Soviva Resort

Having been among those who were brought home early, due to the troubles in Tunisia the previous year, we returned for a 6 week stay in Jan. 2012. First impressions were good, pleasant friendly reception, room of choice and dining area and dining room staff, appeared to have been spruced up. After a day or so, it became obvious, that the troubles the previous year had deterred people from travelling to Tunisia. There were around 70 guests in this large hotel and large parts of the complex were closed. The scarcity of guests was reflected in the food choices and in the quality of entertainment. As the weeks passed, there was a marked deterioration in both these areas. Another area of concern was at weekends, when there was an influx of Tunisian guests. On these occasions, both the hotel management and the entertainment team appeared to forget the 70 British guests, which created resentment. A few of the Tunisian guests chose to mix in with us in some of our daytime activities and were perfectly friendly and good company, though most kept to themselves and to be frank some of their behaviour in the dining room was shocking. Children, allowed to run amok etc, etc. With all holidays, it is fair to remember how much you paid and in that respect the Soviva was good value for money. Other than the entertainment and food choices deteriorating over the weeks and the disruption at weekends, there was nothing specific to complain about. Having said that, having spent 3 winter long stay holidays at the Soviva, we and the group of 12 or so that we socialised with, will be looking for another hotel for our winter 2013 holiday.

This is twice we have been back to the hotel resort first time in 2009 and again this year June 2012, again had a fantastic time and although the location is a small distance away from the main centre Port El Kantaoui it is only a short bus or taxi ride away, this includes Sousse itself tiring on the feet but a must to visit the medina a city within a city with the market place, again excellant. The room again was spotless and again after watching the reviews on watchdog and travel adviser personally I think was rubbish, I am a stickler for tidyness and cleanliness and will moan and complain at anything, the only thing in the room I was concerned about was the shower screen, it was a little small so water got onto the floor, but the towel when finished drying sorted that out, the sheets and blankets were spotless and no stains or anything untoward on them and overall the room was a 9.5/10.

The food was again no real change, very nice, but very repetative this time, even though I dont take the kids with me thought that there was little selection for them, I did have a quick word with the chef who I get on well with and made a suggestion or two rather than complaining and he brought some chicken nuggets out for lunch for the kids the next day, these went down a treat, I had 4 nuggets-sorry kids. the entertainment on site was a lot better this time aswell, with the Thomas Cook entertainment team, still needs a lot of working on but hey it was a lot better, the beer, well, was not great, but at the end of the day this is tunisia who do not drink through religion and beliefs, and also being a third world country they are getting there and they should be proud of that, a lovely country and people were brilliant, cannot fault any of the staff, they worked hard and also played hard.

We booked our own day trips when we wanted to go, am really not that keen booking with the hotel or the reps as this sometimes gets expensive and I prefer to go when I want to go, and not to their schedules, after all I am on holiday, they were a pain keep asking you if you want to go after several times saying no, but hey it is their job and they need to make a living, such as you and me.

Overall, had another great time, I will go back again and dont forget to haggle, its fun and will be cheaper..Taxis 3 dinars before 6pm and 5 dinar after 6pm and between 5-8 Dinar after midnight-Haggle!!

Have a great time we did for the second time and am definitely going back again for the 3rd time and to the same resort..The Soviva- should be 5star UK.

I was there in June 2009, this was for the first time and although a third world country, found the hotel, clean, tidy and the staff were friendly, I had no issues at all with the hotel, even the bar on the beach they were kind and courteous, I think people who go to these places go with high expectations and expect the health and safety/health and hygene guidelines with the uk. 'It aint going to happen' and this is with most countries I have been to, Overall I was 99.9% satisfied with this hotel and staff including Cleanliness. now the 0.1% was because we didnt have a toaster in the room. Location great for the kids, security on each gate, not in your face but they are there, and even they are courteous each time you go in and out, night life is somewhat to be desired but again they are not drinkers or clubbing fanatics but you can have a pleasant evening in the resort or local cuisine. I can honestly say there was nothing I really did not like, and I am pretty fussy

anyone going out there, enjoy yourself you will have a great time, I will be out there again this Month on the 28th May 2012.

