Hotel Golf Residence, Port el Kantaoui, Tunisia

Having just returned from 2 weeks in Tunisia i must first say what a fab holiday its been. So lets start with the bad bits. There's been a lot written about the hotel Golf Residence and i must go along with much of it. The hotel does look very tired, is definately showing it's age and could do with some TLC. That said the faults were what i would call "cosmetic" and did not detract from a very clean room which was also very spacious. Be warned though rooms at the front suffer from a lot of noise from the night club next door. The thumping bass goes on until 4am. That said it actually only kept me awake one night. Ear plugs were a good idea. Food was by no means 5 star but was plentiful and tasty and i don't think i ate the same thing twice. The waiters were lovely and for a small sum of money they will ensure you get the same table every day. Local beers and soft drinks in the bars are quite cheap, a bottle of beer is about £1.50 but branded drinks like coca cola are quite expensive about £2.00 for a bottle about half the size of the ones we get here. Swimming pool was lovely, if a little tatty in places but again was clean. Entertainment at the hotel was a bit tongue in cheek at times but if your prepared to join in and have a laugh its not that bad. The hotel beach was a bit disappointing, could have been lovely but the amount of tourist detritus in the sand was a bit off putting. Mainly cigarette butts, discarded food etc. Shame really because the bar provided ashtrays. The sea was very clear though and lovely to swim in, a safe area is roped off and its very shallow so comparatively safe if you have children. We went on 3 excusions while we were there all of which we thoroughly enjoyed especially the 2 day Sahara Explorer. I'd highly reccommend this one but be warned it's extremely tiring and involves travelling about 600 miles, you get to visit El jem, go camel riding at Douz in the desert, visit an oasis, go on a jeep safari, see the sun rise over the salt lakes and visit the site where Star Wars was filmed. The hotel we stayed at overnight was ok but the food was terrible, however i understand they don't always use the same one, so it's a thumbs down for the Sahara Douz Hotel. I'd also reccommend a trip on the pirate galleon. We went on the Barberousse out of Monastir and had a fabulous half day, dressing up as pirates, being able to swim off the ship, singing and dancing. The crew are great fun and lunch was provided, a bit basic, chicken and chips, but i think the sea air must make it taste better. We also saw Dolphins which was a huge bonus. We visited the medina in Sousse but i disliked it immensesly i found the pressure from shop keepers just too much and yes i know thats part of the culture but being grabbed and dragged into shops was just not my cup of tea. You will have to get used to the pressure wherever you shop unless you go in the fixed price stores. Getting around is fairly easy Taxis are fairly cheap and you can haggle a price with the driver or go on the meter we paid about £2.50 for an eight mile trip. The saddest sight for me was the condition of many of the horses pulling the carriages for the tourists, it brought me to tears at times. Across the road from the hotel is an Aqua Park with some fabulous water slides and just down the road was an amusement park. The marina was a 10 minute walk away and has some lovely restaurants and cafes as well as shops but be warned you will be put under a lot of pressure from proprieters to eat at their establishment. Tipping is a way of life in Tunisia and you will be expected to tip but you get better service if you do and a dinar is only about 50p so doesn't break the bank. All in all this was a fantastic holiday and i'd go back to Tunisia in a heartbeat.

Kim Millar, Cornwall
Date Travelled: 25/09/2011
Review Added: 11/10/2011

This was our 3rd holiday at this hotel. Our last was 4 years ago, and we were shocked at how the standard had dropped in that time. The ONLY positive thing we can say, is that Basma, our maid was just a delight. However, there is only so much she can do with the equipment she was given. We were given sheets that were ripped, and towels that had holes in them and were frayed. I have a towel similar at home, but use it to dry the cat when hes been out in the rain. The food was awful, especially the 2nd week. We had paid half board, but ended up having to go out to eat. The hotel has almost become a refugee camp for Lybian people. Whilst we can appreciate their plight. You dont expect the reception area of a holiday hotel, to look like the fracture clinic at the local hospital. We always thought of tunisia as being safe, but felt intimidated this time. The entire animation team were sacked the day we arrived, and the replacements were an absolute nightmare. They were pleasant enough, but we did not get a minutes peace to just lie at the pool and relax. Neither of us particularly like the beach, but as we felt we were almost being bullied, we had to go. some people may like to play volleyball, french boules and water polo in 36 degree heat, we, do not. Even when we said to them we just wanted peace and quiet, they just hounded us constantly. This is the the first time I have ever been glad when a holiday was over. We may visit Tunisia again, but will most definately, NEVER go back to the Golf Residence.

