Reviews of Bel Azur Hotel, Hammamet, Tunisia

The hotel is 3 star but is on a...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

twinkle

Comments:

The hotel is 3 star but is on a complex with a 4 star and a 5 star and you are allowed to use the facilities of all three. Right on the beach and a 20 min walk from the resort centre.



The service is fantastic, the bar staff regularly come to the beach and bring drinks on request. The hotel is clean and comfortable, nothing is too much trouble for them, from welcome drinks on arrival to fruit platters in the rooms, its all done for you.



The food is buffet style and can get a bit samey night after night, but there is plenty of choice to suit all tastes. The reps were fantastic, very helpful and knowledgeable. There wasn't a question that they didn't have the answer to.



The only slightly negative comment I would make is that the bathrooms didn't quite match the standard of everything else. They were clean, but a bit shabby. Not a huge problem, just a surprising slip in standards.



All in all, I would definitely recommend this hotel (and the resort) as a good base to relax and explore Tunisia.

I feel I have to defend this...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss H R  Whitehead

Comments:

I feel I have to defend this hotel against the ridiculous comments made. I had a fantastic time here and loved every minute. I intend to return to this hotel when I next return to Tunisia. The rooms were always spotless and the cleaning staff were both friendly and trustworthy - I left an ipod and cash on the bedside table several times and they were always there on my return to the room. All the other staff were friendly and helpful too. Receptionists always knew the answer to questions or at least where you could find the answer. The chefs were great and if you asked nicely they'd make whatever they could for you. The food itself was very good. So it wasn't British fare but you are in Tunisia! Although if you crave a good cup of tea and some British snacks then go right out of the main complex gates and on the left after about 25 metres is a cafe where the owner's wife is British.



The hotel provides you with entertainment every night and this ranges from fakirs and snake charmers to bands. There is always something going on in the day also. My personal favourite was the aqua aerobics.



There is a spa attached to the complex and for approx. £10 you get entry and free use of all facilities in there.



A taxi to main Hammamet cost about 80p and the excursions offered are fantastic.

Came back on Sunday 10th...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs JS Stojsavljevic

Comments:

Came back on Sunday 10th September 2006 staying at the Bel Azur, this was our second year here. Service still as good, particularly, if one to two dinars are involved.



The only down side to this years holiday was the lack of cups, saucers, etc,

Breakfast time, everything was just so short of things and mix match of crockery and the evening meals were just the same waiting for clean plates, and soup bowls.



Last year 2005 we went in July, and this problem did not occur then, so what has happened.



Plenty of food, beautiful cakes etc. Bar staff just great, and even the beach service was just brilliant, this also did not happened last year.



Still in love with Tunisa, excellent value for money, and look forward to next year.

I've stayed at the Bel Azur five...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr B Frost

Comments:

I've stayed at the Bel Azur five times now, for a sum total of two months (with my partner, parents and children on different occasions). I've already booked another week next May (2007). You'll appreciate, I'm sure, that I think the hotel (and complex), is fantastic! Everything everyone else has said about food, staff, entertainment, environment and facilities (you can use all the facilities of three excellent adjoining Azur hotels, 5 pools, 2 great beaches, etc.), being terrific is all absolutely true.



However, we've just come back from two weeks in August and, for the first time, I have some gripes. These all boil down to one factor which hasn't been the case on any previous visit. In a nutshell, Tunisia is feeling the effect of global (in)security on people travelling to Muslim countries, despite being one of the most tolerant and safe Muslim states. This leads to hotel bookings being down so, understandably, they try to fill space somehow.



The Azur complex has previously been almost exclusively international, so anyone looking 'local' tends to either work there, or on a rare occasion has wandered along the beach (and gets turfed out quietly and efficiently). This Summer the hotels (quite understandably under the circumstances), opened the doors to Tunisians, which is fine in itself, but clouded things somewhat. In our first week this year, apparently 100 Tunisians were staying there. The complex is plenty big enough to cope with this, but many obviously brought friends and family, and other Tunisians wandered along the beach to use the facilities, essentially because they now had 'cover'. Alas, despite its best efforts, the complex simply could not cope with the influx and international guests became second place at times. The pools and beaches were almost exclusively 'local' for much of the day, and the noise levels were unbelievable. Animation teams seemed to almost give up trying to cope, and the poor staff did their best but were clearly frustrated (and angry at times).



