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Marhaba Palace Hotel

10 of 17 hotels in Port el Kantaoui

4 out of 5 from 82 reviews
4 stars

82 Reviews

Traveller Rating

  • Excellent
    12
  • Very Good
    51
  • Good
    16
  • Average
    3
  • Poor
    0

Review Overview

  • Cleanliness
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Service
  • Location
Simon
18 years 10 months ago
We were a honeymoon couple and our first impressions of the Marhaba Palace were excellent. This continued (in general) throughout the fortnight we were there. Although dated in feel and decor, it was clean and the staff were excellent. (Although I do agree with some of the other comments re whether they were doing things for customer service value or whether they were looking tips - which is a general problem with Tunisia overall we found).

The location of the hotel is excellent - but once you've seen Port el Kantoui (the marina and the dancing fountains) for the 3rd time, you really haven't much else to do or see in the resort.

The hotel had its own pool which was excellent and clean, although we were disappointed that they charge 1 Dinar (about 50p) per sun lounge mattress. We found other hotels on the same beach did not have this charge.

The private beach/sea of the hotel wasn't cleaned, but other hotels a further 5-10 minute walk aong the beach (out of the resort) did clean their beaches and dredged the little seaweed that gathered on the shore. The El Douradi hotel was excellent and we found ourselves visiting it for their activities, and beach service etc. It was much more modern, and if we were returning to Tunisia (which I would very much doubt), the El Douradi would be the hotel we would stay at.

Entertainment in the hotel and the resort itself was almost nil. I am in my 30's and my wife in her late 20's and we were bored to be frank. The hotel is definitely not suited to children and the downside for us (maybe an upside for others) was that we found most of the couples were much older than us. So possibly (and this is why) you will find that older people will give a more positive slant to the type of holiday offered.

Thoughts of revisiting the hotel of your honeymoon in 10 years time (for an anniversary) don't figure in our thoughts. Which is sad, but not really a reflection on the hotel, rather, a reflection on Tunisia itself, the resort and the people outside of the hotel.
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Travel operator: Panorama

Diana Devison
18 years 10 months ago
We stayed half board in a lovely clean room, hotel absolutely spotlesss, the food was brilliant, and they do try to please everyones taste buds.

The location of the Hotel is alright the beach is beautiful, and the Stagg always eager to please especially the restaurant people.

The entertainment was different especially the Bingo. Yes we would definitely love to visit the Hotel again. So relaxing and wish we were going soon.
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Travel operator: First Choice

Recommended
Sarah
18 years 10 months ago
My boyfriend and I spent two weeks at the Marhaba Palace and we had a fantastic time. We were a bit optimistic after reading some horrible reviews, but i can only say we experienced none of the problems we read about in other reviews.

The hotel was clean and the maids were wonderful. They arranged our sheets in such a way I had never seen before and they were very friendly. Our room was lovely, and we had a good view from our balcony. The only problem perhaps was that our bed was two beds pushed together, rather than just one, which was quite uncomfortable at times, but it wasnt unbearable.

The food was amazing!! Again, in reviews we'd read all sorts about upset stomachs etc, we had no problems whatsoever. I had thought by going on holiday i might shed a few pounds, but I just couldnt get enough of the food! There was a very wide variety, for breakfast and dinner. My partner can be very fussy with food but he loved it also! The waiters were fantastic. They were always polite, and we tipped our waiter every time.

The entertainment wasnt great, although we didnt expect it to be and werent therefore disappointed. There was a magic show one evening and they had karaoke every so often which was hilarious to watch. We spent most nights sitting by the pool, or taking a walk along the beach. The outdoor pool was lovely, but we spent most of the time on the beach or in the indoor pool where there were less people. I gave up on the sea after seeing several large jellyfish. We also did paragliding on the beach which was great and the guy gave us a 2 for 1 offer we couldnt refuse.

We also went on a two day excursion to the sahara desert which was amazing and we would recommend it. The overnight facilities were fantastic. Our room was lovely and we had an en suite so couldnt complain. The camel rides were fun also, but take sunglasses if you go!! We forgot ours and the sand was so fine it went our eyes. Our rep was very helpful with informing us about the excursions. We also went on the pirates and gladiators excursion which was fun.

All the haggling is fun for a while, but we got fed up bartering for small things so ended up buying all our gifts etc from a fixed price shop! Leave plenty of room in your case for bringing things back, there are so many lovely things to buy. We bought a new pair of trainers each, which cost about
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Travel operator: First Choice

Recommended
Jane
18 years 10 months ago
Hotel was ok, but when we arrived I had trouble borrowing a pen from the hotel staff to complete their form !!!!!!!