U Lumsden, Fife
Date Travelled: 18/09/2011
Review Added: 03/10/2011

Well after reading some reviews I was very worried, however I shouldnt have been, this was the best holiday ever! The hotel was great, our room was large and comfortable, beds a liitle hard but soon got used to that. We had requested a pool view which we didnt get, had the view of trees which at first annoyed me but on second thoughts liked this as it shaded our room keeping it cooler than those with full sun all day. The bathroom was large and yes a few small cracked tiles but nothing major, the shower worked great the toilet had a very forceful flush all fine. The maids were lovely working very very hard every day no problems at all. The food was excellent many many choices every morning and evening not at all bland like some have said, we were very happy with the food. Some mornings I just had tea and toast with gorgeous jams I was never hungry, my husband and daughter loved the freshly made omelettes, pancakes or scrambled eggs, even the boiled eggs were lovely with a pinch of salt. Evening meals were excellent plenty of choice yet again, had jacket spuds one night they were so nice I asked if they could make them again a few nights later and yes they did I was very happy, there is always chips in the evening and they were lovely too, plenty of fruit and vegetables always and the puddings were fantastic. The staff throughout the hotel couldn't have been nicer nothing was too much trouble for them always very helpful even though it was Ramadam when we were there we had nothing but kindness for us. The animation team were outstanding, such fantastic lads everyone of them were amazing done a fantastic job. Yes the sound system they used did break down and stop working, but the boys didn't - they gave it everything to get it up and running again and were very entertaining all the time, very very talented lads their dancing is awesome. Would like to thank them all Mohamed, Mamado, James, Billy and YarYar for a brilliant holiday also Christof who owns the little shop in the hotel what a genuine wonderful man. We went on a couple of excursions Animal Magic which was excellent really enjoy it like a zoo / safari park, I fed a giraffe my daughter fed two elephants and we held an ostrich egg and had our photo taken for a few dinar's, we also done the ship ahoy trip with some friends we met in the hotel what an excellent day out BBQ aboard the ship dancing and games with the animators swimming in the sea and singing and dancing on the way back well worth the money. We were all so sad to leave had the best time ever, and I am now looking to book again for next year, same place same hotel really cant wait to go back would go tomorrow if I could afford it. So go with an open mind be kind, polite and respectful and you will have a ball.

yvonne, telford
Date Travelled: 24/08/2011
Review Added: 09/09/2011

Hotel rooms basic but clean, staff very friendly eager to please! The intertainment boys were the life an soul an good with kids so much so my husband an I are taking them next year as this year it was just us, we have 4 kids an there's plenty for them to do, waterpark across the road an the port just yards down the road! Defo recommend to anyone, room 258 exellent pool view room.

Julie Hunter, Edinburgh Midlothian
Date Travelled: 26/06/2011
Review Added: 08/07/2011

GOING BACK THIS YEAR IN 4 WKS. BEST HOLIDAYS EVER. STAFF SO VERY HELPFUL AND WORK HARD TO MAKE YOUR STAY SO RELAXING, THE BEACH IS BREATH TAKING. SO MUCH TO DO. THE CATMURANG BOAT TRIP A MUST. THE GUYS TOOK GOOD CARE OF THE KIDS. THE WATER PARK...WELL LETS JUST SAY CANT WAIT TO GO BACK...SEXY BOMBA....CHEAP HAS CHIPS..

niamah ali, nelson lancashire
Date Travelled: 16/06/2010
Review Added: 21/05/2011

This hotel is run down and needs a refurb. The food is ok. The entertainment isn't up to much. However me, mum and dad have had a fab holiday. We paid around £145 each, the hotel was very good value for the money paid. The staff are all very helpful and pleasant. The maid service is good and our maid was lovely. (Room 276) The hotel is only a short distance from the port and the beach. Taxis and buses are cheap infact most things are cheap like boat trips 10 dinars (£5.00) You do get hassled a bit but take it in good fun and enjoy the banter. We would go again.

Mrs buckley, warrington
Date Travelled: 11/05/2011
Review Added: 19/05/2011

Stayed here a number of times for our birthdays. Staff are very friendly, rooms basic but very clean. Great location, very close to marina and the Golf Brau, a nice little micro brewery who make all their own beers.

Helen Warburton, Manchester
Date Travelled: 09/05/2010
Review Added: 07/03/2011

great hotel we have been going to different hotels in tunisia this was the best yet would recommend it and the staff to anyone GO THERE AND ENJOY !!!!!!!

michael t boden, southport uk
Date Travelled: 23/09/2010
Review Added: 06/03/2011

Hotel in excellent location with short walk to Marina and local shops. Excellent price for value at peak season.

Miss Mandy Nelson, Belfast, Down
Date Travelled: 15/07/2007
Review Added: 03/07/2009

It was brilliant throughout. Couldn't fault it. Plenty to do and keep all ages busy. Everything was within a short walking distance. The hotel staff couldn't have been more helpful especially considering it was their ramadan.

Mr Nick Brown, Dover, Kent
Date Travelled: 30/09/2007
Review Added: 03/07/2009

Excellent hotel with friendly staff

Miss Mandy Nelson, Belfast, Down
Date Travelled: 27/05/2008
Review Added: 03/07/2009

The hotel was very well kept the grounds and cleanliness were excellent. The staff were professional and friendly. The food at the hotel I was especially impressed with as I have been to Tunisia about 6 times previously and never really expect the hotel food to be up to much so I was very pleasantly suprised. This was my first time travelling with Direct Holidays and am considering returning there with my son later on in the year. The ammenities at the hotel were good and the entertainment were staff were exceptional.

Miss Vicki Harrison, Southampton, Hampshire
Date Travelled: 05/04/2009
Review Added: 03/07/2009

Very good location. Brewhouse (bar & restaurant) adjoining hotel was a brilliant with live music very friendly staff and free snacks. Made us feel very welcome after a couple of visits. Port el Kantaoui is friendly & relaxing. Lovely beach. Shop owners pushy but it's part of the fun. Just say 'no thank you' and they will leave you alone. Want to go again this year or next year.

Miss Julie Taylor, Dudley, West Midlands
Date Travelled: 22/03/2009
Review Added: 03/07/2009