More about Diar Lemdina Residences
very helpful staff but NOT a 5 star
by TripAdvisor Member LuxuriousTraveller
We stayed at Diar Lemdina in Yasmine Hammamet just a few weeks ago. If you are opting for a five star hotel for your holiday, this hotel is not for you. although the staff and facilities around the hotel are excellent, the hotel itself is certainly NOT a 5 star. more like a 3 or 4 star self catering apartment.
we opted for a junior suite which was comfortable but not luxurious in anyway.
we decided to go half board which was worth it as dinner is varied every evening, we did not eat the same thing twice in the week we were there.
in our opinion we would not stay there again but only because we expected a 5 star hotel.
other than that the hotels location within Yasmine Hammamet is excellent and is right within the heart of the Medina and cafes and places to eat if you opt for self catering but do not want to cook.
we took a trip to Hammamet, which was alot cheaper that Yasmine Hammamet for gifts to bring back. its only 10 mins taxi ride or jump on the Noddy Train.
Not 5*
by TripAdvisor Member Phantasialandfan
We have just returned from a week at the Diar Lemdina in Hammamet Yasmine, we booked an Ambassador Suite (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge, kitchen, terrace) and we did get it but I honestly think the reception try to fob people off with something less. I heard several people complaining that they were not getting the Suites they had booked. Our Suite was huge and clean and very nice but not 5* by English standards. The maid service was brilliant and well worth tipping. I cannot stress strongly enough - take earplugs! It is impossible to sleep with people moving around in the apartment above you - scraping furniture across the tiled floors, seriously every night we were all woken up by the family above moving their funiture around! The pools are smallish but clean and plenty of sunbeds and parasols. The staff throughout the hotel are very friendly and efficient. The breakfasts are fine, especially the pancakes - yummy. I personally got extremely fed up with being hassled and accosted every time I wanted to wander around the Medina. I smiled, said no thank you, explained I really didn't go on holiday to buy clothes etc but they go on and on and on at at you! The problem being, to get from the actual hotel to any other part of the Medina, you have to 'run the gauntlet' through the shops - unless you walk all the way around the outside of the Medina. I recommend the Viking restaurant just outside - very good service and food. The hotel beach bar is ok but there are better ones slightly further along towards the marina. The taxis are really cheap but make sure the meter is on. We went quadbiking twice which was great fun - you have to be 16+. Younger children have to ride on the back of an adult's quadbike. If you like thrills in the water - try the Big Mamma! Carthageland is a joke - about 6 kiddie rides! We tried to visit the Flipper waterpark in Hammamet but it was closed when we got there! Apparently a woman had been injured and they had to do repairs! We did the African Dream trip - a zoo and meal and African entertainment - I can't honestly recommend it, they had no beer and no white wine, the red wine had been left in the sun and was more like mulled wine! The food was seeped in garlic which didn't suit everyone and there were no choices. The animals were all asleep and the entertainment was fine for half an hour but not 2 hours! We loved Tunisia and the people, the weather was fantastic - in the 40's, the Diar Lemdina Apartments were fine, convenient, good 3* accommodation but don't expect 5* you would be disappointed and if you have a suite on the ground floor - take those earplugs!
Definitely not a 5 *
by TripAdvisor Member travel168southern
We stayed at the Diar Lemdina on the last week of August. We read the reviews before our departure and they mostly seemed to be positive.
After an hour's wait at the reception, and quickly downed the offered welcome drink, we were courteously shown our room. The room were quite spacious and clean but needed some minor attention. There are two pools - we stayed in the smaller pool for convenience. We must mention that hygeine seems to be a problem - we could see the lifeguard/cleaner scooping pool water with his hand and pouring it over the cloth used for cleaning pool side furniture, rinsing the said cloth right at the pool side - whilst we were in the pool !
One family with 2 kids decided to swim in the pool at 1245am. Made loads of noise and hotel staff did nothing until we got so fed up that we complained.
We stayed on a self catering basis but we did visit the restaurant for breakfast one morning. We felt the choice was limited for kids and that the cereal that was offered did not look very appetising - it was colourless and looked and tasted like cardboard. The only hot food available for vegetarians was scrambled eggs cooked with sliced potatoes which was disappointing. As we were not booked on the b & b basis the waiter quickly gave us the bill as we sat down with our plates. He gave us the impression that he thought we might run off without paying. It was very uncomfortable and insulting.
