Le Royal Hotels & Resorts - Hammamet

The massages and facials at the spa were amazing, and I enjoyed a daily swim in the indoor pool near it. The gym is well equipped too. One letdown was trying to use the sauna: a receptionist told us to swim first and then go to the sauna, but after our swim another receptionist said we had to book the day before. The spa area wasn’t busy and it wasn’t peak season, so I couldn’t understand the rule and we didn’t use the sauna. The hotel is beautiful, especially at night, with a grand, brightly lit entrance, a large foyer and a fountain. We arrived late, and staff checked us in and took us straight to the dining hall before it closed, which we really needed. The food was nice with plenty of choices, even for a picky eater like me. I expected more from the room after seeing the entrance, but it was still clean, spacious, comfortable and had a good bed. In November it was warm, and with the pool and beach quieter outside peak season, we didn’t have to rush for a sunbed. Staff were all nice, and reception even arranged an excursion at short notice.

The food was the one small disappointment. It was more or less the same each day, with limited choice, though we never went hungry. Otherwise, the rooms were large, comfortable and clean, the garden was beautiful, and the pools were clean. Staff were polite and helpful, and the entertainment crew were welcoming and great. The hotel is big, with lots of facilities and a decent beach. The location worked well for us: a very cheap taxi ride of 5 minutes to the centre and 15 minutes to the old Hammamet medina.

The room was dirty and had no amenities, more like what you’d expect at a 3 star hotel. Food was generally bad, with very little choice, and staff were unwelcoming. I wouldn’t recommend it. You can find much better 5 stars hotels.

A few staff members on the beach, in the restaurant and one housekeeper were kind and helpful. Everything else was a huge disappointment. The food was terrible, poor quality and had almost no variety, while drinks came in tiny plastic cups with very few options. Rooms were old, run-down and smelled of damp and mold. Our key cards disappeared from the room, and the hotel said we had lost them. They also gave us less than they should when exchanging money, without ever apologizing. The tourist tax was higher than the official rate too, so watch out. It was the worst hotel experience ever, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.