trivago reviews Sousse Palace

very good

They have improved my impression of Sousse (01.04.2008)

Beach holiday

Half board

more than 2 weeks

merkat (38)
Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

When I went to Tunisia for the third time, I've decided to go in Sousse again to see if I can improve my bad impression, which was completely opposite from the experience that I had in Hammamet on the year before. My husband couldn't go with us because of his job, but I felt as quite "experienced Tunisian traveler", so I've decided that I can manage to go alone with our daughter. This time I choose not to stay in artificial Port el Kantaoui area, but to be in the city, where real people live and where we can take walks (not having to use those terrible taxis) and explore the city.

I've regretted my decision from the moment I've entered the plane - the charter flight destination was changed from Monastir to Tunis, which is a couple of hours drive away from Sousse. Food in the plane was awful and we haven't touched it. When we arrived at the airport in Tunis all exchange offices were already closed and I was worried knowing that the hotel restaurant will be closed as well, by the time we get there - so starvation was one more bag added to my luggage. Not to mention the fact that we were the only ones going to Sousse Palace. There were two vans and drivers split the group in two parts, and the decision was made by their weird logic. The other van left immediately. But good old Murphy always knows when the time is right to prove his famous Law: one of passengers from the group that was supposed to be in the same van with us (going to another, much closer hotel, of course) had problem with lost luggage, so we spent an additional hour, or two, waiting for the airport staff to find it.

Finally we arrived at the hotel around midnight, nervous, hungry and completely exhausted. But there was a big surprise waiting for me! The hotel manager and receptionist ran out of the lobby as they saw the van approaching the hotel. They seemed quite worried as they were approaching us. They've explained me that they called the driver of the other van and asked him where we were (we were supposed to get to hotel between 9 and 10), he replied that he haven't seen a woman with a child, and didn't even bother to inform them that there was another van with rest of passengers. They took our luggage and treated us with care one would give to survivors of some catastrophe. In the lobby, one of staff members (who obviously had to stay longer to wait for us) came to us with a big smile and welcome cocktails. And he wasn't the only one who had to stay longer (I started to feel guilty): the receptionist took us to hotel restaurant, which is BTW opened till 10 P.M., saying that they've saved dinner for us knowing that we will be hungry when we arrive and chef brought us enough food for four people. The worst part was that we were so tired that we couldn't eat properly (and we have lost appetite after several hours of being hungry). Little Miss started wining to go to bed and we went to our room.

Room (more less)

93 out of 100

Size

100 out of 100

Cleanliness

100 out of 100

The second room was nice and clean, with a lovely bathroom. It was shiny and new and I had no objections, except for the size - it was really small. But when I've opened the terrace to see the view, I was shocked! I've been told that ALL rooms in this hotel have sea view. Well, obviously, not all. If it were a view on the city, I wouldn't complaint, but we were looking at one ugly tall building. It was at distance of less than 5 meters; one small alley separating hotel and that building. The sound was multiplied by close walls, so we could hear every motorcycle passing by.

The next morning I've complained to the receptionist and they've switched our room immediately, without any questions asked (and I kept wondering why they put us in that "bad" room in the first place). The second room was really nice and much larger and it was literally next to the beach. There was no terrace (it was the ground floor), but a nice small lawn, which was between us and fence, placed on a small wall, letting us to see the beach but still to have some privacy. The hotel security guard was there 24/7, so we had no reason to be worried for our safety. Room was kept clean very well, and maids were nice and friendly, trying to be helpful (although most of them couldn't understand a word of English).

General hotel amenities (more less)

64 out of 100

Appearance/Architecture

80 out of 100

Lobby Atmosphere

80 out of 100

Staff was generally very friendly and caring.

Food & Beverages (more less)

94 out of 100

Food Variety

100 out of 100

Food Quality

100 out of 100

We were on half-board, so we had our breakfast and dinners at the hotel. Breakfast was really rich, you could choose from variety of different food: cereals, nice breads, assorted hams, cheese, jam honey, fried and boiled eggs (labeled as 3 and 5 minutes - I found it so charming) etc, including lot of dried and fresh fruits. We could choose from several kinds of tea and coffee, yogurts, as well as two flavors of (horrible) juices. Even my food picky child did not have any complaints. Manager was always there during mealtime, ensuring that all guests are satisfied.
Dinner was also good, but not rich in choices as the breakfast. Even though, there was enough different meals to suit any taste.

Location and surroundings (more less)

77 out of 100

Location (City)

100 out of 100

Landscape/Scenery

90 out of 100

As it has its bad sides, like not so clean beach, location in the center has its good sides, too. We were on the promenade by the seaside, so we could enjoy our evening walks, starting from the very entrance. Medina was just one pedestrian crossing away, no need to say that we knew to find the way in and out easily, like we were locals. We could go to another café every day and pay our drinks by normal price, not being stuck in hotel. The street, where the hotel is located, leads straight to Port el Kantaoui and you could easily catch taxi on the street.

ANIMATION
We have been there at the end of September catching few days of October, but they didn't have no animation, since mid September. It was a big minus, considering that hotel had guests in almost two thirds of its rooms.

EXCURSIONS
We have chosen to go to Ethno restaurant Le Douar, in Sidi Bou Ali. The excursion included tour in the small village (belonging to the restaurant) built in old stile and divided into several themed exhibitions presenting old arts and crafts, traditions and everyday life. After the tour, we had special program in the small arena which included horsemen warrior show and juggler. At the end of program, we were leaded into a huge tent, which is actually a restaurant, with big stage, where we watched many national dances, while we were eating. I did not like the food at all, but I could see that other people were pleased with it, so I couldn't nag. It was really nice spent evening.