Sentido Phenicia

A week spent here in a swim up room, end of September/October. Nice greeting with a drink on arrival at the hotel, swift check in service with reception, tax paid then to the room. Clean and fresh smelling - free safe and stocked mini fridge - beach towels are provided for these rooms, tranquil space - wonderful. Food choice was plentiful and hot in all the restaurants and snack bars( beach-cheese burgers- choc crepes, amazing) - free al a carte restaurant is worth the visit - along with the 2 more, that have a small charge. Evening meal has 2 sittings- 6 and 8pm, where on your first evening you are allocated a table for the duration of your stay - waiters are very attentive - glasses never left to go empty. Bar staff in all areas are very friendly and helpful. Beach area vey clean/tidy with plenty of sunloungers - additional cushions supplied by the beach staff upon arrival. Foam party in the pool - brilliant - keep fit in the sea - most enjoyable. Not much hassle on the beach from the sellers, a polite no thank you and they left me alone. Weather around 30 degrees, slightly hotter than expected but with a nice sea breeze. I had a fabulous week in a great hotel with a friendly atmosphere. A big thank you to Manel in reception, Kaim for the towel creations/ birthday decorations and my waiter for the excellent service all week and for finding a box for my birthday cake. Looking forward to returning soon

We have just returned from a week at the Sentido Phenicia and rolled the dice with Tunsia as we had heard good and bad things. But after reading a few reviews before we left, we were unsure what we were going to walk into. PLEASE DO NOT BELIEVE THE BAD REVIEWS – although people are intitled to their opinion. From the moment we arrive at the hotel the experience was good. Very friendly staff and a great check in system where you are offered a drink, and everything is done for you. The hotel is spotless, and the cleaners are constantly cleaning and tidying. Rooms: The rooms are ok, and we had a lovely balcony, but in honesty they could do with a makeover, but are fit for purpose and clean. The housekeeper was fantastic, polite and did a great job, nothing was too much trouble, so please if you stay here tip the housekeepers, they work so hard. Pools and the beach: The pools are great, and one is heated and the main pool not so cold you can’t get in. The foam party on Thursday morning at 11am is a must – great fun. The beach is a highlight, tip the sunbed man and you get the best sunbeds, which are the comfiest we have ever had at a hotel. The sea is so warm it’s a pleasure to float about in, so remember to take your inflatables or you can buy them from the shop of £7. Food: The hotel operates a two-time sitting system which we thought was going to be strange. But it works. You have the same table every night and your bottle of wine is waiting for you, no pushing or shoving very relaxed. We had no problem with the food, something different every night. Make sure you try the soups, fresh sea food and the pasta bar, very good. Beach bar burgers are tasty and the beach BBQ bar really good. There are also restaurants that you can book and pay extra for, we didn’t as the food in the main restaurant was more than good enough. Breakfast was ok. Bars and entertainment: There are 3 bars – The reception bar, the beach bar and the entertainment bar. All well run and service is quick. The reception bar is never overly busy and 9 times out of 10 the waiter is their before you get to the bar. Drinks are good and take advantage of the biscuits with a coffee in the afternoon – Very good. Daytime entertainment looked good, but we didn’t really participate. Evening entertainment was good and the shows fun with the disco going on till 12. Book the Crazy Train with the entertainment team, great afternoon of fun. Really recommended. Out and About: We were very apprehensive about taxis, but if you tell them what you are going to pay before you get in there is no problem. Then the journey is very swift and the drivers very friendly, we always tipped as well. The Medina is a great morning out, 15TND (£4.50) each way in a taxi or go on the Crazy Train. Pro’s: • Hotel is spotless. • Pools are very clean and enjoyable. • Rooms are spotless. • Staff are friendly and nothing is too much trouble. • Entertainment team work so hard. • Beach is a highlight. • Food is good and drinks enjoyable. • Great location. Con’s: • Fly’s are unbearable at breakfast, we missed breakfast the majority of the time as it was impossible to eat your food. (But we were told that this is only in September and to be honest they were not so bad by the end of the week). They didn’t seem a problem at the Beach Bar, BBQ or evening meal. • The hotel could do with a makeover, but this is only a minor observation. Tips: • MONEY – Take cash. We only took limited cash as have always been able to use cards in the cash machines. But the hotel doesn’t have a cash machine and you have to use the one next door. Problem is it doesn’t accept Visa cards or is always empty. The hotel will not change money off your cards and only cash for cash. So, you then have to get a taxi to the nearest cash point hoping that it accepts your card or its full. Not a good situation if you have spent your cash, in a taxi and the cash point is empty, you then can’t pay the taxi and you have a problem. Lots of people getting caught out with this problem. • Drinks – take sealable cups. No problem filling them up at the bar if its coke, beer or even sprits. • Housekeeper – Please tip, they work so hard. • Tipping – Found that we tipped the waiters, bar staff etc on the first night. Didn’t make any difference, everyone was treated the same. • Dinner – if you choose to do the 6.30 sitting, get down there at 7ish. The rush is over and it’s a pleasurable experience. Overall a very enjoyable and relaxing stay. Highly recommended and we would have no problem returning to this hotel or Tunisa which is a hidden gem.

