VIME Helya Beach

Hotel Dont get a taxi to the hotel as it is a five minute walk opposite the airport, and if you do, pay only 1 dinar. Arrived, greeted with a sandwhich, fruit and drink. entered the room, airconditioning was poor, needed to open balcony window to cool down, telephone did not work. You are not able to buty international phone cards and nearest pay phone is in the airport which is a 5 minute walk. As you know making phone calls from hotels are expensive. Activities at hotel However this hotel will keep you busy, they have a team of show people who organise activities throughout the day and at night show time for kids at 8.30pm and another at 9.30pm, this ranges from dancers, comedy to folklore. Then at 11pm you have the option to go to the disco at Disco le pela which is within the hotel at the entrance. You will also be met by reps selling day trips/activites, they will always hassle you, never settle for the price they suggest always half them and haggle for a good price. If you are half board try to avoid the expensive costs of the hotel and eat out for lunch, there is a nearby supermarket. Day Activities The hotel is within a complex of other hotels and the nearset cities are 5 to 10 miles so you will have to either get a train or taxi. Nearby is a go karting track, pay no more then 2 dinars for taxi, and it should cost you between 15 to 25 dinars for go karting, and then next to the karting is a great mexican restaurant and a good price. Nearby towns such as sousse where you can see medina and fort and monastir where there is great mosque and fort, which are worth a trip to, and the El jem collisieum, you can hire a driver for the day to El Jem, cost is roughly 50-70 dinar. Entrance to sites are no more then 5 dinar each. Costs Taxi to monastir 7 dinar Taxi to sousse 8 dinar to the medina, evening prices may cost no more then 10 dinars Train is very cheap only 1 dinar return to monastir and abit more to sousse. At the markets they will try to rip you of, you will need to bargain but average cost as follows: T-shirts 7 dinar Sunglasses 5 dinar Jeans - between 20 to 35 dinar max Pottery no more then 10 dinar Drinks no more then 1 to 2 dinar Remember when eating out avoid restaurants that will need to go to other businesses to get there goods hence they will charge you more. A 2-3 course meal for 6 should cost on average 40 dinar and no more then 50 dinar. Advice and summary People are pushy always trying to sell you something, and i mean the locals to, for example they will say they have got a day off and are willing to take you out for the day to see this and that, obviously for a cost. You need to hold your nerve with the people, if you are calm you will be ok, but if you have a short fuse you maybe in for a torrid time. Although overall i would say i had a great holiday and the people are friendly and the number of activities will keep you busy (on the beach you have the option of many watersports too). Tunisia is worth a trip just for the experience, warm weather and the lovely lemon juice!!

We (retired couple) couldn't resist a week's holiday for 599 Swiss Francs half board and including flight. There are a number of reasons why this was not such a good deal and why we would not go back there. Most important is waking up in the night to the smell of burning garbage - we never found out the source but there certainly was no shortage of loose plastic and dumped garbage in the area. When we got there, the beach was disgusting - bits of plastic, bottles and all sorts of trash at the water's edge. After three or four days, they had cleaned this up but knowing that this came from the ocean, imagine how appetizing to swim. The grounds, the buildings and the pool areas were clean and were cleaned daily. However, the animation team felt the need to "entertain" the guests with a loud barrage of the most obnoxious rap and cheap rock I've experienced in some time. This was so bad we largely avoided the pool area for most of the day and had no desire to spend time in the spacious and comfortable lobby after dinner. What a shame that the efforts of a friendly and otherwise skilled staff are negated by crummy management that seems to not understand the preferences of a Western European clientele.

absolutely loved this hotel!!!!! a couple of reviews further down have slated this property for reasons we did not find to be the case, so it just goes to show you have to view everything with an open mind :) anyway..... don't get a taxi from the airport, no exaggeration, it is a five minute walk from the airport and you can see the hotel as soon as you exit the airport doors. being so close to the airport could be a problem for light sleepers, and the train station is just across the road as well however, i didn't hear anything after the first night and the proximity of them both is well worth skipping the usual 90 minute transfer which is the part of every other holiday that i HATE!!! rooms are clean and lovely, no frills but you only sleep there at the end of the day. maid service is everyday including sundays which surprised me the pools are really nice and for the beach lovers (not me) there is a stretch of beach right at the bottom of the property which is quite exclusive and feels a bit posh :) there was plenty of variety in the food each day and i can fully recommend the chocolate mousse...yummy!! the service is top notch and i commented to my husband how hard every seemed to work all day one minor irritation for me was the "look at the girlies" culture. being a size eighteen and nothing special to look at i didn't expect this but it bugged the life out of me,,,ladies be aware, the boys there will not be subtle about the staring :( all in all the holiday was lovely, we had a really good time and the hotel was an absolute treat......would definately go back there :) :)

