El Ksar Resort & Spa

The staff made me feel valued throughout my four-day stay, and there was always a kind word. I also learned interesting things about Tunisian products, food, and drinks. The experienced team made a much better impression than young seasonal workers usually do. El Kasar Ressort & Thalasso isn't a modern hotel, and it's clear its best days are behind it. But the service is excellent.

The beach was stunning and the cleanest along the strip. The staff there were kind and helpful with arranging excursions, although the prices they quoted were higher than those listed outside. It felt like everyone was taking a cut. The hotel itself was clean and comfortable, nothing fancy. Staff were friendly and hands-on, sometimes too much. They took photos of our kids without asking and smoked around them, which we didn't like. One staff member kissed my son and made him very uncomfortable. I also noticed staff sitting beside guests while they wrote a “5-star” review. I'm posting this from an alternate account to give my honest view. The food was okay, mostly rice and stew or curry-style dishes. They tried their best, and there was always pizza, which helped with the kids. We spent just over £2,000 on the holiday and took £600 in cash, then withdrew more at the bank, spending about £1,200 in total. We tried everything, camel rides, paragliding, quad biking, boat trips, banana rides, and the “sofa ride.” The pound is worth nearly four times the dinar, and locals know it, so prices are inflated across the board. Be ready to tip constantly. Staff seem to expect it everywhere. Near the end, we said we were out of money and immediately felt less friendliness and hospitality. People still asked for money even though we had four kids with us. Sometimes they put things like flowers or headscarves on you and then expect payment. We don't mind tipping, but the pressure gets draining. Even at the airport, it's difficult to exchange leftover money, so you end up spending it or giving it away. Tunisia is beautiful, and the people are hardworking and kind, doing their best. But the constant tipping pressure and inflated prices made the experience feel stressful and inauthentic. It's worth visiting for the scenery and culture, but be prepared for the expense and for people persistently trying to earn what they can.

The building is beautiful, but cleanliness and guest satisfaction don't seem to matter to most of the staff. You might get decent service if you tip, but without one you may not even get a smile. Naser, Kajis, Ines, and the cleaning lady were exceptions. The worst issue for me was that the quiet beach section was closed in early September, pushing everyone to the already crowded and very dirty left side. The beach could have been lovely, but it was covered with trash and seaweed and nobody seemed to clean it. The beach snack bar was constantly packed, with long waits just to get a small piece of pizza or some meat. At meals, the food was very repetitive, with long lines at stations serving meat and similar dishes. On arrival, the receptionist was quite unfriendly. They asked us to fill out a registration form but didn't provide a pen. Some guests had no basic manners in the queues and kept cutting in to grab food, even though it was being replenished almost constantly. I’d rather leave for KFC than put up with that lack of respect. I don't know if this is just the hotel or a wider issue, but I'm never coming back to Tunisia.

The sea view and beach location are beautiful, but they don't make up for the poor quality of the hotel. The service, upkeep, and hospitality are far below what you'd expect from a resort. Our first impression was already bad. Reception staff were unhelpful and impolite, didn't help with our bags, and handed over the keys without showing us where the room was. The rest of the stay was at the same low standard. The rooms are outdated, badly maintained, and have broken furniture. Cleanliness and attention to detail are lacking. The advertised facilities are misleading too: there was no gym or indoor pool. What should feel relaxing instead feels neglected and run down. The hotel urgently needs renovation and staff training before I'd recommend it. Until then, I'd strongly advise travelers to look elsewhere.