Reviews of Bel Air Hotel, Hammamet, Tunisia

The Bel Air is like Marmite.

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2008

Tour Operator:

Expedia

Submitted By:

birminghamblues

Comments:

The Bel Air is like Marmite.

Let’s be frank; If you are festooned with tattoos, read the Sun and enjoy partying ‘till the early hours then I’m quite sure you’ll love your time at Bel Air. BUT if you do not fall into this category beware – you could be VERY disappointed! If you’re a light sleeper make sure you’re not in a room on the outside of the hotel – the music can be VERY loud until 4a.m. Breakfasts are basic – no fresh fruit or even fruit juice despite oranges growing just a few miles away! Dinners are not at all bad but the waiters short-changed us every time we bought drinks. We ended up arguing with the headwaiter the second time he did this and he reluctantly gave us the rest of our change – BUT he tried the same trick the very next day! (This happened to others too). We stopped tipping after that and only paid with the correct change. The pool was always clean but we did most of our swimming in the sea – almost every day.

We found the beach to be reasonably clean. The sand is beautiful and the sea warm. Do explore. You should walk along the beach to the medina in the old town of Hammamet. Find the juice bar ‘Canari’ a short distance up the road from ‘Magazine General’. The best freshly squeezed juices in Hammamet - the crepes are good too. Get the taxi back for 4TD (£2) or the land train from outside the medina for 2.5TD per person. The Roman Ampitheatre at El Jem is definitely worth a visit. Take the coach excursion or do it yourself and save a packet by taking the train (get a 1st class ticket). We enjoyed our 10 day break. Would we go back to Tunisia? Yes. Would we stay at Bel Air? No.

Best Holiday ever!!! couple age 19 & 23

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2008

Tour Operator:

Other-

Submitted By:

Thelm

Comments:

The hotel bel Air is a great hotel the staff are the best i've ever expierenced the entertainment was good every night, very funny. the pool area is great the food was good. Good hotel shops, in door pool was nice. Good for people of all ages young tennagers, couples, mature people, families. there was a large variety of people there who all enjoyed there time and all made great friends.

My partner and i made lots of freinds one couple in particular who we stayed with the whole holiday and had lots of laughs and many cocktails. everyone very friendly.

we recommend the orgaised trips out, we went on the animal magic to the zoo whitch was amazing, great morning out and back in time to sunbathe.

Cheers bar which is run from the hotel is a fun bar with TV, Pool, and cocktails. and open till the early hours and the hotel has a takeway open till 4 you can get delivered to your room.

We would go back to tunisa in a heartbeat, and would go back to the bel air.

the beach had all water sports available we recommend the Jet Ski, amazing fun.

Great weather even in October.

The best holiday ever!!!

I really hate people that over...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss HM Smith

Comments:

I really hate people that over exaggertate. The hotel is actually nice and people that book this hotel in the future will be going on the plane DREADING their holiday, when realistically its what you make of what you pay for. If you paid £1000 per person then maybe I could relate to what everyone is moaning about but clearly this is a cheap and cheerful holiday.

After reading the mixed reviews...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Miss T Stewart

Comments:

After reading the mixed reviews on here I decided that I would try the hotel for myself and what a mistake that was, I will never return back to tunisia as long as I live I understand all the 10/10 reviews left by young girls well Im not surprised it looked like they where all getting their leg over from a tunisa bloke so now know the reason for the 10/10 well if you are not that inclined then it will be the worst holiday ever flies, dirt and nowwhere to go springs to mind. Im that angry that I not even going to go on as it will bring back the memory all I say is that if you what a nice holiday DO NOT GO TO TUNISIA

This holiday was booked last...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr T Wilson

Comments:

This holiday was booked last minute so wasn't expecting to much. How ever I did base this booking on previous reviews, most of which were written about the hotel. On the whole the hotel lived up to expectations , bearing in mind it is 3 star. the staff are really friendly and the hotel rooms are kept spotlessly clean.

The only down side to this holiday in my opinion is the area in which the hotel is located, there is nothing around the hotel apart from a couple of bars, and the general area is very run down. I would however recomend Tunisia as a place to visit but based on the places I visited whilst there I would say don't stay at this hotel unless you intend just to hang around the hotel itself.