My Husband and I , and our close friends, really enjoyed our Hoilday in Vime Helya Beach. We had a week there from the 30th of January The Hotel was out of this world, the staff could not do enough for us (so helpful and friendly ) nothing was to much trouble. The food was first class you had a choice of what you wanted to eat, and plenty to drink Alcohol, tea and coffee or soft drinks. The rooms were everything you needed in them and very clean and the view from the rooms were wonderful. The weather was great to. It was our first time in Tunisia but we will be going back to Vime Helya Beach. Being so close to the airport it was not a problem yo could hardly hear the aeroplanes or see them. We will recommend this hotel to any one who is thinging of going to Tunisia. Once again THANK YOU VIME HELYA BEACH FOR A FANTASTIC HOILDAY. I have put some photo's to show you how much we enjoyed it.

We, Helena, Rolf ,Maja, Aron, Bodil and Clara had a very nice holiday at Vime. Very helpful and kind stuff at the hotel. The food and drinks was very good. The rooms are clean and very fresch! We will come back, we miss Vime! I must say that I really like Vime Helya Beach Hotel! Thank you for your kindness! Sincerally Helena and Rolf from Sweden Ps! We are planning for a new trip to Monastir at 2008!

We arrived at the airport in the dark so took a taxi to the hotel which took all of 3 minutes and cost £10! On our return we walked. It is an easy walk less than 10 mins with suitcases. Our first impressions of the Vime Helya were good. We were offered a welcome drink and checked in quickly and efficiently. We were shown to our room on the second floor. The room was clean but basic however the bathrooom was totally unacceptable, certainly not what you would expect in a 4* hotel. It was very shabby and needed a complete refurbishment. To flush the toilet you had to put your full body weight on the button and then water came out of the flush button and ran down your arm - not at all pleasant. The water in the basin and shower was red hot and would be dangerous for small children. The cold water running into the basin was brown on several occasions. The shower over the bath would not stay in place when in use. It came off the wall, spraying water everywhere and causing the curtain and rail to collapse around me. I would advise bringing your own toilitries. We were prvided with 2 small bars of cheap soap and shower gel/shampoo in a dispenser on the wall. No shower cap or conditioner as you wouod expect to get in a 4* hotel. When we went down to dinner on the first evening there was nothing we could eat. We put this down to our late arrival but soon realised that this was the norm. Throughout our stay the food was cold and completly tasteless apart from soup and beetroot which was more or less edible. We asked if we could eat in the al a carte restaurant instead of the buffet even if we had to pay. We booked it for the following evining but were then told that it was not open. We did mamage to have 2 meals in there. You are allowed one free during your stay and we paid for the other one. The first meal in there was good but the second one was of the same standard as the buffet. The all inclusive drinks are very limited. The only spirits available were whisky, gin and vodka and of very poor quality. No brandy or bacardi. The wine was practically undrinkable, the red being marginally better than the white but was unavailable towards the end of our stay. The beer was ok. My massage in the so called spa was the worst I have ever experienced. I was taken into a very basic room and had a bright light shining in my face as I laid on the bed. The massage itself was very amaturish and only lasted 35 mins when I had paid for 50. I was offered a free session in the Hammam as compensation but it was closed. On the plus side. The heated indoor pool was warm and ok. The entertainment staff were excellent. We enjoyed the stretch class in a morning and there was always some entertainment in the evening. The public areas of the hotel and grounds were well maintained and kept clean.

Well what can I say, the photos that they show you on the web are the best of what is available. The indoor pool was out of order. Two of the other 3 pools had tiles missing. The gym was closed for most of the time that we were there and when it was open it was filthy as they were renovating. None of which was mentioned on the wedsite. The food was pretty bad we had a bad stomach for most of the holiday and 3 weeks after we got back we still aren't back to normal. We were lucky to get nice food about 3 times in the two weeks we were there. If you like continental breakfast then that is the best part of the meals so if the hotel was in a better location you could eat out, but unfortunatly there isnt much arround. It is not British friendly they had tv in the bedrooms with 15 channels, but not one in English. The all inclusive is not good at all, it basically consists of your unlimited food, but your times are restricted there is one snack in the afternoon which tended to be pizza and nothing else. and your local drink which stops at midnight and well the beer was extremely gassy and the wine was acidic.The juice in the morning was never fresh, it was like diluting juice. The fruit was always apples, pears, plums and melon. No bananas, or oranges wich Tunisia are suposed to be famous for!! The rooms were basic the bathrooms weren't the cleanest the bottom of our shower curtain was orange and mouldy and stunk. They made the beds and gave you clean towels, made creations out of your towels, which was quiet nice, and brushed the floor but that was about it. The floor was never washed while we were there, and the balcony window was thick with salt from the sea by the time we left we could hardly see out of the window. The best part of the hotel was the animation team, if it hadn't been for them the holiday would have been terible. As much as we enjoyed the animation team their acts were basic and their props poor, but that wasn't there fault. If you are quite happy sitting by the pool or beach and dont mind sitting in "the lobby" at night then this place is ok, but would not give it 4 stars. If you want a bit more to do I would sugest Port el Kantoui or Hamamet. We tried to complain to the "public relations manager" but he just went on about how wonderful the hotel was and what they were going to do with the hotel, wich was no good to us on our holiday. They basically didn't want to know. Words of warning .... Dont go on the trip that they offer for free to take photo's of how they make rugs, it is just a ploy to get you to buy a rug! Dont take a taxi from the airport, you can walk and I have heard that people were being charged 12-15 dinar when you should be paying 3! But honestly its about 300 meters and we were glad of the walk after being on the plane. They kind of have you stuck with the all inclusive as there is no where to eat out at night. Tunisia its self is a lovely place with lots to see and do, if you are in the right part with the right tour guide. We did see some wonderful things. We met some lovely tunisia people to who we shall stay in touch with. It was just ashame the hotel let us down.

