32 Reviews
Traveller Rating
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Excellent1
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Very Good7
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Good13
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Average8
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Poor3
Review Overview
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Cleanliness
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Entertainment
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Food
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Service
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Location
19 years 8 months ago
After reading less positive reviews about the hotel, we were quite anxious about the experience we would have on our last minute holiday. However, we have really enjoyed ourselves.
The hotel actually looks quite impressive on arrival and the room was large and clean. Towels and bedding were changed regularly and the room was cleaned everyday.
We weren't that impressed with the layout of the dining hall and be aware that it is a buffet style service. We also had to share a table with other guests on a few occassions. The food was alright but got a bit repetitive towards the end of the week.
We were very impressed with the pools and found the beach area allocated for the hotel clean and in a good position.
The best part for us was definately the location because the marina is just around the corner. Its really scenic and we had some lovely meals at the restaurants overlooking it.
We recommend a restaurant situated behind the musical fountain..we think it was called the Eskil... something, which was moderately priced (more UK price) but the best food and service we had on the holiday.
Overall we had a really good time and from talking to others at the airport it sounds like Houria is one of the better hotels in the area but it is the case that the four star rating isnt the same as at home. Have a great time!
A few tips from the boyfriend..
Avoid the sol solema beach club hotel apparently it is really dump.
Buy bottled water from the supermarket on the way to the marina or the shop on the roundabout towards town. Do not under any circumstances buy any food,water or any thing of any sorts from the hotel shop across the road, to say this place is overpriced is the worlds biggest understatement It is cheaper at our hotel shop at equivalent of
The hotel actually looks quite impressive on arrival and the room was large and clean. Towels and bedding were changed regularly and the room was cleaned everyday.
We weren't that impressed with the layout of the dining hall and be aware that it is a buffet style service. We also had to share a table with other guests on a few occassions. The food was alright but got a bit repetitive towards the end of the week.
We were very impressed with the pools and found the beach area allocated for the hotel clean and in a good position.
The best part for us was definately the location because the marina is just around the corner. Its really scenic and we had some lovely meals at the restaurants overlooking it.
We recommend a restaurant situated behind the musical fountain..we think it was called the Eskil... something, which was moderately priced (more UK price) but the best food and service we had on the holiday.
Overall we had a really good time and from talking to others at the airport it sounds like Houria is one of the better hotels in the area but it is the case that the four star rating isnt the same as at home. Have a great time!
A few tips from the boyfriend..
Avoid the sol solema beach club hotel apparently it is really dump.
Buy bottled water from the supermarket on the way to the marina or the shop on the roundabout towards town. Do not under any circumstances buy any food,water or any thing of any sorts from the hotel shop across the road, to say this place is overpriced is the worlds biggest understatement It is cheaper at our hotel shop at equivalent of
Travel operator: Panorama
Recommended
19 years 8 months ago
My boyfriend and I stayed in this hotel following a last minute booking.
On arrival we were impressed. It looks lovely from the outside and the reception area is nice with loads of sofas and tables.
Our room was on the second floor and had a balcony with chairs over looking the pool. The room itself was clean, as was the bedding, bathroom and towels. The maid service was a little intermittent but clean fresh towels were placed in the bathroom every day. The corridor carpets are old and tatty but this was the only real problem indoors.
The pool areas are both clean with nearly enough sun loungers.
The staff were very friendly and tried to help, some were very friendly and tried hard to please you and have a banter with you...One barman tried to talk with a British accent...and was really good at it!
However we did find the restaurant very disappointing. We had to share a table with another British couple thankfully we got on well with them. The food was, for want of a better word, terrible, on one occasion I bit into a lump of pork to then spit out several small round metal balls which my boyfriend informed me were the bits of bullet used to kill the poor animal. I stuck to veg after that.
The location was fine, within easy reach of the shops and beach.
The entertainment was pretty repetitive and rather loud when trying to sleep at midnight.
I wouldn't stay at this hotel on a half board basis again, only on B&B or RO.
On arrival we were impressed. It looks lovely from the outside and the reception area is nice with loads of sofas and tables.
Our room was on the second floor and had a balcony with chairs over looking the pool. The room itself was clean, as was the bedding, bathroom and towels. The maid service was a little intermittent but clean fresh towels were placed in the bathroom every day. The corridor carpets are old and tatty but this was the only real problem indoors.
The pool areas are both clean with nearly enough sun loungers.
The staff were very friendly and tried to help, some were very friendly and tried hard to please you and have a banter with you...One barman tried to talk with a British accent...and was really good at it!