2 days before we left, I changed money at the desk and the guy hid some of my cash under a slip of paper, I didn't move from the desk until I had counted my cash, he was trying to rush me which I found strange and then when I counted it I was about
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Travel operator: Thomas cook

Sapna
18 years 11 months ago
The Hotel was very nice, clean, our room was with a balcony and sea view where you could see the sun rising in the morning.

Service at the reception area was very good. Exchange off money, dry cleaning even if you need and iron.

The staff in eating areas are not very helpful but the food is a big variety. The beauty and massage is not very good. But the indoor pool with the fountain is very nice.
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Travel operator: Thomson's

Recommended
Andy
19 years ago
Having heard many good reports about the Marhaba Palace we were disappointed. The renovation work to create the new dining room is quite extensive and, I would imagine, would be going on for another couple of months yet. Possibly little interference to many of the rooms but we were above the work and woken at 0700 when the hammering started.

Likewise small problems such as fire door they had repaired was left with no way of securing so banged loudly during one night in the wind.

Hotel staff good at sounding sympathetic without any intention of doing anything to improve the situation (fire door leading out onto new dining room roof was still wedged shut with my plastic bottle improvisation when we left 2 days later - fascinated to know if it is still there) Incidentally no emergency lighting on that alternative fire escape either!

Public areas of the hotel were fine; lovely pools (indoor one especially welcome as outdoor one freezing); even the standby dining room, though cramped, was adequate and food good enough to keep us there each night even though we don't normally like to be tied down to half board!
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Travel operator: First Choice

Shirley
19 years ago
We were quite impressed overall with the Marhaba Palace. The staff go out of their way to do things for you and are very friendly. The rooms are spotless, though I have to say quite tired looking. They do need updating.

When we were there renovations were taking place and despite being on the third floor, the banging could be heard from quite early in the morning. Also the main dining room is closed for renovation, so all meals are taken in the breakfast room. I have to say that for breakfast this is fine, but I did not like it at dinner, it felt like I was eating in a canteen. You do have the option of having dinner in the a la carte restaurant, but if you do you are limited to what you can eat and very small portions. We did try it twice, but my other half was still starving!

The enterainment was not brilliant, this didn't really bother my partner and I, but my children were bored. My 15 year old took to going back to the room after dinner. My younger daughter made some friends 3 days before we came home which was good because up to then she had been quite fed up in the evenings.

A tip for anyone who likes a drink, the measures are very small and quite expensive. As in the words of my daughter (taken from a tv program) "How can you drink it when you can't even see it" Keep a bottle in your room, there is a small fridge so they can be kept cold. I also would not recommend the cocktails, they are served in a wine flute and certainly not worth the money.

Despite one or two things, mainly the renovations, we had a great time. I would go back to the Marhaba Palace again and am in fact looking to book for next easter. I highly recommend it.
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Travel operator: Thomas Cook

Recommended
Julie & Mike
19 years ago
The Hotel was beautifully clean and presentable. The staff were sweethearts, and bent over backwards to make you feel special.

The rooms were cleaned daily, and every day they made your bed and screens into a different shape. The meals were being served self-service, though you could go ale carte if you wished.

The First Chioce Rep Party is well worth a visit,and the funniest night of our holiday. The Marharba Palace is right on the beach, and a very short walk from the port.
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Travel operator: First Choice

Recommended
Trimmer
19 years 1 month ago
The hotel was extremely clean and well presented and the staff could not be more helpful.

It was only a 5 minute walk to the marina and directly on the beach, so the location was one of the best in Port-el Kantaoui.

The main restaurant was being renovated during our stay, so all meals were fully self service, which with 2 children was a benefit. There was a good variety of food on offer each day, although this did get a bit repetitive. I would have preferred more Tunisian specialties, there was only a once weekly Tunisian themed night. Breakfast was substantial and of good quality. The waiters were very attentive and quick to respond to our requests.

There was minimal entertainment - a house band, occasional bingo and karaoke - which suited us fine, we did not want to be in a noisy hotel. It was easy to find entertainment in other hotels, or on organized trips, if we required it.

We are very likely to book a return trip to this hotel in the near future.
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Travel operator: First Choice

Recommended
Chris & Caroline
19 years 2 months ago
We only came back on Sunday and have already booked to return this summer.

The hotel is rooms are clean and tidy with towels changed every day and bed sheets changed every two days. The location is perfect. Just 3 minutes to the shops and port with all the restaurants and gift shops and supermarkets. (everyone speaks english)

As soon as you enter the hotel after your flight the porters and there telling you to leave your suitcases and they will take them upto your room.

The food is excellent in the hotel. Don't be fooled by the self service buffet like we were after the last holiday we thought it was your main course it turns out that is just the starter!.

All the staff are very helpful and nothing is to much trouble. Spoil yourselves one night and eat in the A la Carte resteraunt. It's excellent food and very cheap! a three course meal inc steak and chips and bottle of wine and beer only for two people cost us
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Travel operator: Thomson

Recommended

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