Marhaba Beach Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

Just got back from weeks holiday had fab time. Food and drink a plenty,animation team great guys but not entertainers but made sure all had a good time. Rooms were spacious and clean pool area is great and staff are all freindly. Would definately go back.

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed from 13th march till 23rd March and had a fabulous time. Best holiday in a long time. everyone could not do enough to enable you to enjoy it.... from the waiters to all staff were great, cant wait to come back.. Food good rooms fab people fabulous.
Jean & Ian

1 reader found this review helpful

Having stayed in many four star hotels all over the world, this hotel is not on a par with them.
A 3 star rating is more appropriate.
It is in need of a good revamp and improvements in their fire safety standards and has a limited public access to the internet.
The location is fine, the pools and beach are good, excellent gym facilities, but the main hotel and rooms need some money spent on them to bring them up to par.
The evening entertainment was poor and for some shows it had to be paid for?
We would not go back there again.

1 reader found this review helpful

the holiday was great and i wouldnt change any of it and im thinking of visiting again next year :)

3 readers found this review helpful

My partner and I had a very good holiday at this hotel in 2005, we are world travellers so have experienced many different levels of service and accommodation.
Sad to say the hotel was very clean but the staff seemed so unhappy and the service was poor, the food less than inspiring and the behaviour of the guests uite disgusting at times, the management did nothing to uphold the rules, luckily we were out a lot of the time, visiting Tunisia's great places with the ruins and history.
One of the guests, a young man sporting facial jewellry was offered drugs just outside the hotel, so they are there if you want to indulge.
I think this is the last time we will visit the Hotel Marhaba Beach.

19 readers found this review helpful

I have just returned from a week long stay at the Marhaba Beach Hotel. This was my second visit to this hotel. It always amazes me when I read people's comments about this not being a four star hotel. The rating system for package holiday hotels is different from the system used to rate hotels in Ireland or the UK. As package holidays go this hotel is good. The waiting, bar staff and housekeeping staffs are efficent and friendly. The food is very good ane varied. I was not very impressed by the reception staff, I found one receptionist spent more time trying to sell tawdry necklaces than being a receptionist.
Tipping is a major issue for some people who stay at this hotel. But i follow the same rules I follow at home I tip generously for good service and I found that the staff are genuinely grateful for tips.But remember that 350 denar is the typical wage in Tunisia these people deserve our generosity. Our waiter was a sweetheart who could teach many a snooty waiter in Ireland a lesson in service nad hospitality.
I found the animation team to be pleasant guys but not great entertainers, a lot of their shows are old hat.
I will return to this hotel in the future it is a friendly if not especaially grande
hotel

7 readers found this review helpful

We have just came back from here and what a holiday we had if you want a great time would go here as they do all they can to make sure you have a great time especially abdul and the rest of the team aswell they are always smiling no matter the time of day or night. The food here is good aswell lunch does not have a great choice but still plenty to eat there the only bad point i woul give it there is no tea and coffee making facilty in the room if there was then it would make it a lot easier in the morning when you get up for a cuppa. As i said would have no plbs going back there once again if you do go make sure you say hi to abdul and he will make your holiday a fun time

10 readers found this review helpful

I've just come back from our 1 week stay in Tunisia at Marhaba Beach hotel, and i have a serious case of holiday blues! :( Definitely will be going back next year for 2 weeks.
All i can say is that it really is an amazing place to stay for everyone! The beach is great, and you get used to being hassled, as long as you're friendly to the locals they will be friendly back.
The pool is very clean and safe, and the animation team can always be seen working around the pool and stage area, either laughing, chatting or getting everyone off of their sunbeds to join in with some stretching or water aerobics! Special mention to Rico, Abdul and Maike who are the most genuine and lovely people, great entertainers too.
The resort is good if you want to get involved and move around alot, but also has places to relax and be at peace if you just want a quiet holiday as well. It caters for everyone. The staff work so hard it's unbelievable! Tip big because they deserve it!

23 readers found this review helpful

A great hotel where sadly sometimes guests don't make the most of it generally by misunderstandings !
Do speak politely to staff, if you have a problem it will be resolved by the staff, or reception or management-they want you back-and many many people return time after time.
The 'all inclusive' system causes a few problems as tour companies pitch it as more than it is-you will pay a little extra for a couple of things, but it is still excellent value. Coke is proper bottled coke, local alcohol is very good, especially muscat, but the 'free' pizza is basic for example. Please understand though that you will want to have your meals in the excellent dining room, and really, probably won't want to eat the other 'freebies' anyway.
The animation team which really means Ricco and Abdul are great guys, throughout the day you can join in with something like stretching, aerobics,petanque,water polo etc etc etc, and the evening shows are a great light hearted laugh (and we are not old foagies)
You should tip ! The staff are often university educated and multi lingual but of course wages are low in the country. A general guide is half a dinar for drinks, a dinar for a sunbed or two (per day), a dinar for dinner in restaurant, 5 dinars for maid at end of holiday, a dinar or for porters-you get the idea. It would be typical for example for the man behind your bar to tip when he goes for coffee........
The tipping culture is not explained by reps. If you are the sort of customer who thinks you've paid once so that's that, you may be better off in a hotel that caters for mainly russian guests. If you allow a couple of pounds a day for tipping, you will understand why so many people return. We got bought a few drinks by the locals for example-treat as you would be treated yourself !
The location of the hotel is excellent, the noddy trains are great, best to arrange a price with taxi's in advance. A trip from Sousse to Kantoui for example should be about 5 dinars for the car load in a yellow cab, don't be 'shy' be polite and firm, if they argue just walk away for another cab............
The medina in Sousse is more friendly than many, but of course you must 'play the game'. It will be cheaper than the Soula centre, but it's up to you to get a good deal by negotiation. Perhaps look in government shops first to get an idea of price, then save minimum 1/3rd in medina..........
For a beach holiday hotel with good food the Marhaba Beach pretty much nails it, plus there are loads of trips available to explore the country. You may get a better deal from the hotels man than theenglish tour companies, who's knowledge is generally poor. But if you want to play safe book at your welcome meeting.
Oh yes, have a massage (no, no extras available) in the hotels gym/pool/massage fitness centre-they are great.
A word of warning about tennis, the man who generally runs the courts seems as though he belongs in a different hotel, probably a different country. When he's rude to you complain immediately to reception or demand for the manager.
Most guests probably don't play tennis though do they.....................................

3 readers found this review helpful

My friend and I have just got back from a week spent in this impressive hotel. I feel very sorry for Mrs Tiernan because she must have been on a totally different planet! I cannot believe she was approached by drug dealers
The Hotel and country were very clean. The staff extreemly friendly and helpful. The beach was beautiful and the entertainment just that - entertaining! The only downside was that the weather was dissapointing and the food, although quite edible was not what we imagined would be traditional and the menue did not change therefore it became a bit boring.
The trips we took were very good value and the guide very well informed. All in all we had a great break and would go again but later in the year