However we did find the restaurant very disappointing. We had to share a table with another British couple thankfully we got on well with them. The food was, for want of a better word, terrible, on one occasion I bit into a lump of pork to then spit out several small round metal balls which my boyfriend informed me were the bits of bullet used to kill the poor animal. I stuck to veg after that.
The location was fine, within easy reach of the shops and beach.
The entertainment was pretty repetitive and rather loud when trying to sleep at midnight.
I wouldn't stay at this hotel on a half board basis again, only on B&B or RO.
Travel operator: Panorama
19 years 9 months ago
Houria Palace Port El Kantaoui
The food was awful, flies crawling all over the cold food and not much hot. All tasted the same, no seasoning. The room was basic, the original mattresses made from solid foam and very hard, we had them changed on the fourth day. Towells were dirty and difficult to get hold of, had to ask reception four days. Shower had no power if you lifted it out of the bath. Beach towells recirculated. pools good. Lobby toilets stank - only two for pool and general bar use. Some staff ok others sullen and arrogant. The entertainment was good some nights. The visiting camel made deposits between the pool and the pool showers this remained there untill we left.
Avoid this hotel if you can.
The food was awful, flies crawling all over the cold food and not much hot. All tasted the same, no seasoning. The room was basic, the original mattresses made from solid foam and very hard, we had them changed on the fourth day. Towells were dirty and difficult to get hold of, had to ask reception four days. Shower had no power if you lifted it out of the bath. Beach towells recirculated. pools good. Lobby toilets stank - only two for pool and general bar use. Some staff ok others sullen and arrogant. The entertainment was good some nights. The visiting camel made deposits between the pool and the pool showers this remained there untill we left.
Avoid this hotel if you can.
Travel operator: Panorama
19 years 10 months ago
They turned off the lights in the foyer before we had even got to the upper floors in the lift, which was just as well considering the disgusting state of the carpets along the corridor.
The room was dirty, with soiled toilets and stale food on surfaces. No fridge, which is crucial for drinks in a hot climate.
Too near the road so traffic noise is a permanent irritant.
Pool area hasn't enough sunbeds for everyone and if you like getting up very early to place your towels and stake one for later then you will like it.
Some staff appeared unmotivated and resentful toward their guests.
Food was not appetising and the dining room was dark and certainly not four star.
We stayed for the first night on stained bedding and then paid for an upgrade and left for the Kanta Hotel which was a true four star placement.
The room was dirty, with soiled toilets and stale food on surfaces. No fridge, which is crucial for drinks in a hot climate.
Too near the road so traffic noise is a permanent irritant.
Pool area hasn't enough sunbeds for everyone and if you like getting up very early to place your towels and stake one for later then you will like it.
Some staff appeared unmotivated and resentful toward their guests.
Food was not appetising and the dining room was dark and certainly not four star.
We stayed for the first night on stained bedding and then paid for an upgrade and left for the Kanta Hotel which was a true four star placement.
Travel operator: MyTravel
19 years 10 months ago
We went for the half board option but did find that the hot food was well a little on the sparse side.
But as we got a last min deal we got by and could not say it was bad but a little more choice would have been nice.
The reception area was quite impressive but a bit dull
but nice all the same as was the pool area .But going
up a floor you are meet with carpets that well should have been burnt about ten years back as they are filthy and stained to high heaven.
Our first room was a no go and we where moved the next morning due to smashed tiles in the bath room
and a shower that did not work. Our second room was a suite which was much better and over looked the pool
and give it its due was a hell of a size room although a little dated it was spotless.
The hotel is in a very good position not to close to the crowds and not to far away from the life of the resort and what distance you did have to walk was very safe as there was it seemed a police man on every corner. The staff well they seemed a bit hit and miss but most of them where nice enough and went out there way to make conversation.
The entertainment was done by a gang of young local lads who I thought put on a great show of tounge in cheek jokes and sketches on the stage. It made a change and was a good laugh and the kids loved it.
Even though Some items of mine went missing here i would go back if the price was right as a family hotel it was fine. But if your looking for that little bit of some thing extra then try one of the other hotels. Time has caught up with the Houria Palace but if you are not wanting the Ritz you can have a splendid time here.
But as we got a last min deal we got by and could not say it was bad but a little more choice would have been nice.
The reception area was quite impressive but a bit dull
but nice all the same as was the pool area .But going
up a floor you are meet with carpets that well should have been burnt about ten years back as they are filthy and stained to high heaven.