Just back from a week at The Hotel Phenicia, and we’ve had an amazing time! 🌴☀️ Here’s my honest opinion from someone who can be a little bit snobby when it comes to holidays. 🫣 Arrival & Reception The transfer took around an hour, and unfortunately, we were the last drop-off. However, once we arrived, everything was very smooth. As soon as we got off the coach, our luggage was taken into the large reception area. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and we were greeted with a drink and pastries — always a good start! 😋 As a group, we were shown where all the facilities were, given our keys, paid the local tax and then taken to our rooms. We didn't have to touch our luggage, which was a lovely touch. The Room Our room was spacious, with plenty of storage, a TV, fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities. There was no kettle initially, but we simply asked for one and it was brought to us. The lovely lady looking after our room also came and introduced herself, which was a nice personal touch. The room was clean and we were on the ground floor, with a view of the trees. To be honest, we didn't spend much time in the room anyway! The Pools There are three pools. One is adults-only and heated, while the large main pool is cooler. There’s also a jacuzzi pool next to the bar. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas, and the pool area has clean toilets and showers conveniently located nearby. There are stairs from the pool up to the bar, as well as a ramp for buggies and wheelchair users. The waterfall wasn't operating while we were there, which was a shame as it looks like it would be very impressive. We didn't actually spend much time around the pools because we're definitely beach people, but there was plenty going on, including a gym, yoga, foam parties and lots of other activities. The Beach 🏖️ WOW! The beach was fantastic and, for us, was definitely one of the highlights. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas, so you're not packed in like sardines. There's also a bar with lots of seating, serving burgers, chicken, crêpes and ice cream — all included in the all-inclusive package. 😋 There's also a restaurant open from 12:00–2:30pm, again included in the all-inclusive. If you're feeling adventurous, there are loads of watersports available, including canoes, paddleboards, jet skis, banana boats, inflatable sofas and parasailing. Example of pricing - The jet skis, and 30 minutes cost 120 TND (approximately £30), which we thought was very reasonable. Food & Restaurants 🍽️ We didn't manage to make breakfast very often — holiday lie-ins are important! 😂 — so I can't really comment personally, although other guests told us breakfast was okay. The main restaurant has two evening sittings: 6:00–7:30pm and 8:00–9:30pm. You're allocated a table for your stay and have the same waiter each evening, which actually worked brilliantly for us. Every night we arrived to find a bottle of water, a beer and a bottle of wine waiting for us. 🍷🍺 There's plenty of food available, although, to be honest, if you have a little bit of everything every night, you may start to get bored. Our approach was to choose something different each evening — Bolognaise one night, chicken another, and so on — and we were perfectly happy. Snob alert! 🫣 I wasn't particularly keen on the meat, but I'm a very fussy meat eater, so that's probably more of a me problem than a hotel problem! The vegetarian dishes, however, were lovely, and the desserts were absolutely delicious. 😋😋😋 There are also Chinese and Mediterranean restaurants. These aren't included in the standard all-inclusive package and come at an additional cost. We didn't try them ourselves, although we heard some very good reviews from other guests. Entertainment 🎤💃 The entertainment team were fabulous! 🤩 There was something happening every evening, and the team were full of energy, friendly and clearly loved what they were doing. They also organise an afternoon out on The Crazy Train. If you're going, have a look on YouTube before you go — and definitely consider giving it a try. We highly recommend it! 🚂🚂 Other Facilities There's a shop on site, which we found to be reasonably priced, so it's handy for those little essentials and holiday bits and pieces. Overall Impressions ❤️ All of the staff were incredibly friendly and nothing seemed to be too much trouble. The whole hotel was very clean, and there are plenty of facilities to keep you occupied. Is the hotel perfect? No. Yes, it's dated. Yes, the outside could do with a lick of paint. Yes, some of the rooms could do with updating. And yes, some of the hallway carpets have seen better days! 