Karthago El Ksar, Sousse, Tunisia
Hotel Information
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
This is an open and spacious hotel traditionally furnished in attractive Tunisian-style decor. It has a good range of facilities and is within easy reach of local bars and restaurants. loading...
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Karthago El Ksar Reviews
" The best hotel I have ever stayed at!... "
Submitted By: Miss A. Wolden
The best hotel I have ever stayed at! I went there with a friend; we left husbands and children at home for the first time!
Arrived after dark, and thought we had landed in a palace from 1001 nights! Just wonderful! A bellboy got our suitcases as soon as we got into the reception room, and kept them for us till we had checked in.
The nice receptionist got us a really nice bungalow outside the main building, so the walk down to the beach was short!
Great food, great service, clean rooms - everything perfect. The maid put a little flower on our pillows every day, or folded a t-shirt into a flower on the bed. She put a great effort into cleaning our room, and we were really pleased.
The animation staff, Ronaldino, Picasso, Ben and the others were just great, kept the children at the hotel happy, entertained the guests, and were very pleasant to everyone!
They worked from 8.30 in the morning till 23.30 at night, with just a little break in the afternoon! Great staff! The hotel management didn't seem to care enough for these people!
All in all, the best holiday ever!
Highly recommended hotel, you will enjoy it!
Arrived after dark, and thought we had landed in a palace from 1001 nights! Just wonderful! A bellboy got our suitcases as soon as we got into the reception room, and kept them for us till we had checked in.
The nice receptionist got us a really nice bungalow outside the main building, so the walk down to the beach was short!
Great food, great service, clean rooms - everything perfect. The maid put a little flower on our pillows every day, or folded a t-shirt into a flower on the bed. She put a great effort into cleaning our room, and we were really pleased.
The animation staff, Ronaldino, Picasso, Ben and the others were just great, kept the children at the hotel happy, entertained the guests, and were very pleasant to everyone!
They worked from 8.30 in the morning till 23.30 at night, with just a little break in the afternoon! Great staff! The hotel management didn't seem to care enough for these people!
All in all, the best holiday ever!
Highly recommended hotel, you will enjoy it!
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Detur
" The hotel was clean, rooms and pool... "
Submitted By: Miss D Wiseman
The hotel was clean, rooms and pool lovely.
We were the only English people in this hotel. The hotel catered more for Germans. Food was nice but took ages to serve yourself. The Germans did not queue; they would push in and take all the fresh food. We had to queue for ages at the bar too.
I would strongly recommend you do not do the First Choice 2/3 days Safari Trip. Total waste of money! You are stuck in the back of a small jeep with other couples with no air-con for hours on end, it’s really uncomfortable and cramped. You are able to spend a few mins viewing an attraction and then back in the car for hours again.
We were the only English people in this hotel. The hotel catered more for Germans. Food was nice but took ages to serve yourself. The Germans did not queue; they would push in and take all the fresh food. We had to queue for ages at the bar too.
I would strongly recommend you do not do the First Choice 2/3 days Safari Trip. Total waste of money! You are stuck in the back of a small jeep with other couples with no air-con for hours on end, it’s really uncomfortable and cramped. You are able to spend a few mins viewing an attraction and then back in the car for hours again.
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" Good holiday as the weather was great... "
Submitted By: Miss K McWhirter
Good holiday as the weather was great but no idea what we would of done had the weather been bad.
The hotel was good for food but the bar selection and service was lacking as was the dreadful entertainment at nights. We had a great room right on the beach with a great swimming pool nearby, the hotel was full of Germans when we were there so watch out for sunbeds. Be prepared for the ques at dinner and the constant needs of the waiters etc for tips.
We did not go on any trips as we were only there for a week, we did go into Sousse and Port El Kantaoui of which we spent about 30 minutes in each nothing to right home about and Sousse a bit intimidating
It is not a place where you would feel safe going out at night but overall a great place for a week in the sun. <br>
The hotel was good for food but the bar selection and service was lacking as was the dreadful entertainment at nights. We had a great room right on the beach with a great swimming pool nearby, the hotel was full of Germans when we were there so watch out for sunbeds. Be prepared for the ques at dinner and the constant needs of the waiters etc for tips.
We did not go on any trips as we were only there for a week, we did go into Sousse and Port El Kantaoui of which we spent about 30 minutes in each nothing to right home about and Sousse a bit intimidating
It is not a place where you would feel safe going out at night but overall a great place for a week in the sun. <br>
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" I loved pulling up to a grand hotel.... "
Submitted By: Miss H Holly
I loved pulling up to a grand hotel. I got in side and thort i was in a palace , the food was all labelled perfectly and was lovely to eat , everything to do with the hotel was spotless.
