The hotel was very pleasant, all of the staff were lovely - if you took the time to talk to them and treat them as human beings. Unfortunately, many people treated the staff poorly - especially the Russians! Our table waiters taught us some phrases in Arabic, which my 4 year old son is still using!

The system for dining was very unsatisfactory, we had a 18.30 slot for evening meal and if you were late (as we were on a few occasions) the waiter checking you in each night got cross. Our breakfast slot was 7.30am - this meant we had to be up by 7am!! We were on holiday to escape getting up early - needless to say we didn't make breakfast often! A shop just outside of the hotel sold fruit juices etc so we would buy our own breakfast and eat by the pool.

The poolside Bazaar was great to. The guys working the shop were lovely and very informative about local sites etc. We were taken to Frugia animal park by 'Waleed' - the park was great and doing the trip ourselves meant that we could stay as long as we liked and go on a day that suited us.

Aziz, the guy taking photo's by the pool would often appear with photo's he had taken of us the day before, most of which we bought - yes it's a bit of a trap but you are on holiday! But very reasonable prices. There are photographers at every tour, on the boats, at the animal park etc..

Our experience of the Thompson reps was very poor. It was my son's 4th birthday whilst there, we informed them they told us they would arrange something and get back to us, the didn't. Thankfully, our waiting staff were more helpful and thankfully we had bought candles with us so the waiters sang 'Happy Birthday'. In my opinion the reps didn't want to help us throughout the holiday (we had several occasions when they could have helped us but couldn't be bothered) because we did our trips independently - saving money and mixing with the locals.

The food and drink was very reasonably priced even the hotel prices were good, a pizza for around

The food was good.

The rooms were clean but our waiter was awful. You can order ice cream as part of the buffet service and our waiter would always moan- If we asked him for some he would mutter something under his breath and would take 10-15mins to deliver it- We complained to the hotel but did not actually receive a written apology or what the outcome was.

We are never going back there.

My friend and I booked this holiday on 'the spur of the moment' deciding to get away in January after the madness of Christmas and the New Year. Neither of us had visited Tunisia before and subsequently heard both good and bad opinions of Tunisia. However, we have only good to report.

This hotel is a fantastic place to stay whatever your age or whether you're single, friends or family. Cleanliness was exceptional, our room was great, clean, the maid came in every day, spacious, we could have held a dance in the bathroom, and excellent views from the balcony.

The staff were professional yet friendly and could answer our many questions that we had and nothing was too much trouble for them and the same goes for the Thomson reps.

Food was buffet style self service which confused us at first (we are getting on) but once we got the hang of it, no problem and it was always fresh and hot when it should have been and salads etc cold and crisp and the desserts were to die for, breakfasts consisted of everything you could imagine from cereals to cooked breakfast, a real dieters nightmare!!!!

We would definitely visit this hotel again without hesitation.

Food was varied on a self selection basis. No complaints, not at all, spicy, which I thought it would be. Catered for all, I thought.

Taxis so cheap that the hotel location caused not problems, shops and restaurants all around. Beach just at the bottom of the hotel grounds.

Unfortunately I found that the hotel was not geared up for relaxing and chilling out if the weather was poor. Which is was when we went, it was very cold, I wore a jumper nearly every day.

I also found that the Waiter only service was geared up solely to tip, I felt under pressure the whole time to give tips, when correct money was given, and they expected the change to be left at other times, if you did not do this, you had a difficult job getting their attention for another service, of drinks or any things. The coffee was in extremely small cups so I was ordering quite a few which at the end of the day cost me a lot. Restaurant staff only assisted if you tipped.

Not that clean although you seen plenty of the cleaners around all the time mopping the marble floors with someone supervising them at all times??

The hotel was very pleasant, the rooms very spacious and clean. The staff I thought were excellent even though I forgot to tip half the time!