😂 But here's the thing — none of that stopped us from having a fantastic holiday. Tourism in Tunisia is starting to recover and is gradually getting back on its feet following the difficulties the country faced after 2015. Security is definitely present, but we never found it intrusive or bothersome. If we want the hotels and tourism industry to continue improving, then people need to keep visiting and supporting Tunisia. For a reasonably priced week away, we were more than happy with our stay at The Hotel Phenicia. Would we go back? Absolutely. ❤️ If you're looking for a luxury, ultra-modern, everything-must-be-perfect experience, this probably isn't the hotel for you. But if you want a friendly, clean, fun, all-inclusive holiday with a fantastic beach, great facilities and lovely staff — we'd definitely recommend it. 💓💓 Top tip: Pack your own mugs! They provide T-cups, and if you're anything like me, a proper mug is essential. 😂☕ Take large water bottles, they have full up stations dotted around the hotel, and plastic glasses, they'll fill them up with your favourite tipple. 🥂🍷🍻

I am writing this from the perfect location.. on the beach! The weather is perfect winter sun. Travelled with easyjet from belfast, a simple 3.5hrs flight and a shared transfer of about an hour, couldn't have been any smoother. We are halfway through our weeks get away, staying in a swim up room 7019. I have read with interest previous reviews and of course the managers earnest replies, defending the property (rightly as you would expect a leader to do) and clarifying some of the frankly outlandish reviews and comments. So, let's start with an honest half time update! The rooms: as stated in reviews and in some respect agreed by the manager the rooms are indeed in need of an update, the bathrooms are as the manager as previously stated a million times in need of an upgrade and as he has previously stated there is a huge expected investment in the hotel over the next few years. (This must he tiring to have to keep repeating) and imagine the planning that must go into realising this operation. Anyway, so to the room. We booked a double swim up and somehow ended up with 3 single beds (2 pushed together) one is comfortable and the other leans down to the right) the 3rd we use to put stuff on. Yes to point out the obvious (again) the rooms are dated but this should not be a surprise if you have the ability to use Google/safari! As the manager has said the bathrooms in particular are in need of an update which is correct but surely a hook to hang your towels would not be an upgrade step to far? For reference the shower looks adequate however this is a mirage! When you get in the shower head takes a life of its own only pointing one direction making a shower an acrobatic challenge. The surprise was the swim up rooms only get sun on the terrace between sun up (8.30am and about 1.30pm) so you can decide the value. There is commentary about a butler service but after 3 days I have yet to see the aforementioned drinks god. Perhaps this is only available in the summer months and perhaps the sun is higher on the summer months making the rooms worth the extra £500. Regardless for what we have paid the hotel is extremely grest value! One word of warning ⚠️ the white supplied slippers! Last nite the was a furious downpour of rain, my wife went out to recover our already soaked belongings on to immediately slip and fell hitting the perfectly positioned chair and bruising ribs, back and cutting her leg. And so the next morning of the the hotel recommended pharmacy for a probably needed tetanus injection! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Staff : all excellent, as reported by many previous reviews. Food/restaurants - the main lunch and dinner buffet - read some very mixed reviews - let me tell you as a British holiday maker the food in the main buffet is in fact excellent! Beef stew with the saffron rice and what ever they do to those sliced roasted potatoes i do not know but I can tell you this.. they are delicious. Meat as tender as possible and the flavours are superb. Whatever else you can think of, pasta, fresh made pizza, turkey (a personal favourite) chicken, loads of baked fish etc for the people who complain about repeativness of the menu and lack of choice id love to understand what they have on a Wednesday night vs a Monday night. They must have uber eats on speed dial! Trust me the choice and food is excellent 👌 Beach bar/snacks - the bar is small but quick Afif the barman excellent (i hope i have his name correct. Super friendly and