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The entertament was amuseing and realy got me into a good mood and spirit. Rememmer your holiday is what u make it!!! I realy injoyed myself and would defonatly go back. <br>
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The entertament was amuseing and realy got me into a good mood and spirit. Rememmer your holiday is what u make it!!! I realy injoyed myself and would defonatly go back. <br>
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2005
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" We had a terrible experience at this... "
Submitted By: Miss L Thorne
We had a terrible experience at this hotel. On arrival at 4am, we were shown to our room is complete darkness, tripping over barriers etc.We had to get our own torch out for safety.
The air-conditioning unit was broken and fixed on 1 setting, which was v.cold. The bungalow was also located some distance away from the main hotel. We demanded a new room immediately.
The appearance of the hotel was fab but the facilities were quite poor. The weights and the machines in the gym were all broken and tied up with string so this was really out of order the whole time.
The beach and pool were lovely but all the pool/beachside games were spoken in foreign languages by the animation team the whole time so we never felt as though we could join in. The language barrier at the hotel was a big problem.
The restaurant was dreadful. It was like a school cafeteria. The majority of the time the tablecloths were very dirty and were very rarely laid when we went in for breakfast and evening meals. All of the dishes were placed on hot plates, which had flies swarming all over them. We had on-going problems with staff, both at reception and with the waiting staff. Due to the lack of English spoken at the hotel, it took 4 attempts to order Lemonade and on occasions, the waiters were raising their voices at us in a frustrated manner because we couldn’t understand what they were trying to tell us. It was German or French but never English.
I would never recommend this hotel to English people. It was so terrible, we ended up moving to another hotel for our 2nd week, which was much more enjoyable and we could actually enjoy our holiday.
The very few other English guests that we were speaking too during our stay, all had similar problems and classed it as the worst holiday they have ever had.
The air-conditioning unit was broken and fixed on 1 setting, which was v.cold. The bungalow was also located some distance away from the main hotel. We demanded a new room immediately.
The appearance of the hotel was fab but the facilities were quite poor. The weights and the machines in the gym were all broken and tied up with string so this was really out of order the whole time.
The beach and pool were lovely but all the pool/beachside games were spoken in foreign languages by the animation team the whole time so we never felt as though we could join in. The language barrier at the hotel was a big problem.
The restaurant was dreadful. It was like a school cafeteria. The majority of the time the tablecloths were very dirty and were very rarely laid when we went in for breakfast and evening meals. All of the dishes were placed on hot plates, which had flies swarming all over them. We had on-going problems with staff, both at reception and with the waiting staff. Due to the lack of English spoken at the hotel, it took 4 attempts to order Lemonade and on occasions, the waiters were raising their voices at us in a frustrated manner because we couldn’t understand what they were trying to tell us. It was German or French but never English.
I would never recommend this hotel to English people. It was so terrible, we ended up moving to another hotel for our 2nd week, which was much more enjoyable and we could actually enjoy our holiday.
The very few other English guests that we were speaking too during our stay, all had similar problems and classed it as the worst holiday they have ever had.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2005
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" The hotel looks impressive when you... "
Submitted By: Mr S Ray
The hotel looks impressive when you first arrive, but once in your room the first choice 4 star 'premier' rating is a bit adventurous.
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Linen is old and worn. food not clearly labelled and is pretty much the same every day and is never hot just warm. We got mixed feelings from the staff some were genuinely nice, others were only once you had tipped them whether they gave you good service or not, it seemed more 'you tip me and I’ll be nice' not how it should be.
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The gym is very poor, the equipment is old and very worn and not fully useable. The sauna/hamman which are supposed to be free part of AI, isn’t you will have to pay 15td (£7.50) each time.
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The beach isn’t that private as you are constantly bombarded with people trying to sell anything from plant pots to hash, when you say no they get quite rude, my partner received several sexual comments/suggestions, just for me saying no to buying anything. Once you leave the hotel they follow you constantly and just hassle you a firm does not work, this is not what we wanted from a relaxing week away.
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overall I would only rate this as a standard 3star hotel first choices description of premier hotels is definitely not this.
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Linen is old and worn. food not clearly labelled and is pretty much the same every day and is never hot just warm. We got mixed feelings from the staff some were genuinely nice, others were only once you had tipped them whether they gave you good service or not, it seemed more 'you tip me and I’ll be nice' not how it should be.
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The gym is very poor, the equipment is old and very worn and not fully useable. The sauna/hamman which are supposed to be free part of AI, isn’t you will have to pay 15td (£7.50) each time.
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The beach isn’t that private as you are constantly bombarded with people trying to sell anything from plant pots to hash, when you say no they get quite rude, my partner received several sexual comments/suggestions, just for me saying no to buying anything. Once you leave the hotel they follow you constantly and just hassle you a firm does not work, this is not what we wanted from a relaxing week away.
