Yadis Dar Khayam Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

stayed at the dar khayam in october 2010 had a fantastic time our only complaint was the fact they water the spirits down we never got drunk. my advise is to take your own !!!

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned from holiday at the Dar Khayam Hotel in Tunisia. 5 adults went on this holiday and really enjoyed it.The hotel was superb,as was the staff. You get what you pay for and i get really annoyed when people moan when the staff do everything in thier power to be helpful. The only thing i missed is air conditioning as it was very hot weather. The journey from the airport was terrible as well, 3hours! but this is Thomas cooks fault as in the brochure it says 40 mins. The animation team were brilliant, the energy they have got is unbelievable. We went on the camel/horse rides, really enjoyed the dressing up and dancing. My husband went on the quad bike trip and said it was rubbish, it was supposed to be a couple of hours but he was back in an hour, they were also half hour late picking him up. All in all a really good holiday, i would recommend Dar Khayam to anyone and would go back again myself.

Dar Khayam is a basic hotel with swimming pools, gym, games room , bar , resturant and easy access to the beach. Although if you are the type to wander around then this is NOT the place for you, there is hardly anything outside the hotel except from two shops and a resturant. Another thing is outside of the hotel is an money exchanging shop, a normal shop and a pipe smoking room. On the brochure there is a picture of waterslides, this is not at the hotel instead it is in the sister hotel along with the mini golf course (which doesn't look that good) which is only a minute walk from Dar Khayam. The beach is a very tidy place except the things that bugged me were the people that were flogging camels and palm trees (by the way if a person flogging stuff says he'll give you it for free, he WON'T, you are better off buying from shops!) ! Also the hotel says it provides free water sports on the beach but you have to pay for it!
Overall, it's a really lazy and cheap holiday! Sometimes that's not a bad thing as you get a nice tan from all the lying around and you get lots of spending money to take home!!!

2 readers found this review helpful

our first family holiday with our 2 year old an we have wonderfull memories of our lovely clean hotel and pools and private beach with its clear blue sea, however as with most holidays there were a few things to niggle about such as:
the small plastic cups that your drinks are served in literally 4 mouthfulls then back to the bar to join the que i would suggest taking some kind of beaker instead of using there glasses, food was a litte repetitive breakfast was the best meal of the day as crossiants breakfast cereals toast eggs turkey sausages and tomatoes were served everyday and then they rotated additional pancakes or fresh sugared donoughts and omelettes, we quickly learnt to get lunch from the pool bar as it serves chips pasta and chicken baguettes and freshly made pizza which are all lovey, if you go to the dinner hall for lunch you can expect to find the same at tea time, the deserts are the best ive ever had on any holidy an it was nice that you can get ice cream at lunchtime.cant really commemt on the evening entertainment as it was in my opinion on a bit too late as the shows didnt start till between 9.30-10 so time we finished our evening meal at 7.30 your left to sit an watch the same childrens disco everynight for over 2 hours if our toddler was asleep it left me an my partner bored stiff so we either went out to the handfull of shops on the main street or went back to our room to watch our daughters portable dvd player as i had packed a few dvds for us just incase an boy were they a god send!(dvd player with a few cartoons for young children is a great tip for you to take on your holiday)the music and mics were always overly loud as we could hear everything from our room and whent on till around midnight.also were the evening entertainment is performed theres no bar so you have to walk up some steps and around the pool to use the poolbar and given the small glasses it soon becomes a chore also the toilets are located in the main hotel so your often better to go back to your room. other than that people were nice rooms were clean and basic not evevn a hairdryer! and the grounds are kept nice and the main areas and steps around the pool were cleaned every morning.
all round good holiday just what we wanted good weather to sunbathe and relax and nice area an pools for our 2 year old to play in just would have been nice to have the evening entertainment a bit earlier.

