Hi John
Given the age of your kids and the fact that they'd probably like to get out and about, maybe a bit of clubbing too, I think that PEK is better suited for you all. This is because you will be close to the town of Sousse, which is where everything is happening and from Sousse you can get to any part of Tunisia conveniently.

YH, I think it's nicer to look at than PEK, but there's not much going on and once you step outside the complex of YH, there's nowhere to go really apart from Hammamet, which ok, it has a medina, a beach, some clubs, but it's nowhere near as lively as Sousse. Also PEK has more hotels, so you have more choice of where you want to watch evening entertainment.

The Vincci, Imperial Marhaba, Marhaba Palace, Tour Khalef, not bad hotels, although the 1st two seem to be the most grand.

Hope this helps, good luck with your holiday, enjoy yourselves

Personally I think your better off with P.E.K. Nice beaches, all the hotels have use of the beach which is clean and safe enough for the kids. The hotels Kanta, Marhabra Palace, Occidental Allegro and Riveira and the Soviva hotels are all very impressive for the kids, i'm sure they would love any of them. They all have nice pools and gardens and are very well kept. The food is good, always something to eat. The hotels are kept very clean and the Tunisians love children and are very friendly people. Most of the hotels have plenty going on for the kids and most have discos and their local entertainment teams. There are good and bad where ever you go, but try to put this behind you and go with an open mind, and dont be put off too much by the bad reports. I've been to P.E.K 6 times now and loved it. I dont think I could find a bad thing to comment on without being picky. I find it very safe, safe enough to walk about even at night and there are lots of police about all the time along the main roads. There is not much to do outside the hotels in P.E.K at night, although a stroll down to the marina is very nice with lots of cafes, shops and places to eat, and the fountains light up and dance to the music. There is also a mini fairground, zoo and a small water park. There are boat trips going daily from there also and lots of water sports every day on the beach. Sousse is only a short taxi ride away with a bigger selection of shops, bars, restaurants,cafes and clubs and alot more locals, where as P.E.K is purpose built and mainly for the tourists. But both are still very nice and have there advantages.

Thanks for your help so for and we are looking at Kanta. Can you book direct?

Hi Pamjohn! My daughter and I stayed at the Kanta last year and I've posted a review in the hotel section. We did find Tunisia alittle quiet but it was what we wanted at the time.

Hi Pam John
i would take reviews with a pinch of salt to be honest as some people are impossible to please!!! (unless all reviews are continously bad) Last year I was deciding between Marhaba and Kanta. I decided on Kanta as reviews were all mainly good. Now I would be baffled as to how anyone could critisize Tunsia,Kanta or even some of the other hotels I read reviews of. kanta was fabulous and other 4* hotels looked fine as well.
Even though the reviews scared me off the first time I am even considering Marhaba palace for next time as it looks fine from what I saw.
I just think people have such different opinions, expectations and standards. They keep on comparing Tunisian hotels to european and of course its not exactly the same!! And I wouldn t stress out about a couple of negative reviews (in future I wont ). Just go with what hotel you think is right
Amelie

Have decided on PEK and now between Kanta and Marhaba palace. Correct me if im wrong.
Kanta: Better rooms, better beach and better pools?
Marhaba palace: Better hotel, better food, better position(on the beach)?
Price for package including flights tranfers halfboard round about the same at 2300 can get a flight only for 1500 is it worth trying to book direct with a spare £800?
Any more help would be very appreciated.
thanks John

Both of these hotels share the same beach. The Marhaba Palace is right on the beach you just have to go through the back entrance and your directly on the beach, the hotel pool is lovely and the hotel itself is very grand inside. The Hotel Kanta is across the marina from the beach about a 10 minute walk. Again nice pool and very nice inside. To be honest with you, your probably better off doing the package seeing there is 5 of you. But I cant advise you on this as I've never done a holiday this way before. I dont think you would be disappointed with either of the hotels though.