Hotel was a last minute change from the Le Saphir and we could not find out any info on any UK website or travel agents gazetter about this place, which was a bit concerning-eventually we found some nice pictures of the place on a Polish/French website.

So, it came as no surprise to find the guests where mainly from these countries and their european tastes in food and entertainment were catered for rather then the uk people who were placed there. If you like to experiment in food that was fresh,good and at least had "english" description labels on them then you would like it, but if your needs are "full fry ups in the morning, Chips in the evening and you need an obligatory 1 mile alcohol fulled pub crawl in every bar" - then this hotel is not for you due to its location and taste in food.

Please remember that this country is islamic so alcohol is not readily availble everywhere - not even in some supermarkets. The hotel of course did. We found the staff and maid service very efficient and spoke good english although Tunisan language is arabic/french.

Trying to remember our "french" from school was good fun with the staff and the locals and they seemed pleased that we tried - especially the bartering in the medinas for goods - tip is to half the price you see as a starting point and walk away even if you are happy with a lower price as they seem to ask you to come back once you got to the shop entrance.

Trips were good and informative - would recommed the Sahara safari over 2 days, visit the roman coliseum which some shots of "gladiator" the movie was based on,camel ride in the sahara, visit to the salt plains and Atlas mountains, locations for "star wars" series and "the english patient" were filmed - early AM starts but worth it for the views alone, wouldn't recommend it for young children though as you can be on the coach for long periods.

We had a good explore of the country overall & enjoyed it as we are both not "beach/poolside" worshippers. Point to remember with money - you cannot get Dinars in the UK - have to buy them over there but there are exchange offices in the airport as well as the hotel, a good thing is that the goverment set the exchange rate so there are not whopping difference between a hotel or a bureau if any at all.
We took travellers cheques and the exchange rate for us worked out that we got double our money.

Weather was good too - high 70's early 80's for the last week of the winter season. If your a person who likes "all inclusives" then the hotel will probably disappoint you due to its location and its european feel for its usual clientelle - if your a bit of an adventurer and don't mind leaving the hotel at all or our european neighbours - want a relaxing chilled out time rather than an "alcohol guzzelling can't remember the embarassing things you did last night, and what's crawelled in my mouth and died hangover....." - then the place is just for you.

My wife child and myself were upgraded to this hotel because of refurbishment of the Saphir. Initial reaction was good, the hotel was spotless the staff were wonderful especially with the children.

The setting out of the dining room and the sheer variety of food was mind boggling, albeit not catering for brits as such because this is not a Brit hotel.

The catering staff were dressed in the whitest uniforms I have ever seen they were attentive polite and the waiting on staff were brisk and efficient to a man.

If I have one tiny citicism it was that my son is a fussy eater and we struggled to fill him every day, but as I say it is not your typical Brit hotel.

The private beach is lovely, you dont even have to drag out your own sunbeds there is a member of staff on duty to do it for you.

The entertainment was not very good, it was just the hotel entertainers acting the goat, no proper paid entertainers atall. The spirits were watered down, why I dont know,I purchased a single vodka to gice it a taste and it practically tasted of nothing at all.

The weather was good taxis cheap and the trips were brill, yes I would go back to Tunisia but not to the Shalimar.

We were moved to the hotel Shalimar at the last minute, we were supposed to go to Hammamet Village.

The hotel itself is lovely, the swimming pool is massive and the indoor pool is a good size but a bit over chlorinated, but nice and warm.

The hotel grounds are constantly maintained and clean, rooms are a good size but the shower was in the middle of the bath pointing out! So not that good but they had good pressure and loads of HOT water at all times. The maid service is fantastic, beds changed every day, fresh flowers in the room & the maids are very friendly.

The entertainment is extremely poor with staff providing entertainment between 9.30pm & 10.30pm only at night and mainly in French, there are games during the day, darts, football etc

The food is excellent but if you only like English food you'll find yourself eating pizza every night, having said that we enjoy different foods and ate well every day. If you are not AI the food to buy from the snack bars are expensive i.e. 15TD each for a plate of pasta & sauce! The restaurant staff were great, apart from suited managers, who were over zealous and rude at times (shouting at you in French when they know you are English, and as I found out they speak good English), but our waiter more than made up for them, look for Facel (think that's how you spell it) he always went the extra mile.

The reception staff speak a little English which was a problem trying to get stuff sorted, but if you wait for the guy who starts at 3pm every day he speaks about 7 languages and is extremely helpful, even offering to take you on excursions on his day off at, as he calls them, friendly prices.