Unfortunately, there were other knock-on effects. To put this in perspective, my mum is not easy to please on cleanliness, but she stayed two years ago and still describes it as 'spotless and clean everywhere'. With the shear numbers of Tunisians on site this year (and possibly less ownership by those not staying there), the loos were foul, often with excrement smeared around. The hotel was simply unable to cope. There was also lots of pushing in at meal times in the restaurant (which is normally happy and orderly), and many staff were clearly stressed at times.



I love this place, but my affinity for it was severely tested this year. If my first stay at the hotel (6 years ago), had been like the majority of our days there this August, I would never have returned. Thankfully, five days of our second week were much better, probably because the number of locals staying was significantly less (reducing the impacts mentioned above). I'm really looking forward to going with my family next May, but if the complex is not up to the usual extremely high standard, I doubt we will give it another chance.

Just back from Tunisia last...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs D Dobson

Comments:

Just back from Tunisia last night. Everything was fantastic. The hotel staff are very friendly and ready to help if necessary. The animators made sure people had plenty to do during the day (darts, aerobics etc).



We went for a relaxing holiday and did not really leave the hotel as the beach was nearby and there was a fantastic pool.



The hotel had a different show on every night which were always good. The animators were excellent on a night and there was never a dull moment. They even managed to get me to dance and play bingo!



Will be definitely going back next year.

We just got back on Sunday 28th...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

May 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss K Andersen

Comments:

We just got back on Sunday 28th May, had a fantastic time! Everyone in the hotel was very friendly (but we did tip well!), the food was great with an amazing selection to suit all tastes.



Animation team were fantastic, brought me round to hotel entertainment, even got me playing Bingo!



Beware when going to the old Medina as you will get some serious hassle and haggle down to about a 10th of the price they first ask you. (but remember they are just trying to earn a buck at the end of the day) Go to the new medina as that is where the locals go and you won't get any hassle there.



All in all a great cultured holiday, we are going back in September. Don’t book with Thomas Cook as all you will get from them is grief and delays!

It was brilliant lots of people...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr  Johnson

Comments:

It was brilliant lots of people for every age to meet. Good cabaret shows and activities. Perfect weather and also very cheap.



We are already planning to go back the same time next year. The staff are very caring and care for every person.

Everything was fantastic! The...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss R Church

Comments:

Everything was fantastic! The Animators made our holiday worthwhile! The waiters and the chefs were friendly. The activities were so much fun! Especially Darts, Waterpolo and Petang.



The family atmosphere was very welcoming! There was a true sense of Tunisian life style, as most of the guests were Tunisian or Algerian, this gave the hotel a more homely feel!


I strongly advise anyone thinking of going to go!!!!!

The hotel was first class and I...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss K Aspey

Comments:

The hotel was first class and I found all the staff lovely. The weather was beautiful and the resort even better with the medina which was great for a bit of haggling!



The local markets were definitely a highlight of the holiday and the whole Tunisian culture was a real different experience to the usual holiday in Spain.



The holiday was a totally different, exciting experience and overall was great with the hotel just making it even better- we are definitely booking to come back to the Bel Azur next year!

Stayed here for two weeks with...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2004

Tour Operator:

MyTravel

Submitted By:

Ms RJ Colak

Comments:

Stayed here for two weeks with my two daughters (16) and (5) had an absolute ball.



Hotel, food, service, weather, animation crew everything top class!! The outdoor restaurant overlooking the sea is just paradise and so is the food! Very Tunisian fare however so it should be after all we are in Tunisia. There is so much choice it’s unbelievable although I do remember one British mum complaining to the chef last year about the lack of chicken nuggets!!!



Have just booked again for July 2005 with my youngest daughter and we can’t wait.

The weather in Tunisia is very...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2002

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr G Bellingham

Comments:

The weather in Tunisia is very hot during the summer, more so than I had anticipated. I found it almost unbearable during the day but my friends thought it was great. So if you don’t particularly like too much sun, then I wouldn’t recommend Tunisia in the summer.



As for the actual hotel, the staff were very friendly and attentive: they really do seem very keen to be of help. The food was excellent with lots of variety and the cleanliness of the hotel was impressive. It is also very well situated for spending time on the beech.



Whilst excellent for relaxing, the holiday isn't ideal if you want vibrant nightlife. An evening’s entertainment is more likely to consist of strolling along the beach or relaxing in the hotel bar rather than performing karaoke in a bustling bar.




Overall, this holiday would be best suited to people who just want somewhere (very) warm to relax in the sun and let the world pass by.