Jinene Hotel

We stayed at the Royal Jinene In Oct 06, Arriving in the early hours of the morning it was difficult to decide whether to have a Sea View or Garden view, but we were very happy to have taken the advice of the desk clerk and awoke to a fab view of the pool and gardens - Definitely recommend this if you have the choice. The hotel room was very clean and spacious, and it was great to have the balcony to sit out on and admire the view, although the soft furnishings were a little bright, but other than that the accomodation was perfect. The restaurant staff were really great, we got to know them well over the week and they were always friendly and happy. The food was a bit of a mixture of different cultures, but we were always able to find something we liked among the varied selection. We were half board and found the cafe by the pool very good value for a light lunch, even though the menu wasnt very big. The beach is just a short walk down a little path from the hotel complex and although the strip of sand by the Jinene Hotels is not very wide, if you go to the right it widens into a lovely stretch of beach dotted with coconut palm thatched umbrellas. The weather was fantastic for 6 out of 7 days, not uncomfortably scorching but just right for lazing by the pool and working on a tan. On the one dull day we found the Moorish cafe by the pool an ideal place to relax and try smoking one of the authentic turkish pipes that seem to be everywhere, we were pleasantly surprised at how cheap it was and they come in a choice of flavours (strawberry was good). Other experiences we tried and loved in Tunisia were:- PARASAILING (which you can walk to further along the beach), it wasnt too expensive, and was alot easier than I expected, the view was fantastic, although you dont get very long up there. CAMEL TREKKING definitely the highlight of the trip to go cross country on a camel (you even get to ride on the same camel as your partner so you can share the experience and chat about it as you ride along) lunch at an authentic bedouin village is also included with a spot of entertainment thrown in. PIRATES AND GLADIATORS TRIP Although it was a fair old way by coach to the coloseum, it was amazing to see where they filmed 'Gladiator' and wander around the ruins. The afternoon boat trip on a majestic spanish galleon with lunch and a swim or a spot of fishing made for an interesting and unusual day. I loved everything about Tinisia and would happily go again one day, although my partner did get a bit fed up with the tunisian sellers in shops and on the beach who tend to hassle you a bit, but I found them very polite and chatty and they spoke good english, so ok they do follow you around and try and persuade you to buy things, but for me it was all part of the Tunisian experience. The cheap prices more than made up for it (for instance gorgeous sarongs and unusual dangly earrings at only 80p and sequined to post sandals a mere £3.40), pack lightly as there is plently you'll want to take home with you. You could easily do your xmas shopping here girls!! The Jinene and Royal Jinene are next door to each other, they share the same lovely pool (which has daily aerobics in to work of a big brekkie) there seemed to be more entertainment laid on in the Jinene, but we would recommend paying the extra to stay at the Royal, as the rooms, the decor and the views were better. Then you can always go join in the fun next door if you wish. The Jinene complex is situated along a quiet but fairly main road (ie its not in a back street but there was no traffic noise at all) it was incredibly easy to get a taxi from the hotel entrance, and a 5 min (£3) ride in either direction took you to either the town of Sousse or Port el Kantaoui. I think if I was to visit Tunisia again I would like to stay in hotel in Port el Kantaoui as it was so beautiful there. Its a little modern village at the centre of which are the dancing water fountains which look spectacular at night when they are all lit up, built in a complete circle around them are lots of open air cafes and all the shopping you could ask for!! A short walk from the centre is a new boat harbour, and in the opposite direction is an amazing waterpark, with flumes and slides etc, which is fantastic for anyone with kids. All in all, I give Tunisia and the Royal Jinene A Big Thumbs Up.

We chose the Royal Jinene after much deliberation. One of the deciding factors was the Thomas Cook Award of Excellence (or something like that) based on their punters' feedback. It fully deserved the award. The only things I could possibly imagine anyone complaining about was the knackered net on one of the 2 tennis courts, rendering it unusable, and the rather bizarre dimensions of the table tennis table (about 3ft too long). Everything else was just right. Big, immaculately clean rooms, tasteful decor, balcony overlooking the pool and the sea, helpful staff, brilliant and varied food, one of the most attractive indoor pools (all mosaics) I've ever swum in. The outdoor pool was unheated but that seems to be universal and anyway provided a very bracing swim under the december sun. The guy who looks after the 2 pools and dishes out the mattresses is a character. Very friendly, looks a bit like Manuel in Fawlty Towers with a baseball cap. The hotel's stretch of beach is pristine, cleaned and raked every day. And the location, approx halfway between Sousse and Port el Kantaoui (both walkable along the beach), is good too.