cWe had a party of six. The first surprise was how close to the airport 10 minute walk. The railway station was between the airport and hotel and then the dual carriageway. Surprisingly we didnt hear much noise from all three. Travelled to Sousse by rail which was agreat experience and very cheap. Beware of strangers standing on corners of Sousse they will show you the way to the Medina (Market) if you appear lost. They will take you to their friends shop. I paid the guy 2 Dinars but he demaned at least 5 which he didnt get. He had to be told forcefully to go away. We then travelled to Port El Kantui which was very nice. I would stay there if I went again. The people in the Medina are very persuasive to try and get you in their shops and will stand in your way. Dont try and move them out of the way as they dont like to be touched. Monastir is very nice and can be reached by taxi or bus. Barter for the best price in a taxi. We paid 10 Dinars. The staff at the hotel are very friendly and get friendlier the more you tip. Ali the guy who books the Gullet trips was very funny guy who always greeted me with "MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER" he got my trainers for his trouble as he had weighed up I had the same size feet. The hotel is tired and needs to be refurbished but was clean. The aircon didnt work which would be unbearable in the height of summerThe food wasnt exciting as the same things were served most days. The outskirts of Monastir are very dirty and has lots of rubbish. We saw two dead dogs and a dead cat on our walk into the town. The entertainment at the hotel was dreadful although some of the nationalities thought it was funny. We made our own entertainment which some fellow guests joined in. The beach was cleaned daily and the sand was a powdery white. On leaving the departure hall at the airport was jam packed with people and no one could move without upsetting someone. Would I go again to Tunisia that would be a definite no

We have just returned from a 2 week holiday at the 'Helya Beach Hotel'. What a great place.Dont be put off by it's proximity to the airport (a 5 minute stroll) as the planes all take off inland & you can hardly hear them if at all. The animation staff work there socks off from morning until night and put on some great shows (especially there version of 'Lord of the Dance). Now to the food! We all thought it was fine with a good choice of local & international dishes. However, there was some english guests compaining that they couldnt get pie & chips etc. My answr to this is if you want sausage & mash then go to Spain not North Africa. (One of our party is extremely fussy, but even he found something to eat every day). All the staff were very helpful and could not do enough to make us feel at home. There are not many Brits there at the moment, but we were informed that this is likely to change in the near future. The rooms were more than adequate and kept very clean. The only time we had a problem it was sorted very quickly. All I would say in conclusion is to go with an open mind and have a great time. We shall be returning in the future. Also there is a great golf course just a 5 minute taxi ride from the hotel that operates all year round.

We arrived at Monastir Airport on the morning of the 26th August 07 and got a taxi from the Airport to the Vime Hotel, which incidentally was opposite the Airport. At first we thought this would be a problem but it became apparent very quickly that we couldn't hear the aircrafts. We booked a week at this Hotel (All Inclusive) and with it being our first visit to Tunisia we really did not know what to expect. There was our 2 girls aged 4 and 18months me and my wife. We had a room including a Cot Bed overlooking the beach and pool area. The Hotel has recently had a face lift since March 07 and is making improvements throughout. The food was good and the Hotel adopted theme nights e.g Spanish/Italian & Tunisian cuisine, which we enjoyed sampling. The staff and Animation Team where excellent and made our family feel very welcome. The evening entertainment was very good and the bar staff were very friendly and pleasant. The Hotel hosted 3 swimming pools with a baby pool, which was very handy. There was no problem allocating a sun loungers at both pool side or on the beach, which were complimentary. Special thanks to the Animation Team leader (BOOBOO) and his team whom were enthusiastic and great fun encouraging everyone to join in. Lastly, the resident manager (Nissan Fatmi) was extremely pleasant and very helfu, he couldn't of made our stay more comfortable. We are going to book in the same Hotel for 2 weeks next year.