There is an excursion desk near the reception area - we were hassled daily by the staff to buy excursions, they even chased after us as we walked outside. The badgering mentality of the traders (especially in the various markets or medinas) can be extremely annoying, which is a great shame, for the country is full of amazing historical gems.
The hotel is conveniently based near the medina where there are many restaurants, fast foods and shops. There is a small theme park named Carthageland which have a few rides.
We walked around the resort and found that hotels facing the beach looked much more impressive but we are sure we will not be returning.
Not suitable for families
by TripAdvisor Member thejackson5plus1
Stayed at this hotel with my wife and 4 children for 1 night following a mess-up with our booking at another hotel.
This hotel has a feel more like a boutique hotel and is much more suited to adults than families. Had a suite with two bedrooms, a living room with a sofabed, a kitchenette with cooking facilities and fridge freezer. We were on a half-board basis, but the choice of food for the evening meal was terrible, presumably because most people do not stay half board because of the hotel style and location.
The hotel is built into the medina and is a long walk from the beach around 400m across 2 very busy roads. We felt the swimming pools were actually dangerous for our young children – the deep blue tiles used meant that it was impossible to see below the water surface and we felt unable to ensure their safety.
Well, you can go for it
by TripAdvisor Member SofieS
Generally, do not expect that it is a Western 5 star, and you won't be disappointed. I wouldn't rate it more than 3 stars, but the hotel is moderately good. Few hotel rooms are separated from the city center, most of the suits are scattered around a small bazar.
Good experiences: pleasant weather & clean sea, cultural immersion, polite waiters & rather good food (nothing exquisite, but good range of choice, you can always find something eatable, enough fruits, tasty desserts), clean rooms, international visitors.
Negative experiences: though we emphatically asked for a room in a quiet environment, our windows faced directly the corner of two busy cafes playing live Tunisian music till 1 A.M. every other night; some of the lobby receptionists are highly unfriendly, trying to pull your leg instead of doing their job; pushy salesman all around you.
Finally, if you are positive and open-minded during your stay, there is nothing in this hotel that can let you down. The destination in itself is great.
Not 5*.....3* at best! Not suited to couples!
by TripAdvisor Member katiestanborough
Hotel is 1 1/2 hr drive from the airport. We booked this hotel based on fantastic reviews on Tripadvisor. Upon our arrival to the the hotel at 1pm, we were greeted with a complimentary drink which we thought was a nice touch. However, things seemed to go down hill from there! Check in wasn't until 2pm which we were aware of so we decided to chill in the reception area. Howver, by 3pm we had still not been allocated our room. I joined the queue of other frustrated guests to establih what the hold up was. We were told that because of the number of people checking in on that day that they were still trying to allocate us a room as the majority of them had not been cleaned (not my problem I'm afraid!!) Finally, just after 3.30pm we were shown to our room. We decided to pop out for 10 mins, only to find upon our return, a crazy old lady sat outside our front door protesting that this was her room!! Another trip to reception......we discovered that this room was allocated as a time share and that they shouldnt have placed us here. We happily agreed to move rooms but were told that our new room hadnt been cleaned, and told to go sunbathe for 15 mins and this would be done for us. 2 hours later, we returned to the room only to find it in the same state!!! When I returned to reception (again) to comlain, the staff decided that they now couldnt speak English and therefore couldnt understand what the problem was!!! (That was just day 1!!)
This hotel is not for couples. There are 2 outdoor pools, but they are overcrowded with children. We witnessed on a couple of occasions parents dangling their children over the side of the pool so that they could use it as a toilet!! Nice!!!!! Overall, the pool area was dirty and not a good place to relax!
If you like pizza'a then this is yr idea of heaven!!! Food is ok but by the 4th day we were so fed up of eating pizza, we decided to "treat" ourselves to baguettes and cheese spread for the rest of the holiday! We did find one reasonable restaurant just outside the hotel, The Viking!
The locals are very very rude people!!! The hotel staff (apart from reception) are lovely. But I suppose that's so they get tips!
Overall, we were very disapointed and feel this holiday was money wasted!!! If you expect 5* then this holiday is not for you!
This hotel i suited to OAP's!! Everyone that we spoke to about their experiences of Tunisa say that they would never return and are glad they only booked 1 week/gutted they booked for 2 weeks!!!
