El Hana Palace Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

If you are looking for an ultra modern hotel, with animation teams for children, inhouse shops and nightly entertainment, this hotel isnt the one for you. However if you are looking for a hotel that offers a relaxing atmosphere where you can unwind and get away from the rat race this is just the place to do that.
The hotel is a traditional Tunisian hotel and this is part of the charm of staying there, the decor is traditional and some could argue needed updating however I was more than happy with our room.
We found the staff lovely and very helpful, there was no problems in getting beds around the pool area, the beach was a few feet from the hotel for those who wanted to go onto the beach. The waiter at poolside was excellent and very friendly as were all the staff we came into contact with.
Although the hotel didnt offer entertainment the sister hotel which was a short walk away offered a full entertainments programme and guests of the hotel could go there whenever they wished and use their facilities. The sister hotel was an excellent modern hotel offering a more european taste and a much larger hotel.
The food was lovely and many choices were available throughout our stay, the table given was the table you had for the duration of your stay so there was no searching for tables, the waiters were again very helpful. (Dont expect bacon for breakfast )
We knew when we booked that this was a quieter hotel and not a modern one so we were not surprised at the quietness of our holiday in fact it was a positive however for those wanting more nightlife this hotel would not be one to choose.
We had a great holiday and if I were to try and find fault I would say that the corridors could do with new carpet soon and the air con unit if you were on the third or forth floor above reception was quite loud
In this hotel there is a small charge of 2dinar for sunbeds (86pence) and offering one or two dinar to staff is not expected but is very gratefully received as wages are very low. Drinks in the hotel were not expensive 2 dinars for soft drinks and 3 1/2 dinars for a bottle of beer, water was 2 1/2 dinars for a large bottle
This is a hotel that I would definately return again to, however I would go in the spring or autumn and temperatures in the summer are extreemly high both during the day and nights

3 readers found this review helpful

Stayed at this hotel for 2 weeks in late june was totaly disapointed with the ratings 5 star I think more like 3,was given a room on our arrival that was dirty smelly stained with blood, was told by reception when we complained that we would be given another room the next day , the room we were given was a little better but not what you would expect from a five star hotel ,the bathroom was dirty ,we had to ask for the bedcover to be changed because it was stained and dirty during our stay we killed seven cockcroaches in the room when we told the reception they were not to bothered,the buffet food served was ok but a little repetative,the swimming pool area was good and the small beach area very relaxing ,the staff in the restaurant were very friendly and obliging if we decided to visit tunisia again we would not stay at this hotel in its present condition

2 readers found this review helpful

This holiday was my husband and I honeymoon, the Hotel is out of this world to look at, the rooms are adequate, but a little updating wouldn't go amiss, although the rooms are cleaned every day, and towels almost every day, it is very clean.
The pool area and pool bar/restaurant were lovely and staff only too pleased to help, nothing seems too much trouble for them.
The food is a bit mixed, but theres always plenty of it, and its well presented and hot.
We are definately going back.

4 readers found this review helpful

We went as a group of four adults in June for our first trip to Tunisia. The initial impression of the El Hana Palace was breathtaking. The staff were so friendly and nothing was too much trouble. The rooms were adequate for the time you spend in them on holiday and were cleaned to a good standard regularly with plenty of clean towels etc.
The pool area was beautiful with helpful staff to make sure you had a sun lounger in your usual position daily!
My husband is a vegetarian and would quite often have individual meals cooked for him each evening by the chef which he loved.
The fact that there were no children allowed made the trip even more tranquil and really gave us the opportunity to unwind.
Entertainment was lacking but better to have none than irritating sub standard which we have experienced in some countries. There are other hotels in close proximity that you can venture to for entertainment and helps with walking your dinner off!
The marina area was beautiful and yes you do get asked constantly to go in peoples shops but that is their way of life and to be expected they are always polite and only trying to make a living but its not for the faint hearted!
We loved Tunisia and the El Hana Palace and it was definitely excellent value for money as you pay a lot less but get a lot more than any other package holiday. So much so we are going back for 2 weeks this June and can’t wait guaranteed fantastic weather! Last year one week was not enough but I wonder if two weeks will be too long at that hotel but we will see!
If you want adventure and plenty to do this is not a holiday for you but if like us you want some time in the sun with friendly staff and no interruptions to take away the stresses of every day life then I would give it a try!! We would definitely recommend it!!!

