I and a friend went to the Tour Khalef with Thomson in September 2004. Before we went I read the other reviews on this site and was a little surprised by how polarised they were - most people love the place and a couple absolutely hated it. Well I'm going to dare to be different... It was OK. But just OK. For the money we paid I couldn't really expect anything better, but at the same time it wasn't as nice as we'd been led to believe.

But nice things first. Our room was very nice, spacious, and clean - the cleaning staff were fantastic and I'm still feeling terribly guilty about the fact that we forgot to leave them a tip when we left. Although it overlooked the 'entertainment' area (about which more in a minute), the air con worked fine so we could have the window closed if it was too noisy, and besides, it stopped at midnight so getting sleep wasn't really a problem.

The staff were friendly and helpful - someone told me it's a good idea to tip fairly well at the start of the week so that they'll be nice to you and it seemed to work... although a little bit of gentle flirting didn't hurt either!

The beach and the sea are lovely, although the beach is a little crowded and the Tour Khalef only has deckchairs, not loungers - and all of these were occupied when we went down on our first day. We ended up wandering along the beach and using the loungers belonging to another hotel - we lied and said that's where we were staying and tipped the guy - and that's where we went for the whole week. No one seemed to mind.

Now for the criticisms. The hotel generally is a little downmarket, a little dated and run-down. I would say it was 3*, not 4* as advertised.

The food in the restaurant was perfectly edible but really nothing special, and it was pretty much the same every single day which got a little boring to say the least. Again, like so much in the hotel - perfectly adequate but really nothing to get excited about.

My biggest complaint however would be the so-called 'entertainment', which was loud and naff and really irritating. We couldn't use the pool at all because they played loud cheesy Latino pop endlessly all day - the only saving grace is that you can use the facilities in the other hotels but they are a bit of a walk away. And before you think I'm some boring old fuddy duddy - I and my friend are both in our mid-twenties and were certainly up for some fun... but not the kind of fun that seems more like a pitiful attempt to recreate a student union night (had enough of that at uni, thank you!)

So to sum up - I wouldn't say don't go here, because we had a nice holiday. But don't get your hopes up. Like so many things in life, you get what you pay for.

A friend and I visited Tunisia in September 2004. It was recommended to me by various people. I'm not a good traveller and usually worry about the food.

We arrived late at night and straight away I was impressed with the hotel. We stayed for 7 days and I enjoyed every minute of it. The hotel was lovely and clean. The cleaners we had were lovely to the point that I personally felt like a daughter to one of them.

I'm not much for entertainment on holiday so didn't really enjoy that.

The beach was lovely and although I don't swim I spent a lot of time just sitting and enjoying what was going on.

We went out every day, sometimes with the reps but most of the time on our own. The taxi service is great and very cheap. We enjoyed the shopping. Going to the market was fun but after a while the hassle we got from the traders was getting on our nerves but overall, they are beautiful people.

I found a lot to eat at the hotel even though I

Really pleased overall with the hotel, its location right on the beach, although the Italian Animation events team were a bit of a pain! The kids enjoyed it and it was great that they could mingle between the pool and beach safely.

Excellent food although there could have beena bit more choice for kids, the waiters were excellent, especially the flowers on the table on the last night!

Only downfall being running out of towels in the rooms and the bathroom not entirely clean, although that said, the cleaners have a big hotel to attend to.

Really happy and would most definately return.

One point though, if you arrive after 9pm as we did, make sure you have some cash to change as they wont change travellers cheques, or there is a cash point right outside the hotel gates. Oh, and your money will go a long way!

The hotel was great; it was right next to the beach, was very cool in the reception area and had really friendly waiters. But prehaps a little too friendly at times...! The entertainment was ok for the first couple of nights but it was extremely repetative and the same songs were played night after night. The DiVi club animation during the day was good; you could join in the waterpolo, the water aerobics, latin american dancing and loads of other stuff too. It was really good and I can assure you that you'll be able to count from 1 - 8 in Italian by the end of the holiday!
The food in the hotel was great and I have no complaints.
It was ALWAYS hot and there was a lot of variety each night.

We went mid July 2004 to this Hotel. The weather was great the beaches beautiful. The People were very nice and friendly. Your English pound goes a long, long way.

The Thompson representatives were very nice and friendly and the Rep

We had a fantastic holiday at Tour Khalef, we found it to be great value for money, situated right on the beach you couldn't ask for more.
The hotel is 30 years old so it lookinga little tired, but they say it is going to be refurbished next year.
The rep was very helpful, and the trips were good value.
Transport is great for the kids, the train and the tut tut are very good especially on a hot day.
Shopping is a dream.........M & S will never be the same again.........
The poolside entertainment was very good, and the night shows put on round the pool were first class.

The hotel was spotlessly clean, the food was really good, The location was good as you could walk to sousse or taxi and also to Port el Kantoui. All the staff were very freindly, the only thing that let it down for us was the lack of entertainment, there was not a lot to do after dinner, our kids are to old to join the kids club but wouldn't any way.

We paid

Hotel was fab, staff very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be going back.

Hotel Tour Khalef May 2005

We found the cleanliness of the hotel to be fine and our room was well tided, however we didn't think much of the food, same thing everyday more suited for Russians and Germans who were very rude.

The staff were ok but you had to tip well for them to be pleasant, the entertainment was terrible butlins would be better, there are only two "pubs" in Sousse and they were poor, we ended up watching bbc prime most of the time because there was nothing to do.

The locals hassled us none stop and leered at my girlfriend all the time, I read earlier reviews and a firm no! Was not enough, and again we decided it was easier just to stay in.

We went on smiley mileys camel trip which was really amazing, and well worth the money.(Although on the day smiley turned up drunk).

We also went on the 3 cities trip which was ok the only good part was the visit to el jem to see the stadium.

The reps night was short but sweet, the pool was great and thats about it, won't ever go back!

Watch those locals!