5 Star? You must be joking?! Its probably more like a 2 Star at a push!
by TripAdvisor Member chrissy02
If you are used to going to 5 Star hotels, do not go here. Enter at your own peril!
My husband and I have just returned from Tunisia. We had never been and wanted to go somewhere different. We found a good deal on the holiday and checked the reviews for the hotel on Trip Advisor. On the strength of the positive comments that were made, we booked it. Everyone has a different experiences on holidays unfortunately, we had a bad one!
We arrived outside the hotel and were very impressed by the grandeur of it all. The hotel is part of a fort and contains shops, restaurants, casino, theme park etc.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff and made to feel welcome. Our luggage was taken away and we were seated and told to fill in a check-in form whilst we had a drink. The lobby was lovely and cool with comfy sofas to lounge on. We were sat next to a couple who were waiting to see there rep so that they could change rooms. We didn't think anything of that as it happens in all hotels. However, the next couple to sit down were elderly and although they were foreign, we were able to understand that their room had been broken into. The hotel staff seemed to fob them off and tried to put the blame on them. The couple wanted the police but the hotel staff wouldn't allow them. The couple were very distressed and obviously upset at the lack of help they were recieving.
We spent three and a half hours waiting in the lobby with other guests that had been on our flight. After two hours my husband went and asked at reception when our room would be ready to which he was told that it would be another 45 minutes as lots of people hadn't checked out until late in the morning and the cleaners were still busy in the rooms. We waited and waited and waited.....
Eventually, we were taken to our junior suite and the cleaners were still in it! We then had to wait a further 20 minutes until we could unpack and begin our holiday. The suite although clean, was a disgrace to other 5 Star hotels. The kitchen had a socket coming off the wall. We didn't have any plans to cook in the kitchen which was good as neither of us felt it was safe. The bathroom attached to the master bedroom had tiles coming away from the bath side. The terrace we nick named the "Prison Yard" as it was an enclosed space with a small window looking across a dusty road. The window however, had metal bars across it! Hence, the "Prison Yard"!
The bed was the best part of the suite. It was massive and very comfy. We probably had the best night sleeps out of all our holidays.
We decided to get a safety deposit box. We paid 10 dinars for the week and were shown how to use it as it was in the wardrobe in the master bedroom. We were told to put a code in and it would lock up. However, the staff kept the key which could override the code and let you back in. We were told that we could have the key for an extra 20 dinars. We decided to just keep any valuables insides our padlocked suitcases as we felt uneasy about the situation with the elderly couple and the reactions from the hotel staff.
We ventured out into the Medina at night time. It was quite over whelming and we didn't spend too much time there. The shop keepers shout at you to try and get your attention and pull you into the shops. We learnt on our second night just to walk straight past them. It sounds quite rude not to acknowledge them but it is the only way to get past without much hassle.
The large hotel pool was filthy. The sun loungers are either plastic or wooden ones with horrible brown stained mattresses. The surrounding area was littered with cigarette ends, bird poo, melted ice creams etc. We never once saw the pool or the surround cleaned by any staff member. There is a smaller pool but we didn't use it as it was sheltered from any breeze. This was down to personal choice.
On our last day around the pool, a small boy actually went around the back of our sun loungers and weed! Obviously we weren't very happy and changed our sun loungers. The life guard asked where we were going and we told him what had happened. He just laughed and shrugged it off!
The staff on reception were quite rude. Although I didn't have any dealings with them, my husband found that they were very selective in the guests that they would serve and others they would make wait when there was no reason for it.
The restaurants in the Medina are ok. They all basically serve the same menu. It is nice to sit and watch the hustle and bustle of the night time life in the Medina. I highly reccommend trying the chocolate crepes. Every chocolate lovers dream!
For a quieter meal out, try the harbour. Its about a 20 minute walk from the hotel and has a good choice of restaurants.
We had a bad start to our holiday which did have a baring on the rest of it. I would like to say that it was just us but we did meet other people that wouldn't be returning. Although the hotel looks impressive, it is very decieving. As I said at the beginning of the review, if you like 5 Star hotels don't go here as you will be thoroughly disappointed.
Enjoyed the holiday but
by TripAdvisor Member Kath27
Arrived after midnight and shown straight to our room. The rooms were very spacious and clean but definately not 5* but then we wernt expecting 5* British standards. The room was situated above a bar which played Tunisian music till 2am it was so loud we couldnt stand it also the kids couldnt sleep so after 3 nights we complained and moved to another apartment which was very quiet although we did not have a balcony.