2 readers found this review helpful

My husband and I have just returned from a two week stay at the El Hana Palace.
I cannot praise the hotel enough, the rooms were lovely, the grounds and pool area were well kept and the restaurant was well above standard.
As I am a vegetarian I was unsure as to whether I would find it difficult with the menu choice, I need not have worried the buffet had plenty veggie meals to choose from and I was very lucky in that one of the chefs (every night of my stay) offered to cook me something special if there was nothing on the buffet that appealed to me.
The beach area, which was a two minute stroll from the pool area, was ideal for snorkeling and you could leave all your bits and pieces on your sun lounger (knowing it would be safe) go off and enjoy the beach and come back to your sun lounger whenever you felt like it, there was never an issue over lack of sun loungers as the pool guards made sure plenty were available.
The entertainment in the hotel was limited and may not have suited all holidaymakers but there was entertainment in every hotel throughout the resort and I would defy anyone to say they could not find something to suit them. The hotel lounge areas were very relaxing and inviting.
On the whole we had an extremely pleasant stay and will most certainly return to the same hotel - I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the resort and most definitely the hotel to anyone.

1 reader found this review helpful

The El Hana Palace Hotel is past its best. we were disappointed with our room, it was generally scruffy, with faded and stained curtains, bedding and seating. The bathroom sink taps where loose and the shower spray ran down the hose and went all over the marble floor making it slippery.
The electrical socket at the dressing table didn't work and the marble was dirty in the room. There was no English T.V in the room and the furniture needed a bit of cleaning up. On one occasion a cleaner entered the room when the large "Do not disturb" sign was on the door. For evening entertainment there was only a man with a keyboard and guitar, he did do quite well considering it was him for the duration of our stay.
The staff where very friendly and helpful. The Restaurant area was pleasant the food was pretty good but a bit repetitive. The pool area was good with plenty of sun beds the absence of children left the area calm and peaceful. Leave the hotel and transport is cheap plenty of taxis pass every minute. The marina which is a ten minute stroll has plenty of restaurants and shops you will get asked by every shop and restaurant to have a look at what they have to offer, they will take no for an answer but it gets tiresome.
If you do want to buy anything you will have to haggle every time. The holiday rep offered a selection of tours. The two we went on "African Dream" and "Berber night" were reasonably priced.

We loved the place we went back for a second holiday and where so sad to leave. Ideal place to wind down, we were looked after really well, food was varied and always had choices of the local dishes - you could have English if you wanted. Breakfast was also varied- pancakes cooked to order, full cooked and even cold meats.
The staff were so friendly and looked after us and recognized us 2 yrs later on our return trip, treated us like family. Yes some of the furnishings were fading but people should respect other people’s belongings. The bath was fab and I have not seen another hotel room that speaks yes go there, also no children allowed a boost for childless couples.
Although some of the guests could have better manners. We are planning to go back this year. The travel operator could have been better.

I went here for a last minute break a couple of years ago. To be honest the place is not up to much at all.
It might have been OK in its day but that was obviously some time ago. We had cigarette burns on our bed covers and stains on our carpet. the room was tatty to say the least. Food was much as you would expect from a 2* inclusive restaurant in Spain or Malta i.e. soggy chips stews for main meals and the usual cheap foreign versions of an English breakfast. fine for filling a hole but you will eat a lot better in the Marina area.
The Highlight of this hotel is the exterior. The pool and sunbathing area is quite pleasant and a small strip of beach is connected to this area so you need not leave the hotel area should you not want to.
If you can get a room here at a great discount then give it a go. Do not under any circumstances pay cover price for this place though as it is not worth it. Almost every other 4* hotel in this area was better than this 5* place, so go else where if it is cheaper.