Hia we stayed in the Marhaba Beach (or was it the club....lol) the year before last, are you staying in the Marhaba with the 4 hotels on the same complex, (Marhaba Club, Marhaba Beach, Tour Khalef and the Marhaba ?) if so, when we stayed no, they didn't provide towels for the pool, (fab pool by the way )
We never had no problems with food at all, although it is a Muslim country so don't expect a full English for breaky, I found there was always a variety of food and we never went hungry.
It is very hot, so plenty of sunlotion,

Hi Roo
Thanks for replying. We are staying at Hotel Maharba and not Maharba Club or Beach. We are staying on the complex with 4 other hotels. I'm finding it confusing when trying to read reviews as its not clear whether i am reading about the hotel or if its the Club or Beach!! Anyway this is our first trip to Tunisia and i think i am looking forward to it,although i have heard mixed opinions on what to expect.
Thanks again for the reply. Only another 8 months to go!!

I've not stayed at the Tour Khalef but have at all of the others in the complex and found them fine, though the Marhaba Beach is the nicest in my opinion. You can enjoy the entertainment and snack bars in any of them and any of the pools. Incidentally, if you are a vodka drinker, as your name suggests, you'd be advised to take some with you from the duty free, as imported spirits are very expensive in Tunisia.

Hia again I am certain the Marhaba is between the Beach and the Club, its down a little small pathway, and it all leads to the main pool area, which is big ( if you are staying on the complex with the 4 hotels, then this is the Marhaba) although this year when we stayed (we stayed at the Tour khalef this year) the pool had also been done up at the Marhaba Beach and was very fancy when we stayed last year I tipped the guy who puts sunbeds out of a morning (1 or 2 dinar a day) and he kept us sunbeds with parasol in the same spot every morning, (no rushing breaky to get to sunbeds, but pool was very large so people had no probs getting beds, and also depends if you want the same spot every day, eg if you have young kids, want to be by the bar etc )
I found the tuk tuk and the noddy train a must do, laughed so much on these
Tunisia for me has been the most relaxing and well earnt break, its a lot different than Ibiza, Benidorm mainland Spain etc, didn't see no drunken yobs, rowdy drunken people, half naked people and certainly didn't miss those who like to show their bums when they have had a few lol. The Tunisian people I found very friendly.
And best bit, is you are right on top of the beach.

Roo

You've got the right one Roo - the Marhaba is in between the other two. When I was there a couple of years ago workmen were installing the lift on the outside of the building, and watching them would have made the British Health & Safety people foam at the mouth!! However, that is now in place and I'm sure it's of great benefit to guests. I stayed at the Beach last year but called into the Marhaba which seemed to have had some other alterations. The whole complex is very pleasant and I'm sure Vodkachick will enjoy her time there. I agree the tuk-tuk and noddy trains are great fun but if there are more than two of you the taxis can work out even cheaper, providing you agree a price first.

Hi all

Thanks for all your help with my questions. Aslemma i'm sure i will enjoy our holiday. As long as we have some great weather. I was a little nervous when we went to Egypt this year, but found it to be fine. Can you recommend any trips? I was interested in the Sahara trip, or any boat trips.

Thanks again

There are lots of trips organised by the reps, but it is quite easy to do some of them on your own, either by train, louage (shared taxi) or by hiring a car and driver for a day, If you have the time the 2-day Sahara trip is well worth doing, though you cover a lot of miles and it can be very tiring - there are many reports on this on HT. You can take the train from Sousse to Tunis or Monastir, which will give you time to go at your own pace. Don't forget to go into the Medina which is a great experience (check prices in the Soula Centre first as that is a fixed price shop and will give you an idea of what to pay). In Monastir be sure to visit the mausoleum of the late president which is all gold leaf and quite beautiful. Carthage is interesting if you like history and Sidi Bou Said is absolutely beautiful - if you go there try and find L'Aetite Svede, a lovely little restaurant run by a Swedish lady and her Tunisian husband with good tea and cakes to die(t) for. Boat trips can be booked through your rep but you may as well walk down to the port in Sousse and book with the lads there. They go out twice a day, provide a light meal and soft drink and anchor up so you can have a swim or fish. The Medinat Alzhara Sound & Light Show is excellent but probably best booked through your rep, as although it isn't far, it is difficult to get to. Do go into Port El Kantaoui to walk round the Marina and see the boats from all over the world, then sit by the fountain drinking coffee or a beer and watching the people. Try and learn a few phrases in the local language first as the locals love it and it will earn you brownie points, as well as saving you money, as they may not then see you as 'first timers' and drop their prices accordingly (there are quite a few useful words and phrases on HT but I can't find them at present to give you a link). Just be careful you don't end up as addicted as one or two of us here are.

I am off to Hotel Marhaba in August as well am and have also been having trouble finding information about it. We are taking two children as well and I am really excited about it. Never had a two week holiday before and only ever been to Majorca and Benidorm. We booked through Thomas Cook and got a fantastic deal, 2 adults and 2 children two weeks half board for £1600. Flying from Bristol on the 12th August. Will be watching this forum very closely.

I'm sure you'll have a lovely time Linda. The Tunisians love children and it's a very safe place for them. The beaches are beautiful and for the older children there are things like camel rides etc. There is a water park at the Hotel Marabout just down the road from the Marhaba (behind the Casino Caraibe)and I'm told it's quite good and excellent value at 10 dinars. The link below will take you to a map showing the area. There's another somewhat larger Water Park at Port El Kantaoui.

http://img41.exs.cx/img41/3136/soussekaartgroot6bs.jpg

Hi all

Thanks for all your advice and tips aslemma,we will be sure to try some of the trips you have suggested. We all fancy the waterpark,it sounds great! Lindaboogie1 We are also flying from Bristol and got a fantastic deal like yourself. £1600 for 2 weeks on 15th July. I really shopped around for a good deal and was gobsmacked at how much prices have gone up for next year. We normally go AI but i couldn't find anything under £2800! I shall also be watching this forum reguarly.

Hi all im thinking of going to stay at the tej marhaba torn between the two marhaba hotel and the tej any comments much appreciated as we just cant decide thanks christine

Hi asleema just to let you know i booked the marharba hotel sousee for 2 weeks 5th august i hope ive made the right choice yur info was really helpful.Could u give me some info on the weather for that time of year and anyinfo on the hotel itself would help many thanks christine

In a word Christine - hot!!! You should, however, have a pleasant breeze. I personally think you've made the better choice as the Marhaba is almost on the beach. It is the middle of the three hotels, with the Marhaba Beach on one side and the Marhaba Club on the other. The grounds more or less run into each other so you will have no problem using any of the pools, snack bars etc.

Will see you there Chirstine 06. We are going 12th August for two weeks.

Thank you so much aslemma for the info cant wait now to go.

Hi linda how old are yur children?Is it yur first time to tunisia?We have been before but we went to pek last time and i loved it so if its anythink like there im sure we will have a good time

My children are 12 and 8, never been to Tunisia, very excited. We are flying out from Bristol 12th August will arrive around lunch time.

Linda

I'll pop in when I'm out there in April and ask them to ensure they've got it all polished up for when you arrive Christine and Linda.

Hi aslemma when you are there could you find out if there is internet connection as my daughter says she cant do with out ha ha many thanks christine