Our first room was a no go and we where moved the next morning due to smashed tiles in the bath room
and a shower that did not work. Our second room was a suite which was much better and over looked the pool
and give it its due was a hell of a size room although a little dated it was spotless.
The hotel is in a very good position not to close to the crowds and not to far away from the life of the resort and what distance you did have to walk was very safe as there was it seemed a police man on every corner. The staff well they seemed a bit hit and miss but most of them where nice enough and went out there way to make conversation.
The entertainment was done by a gang of young local lads who I thought put on a great show of tounge in cheek jokes and sketches on the stage. It made a change and was a good laugh and the kids loved it.
Even though Some items of mine went missing here i would go back if the price was right as a family hotel it was fine. But if your looking for that little bit of some thing extra then try one of the other hotels. Time has caught up with the Houria Palace but if you are not wanting the Ritz you can have a splendid time here.
Travel operator: Airtours
Recommended
19 years 11 months ago
The Hotel is a facade , skin deep, it ends at the foyer. Perhaps barely a 4 Star thirty years ago but things have changed since the seventies
The room we were shown to was filty. The Room service Card was stuck to the "Table" with the previous occupants food deposits, the Table is a loose description, all the furniture like the room is constructed of cement rendered bricks the bed shares the same Trogolite methods of manufacture. A Mattress, covered by soiled sheets, supported by wooden planks on a concrete base. The squalid Bathroom again filty with mould, around the tiles, and around the basin which had been sealed and resealed with silicon over and over. The Toilet hid in the corner with it's brown camoflage complementing the over pallor of the room
The room we were shown to was filty. The Room service Card was stuck to the "Table" with the previous occupants food deposits, the Table is a loose description, all the furniture like the room is constructed of cement rendered bricks the bed shares the same Trogolite methods of manufacture. A Mattress, covered by soiled sheets, supported by wooden planks on a concrete base. The squalid Bathroom again filty with mould, around the tiles, and around the basin which had been sealed and resealed with silicon over and over. The Toilet hid in the corner with it's brown camoflage complementing the over pallor of the room
Travel operator: My Travel
19 years 11 months ago
This was deffinately not a 4 star!
We got a last minute deal at a very low price so we accepted the consequences but if we had paid brochure price I would be livid!
This hotel is so dirty, the sheets and towels were all stained, the rooms were so filthy. The bathroom is so unhygienic and the tiling and grouting are centuries old!
The pool areas were lovely but was very annoyed at the fact that we had to pay to use the gym.
Waiter from Chichkan restaurant was a pest and the entertainers edxtremetly annoying.
Would not recommend this hotel at all.
We got a last minute deal at a very low price so we accepted the consequences but if we had paid brochure price I would be livid!
This hotel is so dirty, the sheets and towels were all stained, the rooms were so filthy. The bathroom is so unhygienic and the tiling and grouting are centuries old!
The pool areas were lovely but was very annoyed at the fact that we had to pay to use the gym.
Waiter from Chichkan restaurant was a pest and the entertainers edxtremetly annoying.
Would not recommend this hotel at all.
Travel operator: Panorama
20 years 1 month ago
Hotel does not warrant 4 stars, facade and reception good and outdoor areas OK but upstairs rooms were basic, standard of cleanliness not good. Towels a disgrace, Room not comfortable. Food adequate but there were a lot of very upset stomachs while we were there.
Travel operator: Panorama
20 years 1 month ago
Hotel does not warrant 4 stars, facade and reception good and outdoor areas OK but upstairs rooms were basic, standard of cleanliness not good. Towels a disgrace, Room not comfortable. Food adequate but there were a lot of very upset stomachs while we were there.
Travel operator: Panorama
20 years 2 months ago
Stayed with 2 friends at the end of February 2004. Hotel in good position and reception and grounds were quite nice.
Nice swimming pools indoor and out. however, rooms were very basic, towels didn't appear clean, food, both breakfast and dinner was terrible, boring and cold.
Staff were OK but did pester you a little to visit "a la carte" or other bars within hotel.
Unfortunatley our weather was dreadful so not a very pleasant holiday. I wouldn't visit again.
Nice swimming pools indoor and out. however, rooms were very basic, towels didn't appear clean, food, both breakfast and dinner was terrible, boring and cold.
Staff were OK but did pester you a little to visit "a la carte" or other bars within hotel.
Unfortunatley our weather was dreadful so not a very pleasant holiday. I wouldn't visit again.
Travel operator: panorama
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