The poolside cafe served a good selection for lunch and i had a very enjoyable time, the only downside for me was the food in the restaurant, breakfast was fine but the evening I thought very bland and consequently even though I had paid for half board I went out each night.

Arrived in Tunisia to a 2hr check in queue at Monastir airport..Then onto hotel more queueing at reception..(Not needed when you have kids with you) then finally got into hotel room nearly 1am..(Plane landed at 8pm) only to find no cot for the baby..Staff refused to help until the morning..

Be warned there's no cows milk for sale ANYWHERE..you can get it free from the restaurant but we weren't told until the last day we were there..

The hotel itself had an awful sewage smell wherever you were in the hotel..that smell was there..

Staff try to be friendly but I felt you must constantly tip to get this friendliness..!!

Be warned DO NOT go out at night with your children..I found it unsafe as did other families who were there at the same time as us..Drug pushers hang outside and often come into the hotel bar..!!!(What's the point of their security) Myself and another dad was nearly attacked outside hotel grounds for not buying drugs..they can get very abusive..I also believe a tourist was knifed just outside the hotel grounds..(which concerned many U.K tourists there..!!)

Doors were also being tried through the night..and one chaps wife kept getting phone calls to her room in the night..from someone at the desk she never knew..The men do nothing but pester your wife and children and I found myself getting really annoyed many times..(If you have a short fuse then steer clear of this hotel) People were also getting attacked on the beach one lady had her arm broken buy some Tunisian thug who tried to make off with her handbag..my 10yr old daughter was sworn at..

All in all my first experience of Tunisia will unfortunately be my last..And I have nothing good to say about this hotel..The only thing I miss is the weather..(by heck is it cold in good old blighty)

My daughter and I enjoyed every minute in the Tour Kalef, from arrival to departure nothing was to much trouble for anyone.

The room was fantastic clean bright and in great condition (tv ariel didnt work, but 1 call to reception it was replaced in minutes) Food was fantastic, great choice and hot, always replenished and kept clean and tidy.

We enjoyed it so much we are going back again in Jan 06.

Around and about there is thisgs to do if you ask the staff or reception, but dont bother asking the Thomson reps they only want you to go on there tours. We found a fantastic Tunisian steam room across the road approx

This was a cheap winter break and we were so pleased with the hotel, we've booked again for June 2006.

First two days were cold so we made use of the indoor pool at the next door hotel (a bit old looking but Ok) and had a look around. Of the 3 or 4 hotels you can access, the pool area and grounds of the Tour Khalef appeared to be the cleanest and newest.

As the outside pool is large, this time of year it was far too cold to use.

Went full board but have booked half board for next time as the poolside snack bar was so cheap and lovely. Breakfast was fine- cooked, continental, cereals, pancakes, pastries. Salads and cooked meals at lunchtime/dinner were tasty but a bit samey after 3 or 4 days, although I do agree that a kids choice is needed. Drinks are reasonable(bottle of lager/coke about 90p, bottle of wine

After reading other reviews on this hotel I was a bit worried. I shouldn't have been. We thoroughly enjoyed this holiday & hotel.

The hotel although older is exceptionally clean.

The staff were very friendly-tip a couple of dinars (about

With over 500 rooms, this is a large hotel who have to cater for number of nationalities. The rooms were clean and spacious and they all had a sea view. The lift broke down a few times and being on the 3rd floor would have caused problems for families with small children/buggies. However, they were fixed quickly. We had booked an all-inclusive package and on hindsight would have been better half board as drinks etc are cheap even in the hotel. All inclusive guests have a seperate bar and have to que for drinks which could get a bit annoying. However regular tips to the bar staff soon sorted this problem out. Food in the hotel restaurant was buffet style and varied but there was no childrens section which could cause problems for fussy tots (chicken nuggets / pizza etc would be appreciated). You were allocated a table in the restaurant on arrival and this was yours for the duration of your stay.

The hotel is located a few minutes taxi ride from Sousse & Port El Kantou (approx