We went self catering, the facilities in the apartment were basic probably 3*
Eating out was ok but not much for vegetarians and the majority of places sold pizza and pasta which surprised us.
We found the pool relaxing as it wasnt too busy, not a problem getting a sun bed however we did question whether it was being cleaned regularly, bit murky some days.
We did two trips, one to Carthage and museum which was very interesting however it was so hot wandering around the ruins at mid day that we couldnt wait to get back.
The African dream was ok, first visited the zoo which the kids loved especially as they were not caged, then on to a meal with african dancers and belly dancers which again the kids loved.
As everyone has mentioned the hassling as you walk through the medina is a bit irritating but after 2 weeks you learn how to politely get by. I would strongly advise that you look at prices in the fixed price shops before you start bartering in the medina.
Watch when you exchange money £100 was about 251.6 dinas however when you changed at the hotel reception they only give you 250. which means they pocket 60p every time you exchange, they werent very happy about it when my husband questioned the amount., they did this with everyone . I found this disappointing that we were being ripped off by the hotel reception staff.
We met two other English couples and at least one member of each party had a jippy tummy. On arrival back in the uk however I became increasingly ill and diagnosed as having Campila Bacta and Salmonella as did my husband and my 8year old daughter . Being vegetarian I can only summise that the two strains of food poisoning were due to bad hygiene in preparing salads after handling poultry .
Overall we did enjoy the holiday as it was different and the kids thought it was great being able to walk out of the hotel and ride a camel several nights a week. Pity about the ending I have been off work 2 weeks and my daughter off school.
kath doncaster
we've already booked to return!!!
by TripAdvisor Member JRGCDT
we booked a week half board through Panorama Holidays and stayed at the Residence Diar Le Medina. We arrived at about 3am after a terrible flight (plane was about 15 years old, engines at the rear etc etc) and we were shown to our room. we were amazed. it was big enough to sleep 6 people. it was huge!! it was clean and the staff were on hand to help with any queries that arose. the hotel itself is rated as a 5* however it is more like a 4* - the food on offer lets the hotel down. the pools and lobby area were always spotless and the bar staff were very friendly. the hotel rooms are within the walls of the castle and in the centre there are market sellers which you have to walk through to get the the centre of the complex where there are restaurants which will quite happily just serve drinks, a casino and a cinema. the centre area comes alive at night with an evening show, preformers and camels. a short walk away from the hotel was the beach front. every hotel in Yasime appeared to have its own designated area on the beach and they supply free loungers and umbrellas to their own guests. We are glad we booked to stay in Yasine Hammamet instead of Hammamet as we took a trip into Hammamet and it was a very daunting place. Yasmine is very relaxed. there is an english bar on the sea front called The View which sells jacket potatoes and a full english breakfast (minus bacon). we were only back in england for 2 days when we booked to return to the same hotel for two weeks next year, we are however going with a different travel agency as we could not face flying with panorama again. If you are looking for a holiday where you can relax and go on a few day trips then Tunisia is the place to go. the hotel itself is more suited to couples or older families. there is not alot on offer to occupy young children. the best trip that we went on was to Fruigia Park which was about 15 mins drive from the hotel. we booked it through the hotel instead of our travel rep as the hotel gave a better price. it is an animal park where you can walk around and see african animals in semi wild situations. it is more than just a zoo.
Residence Diar Lemedia is very good value for money. we looked around a few local hotels and none of them came close to meeting the same finish quality or atmosphere.