1 reader found this review helpful

We are just back from this holiday at the Dar Khayam and if you want to destress this is the place to do just that.The hardest thing I had to do was to learn French Boules and our team won--great fun.
The Hotel is 3* and that is what it is.However great team of staff who could not do enough for you.The animation team are great fun and if you want some fun join in otherwise just realx at the pool.The pool bar staff are excellent Ben could not do enough.The restaurant staff are also excellent and our waiter Habchi was an absolute winner he got the biggest tip.The room was basic but clean and we only used it for sleeping and showering--we did not go to stay in a room for a week.Oh the TV is not so good nedds to be sorted for the late night films.The food--plenty needs to add some variety---too repetitive.The beach is superb but we spent time at the pool.
Oh another hardship--I went to join in the Arabic lessons with Simo---great fun---fluent next time out--he is a great guy and very funny.
The night entertainment is aimed at youngsters and that requires some thought for the more elder part of groups although BETTY WON the Bingo as she usually does and now has a lovely tunisian tunic to wear oh sorry kaftan--get it right.
A week was plenty for us---value for money yes---I WORKED OUT -WE WERE ALL INCLUSIVVE--that we would have easily spent with all the teas drinks etc £35/day at other resorts--great value.
The time factor getting to and from the Hotel is our biggest complaint 2hrs 20 minutes not the hour we thought --so T Cook sort this one out and you would get more holiday makers going to Khayam.
One other major issue is the plane---you are like a sardine and is most uncomfortable---sort out T Cook.
Would we go back---yes
Boyd/Betty Hamilton Scotland May 2010

7 readers found this review helpful

WOW I had an amazing holiday at the Dar Khayam, it's a 3 star hotel so don't expect 4/5 star! Rooms are clean, basic and comfortable, the hotel is cleaned every morning from top to bottom by the maids; they work so hard everyday and are just amazing.
You can always find something to eat; even if your fussy or have allergies (inform head chef if you do and they will cook special meals for you) Everyone is very friendly and will what ever they can to make your holiday fabulous.
The entertainment team are great they work from 9am till 12am for very little money. Roxanne the new entertainer made our holiday! Thanks to all!
The beach was clean, plenty of sunbeds and sea was clean apart from floating seaweed but you can't do anything about that.
I had to write a few words about Rifaximin the antibiotic given to the people in last review. Rifaximin is a semi-synthetic, rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic, meaning that very little of the drug will pass the gastrointestinal wall into the circulation as is common for other types of orally administered antibiotics. It is used in the treatment of traveler's diarrhea and hepatic encephalopathy,Clinical trials have shown that rifaximin is highly effective at preventing and treating traveler's diarrhea among travelers to Mexico, with few side effects and low risk of developing antibiotic resistance. It is not effective against Campylobacter jejuni,Ecoli, Shigella or Salmonella species.
It may be efficacious in relieving chronic functional symptoms of bloating and flatulence that are common in irritable bowel syndrome.
So you can see it would not be used for Ecoli, salmonella or campylobacter as claimed.

4 readers found this review helpful

we arrived on sunday 30th august, a party of 14 mixed between adults, teen and 1 child. T he first couple of days were great, parasailing on the beach and going to the neighbouring hotel waterpark, the weather was fantastic and then disaster!! Tuesday night a couple felt bad and the next morning said they had been up all night with diahorrea. From that day we all started to come down with the same, stomach cramps and diahorrea. WE reported it to the rep because we weren't the only ones with the sc/d. the rep said we were dehydrated,.BULL--- .we were drinking bottled water, which by the way you have to buy or you can use the 5 gallon water dispenser by the poolbar, but the water is warm from the sun.The restaurant is full of flies, the chefs were spraying salads with fly spray!!!! any way we asked to move to another hotel on monday b'cos we were scared to eat in the restaurant and we were living on tuc biscuits and water.The rep asked us to provide stool samples, we were given 6 jars, so we shared em out. Next morning we gave the rep the samples and 30 mins later she moved us to the Chich Khan Hotel in Yasmine Hammamet-this hotel was a hundred times better--would recommend.By thursday we were all still ill so we asked to be seen by doctor--seen within 30 mins. he examined us and gave all the same medicine.We asked him about stool sample reports and he said they were negative for bacterias.He said we had a virus. One of the medicines he gave us was rifaximin, an topical antibiotic for the treatment of intestinal infections caused by E-COLI,Salmonella, CAMPYLOBACTER ETC. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SAID THAT THIS ANTIBIOTIC WILL NOT TREAT DIAHORREA CAUSED BY VIRUSES. 2 days after taking meds we got better, but our holiday was ruined after just 2 good days. I believe that thomascook had paid the doctor off and are covering this complaint up. We have absolute proof in the reps own writing that many other guests were ill from the same sc/d. BOOK THE CHICH KHAN IF YOU WANT A NICE HOLIDAY..YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, DO NOT GO TO THE DAR KHAYAM.