In my opinion Port el kantoui seems the best place to stay if you want plenty to do and see.

i returned from tunisia on 1st...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss Sf Feehan

Comments:

i returned from tunisia on 1st october 2008 i loved it there and made so many friends!

im going again in december 2008 for a week its a lovely place the hotel staff are amazing i hope to move out there one day!

x

I thought I was in for a great...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs S Craig

Comments:

I thought I was in for a great holiday after reading all the reviews posted on here, but I was sadly mistaken. We were booked in for 2 weeks half board and I wish it had only been a week self catering. Where do I start, our bedroom was dark and dingy. The matress was all wripped, the shower came out of the wall 4 times, after getting fixed each time we reported it. There were great big cobwebs in the room, also dead flies on the floor for days. I am sure the cleaners only made the beds and did nothing else. The washer that came out of the shower was on the sink for the full 2 weeks. As for the food, one morning we went to breakfast to be faced with mouldy bread. As long as you like eggs in every shape and form you will enjoy breakfast, I hate them. The evening meals were the same most nights, just with a different flavoured gravy. On some nights the chicken/turkey was raw in the middle, and if you like flies with everything you will be very happy as they have there fill of the food as well as you. There was one day we saw a cockroach crawl under the unit where the chef was cooking the omlettes. My husband returned with a severe ear infection, me with conjunctivitis and our friend with a bacterial infection in his stomach, all caused by the water in the pool. If you touched the sides, especially where the kids pool met the main pool it was green and slimy. The hotel is in the middle of no where with all the shops shut apart from a couple of supermarkets. The air conditioning did not work right so it was red hot all of the time. The only good point I could say was the staff, when they were not begging you for money or the shirt off your husbands back. It is the worst holiday I have ever had, and I am not a fussy person, but believe me I will not be going back there again.

This hotel was brill a love it...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss Kb Kimberly

Comments:

This hotel was brill a love it the peepo were so nice and a loved the entertainment staff they were very good and a met some good a peepo but we were only there for aweek it was sad to leave coz I enjoyed maself it was the best time of ma life and a will remember it and a know am gony go back to it for two weeks next time was lots fun the weather wasnt bad we had couple a days a good sunshine n then about to days a rain but but still very good al tell yoo something to all the girls out there the tunisia men know how to treat a lady with respect unlike wear a come from they are all idoits n dont respect you



look out bel air hotel am cumin back an enjoyed myself :) writtin by kim xxxxxx I

Oh my god yey another great...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss K Mackintosh

Comments:

Oh my god yey another great holiday at the Belair, my 4th time at hotel and am booked for next year too LOVE it. Hotel clean fresh towels and bedding every day. Food ok something for everyone plenty salads.Staff all very nice had no problems with them. Entertainment team great (Aldo, Mido, Max and Zo) they work from morning till night they are always so happy and always there to help you with anything. Am missing then all they are so funny. Overall we had a fantastic time and cant wait to return next year.

My boyfriend and I have just...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss A Smith

Comments:

My boyfriend and I have just returned from a week in the hotel Bel Air. Our stay did not get off to a good start when we were put in a room right opposite the English bar. This blares out music until the early hours of the morning- it is LOUD! we asked to move at half 4 in the morning after no sleep and despite the person on reception being completey rude we got moved to a room on the pool side of the hotel. Make sure when you check in you are not in a room at the front of the hotel!



We really enjoyed our stay, the room was basic but absolutely fine and was cleaned each day with fresh linen and clean towels. The food was ok, breakfast is the usual crossants, cereal etc and dinner was ok. We did eat out a couple of nights and i think the dinner menu would get boring after 2 weeks.



The entertainment team are annoying! They just wont leave you alone. Blowing wistles all morning trying to get you to play water polo etc. Im on holiday i want to rest!!! They are all over the young girls and the old aswell!Despite this the pool area was lovely, it was cleaned everyday. You will have to pay 1 dinar for a sun bed though.



The beach which is ment to be part of th Bel Air hotel was filfthy. This was dissapointing. There is litter all along the beach, my boyfriend and I even had to avoid a razor! You will also be approached by locals trying to sell you stuff and they don't take no for an answer! They are ment to be told to go away but i did not see this happen! Needless to say that was our first and final visit to the beach!





