answer 1 by Chris Riley (25 Sep)
This nightclub is not part of the AL you have to pay for drinks....I hope you have read my review...Its not to late to tell your tour op that you want to change hotels...belive me you will thank me in the end...GOOD LUCK
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| Iberostar Sahara Beach: wheelchair accessability |
| 21 Jan 2007 by Mike Gooding |
are there steps to contend with?
>> Answer this question | | | | >> | Answer 1 by Chris Riley (26 Sep)
I did see quite a few people in wheelchairs so it shouldn't be a problem..read my review before you book and if you have booked already tell your tour rep you wanna change hotels GOD HELP YA
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Questions and answers are provided by diytravel.co.uk users and do not represent the opinions of diytravel.co.uk. |
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