16 readers found this review helpful

Wasn't going to be a review writer, but thought I'd say my opinion.
What a great hotel. Everything you need for a chilled out break.
Hotel staff were superb, entertainment staff were great.
The hotel itself is basic, the rooms are satisfactory but not the ritz!!
But lets face it, the holiday was cheap and we got what we'd paid for!!!
We booked for 2 weeks(all inc) and we were happy with what we got. Could we have got better.....yes we could. Would we have got it as cheap....No!!! The holiday was exactly as we had expected, cheap....no frills!!
Have to point out that if you think you are going to get 5 star treatment at 3 star cost think again. You get exactly what you pay for.
Firstly....the transfer from the airport to the hotel is about 2 hours and not the hour and a half as stated in the brochure.
Hotel: Clean, tidy, basic.
Rooms: Clean, tidy, basic. Ok...needs a good English plumber to fix fittings. Tiling could do with updating. But clean towels when required. Although a tip to the maid goes a very long way!!!
Restaurant: Plenty of food...but...will you like it!!! Although there is plenty of food to choose from, you must be willing to have a try because some of the food prepared looks absolutely inedible but tastes not bad!!! We had our 11 year old fussy son with us and he managed to find enough every night. Ok...repetative...YES, what do you expect for the price of your holiday!!!
Pool: Swimming pool is great, deep end is less than 6ft. Water clean, surrounding area cleaned every morning by an army of maids. If you are an early riser and decide you want to go and save beds. Make sure you put your stuff on the tables and over the brolly frame before worrying to much about the beds...there are always enough beds to go around. Go over to the sister hotel (next door) for another pool which has slides and is great fun and FREE!!!
All inc.: The beer aint bad..Celtia is the local lager and is ok. I am not a short drinker but my parents are, and they said that the whisky and rum isn't bad for a free tipple.
Excursions: We took the excursion to the 'African dreams' which is an excursion to the wildlife park and a night of African cuisine from various parts of Africa. The wildlife park is fantastic, the evening entertainment isn't bad, but I did not enjoy the food at all!! Also I have to point out what the reps don't tell you...that is, that you will be on the coach for about 2 hours before you get there. My parents took the excursion to Tunis and they said they enjoyed it but it was not what they expected. They expected time in the old Tunis but were just driven through it. And they were forced into the Medina and expected to buy something. The medina is not a place to go for the faint hearted.
Shopping: Have a go at bartering, the brits are expected to!! Germans are crap at it and do not get a bargain. The brits get a good deal as long as they barter!!! As a guide...if it is priced at 100TD(£50) you should be able to buy it for 30TD(£15). Around 70% less than the asked for price. Do not be afraid to just walk away if you're not happy with the price......by the time you make it to the door you will have it for the price you want. Ask the wife!!! She was brilliant at it!!! You will be told by the rep not to go left out of the hotel gates to the shops but to go right. Take this advice...I spoke to someone who went left and they ended up locked in a shop until they bought something and tipped all the staff before the doors were reopened. The shops to the right are a little more friendly and accomodating, We had a right laugh with the owners and got some good deals!!
Beach: Very clean but I must warn you, The sand is very, very, hot. You will need some form of footwear to even walk on the sand if not you WILL burn your feet!!! Ask my daughter!!!!!
The entertainment in the hotel is good...great..No, good yes!! The entertainment staff are very hard working and great fun. But, not enough for the older kids. Great for the under 8's but after that you will be dissapointed. Water polo, belly dancing, water polo, french boules, water polo, beach football, water polo, volley ball and did I mention water polo!!! Becomes a bit repetative just like the food!!!
The evening entertainment is put on by the animation team, and is a good laugh. But that is all its meant to be...a laugh. Do not expect anything else!!
The music is loud but at midnight it just seems to stop!!! We were right over the pool area and it did not stop us from getting a good nights sleep!!
A lot of people have left a negative review about this hotel and ok, if you want to be picky I cant blame them. If plastic chairs on the balcony offends you, or music goes on till midnight and thats way too late for you, I suggest you don't come here!!! Book a 5 star hotel and pay triple what you'd pay here.
You may get called 'chicken legs/sparrow legs' is this meant as offensive....NO its not. It just means you have turned up at the hotel and have not yet got a tan!!!! When you have a tan...they leave you alone.
WHALID/MOMO are the camel trip men/quad trip men and they will call you this when you arrive. IT IS NOT MEANT AS OFFENSIVE.....just meant to put a smile on your face. If you would like to go on a camel trip, these are the men to book it with. £20 will get you half a day on a camel/horse or carriage. Up to a typical Tunisian village with some lovely people, Tunisian music, Henna tattoos and mint tea while dressing up in traditional clothing and having a good laugh with the camel guides. A good laugh all round!!! The whole family enjoyed this trip and thought it well worth the money!!!
To sum up this holiday......CHEAP.....GOOD VALUE.....GREAT BEACH......NICE PEOPLE.....FANTASTIC CHILLED OUT 2 WEEKS and yes that was with 4 kids!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would I go again..............mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............Yes I would, tommorrow!!!