Overall, we did have a lovely stay at the Bel Air, and a lovely holiday. I would go back to Tunisia. Just go prepared for the things mentioned above! and after all you get what you pay for and this holiday is great value for money.

before we went away i had read...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss A Thomas

Comments:

before we went away i had read the reviews good and bad and was a little worried, well we just arrived home and my worries were justified, the only good thing about the bell air was its clean, the food is the same every night steamed fish, braised beef,grilled chicken, pasta,plenty of salads, the rooms were ok bathrooms could do with up dating dont stay in room 175 its a night mare the british bar across the road kept us awake till 4am in the morning, now i do enjoy clubbin but when you can hear the music not just the base, the hotel took four days to change our room, there is nothin to do in the area only the beach which is stunning but not the bel air beach, two sections to the left is byblios beach which is run by a gentlemen called moss i cannot thank him enough he really looked after us, the medina in hammamet is ok but yasmine is better, the el jem is well worth a visit get a local to take you its cheeper and you see more on the way, the pirate ship which you can book in the reception is fantastic,food was lovely, we swam in the sea for around half an hour and saw plenty of dophins it cost around 40dn each and worth every penny.also at thebel air around the pool you have to pay for sunbeds when you are quick enough to get one which we never did some people are so ignorant they get the sunbed in the morning put theyre towels on then go out for the day the hotel should not allow this.

I completely disagree with the...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

--loveit

Comments:

I completely disagree with the person below. For the price that we paid, it was a great holiday.



Food - Not great for the fussy eater but you'll always find something to eat (whether it be rice, chips or bolognaise)



Entertainment - These guys are non stop. They are up every day at 9am and work until 12pm, with only a break between 5 and 7.30pm. They are very in your face BUT..that is their job, and thats what they get paid for. As for their evening shows, they are AMAZING. The river dance, drag show and comedy are the best, we watched them twice as we were there for 2 weeks.



Hotel Staff - The waiters are the people who are intimidating to women. Just be polite and if they are asking to meet you later for a drink - SAY NO!



Rooms - Clean, spacious rooms. Maids cleaned and changed the sheets and towels everyday. Never seen any bugs. Went on this holiday with my mum and they have us a king size bed, which is fine for mother-daughter, but i suppose not so good for two make friends, so fair point.



Night Life - There is a club in the hotel called Cheers bar, which is open until 4am everynight. Usually everyone is up until this time as it has a great atmosphere, even the 60 odds are out giving it large! Also, accross the road there is a "British bar" which single tunisian men are not allowed into with out a girl. British people are fine, and dont get denied entry.



Overall, we really enjoyed this holiday and are planning to go back to the same hotel next year.

I have just returned home from a...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

bonesemt

Comments:

I have just returned home from a holiday I booked with Thomas Cook for myself, and a friend to Tunisia.



We were booked in at the three star “Hotel Bel-Air”, Hammamet. Tunisia.



The flight and timings were absolutely perfect going and returning; also the airline and check in staff were very professional, HOWEVER the professionalism changed when we checked in to the “Bel-air”



Please see the following points of issue, which has upset the both of us and ruined our holiday experience with Thomas Cook, (all the following points we have video and photographic evidence):





1. Hotel reception were obnoxious and down right rude

2. We were given a room with ONE double bed – for two male friends then told it had two mattresses

3. The second room was right outside the busiest nightclub with music BOOMING until 5am – AND it took the manager ONE-week to change our room, so absolutely no sleep for the first week.

4. The condition of the room was disgraceful.

5. The room had :

 broken tiles

 missing light bulbs

 broken shower,

 disgusting bath,

 wet mouldy walls

 mould on floor and bath area

6. Broken Balcony furniture which NEVER got replaced





“Restaurant”



7. Always had to que for 20 to 30min to get served from a single “chef”

8. Tables were never clean

9. Tables were never set

10. We had to clean and remove dishes from our own table

11. We had to physicaly find our own cutlery, cups, glasses and napkins

12. The food was discusting and had ABSOLUTLY NO VARIATION for two weeks

13. The condition of the serving equipment was down right dangerous

14. There were flies on everything, on our table and all over our food

15. The waiting staff were rude and ignorant when we complained or asked for utensils

16. Food was uncooked and raw – especially chicken and turkey





Swimming pool & “Fitness Center”



17. The so called entertainment team were CONSTANTLY badgering customers

18. Always chasing the female guests – NO MATER HOW YOUNG or OLD

19. Playing football at the pool and hitting guests and CHILDREN with the ball

20. Physically dragging resting guests into the swimming pool

21. The fitness spa was

 Never cleaned

 Equipment was broken and NEVER been serviced

 Had broken loose LIVE wires hanging from them BESIDE the indoor pool

22. There was a charge for everything ie sun beds, parasols, bed covers





When we booked the holiday we asked for a hotel next to the beach with quiet surroundings and a short walk to the town and local night life, which we did not receive, we had to PAY for local taxi’s to go to the town, AND we were forced to PAY to eat out in other restaurants due to the lack of hygiene cleanliness, unsafe and dangerous raw food, and the lack of food in the so called “three star hotel restaurant”.





