Firstly it should be noted that this is actually a 2* hotel, though some companies list it as 2.5 or 3*, and if you bear this in mind and get it for a good price you shouldn't be disappointed. There are 3 lifts, two of them panoramic, and on only one occasion were none of them working. Try and get a room on one of the middle or higher floors on the pool side to avoid noise from the road. The rooms are adequate though there is a severe shortage of storage space, with a small wardrobe and no drawers or shelves. As there were three beds in the room I was able to put T-shirts etc. on one of them. There is a small balcony with a table and couple of chairs. The beds are comfortable and the bathroom always had a good supply of hot water. The maids were charming and helpful.

There is a bar at one end opposite reception and though they dim the lights after about midnight you can sit chatting and having a drink long into the night if you so wish, in fact I've been there until past 2 a.m. (drinking coffee I hasten to add!) I stuck to the gin and tonics (4.700 or 3.300 for just the gin as the tonics are fairly large bottles), which wasn't a bad price and quite pleasant.

There is a small pool outside and that area is a very pleasant sun-trap. There are the usual beds and matresses though I didn't check prices but it didn't seem to be a mad rush to get a bed so no 6 a.m. dash.

There is an internet cafe upstairs and you can also plug in your own laptop if you wish in the lounge.

I've given the food 3* in that there was always something you could eat in the restaurant and it was always at the right temperature. Breakfasts were even more limited than usual in Tunisia, with a few bits of salami, cheese, etc., hard boiled eggs, bread, margerine, jams, yoghurts and croissants. I think the chef was probably a descendant of King Alfred, but I like my croissants well browned! On Sunday he had done beautiful pain au chocolats, which were still hot - wonderful. There wasn't much evidence of Tunisian food at the evening meal, just soup or somewhat inadequate salad followed by meat or fish and rice or chips and sometimes spaghetti. Many people use the hotel for bed and breakfast, so the lack of variety may be because so few people use the restaurant, or it may be the other way round.

There is no entertainment but one wouldn't really expect that in a hotel of this size and price, but as it is almost opposite the Tej Marhaba it is well placed for getting out and about. I would be quite happy to stay there again if the price is right, and most of the international crowd there seemed more than happy, including a large number of Swedes and Danes, as well as quite a lot of English.