4 readers found this review helpful

i have just came back from tunisia on sunday the 21st of june and i found it amazing there the animation team are very friendly exspecially simo lisa & naggi and the staff around the pool side the hotel is very clean if you like walking around places on holiday tunisia is the place to the waterslides across the road in the other hotel is very fun me my kids my husband and the couples we met over therespent alot of days over there and its also nice to have a beach right on your site its only a 2second walk theres quitealot going on down the beach to the food in the day is very nice and the food in the resteraunt was to but the only problem was the cultery was that clean and the entertainment was so good in the night but apart from that the holiday was brilliant and i would defanetley go back in a few years time to see wat has chnaged and improved

4 readers found this review helpful

I spent the last week of January staying all/inc at the Dar Khayam just outside (6 kms) Hammamet, and I enjoyed it very much. I was worried, having paid so little for my holiday, that it would not be very good. No such problem!
The Dar Khayam does what it says on the tin. Whilst not luxurious, it was clean, comfortable and friendly. Staff were pleasant and helpful. Food, while not haute cuisine, was plentiful, hot and edible. Lots of fresh veg and salads. I heard no complaints or tales of upset tummies.
The weather could have been a bit nicer. A lot of cloud, some rain, and a chilly wind. When the sun did break through (which was usually rather short but frequent) it was absolutely gorgeous, especially if you were sheltered from the wind. The Brits were the only ones to sit outside on the terrace in T-shirts, waiting for the sunny bits, while parties of French, dressed as if for Lakeland hiking, walked past looking bemused.
I was told by repeat visitors that January can be gorgeous weather. You have to take a chance on it and hope for the best.
The beach looked lovely, but was almost deserted (that nippy wind again!). The hotel's out-of-town location makes it fairly quiet. No lively night-life except a couple of nice restaurants, but good for walkers as it is not far to the surrounding hills, which have great views down the coast.
Farms, olive groves, wild flowers and birds, baby lambs, and dramatic scenery make it worth the trek on sandy/stony tracks. I did it the lazy way (every day!), from the back of a horse (equiv £10 per hour). Highly recommended for the more experienced rider. Beginners have to be led as these are stallions we are talking here, mostly Arab or Arab X, and NOT riding school plodders!! The horse-riding stables are just over 5 mins walk from the hotel. Here also are camel and carriage rides, and quad-biking.
There are many other activities at the hotel, and the entertainment team works hard. If you want a good value holiday in good basic accomodation, I can recommend the Dar Khayam.