worthy of a colleague of the month award if such a thing exists. The cheeseburger here is an absolute must! Enough said. Now some controversy!! The barbeque restaurant... before the manager feels the need to refute/ defend let me be clear the food and hygiene in the other parts of the hotel we have tried so far have been excellwnt in standards and taste and the staff equally have been brilliant. However, as one disgruntled previous reviewer pointed out (although I think they Branded the entire hotel unsatisfactory which is blatantly untrue) the bbq lunch at the beach was in short a total disaster and in truth a health lottery in my opinion. I dont understand why when at the burger snack bar next door they cover everything with those clear lids but here decide to run the gauntlet and leave all open to elements ans unfortunately flies and birds. When I say flies I mean at our table we found it impossible to keep them off the food, saw them tucking in to the food on offer at the open serving stations and to cap it all off a bird sat peacefully on top of the knife and the bread station pecking away to its hearts content. Here is where no doubt the manager will defend his position with quotes of food safety standards etc but the staff at the grills opposite the offending feathered friend where chatting and doom scrolling on there phones as opposed to being vigilant to the perils of nature. Can and must do better in this one area. So overall.. this is a fantastic value for money holiday experience with grest facilities, great staff, fantastic beach, excellent buffet with a seating plan execution that many other hotels should adapt (pick your eating time your table for the week!) Genius!! And I for one would 100% recommend and hope to return very soon! Oh and finally I forgot to mention the room cleaner ( brilliant, friendly and really helpful

Excellent staff, always smiling and friendly.Good value for money. However the surrounding area outside the hotel was pretty deralict with loads of restaurants, apartments and hotels closed, so not really anywhere to walk of interest. The relaxing pool for over 16 years of age was wonderful for us "seniors". There was never an issue with sunloungers and the hotel did have plenty of mattresses to make the loungers more comfortable. No umbrellas but lots of trees if you want the shde. Good size swimming pool, shame that inflatable (very large ones) were allowed in this pool rather than just the general pool. Even around the lagoon pool there alwyas seemed to be plenty of empty loungers Cleanliness exxellent. Rooms need a face lift, but hot water and good air con, just a bit dated now and in need to TLC Food, plenty of it, including hot stations, good choice,always found something to eat especially the yummy deserts. WEnt to the Berber meal-don't bother, better food served in the buffet, salad and brik were fine but the main course had no flavour and very tough lamb. Didn't try the restaurants that were an extra charge so can't commnet on them. Burger by the beach was very good Let donw in a couple of areas. Pool towles, deposit, not a problem, But this had to be in Dinah, so by the time I left and got the deposit back I couldn't do anything with the Dinah except buy something from the gift shop.I had aleady tipped the housekeeper and waiter. I asked if I could pay in Euros and then get the euros back, big fat NO.) She told me it was law to give the deposit in the local currency-not sure abput that. Also pool towels are only changed Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. (the manager said to speak to her if I wanted to get them changed, but was I supposed to drip my way through the hotel to find her) Yes they dry overnight over the balcony. I usually swim morning and afternoon and I have still got a soaking wet towel to try and dry myself with in the afternoon. I was told that this is because the hotel operates a sustainable policy. So I could put all my bathroom towels on the floor to change everyday but couldn't get a fresh pool towel when needed. Sorry this doesn't make sense Drinks. You can scan the QR code for the Oasis bar, but whatever you asked for they didn't know how to prepare and it always tasted the same, just of the syrup or juice. Not sure where the alcohol was in the cocktails. About the only thing that tasted of anyting was the Mojito and of course the beer It was a weeks of comfortable rest after a tiring week of touring Tunisia, so it was just what was needed for us. I can't comment on the animation, but I do know something was going on all the time during the day in the pool and in the evening at the stage