El Mouradi Mahdia

Hello all, back again !! Just returned on Sunday 20th from 2 weeks at the el Mouradi and it was great. I can understand some people being bored but for a pure relaxing time it suits us perfectly. There were very few English at the Hotel (we had minibus to ourselves on the way out and a 4x4 on the way back) but we had no problems with the other nationalities, in fact we got to know loads of German & French people who were brill. Food was excellent but I will agree it got a bit samey towards the end of the holiday but the home made soups and salads were fantastic. We went into Mahdia town 4 times (£1.50 for taxi) and found some lovely places, the sailors cemetry and the Fort are fantastic, and we ate at a little restauant opposite the port called Le Quai and it was fantastic ( last day we had 5 couses and 2 bottles of wine for £14.00) All in all we thoroughly enjoyed it, clean rooms, great staff, plenty to eat and drink just quiet on the nights. johnandclare

Standard of hotel not a 5 star would say 3 star plus. My room was big and cleaned everyday had great sea view shame about the weather but found dining area of poor standard very basic no toast in the morning as there are no grills had to queue then look for seats and as for the food if the Italians left any the first sitting you were lucky it was a total nightmare the whole week breakfast lunch and dinner as you were pushed out of the way no matter what nationality. as for drinks you have to get a hold of a waiter the first night and make sure you tip him well standing at the bar is is a nightmare especially if you arent Italion yes you have guessed LEARN ITALION as my husband speaks a little german we met up with 2 couples who also had to suffer the stampedes the food overall wasnt of much variety I came home looking like a CHICKEN and I have been in Tunisia 4 times and lookin to go back but certainly not to mahdia as this is no mans land when we left the hotel the 29th april 2007 they were starting to open the pool bar as we had no snacks as they stated when we booked I could go on and on if anybody is looking for more info just text me I love tunisia and the people but this hotel was not for me also I can give my fellow scots some advice taxi transfers etc.

One Week long enough- in the middle of nowhere and not 5 star - be quick at the buffet restaurant if you want cake/pudding!! Only one a la carte restaurant - got one booking in the week - no menu,no choice except when they ask if you wish fish,meat or chicken!!- IF YOU DON'T GET A ROOM WITH A BROWN WOODEN DOOR THEN YOU HAVE A NON-REFURBISHED ROOM THAT IS VERY GREEN & BASIC-OK FOR A SHORT BREAK BUT WOULD NOT RETURN TO THIS HOTEL AND PROBABLY NOT RETURN TO TUNISIA -Frank Glasgow

Just returned from a week all inclusive at the El Mouradi. Went for a week of chilling out and doing nothing and that is just what we got. The food was excellent, always fresh and constantly replenished only let down was the dining room (a large, overly bright cafeteria - more could be done to enhance the atmosphere). Most of the staff very helpful and friendly however the bar and reception staff could be very slow and easily distracted. The rooms are large and everywhere is very clean but some parts of the hotel look a little tired and tatty. It has a five star rating from the Tunisian tourist board but in our opinion is more like a 3+. Lots of different nationalities staying there and the Italians were particularly entertaining. We would recommend this hotel for a very quiet and relaxing week but some may find it too quiet (downtown Mahdia is not very appealing, very shabby and dirty). Paul & Mel

This is a large complex with larger than average rooms with adequate wardrobe space, a separate toilet and bathroom. The outdoor pool area is extremely clean and well maintained. Although there were plenty of sun loungers to go around during the winter season, there may be a shortage in high season. The indoor pool and jacuzzi was quiet and airy and a great place to relax. The hotel offers beauty treatments ie turkish baths, massages, facials etc, for a fraction of the prices at home, and are well worth it. The food was good and they tried to cater for all nationalites. The staff were friendly and helpful, however French is their second language and few speak English well. Overall this is an excellent hotel.

