Mahdia Palace Thalasso

Syrine Mili at reception was a huge help when we ran into a problem with our car hire company. We’d have been lost without her, so thanks for all your help, Syrine! The room was clean and had the basic amenities. The hotel was lovely overall, though the food was average. It would be good to have fewer seafood options for people who can’t eat seafood.

The lobby looks nice, but the rest of the ‘Palace’ felt pretty average. The rooms were dated and had an old, musty smell. The buffet was below par: I liked the ice cream and chicken nuggets, but the lamb was bad, the calamari chewy, and the desserts tasted like they came from a box. The beach itself was nice, though we got there around 5:00 and staff made us feel rushed to pack up and leave. It seemed like they couldn’t wait to shut everything down, including the beach. The pool lighting at night makes it look inviting, but it closes at 6:00, so you can’t use it. Why show it off like that? It was off-putting. Our upstairs bar server was pleasant, and we tipped him. The vermouth portions were tiny, about two sips per glass for the price.

My only real criticism is how much food guests throw away. It’s upsetting to watch people pile up five or six plates and leave most of it untouched. There’s plenty at the buffet, and anyone still hungry can always go back for seconds. A sign reminding people of that might help. People are starving around the world, and seeing good food wasted is frustrating. This is about the guests, not the hotel. Otherwise, it’s a great place. The beach location is incredible, food quality is high, and there are lots of choices, from Tunisian dishes to European and Asian meals. The days are packed with sports and activities. Special thanks to Ash from the Entertainment team, and Saad and Hamid in the main restaurant. They were very helpful. Highly recommend.

Momo and Alex from the animation team made the stay even more fun, and I hope to see them again next year. The rooms were clean and cleaned daily, the food was good, and both the beach and pool were nice. Everyone working there was friendly and ready to help whenever needed. I had a lovely time at this hotel.