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overall I would only rate this as a standard 3star hotel first choices description of premier hotels is definitely not this.
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" A worthwhile holiday at a large... "
Submitted By: lizmcgregor
A worthwhile holiday at a large fascinating hotel next to the wonderful sandy beach at Sousse. The staff cannot be faulted. It is rated in the First Choice brochure as Premier Choice, which I think is a bit high, but nevertheless I can recommend it.
The food is fine, but they don’t label everything, so you don’t always know what to expect!
The indoor pool is very hot. About four pools outside. Superb opportunities for massage in a range of suites.
If you get a noisy room, ask for a change at the beginning of your holiday. Rooms range in quality depending on location.
Usual hassle from locals, but if you know Tunisia, this can be taken with a pinch of salt.
Good value for money, all-inclusive was great and there was something open all day.
The food is fine, but they don’t label everything, so you don’t always know what to expect!
The indoor pool is very hot. About four pools outside. Superb opportunities for massage in a range of suites.
If you get a noisy room, ask for a change at the beginning of your holiday. Rooms range in quality depending on location.
Usual hassle from locals, but if you know Tunisia, this can be taken with a pinch of salt.
Good value for money, all-inclusive was great and there was something open all day.
- Date of Holiday:Nov 2004
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" Quite a big hotel and was growing... "
Submitted By: SunGoddess
Quite a big hotel and was growing bigger.
We went the half board option, but wish we had gone AI the snacks were really nice. Food was good but very much the same everyday. Rooms were nice but I didn’t like the view from our room they 1st gave us. They moved us to somewhere I liked better, with no problem.
I could watch the sunrise in the mornings, the sea & pool view were fantastic. The only problem as we were on the top floor, the noise from the air conditioning kept myself awake quite abit. didn’t seem to bother my other half at all.
We were forever finding more swimming pools at this hotel and the indoor one ‘well it was so hot it hurt my sunburn’. Beach was great and crystal clear waters.
Taxis are cheap so don’t walk anywhere. Go to the market near the Madina, a little different from are markets. Hanging cow and pig heads, bits of allsorts of animal parts hung up everywhere! The Madina shopping centre isn't cheap at all so beware.
The entertainers at the hotel are good fun day and night. They have a nightclub in the basement, which is quite well painted. Kids club looked good and they all seemed very happy there.
Great Hotel, would well recommend........I’d go back!!!
We went the half board option, but wish we had gone AI the snacks were really nice. Food was good but very much the same everyday. Rooms were nice but I didn’t like the view from our room they 1st gave us. They moved us to somewhere I liked better, with no problem.
I could watch the sunrise in the mornings, the sea & pool view were fantastic. The only problem as we were on the top floor, the noise from the air conditioning kept myself awake quite abit. didn’t seem to bother my other half at all.
We were forever finding more swimming pools at this hotel and the indoor one ‘well it was so hot it hurt my sunburn’. Beach was great and crystal clear waters.
Taxis are cheap so don’t walk anywhere. Go to the market near the Madina, a little different from are markets. Hanging cow and pig heads, bits of allsorts of animal parts hung up everywhere! The Madina shopping centre isn't cheap at all so beware.
The entertainers at the hotel are good fun day and night. They have a nightclub in the basement, which is quite well painted. Kids club looked good and they all seemed very happy there.
Great Hotel, would well recommend........I’d go back!!!
- Date of Holiday:May 2003
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
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The food was good and was the hotel's saving grace and we enjoyed our meals. The staff however, were surly and unhelpful. We did wonder whether this was just a cultural thing...but staff in restaurants in the nearby Port were a delight.
The room was very average - it was clean enough but very jaded. The shower curtain was so short that it barely reached the edge of the bath - a strong blast of water from the shower and the floor was flooded. One of the slats under the bed was broken. To cap it all, we had an item of jewellary taken from the room.
Communal areas were also very shabby - the carpets on the landings were covered in stains. The gym was simply a joke - no decent kit at all. We were there in October, so only one of the bars was open in the evening. The hotel was very full however, and this one bar simply could not cope with the volume of guests and you had to stand in long queues in order to get served.
The beach towels which could be borrowed from the spa had holes in them. ALL the outdoor furniture needed replacing. The beach was nice and the sea was clean.
We enjoyed our quad biking excursion - but the transfer bus was SO delapidated it was a joke. One of the seats was propped up ON A TREE STUMP.
In summary - we found our Tunisian experience really quite stressful and would certainly not recommend this hotel. In fact, Thomas Cook should have their wrists slapped for including it in their brochures.
Good for: Beach