Regards

what a great holiday me my mrs and 14 year old daughter loved it at this hotel everybody and everything was spot on we loved it that much going back on 26th aug 2012 the thomas cook team and animation team were great the pool was good beach bar was good the tunisians are really friendly if you look after them they will look after you they looked after us all threw are holiday so i rewarded them with 41 dina which is 20 english pound

read so many bad reviews AFTER i booked i was a bit wary...BUT i couldnt have been more pleased.. this is my fifth visit to tunisia...3 hotels in sousse and this is my second in port el kantoui...i CAN HONESTLY SAY THE FOOD HERE IS THE BEST OF ALL OF THEM...plenty of variety and choices to suit all, even the pickiest of eaters ...the location is not as near the centre as hoped but a good walk or local bus (1 dinar) will take you...the entertainment team are enthusiastic and involved and there is some activity for everyone if they choose.....private beach a short stroll away with drinks included and snacks...what more could u need..a few extra sunbeds wouldnt go amiss but the beach staff get on one as soon as they are available..very good...around the pool some of the sunbeds get taken very very early..towels at dawn lol, generally good facilities , bath shower/tap water very discoloured tho..makes it look grubby but just a local issue...could do with a handy man with a few lightbulbs and a screwdriver but otherwise all good....waiting staff excellent, good atmosphere,all round..would go again

My sister and myself were dreading this hol after reading some of the reviews, but what a great surprise when we got there, great room comfy beds,huge wardrobes plenty of space,rooms cleaned everyday always clean towels,the pool area is amazing a huge area, and if you get to hot terraces with lots of tables and chairs in the shade, lots going on, the thomas cook reps and animation team are brilliant, lots of games if you want to join in, they are not pushy but a great way to meet people and have a laugh,A 5minute walk to the beach where the hotel has its own private part, and a grass area where you can chill out in the shade on sofas or tabe and chairs, soft drinks and snacks also avaiabe,We enjoyed the evening entertainment, the animation team and thomas cook reps do the shows and .they were brillant, they all all put alot of effort in. Food average have had alot worse, there is always a chef making omelettes, pancakes, eggs anyway you want them, and thats at every meal you wont starve.would definitely go again.

In july 2011 we was on holiday in this hotel. Our holiday was became torture when we arrived in this hotel. Nothing is good. Higyne is on lowest possible stage. WC-s doesn't have soap. On our balcony there was only one chair, witch was broken, and it was very awful. hotel staff is very unkind, so I asked myself why they do tourism. Places around the pool and beach isn't clean. Sunbeds around pool are broken and dirty. There is a lot of sea-grass in sea, so you can't swim normally. Glasses and cups are washed with water only and they stink. Generaly, I would not reccomend holiday in this hotel, and our conclussion is if you already want to have holiday in Tunisia, go to 5 stars hotel, and again be prepaired on suprises.

I have just returned from the soviva this place is fantastic. The reps and the animation team keep the kids busy while you relax you are able to join in if you wish. all the staff are polite and very helpfull. we were going to florida next year but my kids dont want to they want to go back to the soviva. so look out soviva we are returning.

This place is great for families, kids are entertained all day long and night as are the adults should they wish to join in. Thomas Cook entertainment team are brilliant. The staff are friendly and polite.

The food is adequate, maybe slightly repetitive but there was always something that the kids liked to eat.

The rooms are comfortable and cleaned to a high standard. In my opinion though our bathroom could have done with some maintenance work, it was looking a bit shabby. I'm not one for returning to places a second time, I like to go somewhere different, but am seriously considering going again next year.

Read some negative reviews before departing and was slightly worried - but needn't have been.

Hotel is basic but clean if a little dated but when you go with a young family the hotel decor isn't important.

Staff throughout the hotel were fantastic - they couldn't do enough for us!!!

Food is fine - perfectly acceptable. My six year old son who is a bit fussy at home certainly ate well enough. Read the negative reviews re the food and took the view that for the money we paid it was fine.

Maid service was excellent (sheets changed daily) although we did speak to a number of people who had had money taken from their rooms. The safety deposit box is unfortunately a must.

Pool was brilliant - very large with nice shallow areas for the youngsters and ace waterslides. Very little queuing for slides although sign saying under 10's are prohibited from using. If you ask nicely the attendants do let under 10's down!

Thomas Cook Entertainment team worked tirelessly to keep you interested during the day with various sporting games / quizzes etc as well as in the evening with different dances / cabarets etc. To get the best out of them you have to join in - but they aren't pushy or aggressive in any way.

Local animation team also ran different activities both day and evening which worked well alongside the Thomas Cook team.

Bar service was good - very little queuing and more than one member of staff per bar.

Beach was a little disappointing in that although it had lovely golden sand, there was a fair bit of seaweed close to shore which put people off swimming. The beach side watersports were very competitively priced however.

For the money we paid this was a fantastic holiday, and we would certainly recommend this holiday to families and people who like to mess around the pool and have fun.