We complained to the Thomas Cook representative “Philip”, who replies when told about the condition and RAW chicken/turkey – I asked him in front of other guests and witneses what his OFFICIAL response was – he replied “raw food does get served – it happens”.



if you want a profesional 3 star hotel and resteraunt with a quiet relaxing holiday then avoid this place at all costs,I have several photographes and video footage of the rooms and night club noise for proof and evidence if required.

I have just returned home from a...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr S. McLaughlin

Comments:

I have just returned home from a holiday I booked with Thomas Cook for myself, and a friend to Tunisia.



We were booked in at the three star “Hotel Bel-Air”, Hammamet. Tunisia.



The flight and timings were absolutely perfect going and returning; also the airline and check in staff were very professional, HOWEVER the professionalism changed when we checked in to the “Bel-air”



Please see the following points of issue, which has upset the both of us and ruined our holiday experience with Thomas Cook, (all the following points we have video and photographic evidence):





1. Hotel reception were obnoxious and down right rude

2. We were given a room with ONE double bed – for two male friends then told it had two mattresses

3. The second room was right outside the busiest nightclub with music BOOMING until 5am – AND it took the manager ONE-week to change our room, so absolutely no sleep for the first week.

4. The condition of the room was disgraceful.

5. The room had :

 broken tiles

 missing light bulbs

 broken shower,

 disgusting bath,

 wet mouldy walls

 mould on floor and bath area

6. Broken Balcony furniture which NEVER got replaced





“Restaurant”



7. Always had to que for 20 to 30min to get served from a single “chef”

8. Tables were never clean

9. Tables were never set

10. We had to clean and remove dishes from our own table

11. We had to physicaly find our own cutlery, cups, glasses and napkins

12. The food was discusting and had ABSOLUTLY NO VARIATION for two weeks

13. The condition of the serving equipment was down right dangerous

14. There were flies on everything, on our table and all over our food

15. The waiting staff were rude and ignorant when we complained or asked for utensils

16. Food was uncooked and raw – especially chicken and turkey





Swimming pool & “Fitness Center”



17. The so called entertainment team were CONSTANTLY badgering customers

18. Always chasing the female guests – NO MATER HOW YOUNG or OLD

19. Playing football at the pool and hitting guests and CHILDREN with the ball

20. Physically dragging resting guests into the swimming pool

21. The fitness spa was

 Never cleaned

 Equipment was broken and NEVER been serviced

 Had broken loose LIVE wires hanging from them BESIDE the indoor pool

22. There was a charge for everything ie sun beds, parasols, bed covers





When we booked the holiday we asked for a hotel next to the beach with quiet surroundings and a short walk to the town and local night life, which we did not receive, we had to PAY for local taxi’s to go to the town, AND we were forced to PAY to eat out in other restaurants due to the lack of hygiene cleanliness, unsafe and dangerous raw food, and the lack of food in the so called “three star hotel restaurant”.





We complained to the Thomas Cook representative “Philip”, who replies when told about the condition and RAW chicken/turkey – I asked him in front of other guests and witneses what his OFFICIAL response was – he replied “raw food does get served – it happens”.



if you want a profesional 3 star hotel and resteraunt with a quiet relaxing holiday then avoid this place at all costs,I have several photographes and video footage of the rooms and night club noise for proof and evidence if required.

I went to this hotel with my...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs A Scott

Comments:

I went to this hotel with my husband for a week. This was our first but definitely not our last visit to Tunisia. Having read a few reviews we were a bit worried about what we would find, but what a surprise we got. Yes the rooms are basic but they are very clean and cool, the bed was comfortable and clean. Who wants to spend all day in their hotel room anyway?

The facilities at the hotel were first class. The food was excellent, continental breakfast and a 3 course dinner if you wanted and boy those desserts were to die for.

The entertainment team were excellent. Aldo Mido, Zo and Max made our holiday a fun one.

The excursion for the Pirate Boat is a must. Great for all ages and only cost 40 dinars (less that £20).

There are plenty of bars although Cheers was more aimed at young ones. There is a British Bar across the road from the hotel that can get loud at times especially if you have a room at the front of the hotel but its not that bad and to be honest sitting out on the balcony listening to the music and people watching can be relaxing after a busy day.



Go into Yasmin and have fun shopping but don’t forget to haggle its expected of you. But don’t spend time haggling then walk away it is seen as rude.

For those of you still thinking about going to this hotel I would say go, I enjoyed it so much I’m taking the rest of the family next year