Dessole Saadia Resort

“Looking forward to a return visit!”

I've just returned from a week's stay at the Saadia Garden - had a wonderful relaxing time and can't wait to go back! We arrived at 1.30am and the night porter was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately we could not open the toilet door in our bathroom, but he moved us to an alternative room overlo... more

I've just returned from a week's stay at the Saadia Garden - had a wonderful relaxing time and can't wait to go back! We arrived at 1.30am and the night porter was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately we could not open the toilet door in our bathroom, but he moved us to an alternative room overlooking the beautiful courtyard immediately. The room was basic but clean and comfortable (let's face it, it's only for sleeping in). The pool area and water were both extremely clean and there were always plenty of sunbeds to go round (more arrived towards the end of our stay - the hotel had only re-opened the week before so was still a bit of a work in progress, but we found this quite endearing!). The animation team are all absolute stars - always smiling, always fun. If you like peace and quiet this is NOT the hotel for you as there are activities and music playing from 1000 until 1300 and 1500 until 1800. Activities included aquafit, yoga, water polo, archery, latino and belly dancing, aerobics, darts, table tennis - we even saw some animators teaching the kids club breakdancing! The restaurant is spacious and food good (waiters again very smiley and helpful). The food is not particularly Tunisian, but as other reviewers have said, if you are looking for English food go to Spain. There was always rice and pasta, two or three vegetables dishes, a meat or fish dish, soup, bread and ohhh, the cakes!!!! Did get a bit fed up with watermelon though. Evening entertainment by the animators was really good fun - expect a Fakir show, comedy sketches and lots of dancing. We tried the British bar but the music was awful - too 'clubby' for us. Could have done with some good old fashioned 80s disco. We didn't feel pressured to join organised trips - if you are firm then Ali Baba and co will leave you alone. If you like the company of other English people while you are abroad, again, go to Spain, as the guests here are mainly Eastern European. Overall we had a fantastic time and will definitely go again. Excellent value for money. No complaints.

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“Go With an Open Mind”

Firstly i have been travelling to this hotel for the past 9 years and reacently it has undergone many changes. Late 2009 a new management team came in and changed a number of things. Yes things in my opinion still need changing but lets face it rome wasnt built in a day... On arrival the recep... more

Firstly i have been travelling to this hotel for the past 9 years and reacently it has undergone many changes. Late 2009 a new management team came in and changed a number of things. Yes things in my opinion still need changing but lets face it rome wasnt built in a day... On arrival the receptionist Houda informed us that our room wasnt going to be ready for a while, as the rooms had just been vacated, we where given our all inclusive wrist bands, registeration cards and a cold welcoming drink whilst we waited, by the time we had filled out the forms and gone back to reception our bags had been taken up to our room, we had such a lovely view over the pool area and gardens.. The rooms are is drastic need of revamping but lets face it they are for sleeping in only they are spotlessly clean and the beds are comfortable enough, We had a double bed and the child slept on the sofa bed which was quite adequate there are bedside tables and a huge dressing table for all your make up, brushes and nicknacks a very large mirror and plenty of wardrobe/cupboard space for your clothes, the balconies are spacious with a table and chairs, and if your lucky enough to get a pool view then its very pretty overlooking the pool and gardens. The bathrooms consist of bath with shower facilities, a sink again with a huge mirror and a seperate w/c these need updating but again very clean. The pool area is where all the action is during the day with cries of water polo being shouted and people of every nationality get into two groups and almost kill each other playing the game. Guys its only a game :) There are plenty of sunbeds around the pool with matress' to go on top of them, Ben the pool attendant is lovely and will always offer to get them for you, The pool is large with a seperate kids pool, at the side although the main pool has steps and a very shollow end where the kids can splash and play.. The restaurant is lovely and spacious with plenty of staff to get you drinks and things food is plentyful but basic, breakfast normally consists of eggs, cheese, tomatoes, cereal, yoghurts, fresh conserves and toast. If you like fresh fish, rice, lamb, chicken, salads, soups and pasta then your not going to starve, my 7 year old is one very fussy eater and went days living on chips, i would always ask the restaurant manager if she could have an omlette and they always made her one fresh in the kitchen, the deserts are to die for, lovely cakes, fresh water melon and biscuits. Try the cous cous and the ojja traditional tunisian food. The animation staff work very hard to entertain all the different nationalities and there is always something happening in the hotel the nightly shows are excellent and very well organised. The guys work very hard and put in a lot of effort to make sure people have a good time. We went to the british bar a few times whilst we where there, this isnt part of your all inclusive but isnt expensive, around 2.80 for 2 bottles of beer, the music is good, atmosphere fantastic this isnt only there for the guests they also let tunisians in too, you need to be on your guard as some of the tunisian men in there are a little sleezy but if you have any problems the security staff are there to help out. We had a few problems whilst we where staying here, nothing major but we reported them to reception and they where dealt with straight away, what i will say is if you do have any problems dont go into reception like a blazing gun shouting and yelling (as some did) if you are calm and speak with houda or nebil they will try their best to help you as much as they can. Will i return to this hotel, yes of course i love it here, i describe it to people as small and intimate, the staff always have a smile for everyone from the managers to the cleaners everyone is friendly and nothing is too much trouble for anyone. I cant wait to return, i am going back to tunisia in november sadly i will be staying elsewhere, i am gutted as i love the saadia but i will be there in february :) One last thing, if you expect english food, like beans and bacon .. go to spain because you wont find them anywhere in tunisia.

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