This was our first visit to Tunisia and on the whole was a very positive experience. The hotel we booked was the 4* hotel in Sousse, the Royal Jinene. This hotel also has it's 3* sister hotel, the Hotel Jinene, on the same complex and has shared leisure facilties. All literature we'd seen before travelling advised that the Royal Jinene was a 4* & likewise the Hotel Jinene was a 3*. However speaking with other guests, some of whom had stayed there on more than one occasion, suggested the Royal was 3* and the Hotel Jinene a 2*. Do not let this put you off. Our hotel, the Royal was impeccably clean and tidy. It's location is marketed throughout travel agents in the UK as Sousse, however, it is actually found in between Sousse and Port El Kantaoui (about 3.5km to either resort, or 3/4 dinars which equates to roughly £2 in a licened yellow taxi of which there a lots of). We did walk into Sousse on our first day, but this takes roughly 45 minutes and for a couple of quid, its probably worth jumping into a cab and saving yourself 40 minutes....Hotel facilities: Rooms - ours was spacious, very clean and airy. Public areas, reception, bar etc - again very clean and with an arabic feel but not overwhelming. Restaurant - we stayed on a half board basis and to be honest the food was a bit hit and miss. Some nights, fantastic choice and lets face it...a buffet is great if you are a bit peckish! But other nights, the choice wasn't too great but there's enough food to satisfy any stomach. Lesiure facilities - outdoor pool; lovely freeflowing pool with sunlight throughout the day up until about 7ish. One 'down side' which became a laughing point was the entertainers insistance in playing westernised music randomly, which felt like you'd been thrown back into the 90's. Shaka Demus & Pliers, Scatman etc. Even a christmas song at one point! Brilliant (but i think it might be bad luck!?). Indoor pool; not as much used as the outdoor pool, but just as nice to escape the heat for a bit to relax. If you time it right, the pool is yours. Beach; 2 minute walk down past the rather delapodated but still used tennis courts to the private beach. A bit small. Thei tide isn't shy and you probably have about 6 metres of sand before your ankles get wet, but long enough (maybe 80 metres) to relax and not feel like your in a sardine tin. Staff; The local based staff are extremely professional, very friendly and seem genuinely interested in you without you feeling like your being interogated. All in all a very pleasant experience and somewhere that we would like to return too. A WORD OF WARNING THOUGH: If you are travelling without a tour rep (ie booked flight and accomodation seperately), be careful at the airport. We flew from Monastir. You cannot collect the local currency until you are in Tunisia. Our advise: take travellers cheques and change them when you get there. ON RETURNING TO THE UK you are not allowed to take Tunisian Dinars home with you. You must change them at the airport after you check your bags in but BEFORE you go through the customary police checks. If you don't (like me) you end up in departures with a wallet full of dinars and having to go back through hand baggage checks and police checks to the other side, to change your money at the banks, and then go back through the process again which can, and trust me on this one, is time consuming!. I very nearly got stung by this as we organised flights and hotels as two seperate enterties. If you are travelling as part of a combined package, don't worry about it, your rep should advise you of this on the transfer coach. Mark & Kat - York

Jinene hotel is a really good hotel. I spent 12days in there with my boyfriend, and it was fantastic. The people in the hotel are nice, the food is very good. Everyday I can choose of those what I like. The animators are dear, and the shows is also good. Especially the FAKIR SHOW!!!! These guys are very-very dear. One of them, Kaled, was the nicest. :)

I would nt stay in this hotel as the holiday cost me the loss of jewellery and money taken from my room.

well what can i say!!!!1 we have been in may 2006 and it was a fantastic holiday the kids enjoyed it and the in laws had some great fun..didnt know what to expect but you have to go to experiance it.....the Entertainment lads were brilliant they work very hard and long hours one of the was telling us that he plans to travel back to uk to be with his wife aww so sweet.......the beaches were lovely..the food try it and you might like it as they dont cater for the english ie with breakfasts but overall it was a brilliant holiday would defo go back.......met some people from sheffield they were fun to be with and were all keeping in touch getting ready for a night out lol

I dont usually do things like this (reviews) but after spending a week at this place thought it was the least i could do. When we first arrived i was very impressed with the look of the hotel from the reception and outside, when we got in the rooms i was a little disappointed as a little off there best but non the less where what you would expect for 2 star. The food was excellent with plenty to choose from for breakfast and ev meal. The staff where so very friendly and helpful with all guests not just the pretty ladys lol. Entertainment was very good in the evenings but the bar prices are a bit steep but then again it is within the hotel. I would genuinly recommend this hotel to everyone although i would not recommend Tunisa to young women looking to enjoy the night life unless they can cope with men perving over them all day and night! but i will certainly be going back here, hope you enjoy as much as we did.

The Jinene Hotel was very good value for money. We stayed for a week on a half board basis at the beginning of April and had a wonderful time. The hotel is situated on the north side of Sousse, with private access to the beach which stretches for miles! The staff are friendly and helpful. The entertainment staff are young, charming and so enthusiastic. The chefs are brilliant. There was a delicious, varied, selection of food at every meal. A choice to suit everyone's taste. The team of housekeeping staff kept the basic bedrooms and the rest of the hotel spick and span. We were fortunate to get a room which overlooked the pool and the sea beyond - a fantastic opportunity to watch the sunrise. During our stay we took a trip on a camel train and learned about the details of a Bedouin marriage. We also went on a visit to the Coliseum at El Jem which was absolutely amazing. We were awestruck by the size and age of the building - a trip that we definitely recommend. The city centre of Sousse is a short taxi ride away or about a half hour walk for those who feel energetic. Inside the Medina is the bazar, where you can perfect your bargaining skills and return home with a well earned prize.

..... go to the Jinene or Royal Jinene Hotel. If you like loud, head-banging rap music round the pool all day every day, then this is the place for you. You won't be able to have a sleep, or even read a book - the 'Animators' (trendy name for entertainment staff) will make sure of that. Don't worry if people, the majority of which are not young, complain because it won't make any difference. The Animators run the place, they do what they want. And as for the entertainment in the evenings - every evening will consist of Agadoo, Superman, the Birdie Song and Music Man - what more could hotel guests want!

I was long awaiting a holiday (9 years to be precise) and decided on the hotel jinene. We were told on the coach that we were being upgraded to the Royal Jinene - fab i thought. On arriving we were greeted nicely and went up to our rooms, though basic they were clean and well presented. Back down stairs in the bar the barstaff were courteous, but as for the waiters and animation staff they behaved in the manner towards us, that as we were on holiday without our families we were obviously up for relations with them, this became uncomfortable and embarrasing and they ignored us trying to tell them to go away. which resulted in a complaint to the management from us. At this point we were then completely blanked and ignored by the staff, making us spend more and more time outsiade the complex. All in all the holiday could have been lovely but was ruined by some peoples lack of respect for women. All I wanted was a rest and suntan and ended up with little of either.