This was my 4th visit to Tunisia. It is a wonderful country and well worth a visit, I cannot recommend the place enough. Onto the important bit - the hotel review. The arrival and general thoughts: First of all, one knock on the place seems to be it's rating as a 5 star hotel. And I have to admit, I think that rating is over the top. I have stayed at 2 other hotels in Tunisia rated at 5 star, and both where far nicer and smarter than the El Mouradi. But neither where 'all inclusive' hotels as the El Mouradi is. So my thinking is that somehow all inclusive hotels are rated a bit differently! I would say that if you want real luxury, don't go on for an all inclusive, go for somewhere like the Royal Azur in Hammamet which really is a very nice hotel. We arrived at around midnight at the El Mouradi, and the check in wasn't particularly enderaing, with a rather miserable unhelpful man doing the honours. They know people have to fill in forms in Tunisia, so why not have pens ready at least for weary travellers arriving late! It's not much to ask. It was all just haphazard. The room I got wasn't exactly of 5 star appearance at that time of night, so first impressions wheren't great. So maybe a tip for the hotel is to improve on it's 'first impressions'. As for the room - the decour is old, but they are clean, and are cleanded every day. The other rooms my family got where nice though, as they looked over the sea and swimming pool and had balconies. The facilities: This hotel is massive, but it has been set out well, with the lower floor which has the restaurant, cafe and bar, opening up onto a large terrarce and the pool area. Then on the same level is a short walk to the beach. So it's a pretty good place for people who may have difficulty walking up and down stairs all day. The pool area and beach are both excellent with lots to do it seems. I was lazy, so I can't give a review on the actual sports facilities! The food and drink: Both where very decent. Unlike other five star Tunisian hotels, the food wasn't quite up to that standard, but there was choice and there was plenty. Maybe not enough Tunisian dishes for my liking. But one thing to their credit - I didn't see a French fry / chip in the whole time I was there. All local drinks are included, and Tunisian wine is decent, as is their local brew 'Celtia' beer. Local spirits are included as well. The staff: I thought the staff where a mixed bunch. Some where wonderful, and especially good with kids. We had an excellent waiter in the restaurant. And the cleaning ladies where all great. Some of the bar staff where a bit hit and miss. I have a feeling that staff at 'all inclusive' hotels aren't as attentive as staff in other hotels, as maybe the tips aren't good! The area: Mahdia is a really nice town, and worth a visit. It always amuses me how some people never even leave the hotel in countries like Tunisia. It really is worth the effort to have a wonder. Because somewhere like Mahdia is worth seeing. A nice old town with loads of little streets. Also El Jem and it's fantatic collosieum is only an hour away, and worth visiting. In the not so overly touristy towns (such as Mahdia), you don't get hassled a lot in Tunisia, and if you do, it's all pretty polite. So there is no need to be concerned about hassling. If you are polite to the people, they are polite with you. The fellow guests: The breakdown of guests at the El Mouradi is around 75% German, 10% French, 5% Russian, 5% Spanish, 5% British. I guess this makes for an interesting mix! Although more Spanish and French would be nice, as they are far smilier than the hundreds of dour Germans that you get at EVERY Tunisia resort. Play a little game - see if you can get one to smile or respond to your greeting. It really is hard work. Also, a word of advise, don't get in the way of a German at the buffet, they will just run over you without a word of apology. Overview: Go to the El Mouradi if you want the hassle free all inclusive type holiday, it's worth it! Don't expect great luxury, but do expect a decent hotel, and decent staff, and good pool and beach! But most importantly, where ever you stay, do visit Tunisia, it's a great country.

Returned yesterday from a weeks holiday at the El Mourhadi - lovely hotel and fabulous staff who were all very friendly. The rooms were spacious, cleaned every day and we had beautiful sea views from our balconies. The food was a mixture of Tunisian, German, Italian and English and was well cooked - I must mention our waiter Younes who had our table prepared for each meal and a drink waiting for us when we arrived, he also prepared a special Tunisian celebration table for one of our party who celebrated a birthday while we were there, nothing was too much trouble and he made mealtimes a special occassion. We had a 12 month old baby with us who attracted the staff like a magnet - he was delighted with the attention he received from these friendly people and was constantly being cuddled and played with. The childrens reps always came over to him and he loved them all!!! The only downside to our holiday was a night time flight home which was delayed by an hour but was very cramped and uncomfortable. Apart from the flight home we had a lovely holiday and would recommend this hotel.

Like everyone else travelled on 31st May worried after reading the bad reports. We went through Monastir Airport very quickly before we knew a porter took our luggage and we were on the bus to Mahdia. The drive to Mahdia was not impressive but once at the hotel we were reassured. Lovely hotel I would say 4* we had rooms on the 3rd floor (in the 500's) lovely spacious rooms overlooking the pool and with a sea view. Plenty of choice at meal times but not always the kind of food we are use to. My 12 year old son mainly stuck to the pasta dishes, my dad was use to chips with every meal and you didn't always get chips. My mum and I have put on alot of weight so we enjoyed the food. Drinks available are limited beer, wine, brandy (alot weaker than our brandy), coke, fanta and sprite. We stuck to brandy and sprite. Not any activities for my 12 year old he did pal up with another english boy they made good use of the indoor pool, whilst we were staying in the hotel there were only 4 other families of english. We often popped down to the Medina to do a bit of haggerling/shopping sometimes we caught the hotel bus other times we got a taxi which are always just outside the hotel, we payed 3 dinars each journey and gave 1 dinar tip. Great holiday can not wait to go back.

we have just returned from mahdia being there for 1 week all inclusive. the hotel states 5star, you are advised when booking that tunisian 5 star is similar to our 3 star. i could not find any fault with this hotel. infact we wondered if we would fit in as it looked so posh when we walked in. the staff were friendly and very professional. our room was always clean. the only downside was the television. we were told there would be at least 3 english channels but got none. the food was very good but very german based. all in all i would highly recomend this hotal

Just back from one week at Melia El Mouradi Mahdia.... Unfortunately I read the bad comments here below after having already booked the hotel. First of all this is not a five stars hotel! It's something between a 2 and 3 stars hotel, even if I saw in my life 3-stars hotels much better then Melia El Mouradi Mahdia. Of course I was not expecting a Four Seasons Hotel, but surely something better than a dirty, old-fashioned hotel The rooms are spacious but old fashioned and shabby. The service is very bad, even if the waiters are very polite with all the guests. The food is mediocre, but this is probably due to the Tunisian food that is not very good and is very spicy. As I’m Italian, I tried the pasta and the pizza on the Italian corner: nothing to do with the REAL Italian pasta and the REAL Italian pizza. The tablecloths are always very dirty with a lot of crumbs. The tables are never set and you have to wait a lot of time to get your cutlery. Another remark regarding the Wellness Centre: they are not professional and the place is really dirty! Tunisia in general doesn’t worth the travel