My honest review... you get what you pay for. Having stayed at a 5* resort earlier in the year we were dubious what to expect. But overall a fairly decent relaxing break away for cost. But you can't compare, this hotel is OK for price. Definitely get your photo of the special tree!
Rooms
Hotel very dated and all rooms and all areas need renovating. Carpets need hoovering and balconies swept. Sometimes beds not made up, although clean linen and towels daily. Tv with couple of English channels. Some rooms had no fridge Very basic but manageable. No hairdryers, iron service only, no tea coffee facilities. You can hire hairdryer 50 Dinar. We stayed room 75 which overlooks pool and stage at a distance but also gets the last of the days sun, ideal for a final chill.
Bars
1 main bar, cocktails, beer, water, soft drinks, coffee and cake 4pm. Some staff very nice, some not so much, unless you constantly tipping. Kaled waiter at main bar is exceptional and speaks excellent English. Suggest take your own thermal cup as water cups and same for coffee are tiny. Beer very weak, but can buy Becks 8 Dinar (£2) bottled water available free of charge after 10.30pm, but you can buy for 1 Dinar (25p)
Pools
Again some maintenance required. But 2 big pools which meant not so crowded which was excellent. And kids pools with small slides. Pool men and lifeguards all very friendly. But some cheeky for tips. Sadly pool bar not open but waiter service so made up for it. Suggest take your own cups, mugs or beakers etc as theirs very small and they happy to fill your own.
Beach
2 sections with umbrellas and loungers free of charge. Get there early. Beach bar serves beer, coffee, water and soft drinks. Also water station. Pizzas, salad, potatoes and veg served lunchtime. Sadly sea full of jellyfish and dead lying on beach so didn't venture into the sea. Water aerobics daily with music. Also locals walking up and down selling fruit, clothes, cigarettes and more.
Animation team very friendly, especially Mohammed. Options to play games such as darts, bowls, archery, volleyball etc and daily zumba, aquafit and water polo, all good fun. Didn't watch the shows but that was personal preference and stage too small for size of area.
WiFi only available at hotel reception and that still dips in and out.
Spa
Sahbi lovely man, had a Hammam treatment for 150 Dinar for full 1.5 hour treatment, very good and well worth a visit. No hairdressers although Sahbi managed to get a lady from sister hotel to come one day for me.
Shop
Sells everything you need, including ice creams, crisps, chocolate, shirts, caps, water floats etc. All reasonable. You can also buy jewellery or perfume in the hotel lobby. There is a cash machine and a change guy also in lobby.
Restaurants
Here is where the problem lies!!! Foreigners (many locals and Algerians) push in and are rude. They also waste ridiculous amounts of food which makes you feel sick to the stomach 😒 weekends are worse. The food is tasty but very repetitive. Not much choice for English children in particular, do not even have ice cream. Salads, pastas, beef, chicken, fish, potatoes, soups, bread, cakes, melon etc. However the staff are fabulous in particular Emile and Ali who made our day and kept our table breakfast and lunch and nothing was too much trouble, they worked very hard. Breakfast omelette and pancakes cooked fresh. Cake served at main bar 4pm daily, nice but once again no one queues! We also were invited to a Gala dinner, same food as buffet but nice and pleasant being served with live music.
Hard Rock cafe
Absolutely fabulous!! Just a short walk from hotel, although you can take a horse and cart which was very nice just 5 Dinar each, £1.25. Alternatively a taxi is a short drive. brilliant food, service and drinks... in particular happy hour 8pm to 10pm!! Music on half the week. We visited twice and best night's of our holiday.
This hotel is def a 3* and needs desperately updating. Would we return? Possibly if looking for a cheap cheeky trip away. Early mornings and early nights.
Kelly family of 3 adults