Lemedina Hotel, Yasmine Hammamet
by TripAdvisor Member Raph_7
Myself and my wife travelled to Yasmine Hammamet and were immediately blown away by the resort. It really was amazing and the hotel was again amazing. They were really clean and could not be faulted in any way in regards to location, beach and activities. They cater for all ages and there is something for everyone. Price wise everything was very cheap, even alcohol. A good bottle of Red wine would only set you back about £8-£10. And the beer was about £1 a bottle. That said though there was nothing else in Tunisia that would make either of us even consider going back. Firstly the people, or should I say men in Tunisia had to be the most annoying people I have ever come across. You could not even go outside the hotel without being harassed by everyone. From being asked would you like a taxi every 5 seconds to come into my shop, just take a look. To buy a flower, or fruit or cigarettes or anything else that they were selling. When we politely said no we were then subjected to abuse, and at times it did get quite intimidating. My wife went on her own to one restaurant and within 10 mins she had been surrounded by Tunisian men and had to leave before she had been served. The staff in any restaurant, shop or even our hotel were by far the rudest people we have ever met and most of the time you were not greeted with even hello. We felt quite privileged whenever we got a grunt. But even this we could have handled and put it down to the locals being locals but unfortunately the food was even worse than this. Having been home for almost a week at this stage both myself and my wife are still trying to shake off the after effects of food poisoning. I lost almost half a stone in weight in one week in Tunisia. We eventually spent our meal time times eating crisps, chocolate and dry bread. The food was mock Italian, French or Spanish. Having visited all three they were nothing like I had ever tasted before. We had tried everything, as most restaurants like the shops sold virtually all the same thing, and each and every dish was like the rest, inedible. Also we had to constantly check the bill as they were often added to and in some cases doubled in price by a member of staff. They were not expensive and if the food had been good we would have gladly paid it. But to get ripped off by someone who just threw a menu at us and then served us tripe was just not on.
It is a pity because the resort itself was beautiful and had all the ingredients to be somewhere we could have went to a number of times as the weather was fantastic too. But as I said I will never be back in Tunisia again.
Photos
Animators
Women's entrance
Puss Puss
Camels on the Beach...
Forum Posts
places to stay/visit Tunisia Dec 2006 - Jan 2007
by tatiana439
Hello!!
My friends and I are planning on going to Tunisia at the end of the year for two weeks.
One of my friends has an excellent deal on a week time share at the Hotel_Residences_Diar_Lemdina-Hammamet.....does anyone know about this hotel? What's it like? (if we take this hotel for a week, each person pays about $20 per night - good deal!)
I know that hammamet is a beach resort town and in December the weather won't be so hot for the beach. What are your comments about this? Are there interesting things to do in hammamet besides going to the beach?
I'm not familiar with Tunisia.....what's your must-see list of cities/geography/festivals/restauarants?
Thanks,
Tatiana
RE: places to stay/visit Tunisia Dec 2006 - Jan 2007
by flatoutpa
Hi Tatiana
If you wanted to go further afield, there is a Festival of the Sahara in Douz in late december.I beleive it is dec 25th until 28th or so. It sounds very exciting. I am planning to spend three days down there (SouthWest)as I am planning to visit Tunisia from the 19th until January 2nd.
Enjoy your trip,
Stuart (flatoutpa)
RE: places to stay/visit Tunisia Dec 2006 - Jan 2007
by Kevin-UK
Have a look here if you want to go south. www.saharatravel.co.uk
I know that they arrange this sort of short break and that they are there over the Christmas break. I'll be there also but my 4x4 is full.
RE: RE: places to stay/visit Tunisia Dec 2006 - Jan 2007
by theguitarist
Tatiana I advice you to go visit sousse, there is casinos and nice night clubs there and it`s bigger than hammamet, flatoutpa also made a good point, the festival of douz is a very good choice for winter vaccation.
try to also go to the capital and visit carthage+ sidi bou said you can catch some amazing sun set there.
I hope you enjoy your trip!
if you have further questions don't hesitate to ask.
RE: RE: places to stay/visit Tunisia Dec 2006 - Jan 2007
by tatiana439
Hello Flatoutpa, Kevin and the Guitarist,
Thanks for the tips!! I really appreciate it. I will look into the festival. My friend and I definitely want to go to the desert.
I quickly checked http://www.saharatravel.co.uk/ and all the desert trips seem to be a minimum of 4 days. My friend and I are planning on arriving in Tunis late at night on Dec 27, and then we have to meet our other friends in hammamet at the end of the day on Dec 30. So, we really only have Dec 28/Dec 29/ part day Dec 30 to see the south.
Should we book a desert trip here from the USA or will we find an abundance of tours on the morning of Dec 28 in Tunis that we can arrange at that moment - can we bargain?? What do you recommend?
Tatiana
RE: RE: places to stay/visit Tunisia Dec 2006 - Jan 2007
by Kevin-UK
Email frank at Sahara Travel, he may be able to work out the short break that you require. Sahara travel have many local contacts and are a bonded tour company. Lots of companies in Tunisia run from the resorts to the desert unfortunately each way is a day's driving.
Kevin
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